Synopsis / Summary / Plot
Last issue ended with the West Coast Avengers facing a very giant Tigra, trying to stop her wading ashore in Santa Monica and likely causing much property damage.
The 2 Hawkeye's are currently shooting putty arrows at her from a Ferris wheel gondola. Gwenpool fires a grappling hook line at her wrist. Kid Omega mentally saves some falling onlookers. America Chavez flies in to deliver an uppercut which knocks the werewoman back into the sea. Fuse, currently made of bricks, falls off Tigra's shoulder and has to be rescued by America.
BRODOK, the oversize-headed humanoid robot who turned up to 'help' last issue, and who everybody figures is really MODOK with a makeover (except for Fuse who doesn't know who *MODOK* is), has so far just stood around. Now he uses foot-jets to fly over to Tigra, who the walks off into the ocean. Kid Omega reports that BRODOK has a mental shield just like to the 1 that stopped him from mentally attacking Tigra. Hawkeye (Kate Bishop) invites him back to their HQ in a 'keep your enemies closer' move. As in last issue a reality TV team is filming interviews with team members. We get a shot of Kate admitting this wasn't a good idea.
The team return to their Venice Beach office which is still being remodelled (financed by the reality TV money). As the Hawkeye's apply sticking plasters to minor wounds, BRODOK asks for some wine but all they can offer him is water which he declares is a fine vintage. A recording of Fuse shows him looking up MODOK and finding the villainous head-on-legs we all know and love.
BRODOK tells his story. He came to Los Angeles to set up a new psychiatry/self-help company Advanced Image Mechanics (coincidentally with the same initials as MODOK's criminal organisation Advanced Idea Mechanics). Being in LA meant he got lots of custom, but meanwhile he was looking for love (his supposed dates appear to be either patients or random females he approaches). But then he saw the WCA and decided to become a superhero. Gwenpool thinks it's cute. Kate confides that she finds BRODOK sad. Quentin Quire is recorded as saying he's now upped his opinion of Gwen Poole from ridiculous to insane, though he also thinks it may be cunning pose.
Hawkeye (Clint Barton) suggests they raid AIM to find out what BRODOK did to Tigra. Kate says they'll split into 2 teams, the others will stay to keep an eye on their guest. Everybody but Gwen wants to go on the mission, but over their objections Kate leaves America, Fuse and Quentin with her too. She confides to her best friend America that she needs her to guard BRODOK with the other 'heavy-hitters', and also to keep Gwen and Quentin from killing each other. The Hawkeye's leave, claiming to go for pizza, and the others settle down to watch a movie - BRODOK picks Weekend At Bernie's II.
The Hawkeye's enter the AIM building via an open skylight. When Clint wonders if they're *sure* MODOK is behind Tigra's condition, Kate reminds him that the villain has history of experimenting on women:- Carol Danvers (mind-controlling her in Ms Marvel (1977) #7) and Betty Ross (turning her into Harpy in Hulk #168). (The heroes may not know that the current MODOK is a clone of the 1 who did those things.) Clint tries to bolster her confidence as team leader. They find a mad-scientist room with restraint tables and large menacing machinery. The filing cabinets are locked but Clint opens 1 with a small blast arrow. They can't understand the files but when an alarm goes off Clint takes some with him. (Kate can't take any because there's no room in her tight costume.)
Back at HQ the film's over and Gwenpool and Kid Omega are arguing as usual. Gwen wants to watch Weekend At Bernie's I to clear up some questions of motivation. Quentin just thinks she's mad (again). BRODOK thinks their aggression may mask their real feelings for each other. And he's proven right when they kiss.
The Hawkeye's return and Kate invites BRODOK to stay overnight in 1 of the spare rooms (keeping enemies close again). They arrange a rota to watch him. But when Quentin falls asleep BRODOK searches the place and finds the files Clint brought back. (A film section has Barton blaming the TV people for the fact that there are no working locks in the place yet.) BRODOK gets angry at the betrayal, especially by his 'lady-love' Kate. He mentally summons a troop of giants led by Tigra.