"The Monstrous Master Plan of the Mandarin!" (1967/09/01) from Avengers Special 1 (September 1967)

Reader Rating: Above Average; Thunderbolts Interest: Medium

Summary: The Mandarin needs diamonds to power his hate-ray. So he rounds up a squad of super-villains to strike at three sites around the world. To stop them, Iron Man and Thor assemble with the current Avengers: Captain America, Goliath, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, the Scarlet Witch, and the Wasp. The villains are the Enchantress, the Executioner, the Living Laser, Power Man, the Swordsman, and Ultimo.

Continuity: Power Man’s only battle with the first Goliath. Goliath is able to knock Erik out, again suggesting that Erik’s power has diminished. Power Man is turned over to South American officials, but no doubt they have difficultly holding him. Hawkeye assembles with The Avengers.

Comments: Ground-breaking in several ways: The longest single story published by Marvel up to the time; the first time Iron Man and Thor fight with the team since "The Old Order Changeth" (1965/05/01); and the first Justice Society-style story where separate characters shine in distinct chapters. Roy Thomas’ writing is very strong; it’s a shame that the Don Heck/George Bell art is so hard to penetrate – and the coloring and printing are so sloppy.

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This page was revised on March 4, 2002