"Spectrums of Deceit!" (1978/09/01) from Avengers Annual 8 (1978)

Reader Rating: Average; Thunderbolts Interest: Low

Summary: Yellowjacket (Hank Pym) mends Dr. Spectrum's power gem as a gift for the Wasp. But the gem still contains its evil intelligence and possesses first Jan...then the original Spectrum...then Thor!

The Avengers are Captain America, the Beast, the Black Panther, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel (Danvers), the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, Quicksilver, and Wonder Man. With appearances from Clea, Dr. Strange, Hyperion, Thundra and the Whizzer.

Continuity: Dr. Strange explains that he "cast a spell causing [the Squadron Sinister] to forget their evil pasts" following their last defeat, as they had not broken any laws. Sanders is working under the name "Harvey." In seeking help from the original Spectrum, the Avengers restore the memories of the entire team. No crimes are committed here, either, so presumably the Sinisters are allowed to remain free.

Comments: This meandering annual is packed with too many heroes, far more than its sloppy plot requires, and writer Roger Slifer spends half his time contriving how to get them out of the way. Even George Perez's art, weighed down by the heavy inks of Pablo Marcos, seems sluggish.

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This page was revised on February 21, 2005