Avengers #20
Vengeance is Ours!
The Swordsman was holding Captain America hostage in order to force the Avengers into making him their leader. Not wanting his comrades to surrender, Cap throws himself off the top of the partially constructed building he is being held on. Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch combine their talents and save their leader from a deadly fall. The Avengers then gang up on the Swordsman who is unable to fight back effectively thanks to the Scarlet Witch’s hex powers. All seems lost when the four heroes surround him, but suddenly the Swordsman vanishes into thin air right before their eyes. Both Hawkeye and Quicksilver are unhappy with Captain America for not ordering them to attack while they had the chance and begin questioning his leadership skills once more.
Meanwhile, the Swordsman finds himself teleported to the Mandarin’s castle in China. There, the criminal mastermind explains that he has summoned the mercenary to assist him. He wishes to have the Swordsman infiltrate the Avengers and wait for Iron Man to return to their ranks so that he can be destroyed.[1] The Swordman refuses and tries to attack. Expecting this, the Mandarin uses his power rings to summon devices that first disarm the Swordsman, then incapacitate him.
Back in the United States, the Avengers have returned to headquarters. It is here that Captain America addresses Hawkeye and Quicksilver’s dissatisfaction with his leadership. This leads to the pair arguing with each other over who would be better to lead. What follows is a test to see who is faster: Hawkeye’s archery skills or Quicksilver’s speed. It is a contest that Quicksilver easily wins, much to Hawkeye’s chagrin. Captain America allows this as it will take their minds off his own leadership.
By this time, the Swordsman has awoken and is surprised to find that he is still alive. Even more amazing, the Mandarin has given his sword an upgrade. By pressing one of the various buttons on the hilt of his weapon, the Swordsman can fire bolts of electricity, fire, gas, and other hidden weapons through the blade. Deciding to go along with the Mandarin’s plans, he questions how he is going to get into the Avengers after failing earlier. The Mandarin then shows him a device that allows him to project a holographic image of Iron Man. He then sends this image to Avengers Mansion. Posing as the real Iron Man, the Mandarin orders the Avengers to accept the Swordsman into their ranks.[2] When Hawkeye balks at this, “Iron Man” reminds him that he didn’t have a spotless record when he first asked to join the Avengers.[3]
The Avengers fall for the Mandarin’s deception and after he finishes his call, he teleports the Swordsman back to America. He arrives at Avengers Mansion shortly afterward and is sworn in by Captain America. The Swordsman then begins training alongside the Avengers. After he is certain he has gained their trust, the Swordsman plants a bomb disguised as a control dial in their headquarters. Despite this, the Swordsman is starting to have second thoughts because he has finally started noticing how attractive the Scarlet Witch is. That night, the Swordsman is visited by the Mandarin who teleports into his room. The villain has grown impatient and is setting the bomb to go off later that evening. He believes this will draw Iron Man to investigate the deaths of the others and lead him into a trap.
However, the Swordsman has had a change of heart and won’t allow his newfound allies to suffer such a horrible fate. When he goes to remove the bomb he is ambushed by Captain America and Hawkeye. They believe he is planting the bomb and start attacking him. The Swordsman tries to explain himself, but nobody wants to listen. The sound of battle draws out Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch who join their comrades. The Swordsman uses his new weapon to defend himself as he makes a run for the front door under a cloud of mist. When the Avengers hear an explosion outside, they rush outside and find no sign of the Swordsman and wonder if he was killed in the blast. The Swordsman survived and is watching them from a nearby rooftop, regretting the fact that he betrayed the Avengers. Worse, now he has made enemies of both the Avengers and the Mandarin. While back in China, the Mandarin is furious that his plans have been foiled yet again.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman), Mandarin
Continuity Notes
Iron Man took a leave of absence from the Avengers in Avengers #16.
Mention is made about how Iron Man is off battling the Titanium Man. This took place in Tales of Suspense #69-71.
Prior to joining the Avengers in Avengers #16, Hawkeye was roped into helping the Black Widow attack Iron Man on a few occasions because he had fallen in love with the Russian spy. See Tales of Suspense #57, 60, and 64.
