West Coast Avengers #4
Finale!
The Shroud, Wonder Man, and Tigra were investigating the consolidation of organized crime in Los Angeles and discovered that Graviton was the man behind it. However, in the ensuing battle, Tigra, the Shroud and the Blank — Graviton’s lackey — were all jettisoned into the Pacific Ocean. Although Tigra is able to rescue the Shroud, she can find no trace of the Blank.[1]
She is soon found by Iron Man who was sent out to look for their missing teammates when they didn’t show up for their evening meeting. Tigra is taken back to Avengers Compound where she explains everything that happened. Iron Man wants to go after Graviton right away, but Hawkeye thinks they need to proceed cautiously, and can’t understand why Iron Man doesn’t recall how dangerous Graviton was.[2] That’s when Jim Rhodes finally decides to reveal that he’s not the original Iron Man, but his replacement.[3] At first, Clint questions the new Iron Man’s effectiveness in battle until Jim reminds him how he fought along side them in the Secret Wars.[4] Their argument reminds Hawkeye about how he used to regularly call out Captain America’s leadership when he first joined the Avengers and is amused.[4] He decides that he will give the new Iron Man a chance to prove himself. Hawkeye then rallies the team so they can start planning how to strike back against Graviton and save Wonder Man, who was taken prisoner.
That evening, Mockingbird disguises herself as a bartender at Graviton’s on going party and begins serving everyone drugged beverages. Meanwhile, Tigra disguises herself as Madame Masque and comes to the part, pretending to seek an alliance with Graviton with Hawkeye posing as her bodyguard. Gaviton looks forward to working with “Madame Masque” and shows her Wonder Man, seemingly drowned at the bottom of the outdoor swimming pool. This shocks Hawkeye, who almost blows their cover, but Tigra quickly “reprimands” him by slapping him across the face for showing weakness. Clint then quickly comes up with a cover story, saying that he has a fear of drowning.
That’s when Iron Man arrives and ambushes Graviton from above. As the villain begins using his powers against the Avenger, his hold on Wonder Man begins to weaken. Surprisingly, Simon is still alive and breaks free from the bottom of the pool and attacks. As the other Avengers begin doffing their disguises, Iron Man lures Graviton to a nearby power station where he has hooked himself into the power grid to boost his powers. After a sustained battle, the drugs that Mockingbird slipped Graviton finally start kicking in and he eventually passes out in the middle of the battle.
In the aftermath of the battle, the Avengers have their long interrupted barbeque to watch the news about their battle and celebrate their victory. Hawkeye also uses the opportunity to play a recorded message from the Vision — the East Coast Avengers leader — who congratulates the new team on a job well done. Pleased with how things wrapped up, both Wonder Man and Tigra have decided that perhaps they do have a place on the Avengers after all and decide to remain on the team. Hawkeye is more than happy to welcome them aboard, saying “Once an Avenger, always an Avenger!”[6]
Recurring Characters
West Coast Avengers (Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Iron Man, Wonder Man, Tigra), Shroud, Graviton, The Blank,
Continuity Notes
The trio were launched into the Pacific last issue. Although the Blank is lost at sea and is considered dead, he comes back many years later in Amazing Spider-Man #580. As it turns out, he got washed up on a beach somewhere. The sea water will cause his force field device to fuse to his body, allowing him to use his powers naturally without the need of a power battery to recharge.
The Avengers and the original Iron Man previously fought against Graviton in Avengers #158-159. The reason why this Iron Man doesn’t know is because…
Tony Stark fell off the wagon in Iron Man #167 and was spiraling deeper and deeper into alcoholism at the time of this story, forcing Jim Rhodes to take over as Iron Man in issue #169 of that series. He will remain in the roll until Iron Man #195.
Iron Man and Hawkeye were among the Avengers kidnapped by the Beyonder. See Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1-12.
Hawkeye first joined the team in Avengers #16 when the team was being led by Captain America. For a time Clint questioned Cap’s leadership abilities but eventually learned to respect him over time.
A footnote tells readers that the West Coast Avengers will be seen again in Avengers #250, where they help the eastern team deal with the threat of Maelstrom.
