Marvel Super Action #36
“How do you catch the world’s fastest man?” the cover asks the reader. This is a great question, especially when it involves my favorite under-utilized speedster, the mutant Quicksilver. Whoever did the cover copy seems to agree with me. Another blurb declares, “At last!! They’re back!! Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch!”
This issue makes up for the pair's absence in Marvel Triple Action #32 by making them the focus of the storyline. Reprinting Avengers #70, things begin with Quicksilver showing off his power set for any new readers while searching for the other Avengers. His sister is in trouble, but the team, especially the ‘roided out on Pym particles Goliath II (formerly circus archer turned superhero Hawkeye), are skeptical of his motives. Cue the customary Marvel hero versus hero fight scene.
What's interesting is this story has all the classic Scarlet Witch components without being the definitive Scarlet Witch story. Wanda Maximoff has a mysterious ailment, finds a weird old spellbook, and learns an other-dimensional overlord lusts after her flesh. Except amorous Arkon the Warlord, a Conan-ish warrior that slings lightning bolt javelins, is behind Scarlet Witch’s troubles, not Marvel’s Cthulhu stand-in Cthon, and he wants her biblically, not as a vessel for eldritch evil.
Thomas has dialed in on elements of the correct formula but doesn’t have it all quite right. All the above-mentioned elements work to greater cohesion in Avengers #185-187. This story seems like the partial inspiration or prototype for that classic three-parter. Quicksilver makes a good showing this go around, which is nice. Normally, he seems like a criminally underused and poorly written character.
Side note: Arkon really seems to have a thing for mutant women. After his obsession with Scarlet Witch, he later fell for Storm pretty hard in a couple X-Men Annuals (and vice versa though no one seems to remember that these days.)
Comments