“TROUBLE IN TRIPLICATE!”
Part II: Sound the Alarm!
WHAT HAS COME BEFORE: Bucky went through a de-briefing at SHIELD, and was given a new, fully-functioning arm. The Angel and Dazzler spent some time together at his mansion. Iceman and Darkstar went out for an evening at the beach. Johnny Blaze returned to action as a stunt rider. And Scott Summers disappeared while on a skiing trip with Jean Grey!
# # # # # # # # # #
Prologue:
♪ Theme Music: “Stayin’ Alive” By The Bee Gees ♪
D
eep in the southern Canada woods, above the western Great Lakes, a cabin sits near a small fresh water lake. There is a small john boat near the lake, sitting on dry land. It is equipped with a single fishing pole, lying on the floor of the boat. The cabin shows the growth of underbrush, grass, bushes, and weeds that indicate that it has been some time””perhaps even months””since the yard has received the attention it requires. However, in the time since all of this has seemingly been abandoned, ice has grown to cover the lake, and the roof of the small cabin. A cold wind blows through the trees and gives an icy chill to this bitterly cold January afternoon.
Inside the wood cabin are mementos from another time, a simpler time. On a small, round, kitchen table, surrounded by four wooden chairs, is a fruit bowl, filled with withered, dried and rotten fruit. The kitchen sink has the evidence of a last meal, although the food is crusted to the three plates sitting within the confines of the sink. There is a chill in the air, indicative of lack of any heat being generated from within the interior of the cabin.
It begins with a slight tremor, which shakes a glass sitting beside the sink. The trembling continues until it shakes the very foundations of the small cabin in the woods. Outside, in those woods, a deer looks around, as if trying to discern the cause of the shaking ground. The deer’s head turns to the left and to the right, then it scurries off into the cluster of trees behind it, soon disappearing into the distance. A squirrel on the ground races up the side of a tree, soon hidden among the limbs and the brown leaves still clinging to the branches.
The ground trembles, then erupts outward from a point where, mere months earlier, a grave had been dug. From the grave, emerald beams of gamma radiation shoot outward, scorching trees and removing what remains of their foliage. Emerging from the pit is the Mimic, glowing with gamma radiation. He is unsteady in his levitation, clearly weakened from months of inactivity and lack of nourishment.
“I”¦I’m alive,” the Mimic manages. He can barely speak through parched lips and a dry throat, but his voice surprises even him. “I thought I was dying from radiation, but it was actually my proximity to the Hulk.* Somehow, it put me in a coma, while my body worked to cure itself from the radiation. I feel”¦different, but”¦so”¦weak”¦”
[*As detailed in Incredible Hulk #161, March 1973.]
As the Mimic tries to make his way to the ground, he sees an object out of the corner of his eye. As he turns to see the object, he only sees a massive fist slamming into the side of his face, sending him crashing to the ground. The Mimic struggles to get up, as he looks up, seeing a large man standing before him. The man is huge and muscular, having the body of a human from the shoulders down, with red trunks and a golden belt made of ovals connected together. However, his head and neck are that of a bull.
“Who”¦?” he manages, but finds his body to weak to respond to his attempt to rise to his feet, even as the Minotaur kicks him in the face, knocking him back to the ground, where his body sprawls across the ground, unconscious.
The Minotaur stands over his defeated foe. He leans down and picks him up and effortlessly throws him over his shoulder. Then, reaching down to one of the circles on his belt, which is flashing, he presses against the circle. He is then surrounded in energy for a brief moment, then disappears, leaving no trace of his presence, other than the destruction he left behind.
End of Prologue
# # # # # # # # # #
♪ Theme Music: “Some Kind of Wonderful” By Grand Funk Railroad ♪
Los Angeles, California. The Champions have gathered together at their headquarters to celebreate their newest member's induction into the team. Bucky stands, with his arms around the lovely Black Widow, as he is surrounded by other members of the team -- The Angel (who is accompanied by the lovely Dazzler), Iceman, Darkstar, Johnny Blaze, Black Goliath, and Hercules. John Jameson is also there, leaning against the bar a short distance away.
Angel raises his glass of champagne, smiling as he enjoys his part in this celebration. “It’s great to have you with us,” Angel offers. “You’ve got us all beat on experience, I guess.”
“Yeah, none of the rest of us can claim to have been active since World War II,” Iceman adds. Beside him, Darkstar pulls closer, as she looks over at Bucky with some trepidation. She remembers all too well the stories she heard from her youth about a killing machine of the state, who made many enemies of the state disappear.
“This is a great group,” Bucky returns. “I know I’ll enjoy working with all of you. I’ve got to admit, I’m a little rusty working with groups, though. It’s been a long time.”
“It’s like a bicycle, James,” Black Widow offers. “Not something you forget. Especially with your experience back in the “˜40s””working in three different groups almost simultaneously.”
“Yeah,” Bucky responds, nodding slightly, as his thoughts drift back to a different time, and his expression changes. “That was a long time ago, pretty much a lifetime ago. So much has happened since then”¦so much that I have to account for.”
“We all make mistakes, James,” Black Widow interjects. “We just can’t life in the mistakes.”
“Hey,” Black Goliath offers, smiling, realizing that a lighter tone might get the atmosphere back to something resembling a party. “I’m just glad to not be the newest member any more!”
“Yeah,” Iceman says, leaning his head back, as he takes a sip of champagne. “I was always the low man on the totum pole in X-Men myself. “˜Course, that was because I was the youngest.”
“What makes you think that, Bobby?” Angel returns, jokingly. “There might’vebeen other reasons why you were the odd man out.”
“I guess, technically, I am,” John Jameson comments, with a smile, “that is, if you count pilots.” He leans into the counter, as he runs his index finger along the side of his glass. “I’ve been a moongem-enhanced hero and a werewolf,” he thinks to himself, “but I’ve never been a part of a group like this before. It’s a new experience, but I think I like it. I just wish I could shake the sensations I’ve been having lately.”
“What’s the matter, John?” Angel asks, looking over at the pensive John Jameson with concern. He pulls him aside for the moment, to get him out of earshot of the others.
“I can’t put it into words, Warren,” John returns. “My body’s been feeling weird lately.”
“You don’t think the curse is returning, do you?” Angel asks. He and John have developed a good friendship since he asked John to work for the Champions, and they’ve shared some secrets that John normally wouldn’t talk about.
“No, different than that,” John responds. “It’s a feeling I haven’t felt since I was on the moon. I’ve had some issues”¦with my weight.”
“Your weight?!” Angel asks, looking over at John, who is a specimen of perfect health. “You’ve got to be kidding!”
“No, not like that,” John responds. “If I was just putting on weight, it would feel different. It’s almost like gravity affects me differently. Like I said, it’s hard to explain.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll ask Bill to take a look at you,” Angel replies. “He’s a brilliant scientist, trained by Hank Pym. He can run some tests, and try to figure out what’s going on.”
“Sure,” John returns, nodding his head, but looking down at the floor. “That’ll be fine.”
“I still haven’t forgotten that little stunt you pulled yesterday,”** Roxanne whispers into Johnny’s ear.
[**See last issue for the thrilling details.]
“Hey,” Johnny responds, pulling Roxanne closer, “I told you I’d make the jump. You need to have more confidence.”
Even as Roxanne shoots an icy stare at Johnny, the celebration is momentarily cut short by a mist that fills the room. A deep cloud of smoke resonates from the middle of the room. Everyone present, except Hercules, tenses up, preparing for what they presume might be an attack. Hercules, for his part, merely looks into the mist, and starts to walk over to it.
“Hercules!” a voice calls out from the thick smoke, which is even now starting to disperse.
Hercules nods, as he stands a short distance from the smoke, his fists clasped against his hips, as he allows a bold laugh to burst forward. “I am here, brother!” Hercules returns. “Come, join us.”
The others react with surprise, looking alternatively at Hercules and the cloud of smoke, which soon reveals a powerful bearded figure, dressed in war armor, carrying a large hammer in his right hand. In his left hand is another object, which is still cloaked in shadow. As he steps forward, the object is still obscured by a wrapping of cloth.
Hercules walks over to the visitor, clasping arms with him, greeting him as a fellow warrior. “Hephasteus!” Hercules returns. “Thy arrival could not be more timely. Join us in celebrating the arrival of our newest member”¦Bucky Barnes!”
Hephasteus nods to Bucky, and to the others, as the mist disappears quickly behind him. “I hath brought with me the object thou didst request,” the master blacksmith comments, tucking his hammer into his belt for the moment, and holding out the wrapped object towards Hercules. “Where is its recipient?”
Holding Hephasteus by the back of his shoulder, he leads him over to the Angel, who has been watching the goings-on with interest. “This is the Angel, my friend,” Hercules responds.
“Then “˜tis thee for whom this was cast,” Hephasteus comments, handing the wrapped object over to the Angel, who takes it with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. “I hope that thou doth enjoy it.”
Angel stands transfixed, looking down at the wrapped object he holds in his hands. It feels hard under the wrapping, and solid. He measures its weight, figuring its weight to be fifteen to twenty pounds.
“What troubles thee, friend Warren?” Hercules asks, motioning towards Angel with an upward sweeping motion by both of his hands, urging Angel on. “Open it!”
Angel needs no more urging. He has never received a gift made by a god of Olympus. His hands quickly tear away the thin veils of wrapping. He looks down with surprise, even as his surprise turns to delight. Looking down at the object he holds in his hands, he sees a golden mace, like the one owned by Hercules. However, this one has a red stylized “A” instead of the golden “H” that Hercules’ mace has. Angel holds the mace, then swings it through the air, measuring its weight, and enjoying the feel of it in his hands.
“This is incredible!” the Angel says, ecstatic. “It fits my hands perfectly”¦the weight is just right. I can’t believe how perfect this mace is.”
Hercules shrugs, motioning towards Hephasteus. “Aye,” Hercules responds. “‘Tis the work of the master blacksmith of Olympus. Naught else could be possible.”
“I can’t thank you both enough,” Angel says, looking at Hephasteus and Hercules.
“The delight in thy face is all the thanks I shall require,” Hercules responds. “I hath wanted to get thee a mace for some time, since our battle with Crimson Dynamo, Titanium Man, and the Griffin. Thou didst handle my mace well that day.”***
[***In Champions #9-10.]
Hercules turns to Hephasteus. “Come, my friend,” he comments. “Join us in our celebration. Partake of yon champagne. Thy journey was long.”
“Perhaps, my friend,” Hephasteus responds. “But first, I would have a word with thee.”
“Of course,” Hercules replies, as he starts to walk towards the other side of the room. He turns to the others. “Continue thy celebration, my friends. I will return in a moment.”
# # # # # # # # # #
♪ Theme Music: “Money” By Pink Floyd ♪
I
n the streets of Los Angeles, a short distance away, and armored car makes its way towards a large Federal Reserve bank in the city. It has picked up numerous deposits from various stores and outlets today, and the two guards inside the back of the armored car have to position themselves, somewhat uncomfortably, to make room for the large bags of money stacked about the back.
“I’ll be glad when we dump this money off, Cal,” the younger guard says, his hand running along the holster holding his handgun.
“What’s the matter, Mike?” the older, middle-aged guard responds, leaning back to relax for a moment. “I thought you’d be happy to be surrounded by so much dough.”
“Yeah, but it ain’t all it’s cracked up to be,” Mike replies. “We hit so many stops today, it was crazy! I couldn’t help looking over my back everywhere we went, like we was gonna get hit any time.”
“Ah,” Cal laughs. “You get used to that. There ain’t no safer place in LA to be then in the back of this crate.”
“Maybe so,” Mike returns, easing up on his holster for a moment, “but I’ll still feel”¦”
Before he can finish his sentence, however, he feels a big jolt, and everything seems to turn upside down for him. He flies to what should be the side of the car, but to him, it seems to be the bottom, as money backs pound against him. It takes everything he has just to prevent any more coin bags and other objects from hitting his face, as he tumbles along the interior of the armored car, being battered, as the vehicle seems to careen out of control He struggles to keep his consciousness””and his sanity, as the armored car slams against a brick wall, finally halting its side skid. Shaking off money bags, which now seem to cover the lower part of his body, he looks over, seeing Cal knocked unconscious and bleeding from a small laceration on his forehead. Concerned, he starts to make his way forward, standing on the interior side of the car, wading through money bags and other objects, as he makes his way to his partner.
He doesn’t make it, as an electrical charge shoots through the interior of the cab, sending him crashing back to where he was mere moments earlier. He slams shoulder-first into the bottom of the armored car, which now seems to him to be the side. He knows almost instantly that his collar bone is broken. He looks up through dazed eyes, trying to fight off the shooting pain, which seems to radiate through his entire body. As he looks up, he sees an electrical whip shooting through the interior of the armored car, slicing through metal as if it was nothing more than lukewarm butter.
“What an easy mark!” Whiplash says, as he recoils his energy whip back to him. He stands beside the armored car, lying on its side, the back of the vehicle literally separated into two parts. The front of the armored car has fared little better. The driver and the passenger are both at least unconscious, the shattered windshield and side windows telling the tale of a swift and brutal attack.
“Yeah,” Rampage agrees, his face contorting into a cold smile. “I can’t believe Ares wanted to keep us cooped up like that!”
“It doesn’t matter!” the Fly responds, hovering over them, as he looks around for any sign of immediate pursuit. “Let’s get what we came here for”¦before anybody decides to rain on our party.”
“Ah, don’t worry about that!” Whiplash says, entering the armored car, tossing bags of money out onto the middle of the street. All around them, cars have stopped in their tracks, the drivers heading as fast as they can in the other direction. “This won’t take long! And, besides, I could use a little action anyway!”
Rampage quickly walks into the crease between the two parts of the armored car, effortlessly lifting each of the multi-ton parts with one hand. He lifts them up past his head, and turns the opening towards the ground, depositing the contents””including the injured, unconscious guards, who land like ragdolls on the pavement.
“That’ll get the money where we can use it!” Rampage snarls, nodding with pleasure at his handiwork.
Fly dives down to the ground, scooping up bags of money and starting to take back into the air. Suddenly, he is hit by a powerful burst of concussive force that drives him back, causing him to drop the bags of money. He spins in mid-air, and slams into a parked car, shattering the side window when his shoulder strikes the window and hood.
“I don’t think you’ll be using it at all!”
Whiplash turns to face someone wearing a blue version of Iron Man’s classic costume. His eyes widen, as he moves his electronic whip up defensively.
“IRON MAN?!” Whiplash exclaims with contempt. “But, what are you doing in LA”¦and with blue armor?!”
“The name’s Cobalt Man,”**** the armored hero returns, his gauntlets glowing with energy, as his eyes follow Whiplash, preparing for his attack. “I’m new to this area, and don’t plan on you clowns tearing up my city.” “Especially since my new factory is just down the street,” he thinks to himself.
[****Long-time readers will likely remember Cobalt Man from X-Men #31.]
“I don’t care who you are!” Rampage responds, grabbing one of the pieces of armored vehicle, and throwing it at Cobalt Man. ”You screwed up by trying to interfere with our heist!”
“One thing’s for sure,” Whiplash comments, even as Cobalt Man turns his force blasts at the armored debris, deflecting it at the last minute, “you just walked into a world of trouble.”
TO BE CONTINUED...
CABLES OF CHAMPIONS
Welcome to another issue of ”˜70’s Champions. This issue ties up some things I’ve been meaning to do for years, particularly the scene with Angel getting a mace. I remember back in the original Champions series how much I enjoyed seeing him using Hercules’ mace, and wanted to get him one of his own.
This issue also gets us closer to finding out what’s going on with the abduction of mutants, which was first seen with Cyclops’ abduction last issue. We’ll see a lot of that explained next issue, and see where that all leads start to come into place. I plan to bring in some characters who haven’t been seen in decades to take part in that storyline. I hope it’ll be fun for everyone.
In this issue, we see Minotaur. He’s a pretty obscure character from Ironman #24. His visual is seen below. His name is Miklos Vryolak. He was mutated by his father, to help fight off an incurable illness. In the story, he and his father were buried under tons of rubble. His father, obviously, died in that event, but as you see, Minotaur survived.
Minotaur was significantly super-strong, having fought Ironman extremely well. His powers and general M.O. are pretty similar to Man-Bull. He’s a human mutate, and very durable. We’ll see more about how he came to be working for the person who is capturing mutants in the very near future.
Plenty of time for that, and the introduction (or re-introduction) of other characters, as this storyline continues to develop. It’ll have some big guest-starts as well.
Also in this issue, we see the return of the Mimic, who was thought to be killed in Hulk#161. He returned in an issue of Marvel Comics Presents, where he gained Wolverine’s healing powers, coming out of the coma he was placed in during the Hulk issue (which, at the time, was assumed to be death). He morphed into Wolverine in that storyline. So, he has come back via Marvel. I’m just bringing him into 70’s continuity differently. There will be other changes too, as will be seen soon. Since this series is set in the 70’s, and utilizing 70’s continuity, expect to see some things different than you may be used to seeing. But, there will be 70’s characters popping up in these pages, and hopefully, we’ll all have a good time with it.
See y’all next issue.
-Jeff Melton
Part II: Sound the Alarm!
WHAT HAS COME BEFORE: Bucky went through a de-briefing at SHIELD, and was given a new, fully-functioning arm. The Angel and Dazzler spent some time together at his mansion. Iceman and Darkstar went out for an evening at the beach. Johnny Blaze returned to action as a stunt rider. And Scott Summers disappeared while on a skiing trip with Jean Grey!
# # # # # # # # # #
Prologue:
♪ Theme Music: “Stayin’ Alive” By The Bee Gees ♪
D
eep in the southern Canada woods, above the western Great Lakes, a cabin sits near a small fresh water lake. There is a small john boat near the lake, sitting on dry land. It is equipped with a single fishing pole, lying on the floor of the boat. The cabin shows the growth of underbrush, grass, bushes, and weeds that indicate that it has been some time””perhaps even months””since the yard has received the attention it requires. However, in the time since all of this has seemingly been abandoned, ice has grown to cover the lake, and the roof of the small cabin. A cold wind blows through the trees and gives an icy chill to this bitterly cold January afternoon.
Inside the wood cabin are mementos from another time, a simpler time. On a small, round, kitchen table, surrounded by four wooden chairs, is a fruit bowl, filled with withered, dried and rotten fruit. The kitchen sink has the evidence of a last meal, although the food is crusted to the three plates sitting within the confines of the sink. There is a chill in the air, indicative of lack of any heat being generated from within the interior of the cabin.
It begins with a slight tremor, which shakes a glass sitting beside the sink. The trembling continues until it shakes the very foundations of the small cabin in the woods. Outside, in those woods, a deer looks around, as if trying to discern the cause of the shaking ground. The deer’s head turns to the left and to the right, then it scurries off into the cluster of trees behind it, soon disappearing into the distance. A squirrel on the ground races up the side of a tree, soon hidden among the limbs and the brown leaves still clinging to the branches.
The ground trembles, then erupts outward from a point where, mere months earlier, a grave had been dug. From the grave, emerald beams of gamma radiation shoot outward, scorching trees and removing what remains of their foliage. Emerging from the pit is the Mimic, glowing with gamma radiation. He is unsteady in his levitation, clearly weakened from months of inactivity and lack of nourishment.
“I”¦I’m alive,” the Mimic manages. He can barely speak through parched lips and a dry throat, but his voice surprises even him. “I thought I was dying from radiation, but it was actually my proximity to the Hulk.* Somehow, it put me in a coma, while my body worked to cure itself from the radiation. I feel”¦different, but”¦so”¦weak”¦”
[*As detailed in Incredible Hulk #161, March 1973.]
As the Mimic tries to make his way to the ground, he sees an object out of the corner of his eye. As he turns to see the object, he only sees a massive fist slamming into the side of his face, sending him crashing to the ground. The Mimic struggles to get up, as he looks up, seeing a large man standing before him. The man is huge and muscular, having the body of a human from the shoulders down, with red trunks and a golden belt made of ovals connected together. However, his head and neck are that of a bull.
“Who”¦?” he manages, but finds his body to weak to respond to his attempt to rise to his feet, even as the Minotaur kicks him in the face, knocking him back to the ground, where his body sprawls across the ground, unconscious.
The Minotaur stands over his defeated foe. He leans down and picks him up and effortlessly throws him over his shoulder. Then, reaching down to one of the circles on his belt, which is flashing, he presses against the circle. He is then surrounded in energy for a brief moment, then disappears, leaving no trace of his presence, other than the destruction he left behind.
End of Prologue
# # # # # # # # # #
♪ Theme Music: “Some Kind of Wonderful” By Grand Funk Railroad ♪
Los Angeles, California. The Champions have gathered together at their headquarters to celebreate their newest member's induction into the team. Bucky stands, with his arms around the lovely Black Widow, as he is surrounded by other members of the team -- The Angel (who is accompanied by the lovely Dazzler), Iceman, Darkstar, Johnny Blaze, Black Goliath, and Hercules. John Jameson is also there, leaning against the bar a short distance away.
Angel raises his glass of champagne, smiling as he enjoys his part in this celebration. “It’s great to have you with us,” Angel offers. “You’ve got us all beat on experience, I guess.”
“Yeah, none of the rest of us can claim to have been active since World War II,” Iceman adds. Beside him, Darkstar pulls closer, as she looks over at Bucky with some trepidation. She remembers all too well the stories she heard from her youth about a killing machine of the state, who made many enemies of the state disappear.
“This is a great group,” Bucky returns. “I know I’ll enjoy working with all of you. I’ve got to admit, I’m a little rusty working with groups, though. It’s been a long time.”
“It’s like a bicycle, James,” Black Widow offers. “Not something you forget. Especially with your experience back in the “˜40s””working in three different groups almost simultaneously.”
“Yeah,” Bucky responds, nodding slightly, as his thoughts drift back to a different time, and his expression changes. “That was a long time ago, pretty much a lifetime ago. So much has happened since then”¦so much that I have to account for.”
“We all make mistakes, James,” Black Widow interjects. “We just can’t life in the mistakes.”
“Hey,” Black Goliath offers, smiling, realizing that a lighter tone might get the atmosphere back to something resembling a party. “I’m just glad to not be the newest member any more!”
“Yeah,” Iceman says, leaning his head back, as he takes a sip of champagne. “I was always the low man on the totum pole in X-Men myself. “˜Course, that was because I was the youngest.”
“What makes you think that, Bobby?” Angel returns, jokingly. “There might’vebeen other reasons why you were the odd man out.”
“I guess, technically, I am,” John Jameson comments, with a smile, “that is, if you count pilots.” He leans into the counter, as he runs his index finger along the side of his glass. “I’ve been a moongem-enhanced hero and a werewolf,” he thinks to himself, “but I’ve never been a part of a group like this before. It’s a new experience, but I think I like it. I just wish I could shake the sensations I’ve been having lately.”
“What’s the matter, John?” Angel asks, looking over at the pensive John Jameson with concern. He pulls him aside for the moment, to get him out of earshot of the others.
“I can’t put it into words, Warren,” John returns. “My body’s been feeling weird lately.”
“You don’t think the curse is returning, do you?” Angel asks. He and John have developed a good friendship since he asked John to work for the Champions, and they’ve shared some secrets that John normally wouldn’t talk about.
“No, different than that,” John responds. “It’s a feeling I haven’t felt since I was on the moon. I’ve had some issues”¦with my weight.”
“Your weight?!” Angel asks, looking over at John, who is a specimen of perfect health. “You’ve got to be kidding!”
“No, not like that,” John responds. “If I was just putting on weight, it would feel different. It’s almost like gravity affects me differently. Like I said, it’s hard to explain.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll ask Bill to take a look at you,” Angel replies. “He’s a brilliant scientist, trained by Hank Pym. He can run some tests, and try to figure out what’s going on.”
“Sure,” John returns, nodding his head, but looking down at the floor. “That’ll be fine.”
“I still haven’t forgotten that little stunt you pulled yesterday,”** Roxanne whispers into Johnny’s ear.
[**See last issue for the thrilling details.]
“Hey,” Johnny responds, pulling Roxanne closer, “I told you I’d make the jump. You need to have more confidence.”
Even as Roxanne shoots an icy stare at Johnny, the celebration is momentarily cut short by a mist that fills the room. A deep cloud of smoke resonates from the middle of the room. Everyone present, except Hercules, tenses up, preparing for what they presume might be an attack. Hercules, for his part, merely looks into the mist, and starts to walk over to it.
“Hercules!” a voice calls out from the thick smoke, which is even now starting to disperse.
Hercules nods, as he stands a short distance from the smoke, his fists clasped against his hips, as he allows a bold laugh to burst forward. “I am here, brother!” Hercules returns. “Come, join us.”
The others react with surprise, looking alternatively at Hercules and the cloud of smoke, which soon reveals a powerful bearded figure, dressed in war armor, carrying a large hammer in his right hand. In his left hand is another object, which is still cloaked in shadow. As he steps forward, the object is still obscured by a wrapping of cloth.
Hercules walks over to the visitor, clasping arms with him, greeting him as a fellow warrior. “Hephasteus!” Hercules returns. “Thy arrival could not be more timely. Join us in celebrating the arrival of our newest member”¦Bucky Barnes!”
Hephasteus nods to Bucky, and to the others, as the mist disappears quickly behind him. “I hath brought with me the object thou didst request,” the master blacksmith comments, tucking his hammer into his belt for the moment, and holding out the wrapped object towards Hercules. “Where is its recipient?”
Holding Hephasteus by the back of his shoulder, he leads him over to the Angel, who has been watching the goings-on with interest. “This is the Angel, my friend,” Hercules responds.
“Then “˜tis thee for whom this was cast,” Hephasteus comments, handing the wrapped object over to the Angel, who takes it with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. “I hope that thou doth enjoy it.”
Angel stands transfixed, looking down at the wrapped object he holds in his hands. It feels hard under the wrapping, and solid. He measures its weight, figuring its weight to be fifteen to twenty pounds.
“What troubles thee, friend Warren?” Hercules asks, motioning towards Angel with an upward sweeping motion by both of his hands, urging Angel on. “Open it!”
Angel needs no more urging. He has never received a gift made by a god of Olympus. His hands quickly tear away the thin veils of wrapping. He looks down with surprise, even as his surprise turns to delight. Looking down at the object he holds in his hands, he sees a golden mace, like the one owned by Hercules. However, this one has a red stylized “A” instead of the golden “H” that Hercules’ mace has. Angel holds the mace, then swings it through the air, measuring its weight, and enjoying the feel of it in his hands.
“This is incredible!” the Angel says, ecstatic. “It fits my hands perfectly”¦the weight is just right. I can’t believe how perfect this mace is.”
Hercules shrugs, motioning towards Hephasteus. “Aye,” Hercules responds. “‘Tis the work of the master blacksmith of Olympus. Naught else could be possible.”
“I can’t thank you both enough,” Angel says, looking at Hephasteus and Hercules.
“The delight in thy face is all the thanks I shall require,” Hercules responds. “I hath wanted to get thee a mace for some time, since our battle with Crimson Dynamo, Titanium Man, and the Griffin. Thou didst handle my mace well that day.”***
[***In Champions #9-10.]
Hercules turns to Hephasteus. “Come, my friend,” he comments. “Join us in our celebration. Partake of yon champagne. Thy journey was long.”
“Perhaps, my friend,” Hephasteus responds. “But first, I would have a word with thee.”
“Of course,” Hercules replies, as he starts to walk towards the other side of the room. He turns to the others. “Continue thy celebration, my friends. I will return in a moment.”
# # # # # # # # # #
♪ Theme Music: “Money” By Pink Floyd ♪
I
n the streets of Los Angeles, a short distance away, and armored car makes its way towards a large Federal Reserve bank in the city. It has picked up numerous deposits from various stores and outlets today, and the two guards inside the back of the armored car have to position themselves, somewhat uncomfortably, to make room for the large bags of money stacked about the back.
“I’ll be glad when we dump this money off, Cal,” the younger guard says, his hand running along the holster holding his handgun.
“What’s the matter, Mike?” the older, middle-aged guard responds, leaning back to relax for a moment. “I thought you’d be happy to be surrounded by so much dough.”
“Yeah, but it ain’t all it’s cracked up to be,” Mike replies. “We hit so many stops today, it was crazy! I couldn’t help looking over my back everywhere we went, like we was gonna get hit any time.”
“Ah,” Cal laughs. “You get used to that. There ain’t no safer place in LA to be then in the back of this crate.”
“Maybe so,” Mike returns, easing up on his holster for a moment, “but I’ll still feel”¦”
Before he can finish his sentence, however, he feels a big jolt, and everything seems to turn upside down for him. He flies to what should be the side of the car, but to him, it seems to be the bottom, as money backs pound against him. It takes everything he has just to prevent any more coin bags and other objects from hitting his face, as he tumbles along the interior of the armored car, being battered, as the vehicle seems to careen out of control He struggles to keep his consciousness””and his sanity, as the armored car slams against a brick wall, finally halting its side skid. Shaking off money bags, which now seem to cover the lower part of his body, he looks over, seeing Cal knocked unconscious and bleeding from a small laceration on his forehead. Concerned, he starts to make his way forward, standing on the interior side of the car, wading through money bags and other objects, as he makes his way to his partner.
He doesn’t make it, as an electrical charge shoots through the interior of the cab, sending him crashing back to where he was mere moments earlier. He slams shoulder-first into the bottom of the armored car, which now seems to him to be the side. He knows almost instantly that his collar bone is broken. He looks up through dazed eyes, trying to fight off the shooting pain, which seems to radiate through his entire body. As he looks up, he sees an electrical whip shooting through the interior of the armored car, slicing through metal as if it was nothing more than lukewarm butter.
“What an easy mark!” Whiplash says, as he recoils his energy whip back to him. He stands beside the armored car, lying on its side, the back of the vehicle literally separated into two parts. The front of the armored car has fared little better. The driver and the passenger are both at least unconscious, the shattered windshield and side windows telling the tale of a swift and brutal attack.
“Yeah,” Rampage agrees, his face contorting into a cold smile. “I can’t believe Ares wanted to keep us cooped up like that!”
“It doesn’t matter!” the Fly responds, hovering over them, as he looks around for any sign of immediate pursuit. “Let’s get what we came here for”¦before anybody decides to rain on our party.”
“Ah, don’t worry about that!” Whiplash says, entering the armored car, tossing bags of money out onto the middle of the street. All around them, cars have stopped in their tracks, the drivers heading as fast as they can in the other direction. “This won’t take long! And, besides, I could use a little action anyway!”
Rampage quickly walks into the crease between the two parts of the armored car, effortlessly lifting each of the multi-ton parts with one hand. He lifts them up past his head, and turns the opening towards the ground, depositing the contents””including the injured, unconscious guards, who land like ragdolls on the pavement.
“That’ll get the money where we can use it!” Rampage snarls, nodding with pleasure at his handiwork.
Fly dives down to the ground, scooping up bags of money and starting to take back into the air. Suddenly, he is hit by a powerful burst of concussive force that drives him back, causing him to drop the bags of money. He spins in mid-air, and slams into a parked car, shattering the side window when his shoulder strikes the window and hood.
“I don’t think you’ll be using it at all!”
Whiplash turns to face someone wearing a blue version of Iron Man’s classic costume. His eyes widen, as he moves his electronic whip up defensively.
“IRON MAN?!” Whiplash exclaims with contempt. “But, what are you doing in LA”¦and with blue armor?!”
“The name’s Cobalt Man,”**** the armored hero returns, his gauntlets glowing with energy, as his eyes follow Whiplash, preparing for his attack. “I’m new to this area, and don’t plan on you clowns tearing up my city.” “Especially since my new factory is just down the street,” he thinks to himself.
[****Long-time readers will likely remember Cobalt Man from X-Men #31.]
“I don’t care who you are!” Rampage responds, grabbing one of the pieces of armored vehicle, and throwing it at Cobalt Man. ”You screwed up by trying to interfere with our heist!”
“One thing’s for sure,” Whiplash comments, even as Cobalt Man turns his force blasts at the armored debris, deflecting it at the last minute, “you just walked into a world of trouble.”
TO BE CONTINUED...
CABLES OF CHAMPIONS
Welcome to another issue of ”˜70’s Champions. This issue ties up some things I’ve been meaning to do for years, particularly the scene with Angel getting a mace. I remember back in the original Champions series how much I enjoyed seeing him using Hercules’ mace, and wanted to get him one of his own.
This issue also gets us closer to finding out what’s going on with the abduction of mutants, which was first seen with Cyclops’ abduction last issue. We’ll see a lot of that explained next issue, and see where that all leads start to come into place. I plan to bring in some characters who haven’t been seen in decades to take part in that storyline. I hope it’ll be fun for everyone.
In this issue, we see Minotaur. He’s a pretty obscure character from Ironman #24. His visual is seen below. His name is Miklos Vryolak. He was mutated by his father, to help fight off an incurable illness. In the story, he and his father were buried under tons of rubble. His father, obviously, died in that event, but as you see, Minotaur survived.
Minotaur was significantly super-strong, having fought Ironman extremely well. His powers and general M.O. are pretty similar to Man-Bull. He’s a human mutate, and very durable. We’ll see more about how he came to be working for the person who is capturing mutants in the very near future.
Plenty of time for that, and the introduction (or re-introduction) of other characters, as this storyline continues to develop. It’ll have some big guest-starts as well.
Also in this issue, we see the return of the Mimic, who was thought to be killed in Hulk#161. He returned in an issue of Marvel Comics Presents, where he gained Wolverine’s healing powers, coming out of the coma he was placed in during the Hulk issue (which, at the time, was assumed to be death). He morphed into Wolverine in that storyline. So, he has come back via Marvel. I’m just bringing him into 70’s continuity differently. There will be other changes too, as will be seen soon. Since this series is set in the 70’s, and utilizing 70’s continuity, expect to see some things different than you may be used to seeing. But, there will be 70’s characters popping up in these pages, and hopefully, we’ll all have a good time with it.
See y’all next issue.
-Jeff Melton