When Rages The Elfqueen!

Following one of the strangest membership meetings ever, the Avengers (with the dubious assistance of Moondragon) settled on a new lineup--only to face not only a threat from a new, powerful foe, but also a potentially dangerous development involving one of their own!

1981's "Men Of Deadly Pride!" was the story that led to a time of upheaval for the team, setting in motion proceedings that would strike at the very core of the Avengers--an organization that has withstood countless assaults from its foes but would face the ultimate test of its internal foundation when its by-laws are invoked to deal with an infraction committed by a long-standing charter member. But while that dissension begins here and is on full display, the story by writer Jim Shooter and artist Alan Kupperberg deserves to stand apart and on its own as a worthwhile Avengers tale, with the team facing a unique challenge under difficult circumstances. In addition, the issue features the debut of a brand new Avenger, Tigra, whose stay on the team would be brief but who would leave on a high note when she becomes instrumental in dealing with the threat of the Molecule Man.

At first glance, things seem pretty routine, as we're treated to scenes of the non-resident Avengers preparing to attend the weekly meeting at their mansion, each reconciling their responsibilities to the team with the lives they lead as civilians.

But when we come to the Wasp and Yellowjacket, there is noticeable tension in the air, with Yellowjacket extremely uneasy at being a "kept man" in regard to living as a virtual dependent off of his wife's wealth. It's a scene mirrored by this story's other uneasy couple--Linnea, called the Elfqueen, and Gorn of Valusia, isolated in a Virginia glade for 10,000 years and preserved as they were in ancient times by Linnea's power. But for the warrior Gorn, whose life of glory and battle is now stagnant, this existence of ease has become unbearable.

Neither Linnea nor Gorn have the slightest conception of how the world has changed from what they knew, centuries ago--and because they face an unbreachable language barrier as well, they can only rely on their own instincts and impressions to navigate the sights and people they will come into contact with. Given their abilities, as well as Gorn's impatience, it seems a recipe for disaster.



Meanwhile, at the Avengers meeting, the situation between Yellowjacket and the Wasp has become like an open sore that has the other members walking on egg shells around them, as Yellowjacket struggles to reassert his standing on the team.

(On an unrelated note, where is it stated in the Avengers' by-laws that the founding members have special privileges, such as waiving elections? You don't establish by-laws only to pull rank when they become inconvenient.)

Back in Washington, Gorn has reacted badly to one perceived slight after another from those he and Linnea interact with. Finally, after Gorn becomes agitated at the theft of their horse, a police officer steps in and unintentionally makes the situation worse while doing his job. Yet it's Linnea's intervention which truly pushes Gorn past his breaking point.

Back at New York, reports of the altercations in D.C., as well as the strange powers of Linnea, have reached Avengers Mansion. Yet, even as the team assembles and prepares to investigate, an argument ensues when Yellowjacket, too, reaches his own limit with his lover's helpful assistance. (Fortunately, he hasn't yet reached the point of reacting as Gorn did.)

While the Avengers are en route, however, the building problem in Washington escalates when Gorn instigates a fight with a street gang whose insults he perceives as a challenge. As you might expect, Gorn relishes the combat, a release valve for his frustration that has simmered in him for so long and has only increased in this strange world that's confounded him. But his actions meet with resistance he cannot cope with--and when he falls, the situation finally spirals out of control when Linnea returns to exact vengeance.

Yet the Avengers are unaware that they assemble with a handicap--in the form of the fragile mental state of Yellowjacket, who sees this crisis as an opportunity to put himself back on top of the Avengers roster and repair his battered reputation, to say nothing of helping to change the dynamic between himself and the Wasp to a state more in line with his ego. And the way to do so becomes open to him, when Linnea's sorcery proves to be a formidable force against first Iron Man and then Thor.

Finally, things come to a head when Captain America, who has spent his time assessing the situation and their foe, moves to end the battle without further conflict. But Yellowjacket, in a world of his own, only sees the chance he's been waiting for--and as a result, he finds only humiliation in an act meant to save his life.

It's a bittersweet ending for this new Avengers lineup--but a purely bitter one for Yellowjacket, who turns away and broods alone, and who would go on to face the consequences of his actions.

Avengers #212 Script: Jim Shooter Pencils: Alan Kupperberg Inks: Dan Green Letterer: Janice Chiang