Before The Kree-Skrull War, There Came... Plan Atavus!

Even before hostilities would break out, it's interesting to follow the paper trail that led to the now-classic Kree-Skrull War which took place in the Avengers book from 1971-72--a conflict which broke ground in expanding the Avengers' adventures to outer space (though an earlier story tested those waters) as well as raising the profiles of both the Kree and the Skrulls considerably, following their exposure in both Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel. The first sign of what was to come could be found in the issue where Quicksilver returns to the team--just as Henry Pym and his wife, Janet, are departing for Alaska to participate in a Washington study on the effects of oil drilling on the area's wildlife. But writer Roy Thomas has the book take more concrete steps toward the storyline while Mar-vell is recovering from a procedure designed to siphon off an overdose of radiation he'd absorbed from his stay in the Negative Zone--even as a coup is taking place on the Kree homeworld, where Ronan the Accuser seizes power and moves to eliminate any possible threat to his plans.

With the appearance of the Kree sentry, both Mar-vell and the Avengers face imminent death. But before the day is out, Ronan will have extended his reach to grip Earth itself, on this, its...

Before the Sentry makes it to Mar-vell, of course, it has to go through three Avengers--only one of which is able to engage in an extended battle, with the Vision still in a weakened condition from having to use his solar energy to help power the decontamination device used on Mar-vell. As for the other two... well, take a guess as to which one would be more of a match for the likes of the Sentry, if this particular Avenger's power weren't constantly kept in check by her writer.

Yes, we're all wanting to point out to Rick the obvious, aren't we:  "Gosh, Rick--in your chosen role as a human bystander in an Avengers battle, wouldn't you usually feel helpless?"

Since her return from Arkon's realm, the Scarlet Witch's abilities have been radically curtailed by Thomas, who has in effect made her a "one and done" Avenger that renders her virtually useless on a team after only a single use of her power. Otherwise, she would be quite an asset in backing up the Vision against the Sentry--who instead must face his foe alone, while Wanda can only tend to the fallen and, to add insult to injury, somehow justify the fact that the only Avenger standing between Mar-vell and death must fight alone.

As this issue progresses, the Vision will get another crack at the Sentry; but for now, he falls to the inevitable, as the Sentry returns for his victim. Fortunately, at some point during the struggle, Ronan has had a change of mind regarding Mar-vell, who is instead granted a reprieve--though we receive the impression that the human race will be no better off for it.

We could be here all day mocking Rick on his kibitzing, couldn't we:  "Sorry, Rick--were you planning on participating in the showdown? Maybe you can be useful in getting Mar-vell to safety while we Avengers are fighting like hell to keep the Sentry occupied, hmm?"

The presence of Carol Danvers--still a normal human at this point in time*--is an acceptable if unnecessary cameo that serves as a harmless link to her role in Captain Marvel, though perhaps it serves equally as a reminder that even the Avengers must bow to the demands of red tape.

*Who, even as head of Cape security, managed to stay out of the Avengers' battle, Rick! (All right, we can only spend so much time denigrating the poor guy.)

Under the guise of the Avengers attempting to gain some insight from Rick on Mar-vell's past that might help them get a lead on what the Kree have planned for him, Thomas and artist Sal Buscema provide a two-page history of the appearances of both the Kree and Mar-vell that spans issues of Thor and Fantastic Four as well as the now-cancelled Captain Marvel. That discussion lasts for the duration of the Avengers' flight back to their H.Q., where a message awaits that will finally take advantage of the seed Thomas planted fifteen months earlier.

Yet when Goliath arrives at the site of the Pyms' ice-breaker, there's no sign of Hank Pym--and the story that Jan tells of the circumstances behind his disappearance opens the door to a sinister plan that will revert the region and its inhabitants to the state in which they existed one million years ago. In other words, welcome to "Plan Atavus."

(And now you know about the "Marvel Trivia Question" that the PPC tossed in the "rejected" pile: "When was there an earlier instance when Henry Pym struck his wife--and why?")

As for Goliath, he regrettably doesn't get far with his investigation before falling victim to this plan's instigator; and to make matters worse for the other Avengers who are soon to arrive, he'll play no part in attempting to defeat it. Quite the contrary, in fact.

With the Avengers fighting what appears to be a near-hopeless battle against their opposition, they're of course kept too occupied to deal with the more deadly threat--the rays which emanate from Ronan's citadel and cover an ever-widening perimeter, which will ultimately ensure that the human race is prevented from ascending to a point where it might challenge Kree supremacy. Eventually, Goliath and the other humans present will also succumb to the rays' effects--but what of the missing Yellowjacket? In his recitation to Mar-vell, Ronan practically delights in describing his fate--and that of the woman who might well become his victim.

NEXT:

Hoo boy--what doesn't happen??

• The Avengers fight desperately to put a halt to Plan Atavus!
• The Skrulls declare war on the Kree!
• Quicksilver busts out... er, in!
• Rick Jones annoys us for the umpteenth time exclaiming "FAAAN-tastic!"
• The Vision and the Scarlet Witch pick a heckuva time to make out!

And more, in a story appropriately titled:

And you only have to take a step backward to a prior post to check it out!

The Avengers #90 Script: Roy Thomas Pencils and Inks: Sal Buscema Letterer: Mike Stevens