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Along Came a Spider…
Century City: Once it was a movie studio’s back lot. Now it’s all high rises and parking lots. Henry Drummond likes looking down on where Shirley Temple danced and Sonja Henie skated. In fact, the only thing he doesn’t like about having his law office on the 25th floor is when he’s working late…and the lights go out. ‘Not again!’ Drummond exclaims when suddenly he hears a loud noise. ‘Who’s there?’ he calls out in the darkness. Turning, Drummond sees three sets of eyes peering at him from the darkness. ‘You’ve got no business here!’ he exclaims, reaching for the phone he threatens to call security, when suddenly one of the intruders fires a sticky substance onto the phone.
Drummond gets up from his desk and rushes out of his office, ‘Stay back!’ he shouts, when suddenly one of the mysterious intruders grabs him from behind, and tosses him hard against a wall. Drummond begs his assailants not to hurt him, and asks them what they want. ‘I’ve only got a couple of hundred on me, but it’s all yours!’ he pleads, when the intruder holding him puts a sharp claw against his neck. ‘Hey! That’s sharp!’ Drummond complains, before screaming ever so loudly as the claw is placed into his neck.
Henry Drummond’s cries are heard further down the floor, by security guard Luis Velasco. Velasco is a man who really hates it when the power goes out. After all, it could mean a break in, and he’s not wild about risking his life in the dark for minimum wage. With his flashlight lighting his way, Velasco enters Drummond’s office, calling out to him. But as it turns out, it is not Luis’s life that anyone was interested in tonight, as Velasco shines his torch against a wall, revealing to him Henry Drummond, dead, and strung up to the wall in a massive spider web.
Meanwhile, in New York City, a place that has had sky-scrapers and mammoth parking garages for decades, it only looks like a movie set. Living legends once walked the streets near Broadway and Times Square. Now, only some of them barely hang around long enough to read the paper. A living legend of the super hero variety, one Spider-Man swings past a newsstand, managing to glimpse at the front page of the N.Y. Globe-Recorder, which reads “We’ve got the dirt on one of the Presidential Candidates! Documents to be released to the press today!”
‘So they’re really going through with it!’ Spider-Man exclaims, while remarking that he thought there was no tabloid sleazy enough to make Jameson’s look good. ‘I didn’t know they sold trash like that so far from a checkout counter!’ Spider-Man wonders what that makes Peter Parker, his true identity; after all, he cashes Jameson’s checks – when he can get his employer to spell his name right that is. Spider-Man thinks that some new scandal sheet sets up shop and announces a press conference to prove that one of the men after the Presidential nomination is on the mob’s payroll – and everybody in the media sets their alarm clocks!
‘Speaking of which – if I don’t get down to that press feeding-frenzy pronto, I can massage my conscience while I’m standing in the unemployment line! Spider-Man swings down into an alley way – and emerges as Peter Parker. Adjusting his tie, Peter admits that he is no better than anyone else, as those tabloid-teasers even stroked his curiosity. Entering the hotel lobby where the press conference is being held, Peter thinks that this morning’s revelation will be bad news for one of the front-runners – democrat, republican or perhaps even that whacko third bunch, the so-called liberal party.
Parker decides that since all three men are on vote-hunting swings out west, then that will definitely be the place to be if that trashy paper drops a real bombshell. Peter thinks that since his esteemed publisher has not paid for a freelancer’s plane ticket since “Kittyhawk” that means he will be back on the crime beat here, taking pictures of himself as Spider-Man. A guard checks Peter’s Press Pass and tells him that he can go on through.
Peter goes up to a man he addresses as Walt and asks if things are running a bit late, as no one from the Globe is here yet. Walt replies that word is the paper’s spokesman and some surprise mysterious informers are off in a “green room” somewhere but will be out any second. Walt asks Peter if he has any idea what the news will be about, to which Peter replies that he doesn’t, but that you can be sure of one thing – if the Globe is involved, a wad of money is likely to have exchanged hands.
Meanwhile, a corridor away, a blonde woman tells a man named Weston that she is anxious to hear what is in those papers he lifted from his former employer – whichever one it was, adding that up until now, no one knows but him. ‘And your paper’s lawyer’ Weston points out. The blonde woman replies that the lawyer has flown to California to help them start up a paper out there. The woman points out that it is time to “feed the beast” so to speak and turns to head out of the room, when suddenly she hears a noise be her. ‘What was that?’ she asks, turning towards Weston – who isn’t there.
Back in the lobby, Walt tells Peter that he is only waiting for another minute then he is going, before wondering if the Globe got cold feet. Peter doesn’t reply, as his Spider-Sense begins to tingle like mad. He wonders if he should do something, when suddenly, Weston appears out of nowhere on the stage. ‘Huh? Where’d he come from?’ someone in the press crowd asks. Another calls out to Weston, asking him if this is some kind of stunt that the Globe is trying to pull. Disorientated, Weston asks if they are the reporters he was going to talk to, and introduces himself as Walt Weston.
Weston informs the press that he was in a room with his documents, when he heard this sound, and then suddenly he was out here. He asks the press to excuse him for a moment while he gathers his thoughts. Someone in the press whispers ‘Look at his neck!’ Indeed, Weston’s neck is swelling up large, and Weston thinks that he should sit down, as he doesn’t feel well, but instead he falls off the stage into the press. ‘What a shot!’ a cameraman exclaims, catching the fall on film.
The press all gather around Weston, taking photos and so on, when someone announces that they are a doctor, and asks to be let through. Turning to a camera, the doctor checks Weston then declares that he is dead. Peter motions to the swelling on Weston’s neck and asks the doctor what it could be. ‘How about looking at him instead of the cameras?’ Suddenly, ‘Let me by!’ exclaims the blonde woman that was with Weston moments ago. She introduces herself as Mavis Reilly of the Globe-Recorder and informs everyone that Weston vanished from the green room. Mavis is shocked when she sees the swelling on Weston’s neck, and a reporter asks her to tell their viewers if Weston looked like that when she last saw him.
Moments later, ‘Okay, okay! Ain’t you guys took enough photos?’ a paramedic asks as Weston is lifted into an ambulance. ‘Are you kidding? There’s no such animal!’ a cameraman exclaims. Peter begins to walk away from the hotel, remembering that Weston mentioned that he had documents only he wasn’t holding any when he appeared on the stage. Peter supposes that from here on in he will have to watch Dan Rather on CNN just like everyone else, and wishes that he could interview the candidates about this business, but since they are all out in California, he has got about as much chance of doing that as he has being nominated himself.
An hour later, a plane takes off, and someone inside thinks to themselves ‘”My fellow Americans”…’
Meanwhile, Dawn in Palos Verdes, California and at the Compound which serves as home and headquarters to the Avengers West Coast, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes of the West are gathering for breakfast. Reading a morning paper, Clint “Hawkeye” Barton remarks that it is weird about that guy back in New York and informs those at the breakfast table that from what he knows about the Globe-Recorder if it said it was raining, he would slap on some sun tan lotion, before supposing that they must have had something on somebody to cause someone to murder their source. ‘After all, where there’s smoke…’
‘…there’s a smoke-making machine’ Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch interjects before thanking Consuela, the Avengers West Coast’s housekeeper, who puts some coffee onto the table. John Walker a.k.a. the USAgent remarks that Hawkeye heard it on the news at the same time they did, so there cannot be anything about it in this morning’s Times. Clint turns the paper to Walker and replies that some of them do read once in a while, informing him that he was just checking where the democratic and G.O.P. front runners will be today, and also that guy Galvan who has already been nominated by the “liberty” crowd, adding that Galvan is making read inroads here in California with his law-and-order speeches.
Hawkeye remarks that USAgent probably likes Galvan, to which Walker replies ‘Yes, if you’ve gotta know!’ The handsome Walker points out that with the gang situation in L.A. law-and-order is every bit as legitimate an issue as the economy. Clint replies that he is not arguing that, but he thinks that Galvan is the next thing to a Nazi. ‘A bleeding-heart type like you wouldn’t know a Nazi if you tripped over his jackboot!’ Agent snaps back. Wanda interrupts her squabbling friends, reminding them that they had agreed not to talk politics over breakfast, before noticing Living Lightning enter the kitchen.
Wanda greets Miguel Santos, who yawns as he greets Wanda back, before motioning to the young woman standing beside him, ‘You remember Mona’ he remarks. ‘Of course, hello Mona’ Wanda replies. Mona replies ‘Hi’ before Agent turns to them and asks them which of the candidates they think that the New York paper was going to expose. Mona adjusts her shirt asking if they haven’t had that press conference by now. Clint informs her that someone killed the mystery source. By injecting what is presumed to be some kind of poison into his neck.
Clint then asks Miguel if he has any idea, to which the Living Lightning replies ‘Nah. Who cares?’ adding that one politician is as dirty as another and revealing that he doesn’t think he will vote. Suddenly, ‘For shame on you, Miguel Santos!’ exclaims Consuela as she marches up to Miguel, declaring that there are so many problems for his people, and yet he won’t vote? ‘Por favour, Consuela!’ Miguel exclaims, to which Clint suggests that the radio might help Miguel catch up on current events and switches it on.
The newsreader on the radio announces that, in a possible related development, Henry Drummond, the attorney for the Globe-Recorder was found murdered in his Century City offices this morning, with his neck broken and tied up in what appeared to be an enormous spider’s web. The newsreader adds that the New York tabloid would neither confirm not deny that Drummond was the only other person who had seen the now missing documentation of Weston’s charges or who even knew which candidate it charged with having mob ties.
The Avengers are shocked. ‘First poison – now a spider’s web?’ asks Agent. Clint wonders what is going on, when suddenly, ‘That, Hawkeye, is precisely what the Avengers West Coast are going to figure out!’ exclaims Tony Stark in his Iron Man guise as he and the handsome Simon Williams, a.k.a. Wonder Man enter the room. Simon jokes that, in case any one is wondering, al days off are cancelled. ‘Translation – put your shirt on, Lightning!’
In an almost equally fashionable Newport Beach, an hour or so to the South East. ‘It’s blasted well about time, Julia!’ exclaims Larry Carpenter angrily to his ex-wife as he answers the door to his large home. Julia apologizes, informing Larry that there was a pile-up on the freeway. Larry turns his attention back to his telephone, telling the person that he is talking to, Vic, to hang on a minute, as his ex-wife has showed up to take Rachel for the day, believe it or not.
‘Well, don’t just stand there, come in!’ Larry snaps at Julia. Julia follows her ex into his extravagant home, informing him that she tried to call, but his phone was engaged. Larry replies that he hasn’t had time to get call-waiting yet, before informing her that he just signed on to do some P.R. for the Liberty Party, and then this double-murder thing broke out. ‘Mom!’ exclaims Rachel Carpenter as she sees her mother and rushes over to her. Julia Carpenter, a.k.a. the second and current Spider-Woman crouches down to hug her beloved daughter, apologizing for being late yet again. Rachel replies that it doesn’t matter, as she knew she would come.
Soon, Julia and Rachel head off in Julia’s car, and Julia remarks to Rachel that her dad seems pretty excited about his new job. Rachel replies that her dad says it will make him a lot of money. Julia points out that he just wants enough so that he can take good care of Rachel, but Rachel replies that she thinks her dad just likes money and feeling important. Julia tells Rachel that she doesn’t want her speaking that way about her father. Rachel apologizes and asks where they are going. Julia explains that is another reason why she tried to phone, because the Avengers called an emergency meeting, and asks Rachel not to tell her father if she takes her to the Compound.
‘Is that where we’re going? Hooray!’ exclaims Rachel excitedly, before asking her mother if she can tell her a story while they are driving. Julia replies ‘Sure’ and asks Rachel if she would like to hear about how she became Spider-Woman. ‘Great! I’ve asked you that a million times!’ Rachel reminds her mother. Julia replies that today she finally feels like talking about, and asks Rachel if she remembers meeting her “Auntie Val” once before….
(Told in the first person, shown with various flashback images including many prior to Julia’s first appearance):Julia informs Rachel that Valerie Cooper was working on her PH.D. ‘While I was a lowly undergrad’ and that they played tennis a few times. Julia adds that it was about this time also that she met Rachel’s father, who was a student at the time also, and they fell in love, so she dropped of college so that she could work Larry’s way through college.
Julia informs Rachel that her father went into public relations work after graduation, and he was pretty busy back then too. Julia reminds Rachel that when she was five, they got divorced and the court gave her custody. ‘Because my Dad had those other girlfriends, right?’ Rachel asks. Julia asks Rachel how she knows about that, to which Rachel reveals that she heard her father talk about it to some men, when he didn’t think that she was listening. Julia advises her daughter not to ever tell her father she knows about that, or he would be very upset.
Carrying on with her story, Julia reveals that a few years ago Val Cooper passed through Denver while Julia and Rachel were still living there and phone her from the airport. Julia let it slip to Valerie that she was trying to get a better paying job, and Valerie informed Julia that since she had always been fairly athletic she might have something for her, provided Julia could fly out to Washington for a few days, and naturally, Julia jumped at the chance.
Arriving in Washington, it was then that Valerie revealed to Julia that she worked for a top-secret government Commission that did research on super-heroes. Julia pauses before continuing, asking Rachel to promise her that she will never tell anyone any of this. ‘You know I won’t, Mom’ Rachel replies. ‘Yeah, I do, don’t I’ Julia replies back, before informing Rachel that at the Commission they had already done some checks on her to make sure that she wasn’t a security risk, then they started some experiments, with Julia as a guinea pig. Julia adds that it is funny to think about being stuck with all those needles, considering how she had always been afraid of them, before explaining to Rachel that she wasn’t sure what Val and the others wanted to find out, and that she wasn’t sure that they themselves even knew.
However, one day, two injections got mixed up somehow and one of them had extracts from spiders in it as Julia was told later – heaven knows why. But when she was told, she was mad as, after all, they could have killed her, all because they couldn’t keep a couple of vials straight, and Julia just hit out at whatever was closest to her – which happened to be the laboratory wall. Julia, Valerie and the other doctors all saw that Julia had nearly punched her hand all the way through it – and it didn’t even hurt.
It was then that Val and the scientists realized that they had made a breakthrough, and when they convinced Julia to lift a sports car over her head, even she began to be impressed. Julia adds that it was a Daytona Spider, somebody’s idea of a joke she assumed. By then, she was feeling pretty good about what had happened and figured if the mix-up didn’t kill her, then she was going to come out of this thing on top, so when Val and the top scientist, Dr. Napier asked her to try jumping as high as she could, Julia really gave them their money’s worth.
Julia had no idea that she could will herself to stick to a wall, until she instinctively did it, and additionally, learned she could create webs just by thinking about them, of course though it took time and concentration. Julia remarks to Rachel that at least she doesn’t have to make them the way spiders do, before explaining that Val’s group of eggheads didn’t need a house to fall on them to notice she was now a lot like a guy named Spider-Man – so guess what they decided to code-name her? ‘I wanted to be called Ariadne. I would have settled for Arachne. What I got was Spider-Woman!’.
Nevertheless, it was a job, and the pay was pretty good Julia explains to Rachel, before informing her that before she started work, she insisted in a trip back to Denver, where she had left Rachel with her father, only Julia had barely arrived in Denver when their whole suburb was zapped into outer space. Once Julia was sure Rachel was safe in Denver proper, she went on the prowl as Spider-Woman for the first time – and promptly ran into nearly every super hero on Earth. Julia explains to Rachel that it turned out they were fighting some kind of “Secret Wars” against an alien called the Beyonder, and surprise, surprise, Julia was able to pull her own weight with the likes of the Avengers, Fantastic Four and others.
But, as a “reward” Val stuck Julia in a group she had put together called Freedom Force – a collection of mutant ex-hoodlums. Larry didn’t take kindly to Julia relocating to Washington and taking Rachel with her, not to mention her being so vague about the job she had landed there. So, Larry Carpenter sued for custody, and since Julia could not tell the court about the Commission or her being Spider-Woman, she knew she would lose. But what hurt Julia the most, was not being able to tell Rachel why she was gone so much.
Rachel tells her mother that she did get lonely sometimes, but now that she knows why, it is okay. Julia thanks her daughter for that, and explains her that while the lawsuit was going on, she buried herself in Freedom force business to keep from going crazy. Julia reveals that it worked, but only until the Commission decided the Avengers were criminals and ordered Freedom Force to capture them. However, Julia had met some of the Avengers and knew that they were not a menace, so after a fake trial, the Avengers were locked up in the Vault, a prison for super powered beings, and for Julia, that was the last straw – so she broke in and set the Avengers free – which put her in real mess with Valerie.
So, Julia became a fugitive from justice for a while, until Iron Man went into bat for her, and Val agreed to give her a second chance, which Julia thinks is rather amusing, considering that Iron Man is one of the Avengers Val locked up. Valerie decided that Julia needed a control person who had no personal connection to her, so Julia was put under a guy called Mike Clemson, and would stay on the “most wanted” list, while actually still working for the Commission.
Julia tells Rachel that she has never trusted Clemson any further than she could throw him – and Julia could throw him pretty far if she tried. Nevertheless, Julia did a few jobs for him, including one involving Spider-Man and the Wrecking Crew. Valerie then approved Julia’s move to California when Larry got custody and moved with there with Rachel, then after the mess with the Pacific Overlords, Julia got invited to join the Avengers West, and effectively ending her fugitive days – but she still has a few things to settle with Clemson.
(Present)That is another reason Julia was hoping Larry could keep Rachel for today, and as they pull up by a run-down old factory, Rachel motions to a man standing in a long coat and asks if that is Mike. Julia replies that it is and tells Rachel to stay in the car while she goes and talks to him, revealing that she has her costume on underneath. ‘Boy, if Dad had spotted that!’ Rachel exclaims. ‘Don’t even think that, Rachel!’ Julia replies, once again telling her daughter to stay in the car.
Spider-Woman goes over to Clemson and asks him what he wanted to see her for, adding that he needs to make it snappy as she is in a hurry. Clemson begins to tell Spider-Woman not to get uppity with him, when he sees Rachel in the car, and asks Spider-Woman what she thinks she is doing brining her kid along. ‘If you bust my cover!’ he begins, when suddenly Rachel runs out of the car shouting ‘I’ll bust you if you don’t leave my Mom alone!’ and begins whacking Clemson’s leg.
‘What is this? Attack of the shrimp people?’ Clemson asks, before telling Rachel to get back in the car and shut up, as he has got business with her mother. Clemson then shoves Rachel backwards. Spider-Woman grabs Clemson and holds his entire body up over her own, calling him a creep and warning him that if he lay another hand on her daughter, then he will be wearing a splint clear up to his foster-grants. ‘Hey! Put me down!’ Clemson declares, to which Spider-Woman remarks that it is the first order he has given her that she doesn’t mind carrying out, and tosses him against the factory wall. ‘Way to go, Mom!’ Rachel exclaims as Clemson hurls abuse at her.
Spider-Woman goes over to Clemson and tells him to keep his mouth shut and listen to her, adding that she doesn’t know why he insisted on this meeting, and nor does she care, but that she has given the Commission good service and planned to help him on whatever he called about if she could, but after this run-in she is handing in her notice – effective yesterday. Clemson warns Spider-Woman that she cannot quit as she has got a contract. Getting back into her car, Spider-Woman tells Clemson that he can sue her, even though it will cost her her secret identity the Commission will really blow is cover. Spider-Woman informs Clemson that she is an Avenger now, and that she is already late meeting them at the convention center. She adds that she will contact Val Cooper as soon as she gets the chance, and warns Clemson that from now on he needs to just keep out of her face.
‘Stupid cow’ Clemson mutters as Julia speeds away and he gets to his feet. Entering the run-down warehouse, ‘Clemson here, reporting to the Conclave!’ he exclaims to a series of monitors on the wall, all with various people’s images on them. ‘Uh, about recruiting Spider-Woman to our cause…’ Clemson begins, to which one member of the Conclave informs him that their sensitive microphones monitored his conversation with Spider-Woman outside. Another member of the Conclave remarks that Spider-Woman had marginal potential as an employee of theirs, as well as of the Commission, but that she is hardly essential to their plans.
Another of the Conclave informs Clemson that what matters is he didn’t tell Spider-Woman about the Conclave, and another remarks that if Spider-Woman learned of the existence of a grouping even more secret than the Commission, one composed of members of every governmental organization and dedicated to secretly controlling the policies of the country…their voice trails off as Clemson declares ‘Well, she didn’t, did she?’ and adds that if she did, then he would have shot her right then and there.
Changing the subject, another member of the Conclave asks if today’s agenda has been set in motion. Clemson replies that it will be, as soon as he places the call to their special operative, adding that the American public is about to learn that death has eight legs…!
Back in the car, ‘Boy, you really told him off, Mom!’ Rachel exclaims. Julia informs her daughter that she is not proud of what happened back there, but she supposes that it had to be done, before telling Rachel that they are off to the Liberty Party’s convention now. ‘Me too?’ Rachel asks. Julia replies that she has no choice, and hands her daughter a spare mask in case anyone snaps any photos. ‘A mask? Wow!’ Rachel replies, before pointing out that her father will be there, and wonders if he will recognize her. Julia is worried, ‘I hadn’t thought of that!’ she exclaims.
Entering the sprawling complex, Spider-Woman carries Rachel and asks a security guard if he can direct her to the convention, then hands him her identification. The guard points down the hall and informs her that the Avengers are down the hall, then take the escalator and it is the first door on the right. Another guard asks if she is really Spider-Woman, before asking who the little girl is, as she is not mentioned on his list. ‘I’m with her!’ Rachel exclaims, her face hidden by one of her mother’s masks which are too big for her. Julia tells the officer that is the only answer he will get, before asking if they can both go through now. The guard smiles and tells Spider-Woman to keep an eye on the little one though, as there is a lot of people in there. Spider-Woman thanks him, and a minute later, arrives at the location of her teammates.
Iron Man is telling everyone that the lawyer killed in Century City was the only other person who knew which candidate the murdered source had planned to name, when Spider-Woman makes her presence known, ‘Uh, you guys all know Rachel…’ she begins. Rachel says hi to everyone, and the Living Lightning says his back, but the USAgent points out that although he is al for family values, this is ridiculous. Iron Man is also not keen on the idea, and Wanda tells Spider-Woman that she must surely realize that this is no place for a child.
‘So what was I supposed to do with her? Put her in a locker?’ Julia snaps back, before exclaiming that if Rachel being here is not all right with everyone, then both of them will leave. Iron Man tells Julia that they can discuss this later, admitting that he knows they are all here on short notice. Hawkeye turns to Rachel and addressing her as “Spider-Girl” assures her that she will be all right in this room. Julia goes over to Iron Man and apologizes for getting uptight, when a convention center worker enters and informs them that they are needed on the floor.
Moments later, amid the din in the main auditorium, Iron Man tells his teammates to fan out, and that they will have to wing it since the authorities want more than just security guards here today after the recent killings. Hawkeye asks his dear friend Wanda if she doesn’t think she was too hard on Julia back there, to which Wanda reminds Clint that she knows what it is like to lose a child.
Up on a podium with banners and plaques all around, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Liberty Party declares that he is proud to stand here today and introduce everyone to the next president of the United States – Michael A. Galvan! Galvan thanks his deputy, Wilson, and greets those in the auditorium, remarking that a lot of people didn’t think he should come here today because of the brutal murders, one of which was right here in Los Angeles, but explains he insisted on coming both to underscore that he is not the candidate whose “exposure” was threatened by a sleazy New York tabloid, and because he will not be intimidated by the possibility of violence.
Galvan declares that the economy is an important issue in this election, as is health care, but that the most important issue of all is the fear that grips Americans when they step out of their own front doors, which is why he is so happy to see amongst everyone here today the famous Avengers West Coast – champions of law and order, which is the Liberty Party’s main concern. Iron Man whispers that he doesn’t like this, as they are not here to endorse Galvan’s platform. USAgent replies that perhaps they should be, for law and order is what the Avengers are all about, right? ‘Not necessarily’ Iron Man begins to reply, when, suddenly the lights go out.
Iron Man orders the Avengers to get to Galvan pronto, while Wonder Man exclaims that this could just be a power failure, or else they could be in for real trouble. Wanda urges Wonder Man and Spider-Woman to come with her, but Julia is more concerned for her daughter. Up in the air, Iron Man beckons Living Lightning to follow him, for with his spotlight and Miguel’s electricity they should be able to see Galvan. Indeed they can, and Galvan calls up that he is all right. Iron Man assures Galvan that the Avengers are going to make sure he stays that way.
Hawkeye gets Wanda’s attention and motions to the back of the auditorium, asking her if she sees what he does. ‘Yes – and I can count to seven as well as anybody by Iron Man’s beacon’ Wanda replies, meaning that all seven Avengers are accounted for, so whoever is behind them is not an Avenger. Clint calls up to Iron Man that there is somebody hoping around on the ceiling, so Iron Man tells Miguel to keep the auditorium lit while he checks it out, and asks Spider-Woman to stay close to the candidates on the ground while the rest of them give chase to the intruder.
USAgent shouts out that they have him on the run, ‘He’s taking a powder – and we’re right on his tail!’ Wanda, Clint, Simon and Iron Man follow the USAgent into another room, and Iron Man informs everyone that his beam didn’t give him a clear picture of whoever it is. In the new room, USAgent grabs the intruder; I’ve got him by the foot!’ Walker calls out as he is kicked in the face. Hawkeye warns everyone to shield their eyes as he lets loose a flare arrow. ‘What you’ve go, Agent, is Spider-Man!’ Wanda announces as the room lightens up.
‘You know those flare arrows could blind a fella!’ Spider-Man jokes as he fends off the USAgent, who is about to punch him. Walker asks if Spider-Man didn’t cause the black out, then who did, to which Spider-Man explains that he was trying to find that out, and around that time his spider-sense pulled him in this direction. Suddenly, the doors to the room slam behind the Avengers, trapping them, and three menacing spider-like beings appear. ‘The name…is Deathweb!’ one of them exclaims. ‘No relation, guys – honest!’ Spider-Man exclaims to the Avengers West.


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Death Has Eight Legs
Somewhere in the labyrinthine confines of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man is smacked backwards, luckily Tony Stark in his Iron Man guise is there to catch him, but also to remind him that he ordered him not to attack on his own as they do not know quite what they are facing here. Spider-Man admits that Iron Man is right, but remarks that he thought he was the logical guy to lead the charge – considering they are up against three low-lifes who have “spider” written all over them!
Spider-Man leaps back into action alongside the five members of the mighty Avengers West Coast. ‘The name is Deathweb!’ shouts the female member of Deathweb, to which Simon Williams a.k.a. Wonder Man tells the spider-like villains that they are not going to cause any more deaths at the Liberty Party’s convention, when suddenly the woman kicks Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch over, and John Walker a.k.a. the USAgent reports that Wanda is unconscious.
The large black creature who most resembles a spider exclaims that it doesn’t matter for when this round is over, none of the Avengers will be on their feet. With that, he tosses Iron Man across the room, and Tony heads straight for USAgent and Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye, only for his boot jets to kick in at the last minute, propelling him backwards. ‘Yeah, else I’d have been squashed flatter than yesterday’s Dr. Pepper!’ Clint jokes.
Spider-Man smashes the armored member of Deathweb, but as Parker thinks he would have finished his foe off, he is surprised to see that his enemy survived the punch and is now clinging to the wall, just like him. The metal member of Deathweb boasts that he is far more than a copy of Spider-Man, as they will soon learn. The armored villain shoots something from his mouth which Spider-Man dodges, and jokingly asks if they attacked a presidential campaign only to start a spitting contest.
USAgent blocks the villains spit with his trusty shield as it begins to pour down on him. Walker then tells Spider-Man that they need to start taking the enemy seriously, as what he spit was some kind of acid “venom”, and while he was protected by his shield, the nearby wall did not survive the assault. Spider-Man agrees, and shoots some webbing into his enemy’s mouth.
Hawkeye fires a concussion arrow at the ten-foot member of Deathweb, but it barely fazes him. Clint hopes that Spider-Woman and Living Lightning are having a easier time guarding Galvan and the other delegates, when Wonder Man tells Hawkeye to leave the big one to him, as he can handle it – but the large black creature grabs Simon by the neck and forces him against a wall. It’s then that Simon realizes there is something familiar about his foe- his glowing red eyes, meaning the arachnoid has the same ionic powers as Wonder Man.
Meanwhile, in the auditorium, Miguel Santos a.k.a. Living Lightning lights up the large room, asking Spider-Woman if it is light enough. Julia Carpenter a.k.a. Spider-Woman replies by telling her teammate to keep it up for as long as he can. A member of the press calls out to Michael Galvan, asking him if he is okay. Galvan’s vice Wilson Lambert suggests to Michael that he let security escort him out, but Galvan asks where they would go in this black-out, not to mention that there would be nowhere safer than here, as he has two Avengers to protect him.
Julia turns to the other side of the auditorium, thinking that she can only keep one eye on Galvan, as her other is on her daughter, Rachel, who sits on a chair wearing one of Julia’s spare masks. ‘Some super heroine – dragging her eight year old daughter into danger like this!’ Julia thinks to herself, when suddenly, ‘What’s wrong with you people?’ shouts a rather angry man – Julia realizes that it is her ex-husband, Larry, who comes up behind her. ‘Yes I’m talking to you, Spider-Woman!’ he declares as he introduces himself as Galvan’s public relations manager, informing her that it is his job to keep this from turning into a disaster for the Galvan-Lambert campaign. ‘And it’s the Avengers’ job, Mr. Carpenter, to keep the two of them alive!’ Julia replies.
The Avengers also need to keep themselves alive, and the big brute lifts Wonder Man high in the air, before addressing the woman as Arachne and telling her not to worry about “the skirt”. Arachne hits Wanda again, informing the giant villain whom she calls Therak that she has to keep the Scarlet Witch from concentrating, or her hex power might turn the tide, after all they are outnumbered. ‘You wouldn’t know it by me, lady!’ Simon exclaims as Therak smashes him into the ground once more.
The handsome USAgent grabs the armored spider, and remarks ‘So the girl’s called “Arachne”, and your big buddy looks like a human tarantula, so what’s your role in this “spider squad”, tin can?’ ‘He’s not daddy longlegs, that’s for sure!’ Spider-Man jokes, before the armored spider calls them both morons and asks if they have never heard of the spiders called…Trapdoor?! With that, Antro vanishes from Agent’s grasp.
Iron Man blasts Therak with a repulsor ray and tells his teammates not to bother looking for Trapdoor, as Wonder Man is down. Tony adds that his repulsor rays jammed for a second and he needs back up in case they do it again. Antro suddenly appears mid air alongside Iron Man telling him that both the Avengers and the candidates they guard will need far more than that! Antro then leaps onto Iron Man who is taken by surprise as Antro boasts that he will rip Iron Man’s head off – and as Antro wraps his hands around Iron Man’s head, Tony thinks that whether it is Antro’s muscle or armor, he might just be strong enough to do it.
Back on the floor, someone tells Galvan that he and Lambert have to leave. ‘So that the rest of you have an excuse to go?’ Galvan asks. Wilson Lambert tells Michael that the both of them have a duty to the party, to which Galvan declares that he didn’t turn tail in ‘Nam and will not do it now. Larry Carpenter turns to Spider-Woman and asks her if she can’t make Galvan leave. ‘It’s his decision…Mr. Carpenter’ Julia replies as civilized as she can so as not to give away her secret identity to her ex-husband. ‘What did you say? Stop mumbling! I can barely hear you!’ Larry snaps back.
Julia thinks that the less Larry hears her voice the better, before turning to the Living Lightning and asking him if he is okay, as he is flickering. Miguel replies that he has never used his powers for such a long stretch, and jokes that he feels like a light fixture on the fritz. Miguel is determined to carry on, but Julia tells him he can stop, as the power comes back on. One of the media representatives asks Galvan to tell their viewers what they think is behind this attack.
Living Lightning falls to the stage and Julia asks him if he is okay, and why he didn’t tell her he would change back so fast that he would fall. ‘You think I knew?’ Miguel replies, before telling Julia that he hopes he didn’t scare Rachel – then correcting himself ‘Uh, the little girl’ so as not to give away Rachel’s presence. Julia informs Miguel that she is a pretty brave little girl, but turning to where Rachel is supposed to be sitting, Spider-Woman is horrified to find Rachel is gone. Instantly, Julia rushes away, but Living Lightning asks her where she is going, as they are supposed to stay here and guard the candidates. ‘You do it! I’ve got to find her!’ Julia exclaims.
Meanwhile, USAgent tosses his shield, remarking that Iron Man is, just barely, holding his own against Antro, so it is time they took care of “Thorax”. ‘The name’s Therak, jerk!’ Therak replies as Agent’s shield smacks him in the face. Spider-Man uses some webbing to tie a couple of Therak’s arms up and wonders who these people are and what it is they want, for they blacked out the place, and didn’t really attack anybody, just the Avengers when they arrived on scene.
Walker remarks that this isn’t getting them anywhere, so suggests that they gang up on the big guy. Arachne turns away from Wanda and covers Walker in some sticky webbing, telling him that first he must get out of this. ‘You must have me confused with Captain America, lady! I’m the one who can tear through this stuff like it was spaghetti!’ Walker boasts, when suddenly he becomes very weak, and falls to the ground, covered in the webbing. Dazed and confused, Wanda asks Arachne what she has done to Agent. The nasty woman replies that she has used neuro-toxins on him, explaining that every spider has venom glands, and they wanted to be true to their motif. Arachne then warns Wanda to wait and see what the stuff does to her.
Julia rushes down a corridor and thinks she can hear a heated battle from behind some doors, and wonders if Rachel could have stumbled in there. ‘Rachel! Are you in there?’ Julia shouts as she bangs on the doors, only for them to slide open and her to fall into the room. ‘Oh my God…!’ she exclaims upon seeing her teammates tussling with Deathweb.
Arachne grins and holding Wanda up close boasts that she might kill her like she did to that stool pigeon in New York after Antro “Trapdoored” them into his room. Arachne adds that Wanda doesn’t have USAgent’s natural resistance, so her web-toxins are liable to make the Scarlet Witch swell up so big that she explodes just like Weston did – but before Arachne can unleash her deadly powers on the Scarlet Witch, ‘If you like webs so much, have one of mine!’ Spider-Woman exclaims as she uses one of her psi-webs to latch on to Arachne then toss her across the room, slamming her hard against a wall.
Julia quietly asks Wanda if she has seen Rachel, to which Wanda thanks her teammate for the rescue. Julia exclaims that she has been going crazy looking for Rachel, but Wanda tells her that it will have to wait, and reveals that Arachne has kept her disorientated so she couldn’t throw a hex bolt, which means Deathweb are afraid of it, so hopefully she will have some effect on them. With that, Wanda casts a hex towards Therak, who falls through the floor. ‘Is this our lucky day or what?’ Spider-Man jokes.
Hawkeye remarks that if Spider-Man was more dependable as an Avengers Reservist then he would know that Wanda’s hex power caused that “luck”. Spider-Man claims that he forgot, before pulling up Wonder Man and announcing that he doesn’t look too good. Hawkeye fires a blast arrow above Therak, causing more rubble to fall down on him. Clint remarks that he has no time to rest on his laurels, and fires an electro-arrow at Antro, hoping to help Iron Man. Iron Man asks Hawkeye if this is the same one he used on Miguel in practice, a heat-seeking mini-missile that locked onto Antro and is now proceeding to disrupt his armor’s electrical system.
Antro exclaims that he must “trapdoor” away, when Therak leaps up through the floor. Wonder Man has regained consciousness and warns everyone to look out. Iron Man suggests to Wonder Man that they both take him on together, when Rachel Carpenter enters the room. Rachel takes her mask off and explains that she was hiding when she saw her mother run off. Spider-Woman tells Rachel to get back, when Antro fires some webbing at her and pulls her towards him, holding her as a hostage.
‘If you hurt her…’Julia begins, to which Antro asks why he would wish to harm her, however he thinks that the overly gallant Hawkeye is another matter, and fires some venom at Clint. Arachne congratulates Antro, remarking that a hostage may come in handy. Therak wants to fight some more, but Antro tells him not to, as they have accomplished their purpose here, and that it was time they were going. With that, Antro teleports Deathweb and Rachel Carpenter away. ‘Rachel!’ screams Julia.
Wanda announces that USAgent is still down, before going over to her dear friend Hawkeye and asking him how he is. Clint replies that the venom burns like fire, but that his harness protected his arm, well, most of it. Iron Man begins to remove it before it does any permanent damage as Galvan, Larry Carpenter and the other men enter the room. One of them asks what Spider-Man is doing here, to which Spider-Man explains that he is an Avenger’s Reservist, and offers to inform the men of what went on once they have dusted themselves off.
Julia sees Larry and wonders how she is going to tell him that she let three super powered goons kidnap their daughter. Larry reminds Iron Man that the Avengers were supposed to be guarding the convention, but instead they have been lounging about in here while the candidates were stumbling over themselves in the dark. Another of the men tells Carpenter that, from the looks of things, it doesn’t look like the Avengers were on a coffee break. Iron Man thanks the man, before explaining what has happened to them.
Moments later and minus any mention of Rachel Carpenter, the men walk away. ‘”Deathweb”? Who do they think they’re kidding?’ he remarks to the others as another of the men offers to go check outside. Spider-Man asks what the Avengers are going to do, to which Iron Man replies that he will decide in a minute, before declaring that he wants Spider-Woman to return to Avengers Compound. ‘What?’ exclaims Julia, asking Iron Man if he expects her to just hang around there while Rachel – Iron Man interrupts, pointing out that Rachel wouldn’t be in danger if Spider-Woman had stayed at her post, reminding Julia that she followed them, so Rachel followed her, and now she is too personally involved so she is off the case.
‘Like blazes I am!’ Julia shouts as she storms off. Wonder Man is about to suggest something to Iron Man when suddenly the media show up with Galvan and Lambert. Galvan informs the Avengers that security told him what happened, and that he and his running mate want to thank them. ‘With TV news crews in tow, naturally’ Wonder Man whispers. Galvan turns to the cameras and declares that this “Deathweb” gang may have gotten away – for the moment – but that they didn’t achieve their aim of disrupting this convention. Galvan declares that if the people of this country ever feel safe again, it will be thanks to the Avengers West. ‘And to Mr. Galvan!’ Lambert pipes up.
Wonder Man points out to his teammates that the Liberty Party are making it sound like they are here to endorse them, not just to guard them. Iron Man asks Simon what he expected, pointing out that they are politicians after all. Wanda holds onto USAgent and informs everyone that he is still pretty shaken, so they had better get both he and Clint to a hospital. ‘Hey – I don’t need to – ‘Agent begins, until Iron Man interrupts, declaring that they are both going.
A short time later at what seems from the outside a long abandoned factory. ‘Are you in here?’ a man shouts in the darkness. ‘Of course not’ he mutters, ‘I knew he wouldn’t be on time’ he adds, before feeling for a light switch and wondering why the Conclave puts up with this blasted prima-donna. Suddenly, a voice comes from within the shadows – ‘Your superiors “put up” with me, Clemson – because they know the Manipulator always delivers the goods!’
Mike Clemson, Spider-Woman’s former “handler” stares up at the brightly dressed man called the Manipulator and asks him if by “goods” he means that he accepts blame for the Deathweb bozos that he got working for the Conclave. Clemson tells the Manipulator that while he is making dramatic entrances surrounded by enough high-tech hardware to start his own retail outlet, Deathweb are taking children as hostages. Clemson asks the Manipulator if this is the “Super-Human Terrorist Methods” that he advertised. Clemson mutters that he could have hired a bunch of third-rate jockeys and got the same result, when the Manipulator interrupts him, announcing that he is receiving an incoming call.
The Manipulator greets his caller, who must ask him a question because he exclaims ‘Yes I do want that particular White House staffer “hassled” as you put it!’, adding that it will send the appropriate message to his boss, before hanging up on the caller. Clemson exclaims ‘You put me on “hold” while you took a phone call? I don’t believe this!’ The phone rings again, and the Manipulator tells Clemson that he must wait again. Taking this call, the Manipulator exclaims ‘What? I don’t pay you to think, man!’ Declaring that he wanted the bomb detonated before the fund raiser, then hanging up.
The Manipulator mutters that it is hard running an organization when one is surrounded by fools and idiots, before remarking “speaking of which” and turning back to Clemson, asking him if he had something else he wanted to say. Furious, Clemson tells the Manipulator not to mess with him, as he represents the Conclave, when suddenly; the members of the Conclave appear in shadowy forms on the monitors around the room. ‘Actually, Mr. Clemson – we can speak for ourselves now!’ one of them exclaims. Clemson replies that of course they can and that he was just doing his job.
One of the Conclave tells the Manipulator that they are a bit concerned about this business at L.A.’s Convention Center. The Manipulator replies by telling the Conclave that they needn’t be, for he can assure them, that everything is going precisely according to schedule. ‘Your schedule perhaps, but you know our requirements’ another of the Conclave warns him. The Manipulator replies that he does, and that he will meet them, before reminding the Conclave that his contract gives him complete control over means and methods.
Clemson exclaims that the Manipulator is being arrogant and reminds him that this is the Conclave he is speaking to here, that they have people in every major department of the government – legislative, executive, whatever! Clemson adds that the Conclave run things in this country, whatever Congress or the President thinks, and that the Manipulator is acting like they work for him, instead of him working for them. One of the Conclave interrupts Clemson by telling the Manipulator that they accept his assessment, for now.
The Manipulator thanks the Conclave before Clemson comes up behind the Manipulator and asks if he is trying to make him look like a fool in front of them all. Clemson is about to leap at the Manipulator, when the Manipulator begins to fade away, ‘I think you can manage that on your own, Clemson’ he states before disappearing. Clemson is confused, until one of the Conclave informs Clemson that the Manipulator’s imaging in their Los Angeles location was a mutual convenience and nothing more.
Suddenly, there is a noise, and Clemson asks the Conclave if they hear something – ‘Yes, I definitely heard something!’ Clemson answers himself as Spider-Woman comes smashing through a window urgently telling Clemson that they have got to talk, before asking who all those faces are on the televisions. The faces all disappear upon Julia’s arrival, and Clemson tells Julia that she must be seeing things as the screens are all blank, before warning her against coming to toss him around again.
Julia tells Mike to shut up and listen as her daughter has been kidnapped by three terrorists who call themselves Deathweb, and while she is not saying Clemson had anything to do with it, she wants his help in tracking them down. Clemson reminds Julia that she made a lot of noise about being an Avenger now, so suggests she get them to help her. Annoyed, Julia explains that she and the Avengers do not see eye to eye on this one, and offers to cut Clemson a deal – if he helps her now she will do that one last job for the Commission that he hinted about.
Clemson tells Spider-Woman that he is sorry, but he has since reconsidered his offer and decided that she is not dependable. Julia tells Clemson that it isn’t that easy, and warns him that if he doesn’t help her, then she will go straight to Valerie Cooper. ‘The Devil you will! I’ll kill you first!’ Clemson shouts as he holds a gun in Julia’s direction, only for Spider-Man to reveal his presence by shooting some webbing to collect the gun and pulling it back from Clemson.
Spider-Man tells Spider-Woman that she has nice taste in friends, to which Julia asks Spider-Man if he followed her. Parker replies that he hopped on top of her car, joking that the good-spider-guys have to stick together, and adds that he is no better at taking orders than she is. Spider-Man then swings down and grabs Clemson, asking Spider-Woman which wall she wants the low-life splattered on. Clemson holds his hands up and addressing Spider-Woman by her name asks her to tell Spider-Man that they were just negotiating.
Julia tells Clemson that she is sorry, but that he was just about to shoot her down, so how can she strike a deal with him now? Julia remarks that she will contact Valerie Cooper like she said, before reaching for her Avengers Communications Card and deciding to swallow her pride and contact the Avengers so they know where she is. But before she can contact them, her card is blasted by some venom and begins to dissolve. ‘No personal calls!’ shouts a voice from behind her, and Julia and Spider-Man turn to see Therak and Antro standing there.
Spider-Man wonders if they trailed he and Julia, and Julia wonders if Deathweb has some connection with Clemson. ‘Right the second time, girlie!’ Therak announces, to which Antro tells him to be quiet, as information is power, ‘Don’t tell them anything!’ Suddenly, the Manipulator arrives on the scene, telling Antro not to worry about their Avenger guest, after all, Spider-Woman has merely come looking for Rachel.
‘Buddy of yours, Clemson?’ Julia asks as Clemson mutters ‘So – sucked up the courage to send another hologram, have you, Manipulator?’ before remarking that he may not be able to slug or shoot the Manipulator, but that as long as he is here, he has to listen to him, to which the Manipulator interrupts, telling Clemson to shut up, and shoving his fingers into Clemson’s neck causing Clemson to being coughing, the Manipulator declares that he is not a hologram this time, because if he were, he could not mentally manipulate Clemson’s vocal cords.
Spider-Man suggests to Spider-Woman that while the enemies are squabbling amongst themselves the two of them should – but Julia interrupts him, suggesting they give the newcomer a chance to talk first. Addressing Julia as “Mrs. Carpenter” the Manipulator tells her she is very perceptive, for she obviously realized that if he mentioned her daughter’s name, then he must know where she is. Spider-Man warns the Manipulator that if he does know where Rachel is, then body guards or not he is going to talk. Spider-Woman angrily asks the Manipulator to tell her where Rachel is, to which the Manipulator replies that he will do one better than that, and suddenly Rachel’s voice is heard – ‘Mom?’ the young girl asks.
Julia looks up at the monitors, all of them displaying Rachel. The Manipulator assures Spider-Woman that her daughter is completely safe – for the moment, to which Julia suggests that it might be a video tape. ‘It isn’t Mom, I’m alive – honest!’ Rachel exclaims. ‘From the mouths of babes’ the Manipulator remarks, before explaining that her had intended to use Rachel merely to control Spider-Woman’s actions in certain respects, but that now, thanks to her being shadowed here, they have an additional security problem.
Arachne can be seen on the monitors now, holding a deadly venom filled pincer to Rachel’s teary-eyed face. The Manipulator informs Spider-Woman that her daughter will remain in Arachne’s loving, capable hands – but only if she kills Spider-Man! Julia turns to Spider-Man, who exclaims ‘I think I’m in trouble!’


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Peace Dividend
(Bathurst Inlet, Northwest Territories, Canada)A U.S./Canadian D.E.W base is under attack from Russian troops, and a call for help is sent out. The two staff members are quickly overwhelmed and murdered by the troops, who are aided by a large man wearing considerable body armor; Svyatogor.
He is joined by three of his comrades: a beautiful blonde female named Morning Star, an authoritative man named Dr. Volkh wearing a red costume and a psychic. The two dead guys are dragged away, and their leader tells the others that Mikula would have detected brain waves were there any others around. This is the first step in their plan, and it has been a great success. He asks a scientist named Miasnikov how long it will take to affix his special components to the North American’s equipment. He believes it can be done within ten hours. Volkh replies he wants it done in five. This may be their last chance to begin a new cold war!
(Southern California)Hawkeye and USAgent are arguing about nothing in particular when Mockingbird interrupts them. She’d heard about them getting hurt by Deathweb, and they’re busy recovering from the ordeal. The phone rings, and USAgent answers it. On the other end is Lou from the Commission. He informs Jack that he’s needed in Canada; and not a word to anyone.
Jack hangs up, gives Mockingbird a thrill by stripping in front of her. He is about to head off without telling the others where he’s going. The phone rings again, and this time it’s Wanda. She wants Jack and Clint at the compound, if the hospital will allow them to leave. It’s important. The two Avengers don their costumes and Mockingbird tells them she has a rent-a-car outside. Jack takes the initiative, grabbing them both and leaping from the building. They drop several stories, but USAgent’s strength and acrobatics allow him to carry them with ease. They climb into a Honda and head to base.
(Canada)Wolverine is taking a break by visiting the Bathurst Inlet. It isn’t the ideal place, as he’s discovered, and his peace has been broken by being tracked by a Polar Bear all day. It finally catches up with him, and he snikts his claws, ready for a bloodbath. Surprisingly, he finds that they aren’t needed, as a blast from behind him drops the creature. He turns and sees two costumed strangers, one of whom is speaking Russian. It’s Svyatogor and Morning Star, and Morning Star asks Logan to forgive her comrade. He doesn’t speak any tongue other than that of his Mother Russia - and of course, violence.
Svyatogor blasts at Logan, who leaps towards him. He is thrown away with ease, but immediately comes back for more. He wonders what two Russian super-types are doing in NATO territory. Morning Star takes to the air, glowing brightly as Svyatogor asks for her assistance. She blinds Logan by emitting a burst of light, and Svyatogor takes the opportunity to punch Logan’s face into the ground. He is knocked unconscious by the brutal force, and is taken away by the two victors.
(Southern California)The Avengers West Coast team is gathered before a large screen. The news is coming through of Tony Stark’s death, which is put down to a lengthy illness. Wanda tells them it’s no joke. They just released the news to the networks. They received word a half hour ago. Mockingbird asks what they’ll do; losing one of the original Avengers. Clint angrily responds by asking if she can at least wait for the body to get cold. Bobbi didn’t mean that, and Clint apologizes for snapping. Wonder Man says it’s hard to imagine the Avengers West without Iron Man, and Wanda adds that when she and Pietro first signed on, it was partly to take his place.
Spider-Woman can’t believe it. First Larry dies, then Iron Man. It doesn’t seem possible. USAgent coldly says that, if there’s no more business, he has things to do. Spider-Woman has a go at him; asking if it’s for the commission. She thought he’d resigned from it before she did, but she’s living proof that they don’t pull their claws out of you that easily. Wanda tries to calm her; reminding her that if Jack worked for the U.S. government, it would be a violation of their U.N. charter. Jack feels he doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. He does his job, and that’s catching bad guys. Nowadays he signs his checks Jack Daniels, and what he does with his own time is his business.
He storms out, leaving Wanda to ask Simon if he fancies going for a drive. Hawkeye asks about the funeral, but Simon reckons Iron Man would rather they took care of business - shadowing USAgent, rather than eulogizing. Spider-Woman chats with Miguel, the Living Lightning. He’s been thinking a lot about his role as a hero lately. He thought nothing could hurt him, but since his little sister was shot in a drive-by, Julia’s husband was murdered and now Tony’s gone, he has to decide if this is what he wants.
(over Canadian airspace)Jack is piloting an Avengers Quinjet when Lou calls him. Jack is impressed that he managed to patch into his frequency, and Lou replies that even the Avengers don’t have their budget. He informs Jack that no one’s heard from a certain DEW line base for several hours, and he needs Jack to check it out. Jack knows all about them. They’re early warning stations built to warn them about red missiles ten whole minutes before they turn America into toast. He asks if it’s the Russkies. Lou replies that the world thinks the cold war is over, but they know different. Then again, it could be some third world terrorists with delusions of grandeur. He asks him to take a look. That’s what they’re paying him for.
Wanda and Simon are aboard their own craft, and in turn have patched into Jack and Lou’s conversation. Simon knew Jack was always a loose cannon - but this? Wanda says they’ll deal with him later. She got to ensure she doesn’t lose him.
Some time later, USAgent lands, and begins to make the rest of the journey on foot to make sure he’s not seen. Unfortunately, it’s too late for that, and a small flying craft approaches carrying two Russian soldiers who open fire. He reacts by hurling his shield at the craft’s undercarriage, which causes it to crash land. He’s on them in an instant, smashing one with the rifle butt he was carrying, who in turn collides with his comrade. They both fall unconscious. Annoyingly, he didn’t want them both out cold. He wants answers.
Behind him, a voice says, “Perhaps I can be of assistance.” Jack turns to see another Russian, wearing a strange device around his neck, which seems to have two antennae attached. “Last time I looked, you guys still had your own country,” Jack quips. He prepares to rush the newcomer, but the stranger raises his arm, and Jack goes flying skywards. He comes crashing down into some rocks, but gets up quickly, preparing for a second attempt. The Russian does the same thing again, and launches him higher. Jack throws his shield towards him, but his assailant casually uses his powers to divert the shield’s path, and smashing Jack in the side of the head with it.
The Russian thinks its small wonder that his countrymen were able to persuade themselves that they had vanquished the Soviet Union. Jack replies that there’s no Soviet Union any more, or didn’t anyone get around to telling him? With Jack still conscious, the Russian uses cables from the destroyed craft to entwine Jack, leaving him helpless. He is then dropped into the waters around them to drown. The Russian’s psychic powers aren’t enough to pummel him unconscious, so he’s trying a different approach. Wanda and Simon see what’s happening, but are too far away to do anything.
Meanwhile, Wolverine wakes to find himself in a high-tech spread eagle position; again. His arms are raised and enclosed in large metallic cylinders, while his feet are clamped firmly to the ground. Dr. Volkh apologizes for having to do this, but it’s the only way he could neutralize his adamantium claws, so far away from his laboratory at Baikonur. Logan knows the place. It’s Russia’s version of Cape Canaveral. He introduces himself as Dr. Vladimir Volkh. Logan says he couldn’t tell him from Boris Gudenov. He asks for an explanation as to what he’s got against a guy backpacking in his own country.
Volkh says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time; although when certain events are set in motion in a couple of hours, there will be no right place on the entire continent of North America. Sounds grim, replies Logan, and he thought they’d declared peace on his people. Volkh asks upon whom? On the Soviet Union that was? On a reborn Russia? Logan replies that he hasn’t got a problem with anyone, until they truss him up like a Christmas turkey. He asks about the others. Volkh informs him that they, as well as himself, are three of the four Bogatyri. They are so named for the ‘valiant champions of elder days’ in Russian folklore. He provides Logan with the low-down on his comrades.
Sasha Pokryshkin was bathed in radiation a few years ago, in an incident at a nuclear power plant of which the West never learned. He suffered irreparable damage to his lungs and limbs, yet somehow he became freakishly strong. They call him Svyatogor after the mightiest of Slavic heroes. The man who tangled with USAgent is Mikula Golubev, who was born with psychic powers, including those of levitation. His parents named him for the Bogatyr, whose small plough even his fellow champions could not lift; though Mikula could hoist it with one hand.
The third member of the team is Zvezda Dennista, or Morning Star. Her real name is Marya Meshkov. She is a geologist, and was investigating the site in Siberia, where a huge fireball struck in 1908. She uncovered glowing fragments, which, over time, gave her the ability to generate flame from her own body. Finally, he explains that as Vladimir Orekhov, he was one of the first scientists to become a cosmonaut. His spacecraft passed through a bombardment of radiation, which… He feels that is enough about him.
He points his pipe at Logan, and tells him that he’s followed his career with interest, ever since he was in Canada’s Weapon X. He feels a little paranoid about how Logan just ‘happened’ to be in the vicinity at the precise moment they struck. Are his fellow X-Men nearby? Logan is typically obstreperous, and asks why he doesn’t get his psychic to read his mind. He shuffles his arm inside its clamp, saying he has an itch, and tells Volkh that he wants to know what they’re doing there. Could it be that this new Commonwealth of Independent States doesn’t do it for him? Volkh replies that they’re loyal to the U.S.S.R. He also mentions that this will literally be a ‘cold war.’ Certain technology that he’s been testing will turn all North America into a gigantic, uninhabitable iceberg! That will be what the Americans reap as their so-called Peace Dividend.
Meanwhile, the Scarlet Witch and Wonder Man find Jack’s Quinjet, and Wanda guesses correctly that he may have been thrown into the inlet. She summons her hex power, and explains that she’s been practicing a lot lately. She can sense the metal coils around him under the water, and uses her power to generate a powerful electro-magnetic charge in the air above the water. Jack’s body rises to the surface, and his head becomes visible to the two Avengers. Simon jumps in to drag him to safety. He’s alive, but barely. Simon’s just pleased he won’t have to give him the kiss of life. The Power Broker gave him big muscles and lungs to match.
Simon gets to work on the cables once ashore, but feels that after the stunt he pulled, working for the Commission on the sly, he should be tying him up rather than untying him. Jack regains consciousness as Simon speaks and, as soon as his eyes open, he tells Simon to shove it. Simon helps him to his feet, and Wanda explains that she noticed a couple of soldiers strewn about the landscape. Jack tells them that they’re Russians, believe it or not. They need to hotfoot it to the DEW station.
(meanwhile)Volkh asks for Logan’s reaction to the news. Logan doesn’t reply, but continues shuffling his arms about. He then informs Volkh that the itch he has can best be scratched, “By ripping out your lungs!” The clamps shatter as Wolverine’s adamantium claws tear them apart like paper. He then short-circuits the machine, and notices that Volkh has quickly vanished. He wonders if he can find his icemaker and shred it, before any more remnants of the red army do the same to him.
He then notices that the carpet appears to be different and, surely enough, it comes to life. It begins to fold around him, and he deduces it is Dr. Volkh. Volkh explains that his namesake in a Russian poem could turn himself into falcon, wolf, bull or ant. He, however, is even more adaptable. Logan discovers that his claws have no effect on his foe, as his skin gives instead of tearing. No wonder he didn’t bother calling the troops. He’s not the one who needs help.
As several Avengers arrive at the base, Dr. Volkh wraps Logan up in his elastic arm. He then uses it like a slingshot, hurling Logan towards the approaching heroes. Logan can’t believe that they’re there. Isn’t there any place on Earth a guy can get away from super-powered types these days? USAgent asks what’s going on. They turn to see all four Bogatyri standing before them, with Svyatogor aiming his weapon right at them. “You may kill them now, comrades,” orders Dr. Volkh.


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
The Second Cold War
Wolverine and three Avengers face the might of the Bogatyri; four Russian super-types who plan on starting a cold war, by turning North America into a frozen wasteland. As Morning Star takes to the air, Wolverine quickly gets the Avengers up to speed on the plans for their continent. Svyatogor begins shooting, but USAgent intercepts the bullets with his shield, as Wolverine prepares to rush their assailants. Unfortunately, Svyatogor is not only big; he’s fast, and he knocks Wolverine backwards as an all-out battle erupts.
Dr. Volkh stretches himself in order to position himself behind the Scarlet Witch, as Bogatyr prepares to use his psychic powers once again on USAgent. Volkh orders his team to prevent their foes from reaching his scientist, Miasnikov. Bogatyr’s confidence quickly subsides as Jack gets face to face with him. He can’t understand how his powers no longer work on him; it’s not possible. Jack explains that the Scarlet Witch’s hex bolts can alter a lot of possibilities, including this one. He smashes Bogatyr in the face, knocking him out with one blow.
Dr. Volkh takes out Wanda from behind, as Wonder Man yanks a heavy piece of piping from the wall to use as a weapon. Wolverine buys him some time by occupying Svyatogor, and Wonder Man thanks him by crunching the big Russian in the stomach with it. Svyatogor shows he’s not invulnerable, as the wind is knocked from his lungs. Simon then follows up by smashing his weapon with the piping.
Unfortunately for Wonder Man, the distraction allows Morning Star to fly behind him and flash-fry him with a fireball. However, she can’t believe that the Avenger manages to survive. He comes flying from the smoke and delivers a powerful left hook, disposing of Morning Star with ease. USAgent tries using his shield to take out Dr. Volkh, but his elasticized body allows him to evade it. The shield whizzes past him, but hits the wall and rebounds smack bang into Svyatogor’s neck, which allows Wolverine the opportunity to slash at the big guy with his adamantium claws. They don’t appear to do too much damage.
Jack asks Volkh to spill the beans about the Bogatyri’s plans. He’d heard the cold war was over. Volkh replies that, as far as he’s concerned - it has not yet begun! Wonder Man, meanwhile, looks at Morning Star, who lays sprawled out on the floor. Standing over her, he regrets lashing out with such ferocity. She was out to waste him, but killing women isn’t his style. Suddenly, the blonde villainess opens her eyes, and fires a couple of high-intensity blasts straight at Wonder Man’s head, and he drops to the floor. “The motto of the Bogatyri…” says Morning Star, “The only good American is a dead American!”
With two Avengers down, Wolverine and USAgent up the ante, and Wolverine continues slashing away at Svyatogor, as USAgent uses Volkh’s malleable body as a whip, smacking Morning Star as she takes to the air once again. The odds are now looking a little better, but at that moment, numerous Russian troops rush through the doorway and confront the heroes. USAgent is experienced enough to know when to run, and so is Wolverine. They head outside and sprint across the yard, but the Bogatyri do not pursue them. They figure they can be kept at bay with automatic weapons and, besides, Miasnikov has sent word that he is nearly ready with Operation Polaris.
Sure enough, the troops’ presence is enough to keep Wolverine and USAgent at arms length, but they know they can’t leave Wanda and Simon behind. Fortunately, several more troops arrive, and this time they’re U.S and Canadian. Their leader explains they got there as fast as they could, and they’re rarin’ to kick bootie!
(California)Captain America calls Hawkeye from New York and asks for an update on Simon and Wanda’s mission. Clint checks the sensors, and realizes that they’ve lost automatic tracking on both Quinjets. “This is bad,” replies Cap. “You want the Avengers to hotfoot it up to Canada?” Clint resents the implication that his team isn’t up to the task and hangs up on Cap, telling him they’ll handle it. Mockingbird is surprised at Clint’s manner, but Clint’s passionate about not playing second fiddle to them.
He asks why she didn’t show for the funeral. Bobbi tells him he knows she can’t handle funerals. Her voice trails away as she adds, “Ever since mom and dad…” Clint apologizes for snapping. Bobbi seems to have something important to tell Clint but before she can do so, Julia’s daughter, Rachel, bounds into the room. Julia chastises her for going out of bounds, but Clint assures her she’s not bothering them. Clint tells Julia it’s too bad that she couldn’t make Tony Stark’s funeral. They could have used her.
As they disappear, Spider-Woman tells her daughter that she’ll have to learn to behave herself if she’s going to live there at the compound. This news surprises both Clint and Bobbi. He follows Julia and thinks he’d better have a little talk with Julia in private. Bobbi tries calling him back, but what she has to tell him will have to wait. He’s got to think about how long to wait before scooting up to Canada.
He notices Miguel standing in front of the window, and asks if something’s wrong. He replies that there’s nothing wrong exactly, but they’re going to have to do without him for a while. He’s going to give college a try. Bobbi thinks that’s wonderful, but Clint doesn’t seem so keen. Miguel explains that he never really got to know Iron Man, but he always seemed kind of… indestructible. His dying started him thinking about what he wants to do with his own life. Waiting around to see if his electric powers ever wear off isn’t too high on the list. His mom thinks he needs an education; not just a job, and she’s been working on him lately. So has Consuela, but it was his decision. Besides, he adds, he’ll be on call if they ever need him.
He walks off to collect his gear, leaving Clint asking what Bobbi has been wanting to tell him. It’s not good news. She tells him their divorce will be final in two weeks.
(back in Canada)Wonder Man and the Scarlet Witch are trussed up in the same spread eagle shackles that Wolverine was in earlier. Svyatogor doesn’t think Wonder Man looks that wonderful now. Morning Star explains that he’s not yet a real star, but if he’d seen him as a swamp-monster in ‘Marsh Thing Go Home…’ Bogatyr tells her that Svyatogor isn’t allowed to see such films. They tend to give him nightmares. Last time, he nearly demolished the McDonald’s restaurant in Moscow.
Svyatogor insists that wasn’t his fault, but Bogatyr is itching to wind him up. He removes a fire extinguisher from the wall using his telekinesis and sprays Svyatogor in the face with it. The big guy is furious, and smashes the floor as Bogatyr levitates himself to avoid being hit. Wonder Man looks down at them, and says this must be how the Soviet Union tore itself apart.
Morning Star then realizes that both the Avengers are awake. Dr. Volkh is told by Miasnikov that all is in readiness. Volkh asks him to speak in English. He wants their ‘guests’ to appreciate the full genius of their Soviet vengeance. He explains to Simon and Wanda that the crystal is what they call the ‘quick-freeze crystal.’ It’s already making Wanda shiver. Volkh continues to explain that he learned that development of the crystal was proceeding at this station, in secret. It would have taken their scientists years to perfect, even if their funding hadn’t been stopped. However, he had been working along similar lines, and this synthezation is the result.
He picks up the glass ball containing the crystal, and says that it’s only the globe’s artificial vacuum that prevents North America from being blanketed with ice. The clumsy Svyatogor tries to take a look, but accidentally knocks it from Volkh’s hand. Luckily, Mikula uses his powers to catch the ball and replace it. Dr. Volkh tinkers with a control panel. “It’s time to unleash its awesome power!” he tells his comrades, “And let a new and even deadlier ice age begin!”
Crystals form immediately, and the ice makes its way across the room to where Wanda and Simon are shackled. Wanda looks petrified as the crystals approach. Wonder Man notes that they’re multiplying in all directions. Volkh explains that the core crystal absorbs heat from the air, and imparts that power, by proximity, through its ever growing secondary crystals. The glaciers formed will not cross large bodies of salt water, thus keeping the motherland safe. Otherwise, they’ll keep moving south.
Before he finishes his speech, he hears the sound of gunfire coming from outside, and several shots narrowly miss him. Russian soldiers pour out of the building to confront their attackers; the U.S and Canadian troops. Svyatogor and Bogatyr head outside to confront them and Mikula uses his telekinesis to lift a digger and smash it into the enemy tank. Morning Star joins the fight, and fries soldiers where they stand, as Svyatogor takes them on with his physical might.
Standing nearby, USAgent doesn’t like this. Wolverine assures him that having the soldiers’ bear the brunt while they find a way inside is the only way forward. They slip inside and notice the crystals, which have enveloped both Wonder Man and the Scarlet Witch. Volkh notices their return and avoids Wolverine’s initial charge as Jack smashes the ice crystals and frees Wonder Man. He in turn rescues Wanda.
As Volkh’s three comrades come back inside, Wanda notices that the ice is somehow already beginning to melt. They don’t understand why, and USAgent says he’ll let Wanda figure it out while he does what he does best. He launches himself at Bogatyr and Svyatogor and another major brawl breaks out. Wanda thinks quickly, and asks Simon is he can smash a path to the core crystal. He is angry enough to give it a try and, as he wades through the ice, he realizes that Wanda must presume that, if he destroys the core crystal, the rest the ice might just curl up and die. If it doesn’t, then North America is finished. Wanda’s hex power partially protects her from the cold.
Wolverine is smashed against a wall by Mikula, whilst USAgent is hammered into the ground by Svyatogor. Once again, the Russians are gaining the upper hand, and Wanda is suffering at the hands of the cold. Wolverine manages to lasso Morning Star with some wire cabling and uses momentum to crash into Bogatyr’s back, sending him sprawling. He is punched in the face by Svyatogor, but his one-man war is allowing his friends to carry out their task unhindered.
Outside, the soldiers notice how cold it’s getting, and they look inside to see the building almost entirely covered in ice. Dr. Volkh suddenly notices that Wonder Man and the Scarlet Witch are missing, and correctly surmises that they must be going after the core crystal. He orders Svyatogor to stop Wolverine, while he investigates. As he tries to leave, Wolverine grabs his stretched body to hold him back. Volkh smashes Wolverine in the face, which Logan feels right down to his toes. USAgent is now using Svyatogor as a shield against Morning Star’s blasts.
Meanwhile, Wonder Man and the Scarlet Witch have reached the core crystal, but Wanda can’t even raise her arms, she is so cold. Simon, who doesn’t feel the cold, grabs them and aims her hands for her, allowing her to use her hex powers. She pours the power on, and eventually the crystal ceases to radiate cold. Volkh screams that he will find a way to reverse the process. He must! He’s spent years developing his part of the quick-freeze crystal equation. Surely he can find a way.
He grabs the crystal with both hands, but shrieks in pain when he makes contact. Wanda’s power has had the opposite effect, and the crystal is now emitting heat. The ice that had built up begins to turn into slush as the Bogatyri make a run for it. Volkh is a broken man, as the building suddenly explodes, destroying all the equipment inside. Everyone manages to get outside just in time. However, the Russians make good their escape, and their craft rockets away pursued by two NATO jet fighters.
The Russian soldiers surrender to the U.S./Canadian troops, but they don’t really know what to do with them. Logan suggests they leave it to the U.N. to sort out. The three Avengers and Wolverine can finally relax. Wanda points out that all this happened because they were doing secret research at an early-warning base. Looking at the burning building, Simon remarks that it’s a good thing that there isn’t a Soviet Union any more to launch a first strike.