Marvel; July 1980
Cover by George Pérez and Bob McLeod

Title: “Prelude of the War-Devil!”
Synopsis: Avengers in an elevator! Avengers on a date! Avengers walking the beach! But can they survive … the transitional issue?!

Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Jack’s Little Helpers

Review: The cover should’ve been a warning: During the Bronze Age, multiple story elements often graced the cover of issues short on actual story. And that’s exactly the problem here: When the highpoint is the pending return of a giant robot from Marvel’s Godzilla, you know there’s not much going on. Of course, this issue does highlight some of the era’s less-than-enlightened gender politics: first, Ms. Marvel bashes the “silly stereotype” of motherhood, then Wonder Man’s evening is ruined by a – gasp! – single mother. Add in less-than-inspired pencils and a potpourri of uncredited inkers, and this isn’t the Avengers best outing.

Grade: C

Cool factor: Hmm … how about this issue’s Sunday Punch” Hostess ad, illustrated by none other than George Pérez.

Character quotable: “Ahhhhh, nuts!” – The Beast, stuck in an elevator with the rest of The Avengers.

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