Avengers Vol 1 #190: "Heart of Stone"
For the first time, Ms. Marvel feels like she's part of the team in a fight.
The issue opens with a meteor landing on earth. The meteor has intelligence, choosing to fall on land instead of the ocean. After crashing the meteor wakes up and starts walking towards Manhattan.
Then the issue switches to the Avengers about to go into a Senate hearing. Apparently, they requested the hearing, even though in issue #189 Mr. Gyrich threatened the Avengers with legal actions after the Scarlet Witch refused to return to the Avengers. Which is probably done to keep Ms. Marvel as part of the Avengers as she is just a temporary replacement for Scarlet Witch. I have a feeling that she is kept for legal reasons because of her name, and not because she’s actually an integral part of the Avengers.
All of the Avengers are in this together. Even Scarlet Witch who wanted more time off. One of their lawyers is Matthew Murdock, from the firm Heroes for Hire. It makes sense that another hero, Daredevil is their lawyer. Mr. Gyrich is angry that they are late and that reporters showed up for a secret hearing. It’s not a secret anymore.
Then we switch to our new alien who causes a lot of damage in New-York while heading for the subway rails which lead to Manhattan.
Back at the hearing, the Avengers other lawyer recounts all the times that the Avengers have saved the U.S. and the world, stating that it makes no sense to take away their security clearance because of all of their help.
But, Mr. Gyrich brings in witnesses, even S.H.I.E.L.D agents that testify that the Avengers interference, or even individual members of the Avengers interfering is a threat to national security. Of course, they all give a very one sided, negative image of the Avengers.
Back in Manhattan, the creature emerges, and a SWAP team tries to take it out. But, no weapon can hurt the creature, it just annoys him, so he attacks everyone back.
The NYPD calls the Avengers. In the middle of the hearing. First, Mr. Gryrich refuses to believe that there is an emergency. Then after it’s on TV, he still doesn’t want the Avengers to go. We find out that he hates him, because of the way that the have treated him in the past. The worst of the bunch, Hawkeye, is probably not on the team for that very reason. So, Beast tells him that the Avengers are not needed, and that he should deal with the threat himself. Mr. Gryrich breaks and gives them permission to go.
Mr. Gryrich tells them that it’s not over while he leaves. Ms. Marvel playfully remarks: “Don’t wait up for us, Peter!”
When the lawyers start talking about the case, they notice that Matthew Murdock is gone. You can’t expect a superhero to not join in on the action. He doesn’t like Mr. Gyrich or the implications of what will happen to superheroes if Mr. Gyrich will win at the hearing.
The Avengers approach the monster who is apparently looking for them. This time Captain America hits the monster first and get thrown. Daredevil catches him. Then the WASP uses her sting to hit him. It doesn’t do much. So, it’s Ms. Marvel that gets in the ring.
She punches it as hard as she can, possibly causing damage to her hand. But, she gets the job done. The creature gets thrown backwards, straight into Beast who tosses forward, into Vision’s fist. It’s an impressive cooperation. It’s nice to see Ms. Marvel as part of the team in a smooth battle maneuver.
Scarlet Witch notices that the creature is a mask and that there is someone inside. She uses her powers to hit it, and Vision and Iron Man punch it at the same time. However, for a moment, nothing comes out, they are looking at rock pebbles on the floor. Daredevil notices that there is a heart beat over by the pebbles. It is the Grey Gargoyle! A creature that the Avengers believed that Thor has killed, but now he is alive again. And about to attack them.
At last, Ms. Marvel feels like she is part of the team. The fight maneuver with her the WASP, Beast and Vision was really impressive. It was each member contributing their best for success. Even her humor watches that of the group. However, she is still a temporary member and one that pales next to most other members.
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