No longer just a supporting member in the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise, the Hulk gets top billing at the box office and on your consoles this summer. I wouldn't call this Hulk quite incredible, but it is a smashing good time. Hulk game download windows 7. Special moves are quite limited, though, and it's a bit ironic that the break-from-the-norm Bruce Banner stealth missions serve only to drag the action down.
The Young Avengers are a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team, created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, features numerous adolescent characters who typically have connections to established members of Marvel's primary superhero team, the Avengers. The Young Avengers were originally featured in a twelve issue run, later appearing in several notable Marvel crossover series, including the Civil War and The Children's Crusade events, before the series was relaunched in January 2013 as part of the Marvel NOW! rebranding by writer Kieron Gillen and artist Jamie McKelvie.
Munna bhai mbbs full movie hd. Munna is an easygoing guy and he is happy with the way his life is going, till one day, when his life takes a turn.Munna's father and mother arrive in Mumbai, on their annual visit. Synopsis: Munnabhai (Sanjay Dutt) is a local goon, who lives with his gang near a 'dhobi ghat' in Mumbai.
The original series won the 2006GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book and the 2006 Harvey Award for Best New Series. The second volume by Kieron Gillen also received the award for Outstanding Comic Book at the 25th GLAAD Media Awards in 2014.
Young Avengers follows the events of the 2004â2005 'Avengers Disassembled' storyline. The four founding members of the team are gathered as a result of the Vision's plan for the reformation of the Avengers in the event the team disbanded. In the series, newspapers refer to the young heroes as 'super-powered fanboys' and label them the 'Young Avengers,' a name the team members initially dislike but which sticks nonetheless.
Marvel's 1940s forerunner, Timely Comics, had an unrelated character, Young Avenger, who debuted in USA Comics #1 (Aug. 1941).[1]
Avengers The MovieVolume 1[edit]
In 'Sidekicks' (issues #1â6), reporters Jessica Jones (a former teen superhero known as Jewel) and Kat Farrell of The Daily Bugle and heroes Captain America and Iron Man investigate a new group of teenage heroes. The story is set in the time between the 'Avengers Disassembled' storyline and the beginning of New Avengers. Although the team defeats Kang the Conqueror, Captain America and Iron Man take away their gear and refuse to train the team without their parents' consent. Despite the heroes' warnings, the team continues with a new headquarters, new costumes, and new names.
In 'Secret Identities' (issues #7â8), the Young Avengers must decide how much to tell their parents after the members decide to continue acting publicly. None of their parents find out. During a fight with Mr. Hyde in Young Avengers #8, Wiccan discovers Eli abusing Mutant growth hormone (MGH) which gives people powers for short periods. Eli confesses that he deceived Iron Lad who meant to recruit his missing uncle Josiah in order to join the team. He quits the team, overwhelmed with emotion.
At the insistence of Kat Farrell, Jessica Jones interviews the Young Avengers about their pasts.[2] Cassie Lang had a troubled home life, especially after her father Ant-Man died. She and her mother constantly fought, and she hated her mother's boyfriend. Had the Young Avengers not formed, Cassie planned to join the Runaways. Teddy Altman abused his shapeshifting powers to spend time with a more popular kid. He realized that he had gone too far when his 'friend' tried to force him to steal artifacts from the destroyed Avengers Mansion. Billy Kaplan had a problem with being accepted because of his sexuality. He was tormented and physically abused. He met the Scarlet Witch, who explained that being different is not bad. He eventually stands up to his tormentor for another kid. He nearly kills him when his powers become dominant. Kate Bishop was brutally assaulted in a park. Eli Bradley used MGH because he felt powerless against some thugs and wanted to prove that his grandfather truly was the black Captain America.
K'Lrt the Super-Skrull tries to take Teddy to the Skrull homeworld.[3] K'Lrt reveals that Mrs. Altman is not Teddy's mother and kills her. In the aftermath, K'Lrt kidnaps Teddy. The Vision offers to locate more Young Avengers using his prior incarnation's contingency plan. The Young Avengers break Thomas Shepherd out of a superhuman prison and recruit him. Tommy can move at superhuman speed and accelerate matter, destabilizing it enough to cause an explosion. The Super-Skrull tells Teddy of his true origin as the son of the Kree hero Captain Marvel and the Skrull princess Anelle. He then claims that Tommy and Billy are the Scarlet Witch and Vision's lost twin sons. Billy believes him, but Tommy does not. Kree and Skrull combat forces arrive and fight each other and the Young Avengers until Teddy, realizing his importance to both sides, calls for a ceasefire. The Avengers intervene and a Kree warrior fires at Captain America. Patriot intervenes and is gravely wounded. Hulkling and K'Lrt end the fighting by secretly shapeshifting into each other's forms. Captain America and K'Lrt, disguised as Hulkling, broker a shared custody between the races.
At a hospital, Eli's grandfather donates his blood to Eli. Captain America again tells the Young Avengers to stop what they are doing. Kate blames their trouble on the Avengers for not training them. The Young Avengers repair the statues of fallen Avengers at Avengers Mansion. Eli now has superpowers as a result of the blood transfusion. Kate receives Hawkeye's bow and quiver from Captain America, and she takes the mantle of Hawkeye. Tommy arrives in costume and calls himself Speed.
'Civil War'[edit]
In Civil War #2, the members of Young Avengers are captured by S.H.I.E.L.D. for not complying with the registration act. Captain America and the Falcon help them escape, freeing Wiccan, allowing him to teleport the group to a base only known to Nick Fury and a few resistance fighters. Once in Captain America's secret base, the Young Avengers join the resistance movement called Secret Avengers. In issue #3, the team follows Captain America into a trap set by Iron Man. Wiccan, along with Cloak, is knocked out via tranquilizers while the rest of the Young Avengers joins the fight against Iron Man and the pro-registration heroes. Stature leaves the resistance after Goliath is killed by a clone of Thor and the Secret Avengers are forced to retreat from battle leaving Wiccan behind. However, shortly afterwards Stature registers and begins superhero training. The remainder of the team remained with Captain America. Stature is seen alongside Iron Man and the rest of the 'pro-reg' group during the final battle between registered and rebel heroes. Deadpool is commissioned as a 'hero hunter' in the war and frequently remarks how he'd like to capture 'those nubile Young Avengers'.
With the surrender of Captain America, the rest of the Young Avengers are granted amnesty in exchange for registration. All the members except Hawkeye and Patriot registered, and began training at Camp Hammond. In the last issue of the Fallen Son crossover, when the funeral of Captain America takes place at Washington D.C., all of the Young Avengers are seen, wearing their Super Hero outfits, and are even mentioned by name by the Falcon, while delivering the ceremonial speech. This suggests another amnesty was offered to Hawkeye, Patriot and Speed, who had stayed in the resistance after the end of the Civil War, alongside the New Avengers.
In She-Hulk #21, it was revealed that the Hulking and Wiccan that joined the Initiative were actually a pair of interdimensional travelers known as 'Alphas' whereas the actual Hulkling and Wiccan were shocked at the discovery that they had registered. Hawkeye, Patriot, and Speed, remain unregistered.[4]
'Young Avengers Presents'[edit]
In the 2008 miniseries Young Avengers Presents, Patriot discovers that Bucky had visited his grandfather Isaiah Bradley. After tracking him down, Patriot shares his concerns losing faith in the country. Bucky explains to Eli that America is an idea used for good or ill, but one with value to it and something worth defending against all threat, inspiring the younger hero once more.[4] Hulkling meets Mar-Vell, telling him that he is his son, much to Mar-Vell's shock. While Captain Mar-Vell is proud of his son, he confesses that he will not be able to stay forever, as the survival of the time stream depends on him eventually returning to the past and dying from cancer. This Captain Marvel eventually turned out to be a Skrull sleeper agent in place for the 'Secret Invasion'.[5] Wiccan and Speed begin searching for the Scarlet Witch, whom they believe to be their mother. Upon searching the former home of the Scarlet Witch and Vision in Leonia, NJ; they encounter Master Pandemonium, who advises them to end their search and embrace their present lives. Vision tells Cassie that after 'Civil War', he traveled around the world posing as different people, living many different lives, ultimately culminating in a better understanding of who he is. He asserts that he is his own person, not the memories of Iron Lad, confessing his love to Cassie, and states that he wishes to now be called Jonas. Cassie demonstrates that she is unsure but is willing to reciprocate his feelings.[6] During the story, Cassie is also stricken with guilt after accidentally injuring her stepfather while stopping a villain, forcing her to come to terms with the responsibilities that come with her powers and with being part of the Young Avengers and the Initiative, much as her stepfather also understands the risks of life as a policeman. Hawkeye feels uncomfortable about her growing relationship with Patriot, and encounters Clint Barton, the original Hawkeye, who helps her reaffirm her position as Hawkeye and Young Avengers co-leader.
'Secret Invasion'[edit]
In the 2008 miniseries Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers, the Young Avengers again teamed with the Runaways in a Secret Invasion tie-in.[7] The Young Avengers are the first to respond to the Skrull invasion in Manhattan, New York. They are quickly defeated, though Xavin manages to rescue Hulkling. The leaders of the Skrull invasion intend to assassinate Hulking, for fear that his identity as Dorrek VIII would diminish their authority. During the confrontation between the Young Avengers, Runaways, and the invading Skrulls, Xavin is forced to confront her former mentor, Commander Chrell, reluctantly killing him to save the Young Avengers and Runaways.[8]
'Dark Reign'[edit]
The 2009 Dark Reign: Young Avengers limited series written by Paul Cornell,[9][10] and Mark Brooks,[11] introduces a new group of powered teens calling themselves the Young Avengers.[12] They join forces with the genuine Young Avengers to battle Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers. The New Young Avengers consist of Enchantress, Executioner, Coat of Arms, Egghead, Big Zero and team leader Melter.
'Siege'[edit]
In the 'Siege' storyline, following the attack of Asgard, Steve Rogers calls on the Young Avengers to aid in the help of Asgard against Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers and Initiative.[13][14] Stature and Vision aid Amadeus Cho and U.S. Agent in stopping the Thunderbolts from stealing Odin's spear for Norman Osborn. With Patriot and Hawkeye entombed under the ruins of Asgard, Speed anxiously ferries a number of wounded Asgardians to safety, looking for his teammates. Wiccan and Hulkling take on and defeat the Wrecking Crew, who were looting the ruins of the Throne Room. Wiccan strikes the villains down with lightning bolts, much to Hulkling's wonder and worry.[15]
Avengers: The Children's Crusade[edit]
Promotional artwork for Avengers: The Children's Crusade.
The Young Avengers appear in the 2010â2012 miniseries, Avengers: The Children's Crusade, written by Allan Heinberg and illustrated by Jim Cheung.[16] In the series, Magneto learned that the Young Avengers were going to search for the still missing Scarlet Witch, and that Wiccan and Speed may be the reincarnations of Wanda's children. Magneto meets them, stating that he wants Wiccan and Speed to finally know him as their grandfather, and helps them find Wanda.[17][18]
The Avengers attempt to stop Magneto and fight him unsuccessfully, before Wiccan teleports Magneto and the Young Avengers to Wundagore Mountain. There they encounter Quicksilver, who attempts to kill his father. However, they discover that this Scarlet Witch is actually a Doombot in disguise,[19] prompting the Young Avengers and Magneto to journey to Latveria, with the Avengers, Quicksilver and Wonder Man following behind them.
Wiccan eventually finds the real Wanda, apparently devoid of her powers, amnesiac and engaged to be married to Doctor Doom. Wolverine tries to kill Wanda, but is prevented from doing so by the reappearance of Iron Lad.[20][21] Doom also states that Wanda is depowered.[22] Iron Lad and the Young Avengers escape with Wanda into the timestream and land in the past when the resurrected Jack of Hearts destroys the Avengers Mansion. The team escapes the explosion and involuntarily returns to the present due to Wanda, who has remembered everything. As an unexpected side effect, the life of Scott Lang is also saved.[23]
When the group returns to the present, Scarlet Witch is shown in a depression where she thinks that she killed her father, her brother, and the Avengers. She vows to kill herself with Kree ships and Ultron clones which Hawkeye and the Young Avengers destroy. During that time, Beast and Jessica Jones arrive, where Beast learns that the Scarlet Witch that he encountered was actually a Doombot. Wiccan tells her that her father, her brother, and 'her sons' are still alive. Billy finally gets the happy Mother-and-Child Reunion that he had been dreaming of. Beast asks Wanda if she can reverse the 'No more mutants' spell. She is unsure a reverse spell would work. They meet up with X-Factor Investigations, which has many clients who are depowered mutants. Rictor volunteers and has his powers restored. The X-Men show up and Wanda tells X-Factor Investigations that if the X-Men want more mutants then that's exactly what she will give them.[24]
However, a battle ensues between the X-Men and the Avengers over what to do with Wanda, forcing her and the Young Avengers to flee back to Doctor Doom. It is revealed that Wanda's enhanced powers were a result of her and Doom's combined attempt to channel the Life Force in order to resurrect her children, but it proved to be too much for Wanda to contain and overtook her. With Wiccan and Doom's help, they seek to use the entity possessing Wanda to restore mutantkind's powers but they are stopped by Patriot (who is concerned at the fall-out that would ensue if the powerless mutants are suddenly repowered), only to find out that the entity was transferred to Doom's body, giving him Wanda's god-like powers. His scars finally healed, he calls himself 'Victor', discards his now useless mask, and promises to take care of everything.[25] Doom becomes omnipotent with powers surpassing those of beings as Beyonder or the Cosmic Cube; he offers to use these powers to fix the Avengers' and X-Men's problems and bring their deceased friends back to life, but both teams refuse the offer. The Young Avengers confront him, aided by the Avengers, the X-Men and X-Factor; Wanda and Wiccan manage to remove Doom's newfound powers, and he reveals that he was responsible for the Scarlet Witch's doings during the 'Avengers Disassembled' and 'House of M' events. During the confrontation Stature attacks Doom, who responde by blasting her with a wave of energy. After Wanda and Wiccan successfully remove the powers from Doom he escapes. The last panel of issue 8 ends with the heroes surrounding Stature's stricken form.[26]
Following the battle with Doom, Stature is revealed to have died from her injuries. Iron Lad offers to save Stature by taking her into the timestream. Vision objects to this, making Iron Lad enraged with him. Iron Lad attacks him, resulting in Vision's destruction. Iron Lad then prepared to jump into the timestream to go back and save Stature, with Wiccan warning him that this is the moment he becomes Kang the Conqueror, but Iron Lad is not deterred. With the battles over, all that was left was to determine the fate of the Scarlet Witch. Cyclops agrees to leave the Scarlet Witch alone, but states that he will kill Wanda if she turns against the heroes again. Rejecting the offer to rejoin the Avengers or her family, Wanda departs stating that after years of defining herself as Magneto's daughter, Pietro's sister, or the Vision's wife, she wants to find out who she is on her own before she decides what to do with her life. Later the Young Avengers decide to disband, much to the disapproval of Speed. Months pass by with the events of Spider-Island, Schism, and the Human Torch's revival having occurred and the Young Avengers taking no action. All this time Wiccan was in a depressive state. Hulkling tries to get him to talk to someone, but Wiccan refuses. Wiccan then believes Hulkling is breaking up with him, leading Hulkling to make an impromptu 'proposal'. They kiss, but are interrupted by Ms. Marvel and told to get into uniform and go to the mansion. The issue ends with the Young Avengers officially being recognized as full-fledged Avengers.[27]
Volume 2[edit]
A new Young Avengers series, written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Jamie McKelvie, was launched in January 2013 as part of the Marvel NOW! rebranding campaign.[28] The new monthly series reintroduces existing Young Avengers, Wiccan, Hulkling and Hawkeye, as well as introducing Kid Loki, Marvel Boy and Miss America to the book's cast. The series' sixth issue included the reintroduction of former Young Avenger, Speed, and the addition of depowered mutant Prodigy to the group. Over the course of the series, Wiccan and Hulkling reaffirm their commitment to one another after Hulkling faces an existential crisis; Wiccan discovers that he will one day become the all-powerful Demiurge; Prodigy comes out as bisexual, and develops a crush on Hulkling; Kate and Noh-Varr become a couple, and then later break up after Noh-Varr realises he doesn't feel as strongly for Kate as he does for his ex, Oubliette; and Miss America is revealed to be from a paradise dimension created by the Demiurge (Wiccan). In the latter half of the series, Kid Loki believes he is engaged in a battle of wits with against his ex, Leah. However, he later uncovers that this 'Leah' is in fact a projection of his own guilty conscience, which wants to restore Loki to his true self. After tricking Wiccan into transforming him to a more mature formâthat of a late teenager or young adultâhe departs the group, choosing to do so before they can forgive him for manipulating and betraying them. Throughout the story, the group are also haunted by a powerful character dressed as Patriot, who captures Tommy. In the concluding issue of the series, Prodigy rightly surmises that this Patriot is a member of the team who has been transformed into a non-human in some future magical event, and is now echoing backwards along the timeline in order to ensure this future comes to pass. Guessing this person may well be himself, he kisses the Patriot, causing the Patriot to vanish and Tommy to reappear. Volume 2 came to an end with issue #15, as Gillen and McKelvie wrapped up their story and wanted to pursue other collaborations.
During the second superhero civil war, Kate is experiencing a lot of abuse due to the actions of Clint Barton and is supported by her fellow Young Avengers.
Members[edit]
Recurring characters[edit]Vol. 1[edit]Vol. 2[edit]
Other versions[edit]What If?[edit]
In 2008, a story titled 'What If the Runaways Became the Young Avengers?' ran as a back-up story through five What If? issues.[29] The feature illustrates what would have happened if Iron Lad never found out about the Avengers Fail-Safe Program. Instead, he recruits the Runaways, forcing them to be an actual superhero team with costumes. Although it is later revealed that the Iron Lad that brought them together was actually Victor ManchaâIron Lad ran into Victor's future self when attempting to flee to the Avengers' era, with Victorious travelling back with him and using Victor to hi-jack his equipmentâKang's attempt to rescue his younger self results in Iron Lad being killed and Kang being erased from history while Victor destroys his future self and departs via Kang's time-belt to find his own way, leaving the Runaways to continue as Young Avengers with Chase now using parts of the Iron Lad armor. It was written by C.B. Cebulski, and drawn by Patrick 'Spaz' Spaziante.[30]
In other media[edit]Awards[edit]
Collected editions[edit]
The stories have been collected into a number of volumes:
References[edit]
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Young_Avengers&oldid=902128396'
(Redirected from Avenger (character))
The Avenger is a fictional character whose original adventures appeared between September 1939 and September 1942 in the pulp magazineThe Avenger, published by Street & Smith. Five additional short stories were published in Clues Detective magazine (1942â1943), and a sixth novelette in The Shadow magazine in 1943. Newly written adventures were commissioned and published by Warner Brother's Paperback Library from 1973 to 1974. The Avenger was a pulp hero who combined elements of Doc Savage and The Shadow.
The authorship of the pulp series was credited by Street & Smith to Kenneth Robeson, the same byline that appeared on the Doc Savage stories. The 'Kenneth Robeson' name was a house pseudonym used by a number of different Street & Smith writers. Most of the original Avenger stories were written by Paul Ernst.
History[edit]
In the late 1930s following in the wake of a slew of magazine cancellations (The Skipper (Pulp), Bill Barnes (Pulp) and The Whisperer(Pulp) 'had failed to capture the audience loyalty' of Doc Savage and the Shadow[1]) Street & Smith circulation manager Henry William Ralston and editor John L. Nanovic set out to create a new hero combining elements of Doc Savage and the Shadow. They obtained advice from Lester Dent and Walter B. Gibson in the creation of the Avenger, and hired writer Paul Ernst. Both Dent and Gibson met with Ernst to give him advice on his stories, Dent focused on characterization and Gibson on plotting.[2] The character of the Avenger, described by pulp expert Don Hutchison as 'clearly an effort to form a hybrid of the company's more successful creations', echoed his forebears in other ways also. Whereas Doc Savage was known as 'The Man of Bronze', the Avenger was described as 'The Man of Steel'. The Avenger's 'marksman's eyes' echoed the 'burning eyes' of the Shadow, who continued to be referred to as 'The Masked Avenger.'[1]
When creating the Avenger, Paul Ernst drew on elements from characters he had previously created; Seekay (a private detective with a disfigured face who wears a plastic mask); the Wraith (a crimefighter who used a knife and a gun); Dick Bullitt (with gray features); Old Stone Face (a G-man with the emotionless visage); the Gray Marauder and Karlu the mystic.[3]
In 1939 readers of Street & Smith's Doc Savage pulp magazine 'thrilled to a special announcement' that a new periodicalâThe Avengerâ'was soon to be published', and would feature stories 'written by none other than Kenneth Robeson, 'the familiar creator of Doc Savage.''[1]Robeson was a Street & Smith house name used by Ernst and a number of authors, including Lester Dent, the actual creator of Doc Savage. The first issue of The Avenger was cover-dated September 1939, and featured a cover story/'lead novel' entitled 'Justice Inc.' Interior art was produced by Paul Orban, well known to pulp fans for his 'similar work on Doc Savage and The Shadow.'[1]
Pulp demise[edit]
Describing the stories as 'well-plotted' with good characterization and 'an unusual amount of attention paid to detail,' Hutchison notes that as a derivative character, the Avenger was destined not to be as popular as his original rivals, which Hutchison gives as Doc Savage, The Spider, G-8, The Shadow, Operator #5 and the Phantom, while still arguing that the character 'can perhaps be considered the last of the great pulp heroes.' With his stories running initially in his own magazine for 24 stories, first monthly and then bi-monthly in four volumes over exactly three years, ceasing in September 1942.[1] The character was kept alive in Clues Detective for a further five short stories, and in a single tale by Emile Tepperman published as a backup in The Shadow in 1944 .
In Don Hutchison's estimation, the Avenger was following in big footsteps, and hamstrung by appearing too late in the day. Following the 'instant justice' of The Shadow, the global stage of Doc Savage and other pulp heroes, the Avenger was, by 1939, 'simply an unnecessary commodity.'[1] 'Second best[,] he had tried harder.. but the timing was all wrong.'[1] Ultimately, Hutchison concludes, 'The world did not require another good ten-cent hero.'[1]
Revivals[edit]
Nevertheless, the character was revived in the 1970s by Warner Paperback Library, given a brief lease of life by DC Comics, and was the subject of new short stories in 2008 from Moonstone Books. (See below)
Character biography[edit]Origins[edit]
The Avenger's real name is Richard Henry Benson, a globe-trotting adventurer who 'had made his millions by professional adventuring': discovering rubber in South America, leading 'native armies in Java', making 'aerial maps in the Congo', mining 'amethysts in Australia and emeralds in Brazil' and finding gold in Alaska and diamonds in the Transvaal.[1] Following the pulp archetype of a wealthy hero, despite an internal chronology making them (and Benson in particular) 'children of the Great Depression', the Avenger's backstory gave him the funding to ultimately 'support [his] crime-fighting appurtenances.'[1]
Deciding to settle down and raise a family, the first Avenger adventure ('Justice, Inc.'), Benson's plans for a peaceful life as a 'world-renowned industrial engineer' are shattered when his wife (Alicia) and young daughter (Alice) are killed during an airplane journey. The shock of this loss has a bizarre effect on Benson. His face becomes paralyzed while both his skin and his hair turn white, his facial flesh becoming malleable, like clay. His face was thereafter (for the first dozen stories) regularly described (as in 'The Smiling Dogs') as:
..dead, like something dug out of a cemetery. The muscles were paralyzed so that never, under any circumstances, could they move in an expression. This dead, weird face was as white as snow â as white, in a word, as you'd expect any dead flesh to be! In the glacial expanse of the face were set eyes so light-gray as to seem completely colorless.[4]
As a result of this tragedy, Benson vows to avenge himself on the villains, and to fight for all those who have suffered at the hands of criminals.
Don Hutchison suggests that 'Benson's extreme personal misfortune was probably the strongest motivation accorded any of the great pulp heroes,' stemming as it did from the death of his family and his own 'death in life'.[1] The stories, by veteran pulp/magazine writer Paul Ernst 'were well-plotted mysteries with mild science-fictional extrapolations', albeit often appearing somewhat subdued when compared to rival publications such as The Spider and Operator #5.[1] Benson was 'the master of the last-minute escape', cool and intellectual, mentally 'the equal of Doc Savage' but otherwise 'an average-sized man'.[1] The plastic, malleable state of his otherwize unexpressive features allowed the character to reshape his facial features into a likeness of any person, his features remaining in sculpted form 'until they were carefully put back into place.'[1] This ability, coupled with hair dyes and colored contact lenses, earned him the sobriquet 'The Man of a Thousand Faces'.[1]
New face[edit]
After twelve issues, Ernst was directed editorially to eliminate Benson's facial affliction in the hopes that this would bolster the dwindling audience for the magazine. Thus the second 'distinct era' of the Avenger began with the first issue of the now-bi-monthly third volume, just over a year after the magazine's debut.
The thirteenth issue, 'Murder On Wheels,' saw the introduction of the last major recurring character, Cole Wilson. Initially an opponent of the Avenger (before joining Justice, Inc. in the same issue), Wilson trapped the Avenger in a machine which 'provided a nerve shock of a different sort,' turning Benson's flesh back to normal and his hair black.[1] Although the Avenger still disguised himself after this, he could no longer mold his now normal flesh. Three stories â 'Nevlo' (#17), 'House of Death' (#15) and 'Death in Slow Motion' (#18) â had been written by Ernst prior to this radical shift in character, and underwent rewrites before seeing publication. Although the original texts would place these three stories chronologically earlier than #13, the rewrites serve to fit them into the timelines as published (although some slight original traces remain under the heavy-handed later insertions).[5] Often dismissed as a late addition to the stories, Cole Wilson was to play a greater part in the last dozen books written by Ron Goulart.
Gadgets[edit]
The Avenger far preferred trapping criminals into 'destroy[ing] themselves in traps of their own devising' than killing them himself, allowing writer Ernst to create considerably elaborate plots.[1]
Like Doc Savage, Benson relies on a variety of special gadgets to help him overcome criminals. These include knockout gas bombs, miniature two-way radios, a woven, transparent bullet-proof garment and 'glass pellets containing a gas.. [which] instantly [spread] a black impenetrable pall like instant night,' also accessible through a stud on Benson's collar.[1]
His car rivalled those of the later James Bond series, 'being a rather dull 1935 model' capable of speeds up to 130 mph (unheard of at the time), 'bullet-proofed throughout and equipped with devices and special little inventions for offence and defence,' including automatic bullet-proofed windows and 'miniature torpedoes of potent knock-out gas.'[1]
The Avenger also carried a pair of weapons 'strapped in slim sheaths on [his] right and left calf' â his specially streamlined and silenced .22 revolver ('Mike') and a needle-pointed throwing knife ('Ike').[1] Using these customized tools, Benson could shoot someone so that his bullet just touched their heads and knocked them out, or 'hit a fly-speck from twenty feet.'[1]
Assistants[edit]
Like Doc Savage before him, Benson rarely underwent his adventures alone, gathering a number of assistants to help him. His small band, known as 'Justice Inc.' was made up of people who had all been 'irreparably damaged by crime,' and who have specialized skills:[1]
Avenger novels and short stories[edit]The Avenger (1939â1942)[edit]
Novels written by Paul Ernst and published in The Avenger magazine. The first thirteen stories are believed to have been published in the order in which they were written. After the considerable changes introduced in Murder on Wheels (Nov. 1940), three earlier-written stories were reworked by Street & Smith's editors to realign them to the new status quo. Since they were reworked, the stories nevertheless follow internal chronology as well as publication order.
The first two volumes appeared monthly (with the exception of the twelfth issue), and featured covers by Harold Winfield Scott ('H.W. Scott').[1] Volumes III and IV were covered in artwork by 'Graves Gladney, Lenosci and Leslie Ross.'[1]
Clues Detective (1942â1943)[edit]
Short stories written by Emile C. Tepperman and published in Clues Detective magazine. Internal dates and references lead most experts to adjust the numbering on Tepperman's short stories, hence the non-sequential numbering.[5]
Note: Numbers in parentheses denote Street & Smith's publication order.
The Shadow (1944)[edit]
Short story written by Emile C. Tepperman and published in The Shadow magazine, 1944.
Note: Numbers in parentheses denote Street & Smith's publication order.
Warner Paperback Library (1972â1975)[edit]
In 1972, Warner Paperback Library reprinted most of the Avenger novels in a series of paperback editions, all credited to Kenneth Robeson. After reprinting the 24 original novels (by Ernst), Warner ignored the short stories of Tepperman, and instead commissioned Ron Goulart to produce a further dozen titles. These fit chronologically after the six stories by Tepperman, but are numbered by Warner starting from #25.
Note: Numbers in parentheses denote Warner Paperback Library's designation.
Moonstone Books (2008â )[edit]
Beginning in the early 2000s, Moonstone Books (under editor/publisher Joe Gentile) have produced a number of prose and comic books based on licensed pulp, detective and other characters, beginning with the Phantom. In 2008, a prose anthology (available in paperback and limited edition hardback) was released containing new stories featuring the Avenger, with covers by Dave Dorman, 1970s paperback cover artist Peter Caras, and a Limited Edition cover by Douglas Klauba. The anthology was edited by Joe Gentile and Howard Hopkins, and featured numerous stories by authors including Gentile, Hopkins, Ron Goulart, Will Murray, Win Scott Eckert, Richard Dean Starr, Tom DeFalco, Paul Kupperberg, Mel Odom, and others.[7]
Moonstone has also announced plans to continue the novel series. To date, they have released one new title.
(The special edition hardback contained additional solo stories of the aides Mac, Nellie, and Cole.)
(The special edition hardback contained additional solo stories of the aides Josh, Rosabel, and Smitty.)
Non-pulp[edit]Reprints[edit]
Following the original 24 novel-length stories by Paul Ernst, and the half-dozen continuations by Emile C. Tepperman (all under the 'Kenneth Robeson' pseudonym) in the 1940s, thirty years later, Warner Paperback Library reprinted the first twenty-four stories in a paperback format similar to Bantam Books' successful Doc Savage library.
Continuing on from the 24 Ernst-written stories, Warner commissioned writer Ron Goulart to write an additional 12 tales for this format, eschewing Tepperman's short-stories in favor of new book-length tales. The covers for the paperback series were initially painted by Peter Caras and later by George Gross.
In 2009, Sanctum Productions began reprinting the original pulps in near-replica editions. Each issue reprints two stories and contains the original interior illustrations from the pulps as well as the original covers on the front and back. This is similar to their current reprint series of Doc Savage and The Shadow. Because of the internal chronology of the stories, they will be reprinted in order.
Continuations, extrapolations[edit]
The Avenger is mentioned by author Philip José Farmer as a part of his Wold Newton family, and in an essay published in Myths for the Modern Age: Philip José Farmer's Wold Newton Universe (MonkeyBrain Books, 2005), Chuck Loridans contributes an article entitled 'The Daughters of Greystoke' wherein he constructs a family tree linking Nellie Gray to Tarzan and Jane Porter.
In 2008, Moonstone Books produced the first The Avenger anthology, featuring stories written by a number of pulp fans and writers â including Goulart and Myths for the Modern Age editor Win Scott Eckert.
Comics[edit]
Cover to issue #1 of DC Comics' 1989 Justice Inc. series. Art by Kyle Baker.
There have been several attempts to revive the Avenger as a comic book character, beginning in the 1940s in Street & Smith's own Shadow Comics, but none (to date) have proved particularly successful. Garena free fire hacked.
In 1975, DC Comics published a comic called Justice, Inc. which starred the Avenger.[8] This was during the time they were also publishing The Shadow. The Avenger also appeared in issue #11 of The Shadow. The first two issues were based on stories from the pulp magazine. Issues #2â4 were drawn by Jack Kirby (as were the covers to issues #2 and #3). The comic only lasted four issues.
In the 1980s, when DC Comics was again doing The Shadow, an 'updated' version of the Avenger showed up briefly. In 1989, DC released a two-issue miniseries, in 52-page prestige format, written by Andy Helfer and pencilled and inked by Kyle Baker, titled Justice, Inc.. The miniseries revealed the 'truth' behind the Avenger's origin.
In November 2009 the Avenger showed up in the series The First Wave spun off from the Batman/Doc Savage Special.[9]He had a backup series in the new Doc Savage comic, written by award-winning thriller author Jason Starr, however, several alterations have been made to his aides and to Justice, Inc. The series ran in Doc Savage #1â9, plus he starred in the First Wave Special.
In August 2014 the Avenger appeared in a five-part miniseries printed by Dynamite Entertainment, titled Justice, Inc., appearing with The Shadow and Doc Savage. A one-shot issue appeared in December 2014 titled The Television Killers.
Radio[edit]
Similarly short-lived was 'an Avenger radio serial carried by Station WHN in New York City and syndicated in other parts of the country.'[1]
From July 18, 1941 to November 3, 1942 the pulp novel Avenger was on the air in a series based on the magazine.
MUSIC: (ORGAN) AVENGER HUM WITH CODE
BENSON: Enemies of Justice..This is The Avenger!
MUSIC: UP WITH THEME, THEN SEGUE TO MOOD (KEEP IN BACKGROUND)
BENSON: You who operate beyond the Law.. you who seek to wreck the peace of America.. BEWARE! I shall crush your power, destroy the vultures who prey upon the innocent and the unsuspecting. I..AM..THE AVENGER!
MUSIC: UP WITH THEME, THEN SEGUE TO MOOD (KEEP IN BACKGROUND)
(From The Avenger, airdate: Tuesday, September 9, 1941 9:30â10:00 p.m.)
The Avenger originated from Long Island, NY-based station WHN and was broadcast over a time-span of 62 weeks. It also seems to have aired on many stations across the United States as a transcription series. The 62 weeks refer only to the period during which the program aired, not the number of shows. There were apparently a number of preemptions, due to coverage of sporting events. Most likely, the series consisted of a then standard run of 26 half-hour episodes (plus repeats). Unfortunately, despite the fact that the program was recorded for syndication, the only remaining artifacts of the show are seven scripts.
All of these are from the first nine weeks of the show, one of which is an original script entitled Tear Drop Tank. The others are The Hate Master, River of Ice, Three Gold Crowns, The Blood Ring, The Devil's Horns, and The Avenger. All are based on the magazine novels of the same name, with the exception of The Avenger, which is based on the second adventure, The Yellow Hoard. None of the scripts mentions the production crew or castâin fact, the first three surviving scripts do not even list the authors.
The final four remaining scripts (judging by the airdates listed) were all written by Maurice Joachim. Maurice Joachim was an actor and radio scriptwriter, who wrote episodes of the 1940s WMCA-produced Doc Savage series. It is quite likely he also acted on the Avenger, as he was reputed to be a highly versatile actor -â in the mid-1930s he hosted the Majestic Master of Mystery program, and played all the parts himself. Only Joachim and the organist were credited in the script, which had the announcer give the credit âwith original music by Dick Ballouâ.
These directions specified a Morse Code motif for the music, which was echoed in the sound effects. In the scripts earliest scripts, the 'Avenger Hum' is mentioned within the episodes, as in them the impression is given that Richard Benson has a radio unit surgically implanted inside him, and thus his entrances are heralded by a carrier wave tone. This somewhat unsettling idea is dropped at some point in the series, with the novels' compact belt radios used instead.
The surviving scripts do not include the African American characters, Josuah and Rosable Newton, nor the young Cole Wilson.
References[edit]The Young Avenger 1972 Pictures
External links[edit]
The Young Avenger 1972 Series
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Avenger_(pulp-magazine_character)&oldid=899856169'
Comments are closed.
|
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |