Avengers, The #146

Issue Details

Synopsis

"The Assassin Never Fails!" Captain America, having been bombarded by the Assassin with lethal radiation, hangs between life and death. As the Avengers and Falcon await news of his condition, Donald Blake works tirelessly to heal his comrade. To cover Thor's absence while Blake works, Iron Man creates a Thor LMD to assume his place. Meanwhile, the Assassin sends hired minions in to kill the Avengers on behalf of their many enemies. Iron Man, Hawkeye, and Vision watching over Captain America, are given tea, though the Vision doesn't take any. Hobbled by the drugs hidden within, the Avengers struggle to hold off the Assassin's minions but are gassed into submission; the minions then shoot the LMD, rendering it lifeless and convincing them they have killed the real Thor. The Vision tries to hold his own, but the Assassin, attaching a device to his back, deactivates him, then laughs, for the drugs that the Avengers drank will kill them. Upon investigating the Thor LMD, the Assassin realizes the truth and that Thor and Donald Blake are the same person. Figuring that Donald Blake would make an easier target in his mortal guise, the Assassin is about to attack when Vision, Hawkeye, and Iron Man revive. Both Hawkeye and Iron Man claim to have thrown up the drugs though Iron Man's new synthetic heart seems to have been immune to it. The three Avengers then attack. During the battle, Iron Man's repulsor rays shred the Assassin's costume, revealing the nurse who served them the drugged drinks. Mocking them for their surprise at her gender, she distracts them long enough for her to toss a gas bomb and escape out a window, but when she tries to warn her troops, they, no longer recognizing her, gun her down, fearing their cover is blown. The remaining troops are easily defeated by the Avengers and turned over to the authorities. Donald Blake later manages to cure Captain America, who is soon released from the hospital. The Assassin's employer is approached by Angelo, furious that his sister, Maria, was sent to take on the Avengers, a task beyond her limits. The employer shoots Angelo, then removes his mask, revealing he's their father and kills himself.