Good morning,
Hope everyone's been enjoying their weekend. I'm starting this Sunday with a recap of the sixth Marvel Two-In-One Annual. The cover showed images of the Thing, Wyatt Wingfoot, Ka-Zar, the villain Klaw, and a new character called American Eagle. The beginning of the 1981 annual was called "An Eagle From America!"
It all started on what seemed like a quiet night in the Baxter Building in New York City. Ben Grimm was rather grumpy because he was all alone at the Fantastic Four's headquarters. He decided to let off a little steam by lifting weights in the complex's gym. Grimm descended the elevator and was in the middle of a good workout when an alarm sounded.
The buzzer indicated a guest had arrived on the main floor. Ben turned on the viewscreen to see his old friend Wyatt waiting in the lobby. Grimm let him in, and the two old friends caught up for a while. Wingfoot explained that he'd traveled to enlist his allies' assistance in a matter involving a concern with a couple of members of his tribe. He thought that the matter might spell trouble for their land as a whole.
Tribe elders discussed what had happened as having fulfilled a historic legend. The chieftain was fading and unable to lead his people against an upcoming invasion. He sent his two sons to a cavern, where they waited until they were visited by an ancient spirit. The spirit asked the boys who was most worthy. The eldest made his claim, stating that he was wiser since he was first-born. The second said that he was stronger because he was the youngest.
Both brothers were pitted against each other in an epic trial of strength and will that continued across their great land. One of the brothers eventually emerged as the victor and led his fellow warriors against the invading forces. After their triumph, the new leader rejoiced with his men, only to later become one with the revered spirit that watched over their lands.
Ben listened intently to the old tale, wondering how it related to recent events. Wingfoot explained that a company arrived on the reservation recently, claiming they had rights to mine on that property. This sparked a quarrel between tribal representatives, brothers Ward and Jason Strongbow. Jason vehemently opposed such actions, while Ward pointed fingers at the contractors and the courts.
Jason went to the courts to plead his case, only to be told that no work stoppage orders would be issued, and that any hearings on the matter would be delayed for at least a month. Before long, several protestors went to the mining site, where a nervous watchman opened fire. Jason went inside the cave to find the watchman, who had retreated inside, and found his brother Ward inside a cavern full of machinery.
The two brothers apparently sparred once more until something strange happened. An avalanche sealed the mine entrance, and Jason emerged seemingly taller and much more powerful. It was rumored that the same great spirits of old had visited him and granted him new abilities. He left the village the next day. Grimm and Wingfoot then boarded a jet en route to that destination, which was in the Antarctic's Savage Land.
Part 2 of this story was titled "The American Eagle." Jason, in that new identity, was hunting, unaware that Ka-Zar was watching his every move from above. What Ka-Zar didn't know was that this stranger was not the true enemy that day. Jason/the American Eagle, was trying to prevent poachers from killing other animals. He had rushed into battle with an unknown man, one who possessed great strength.
Both combatants eventually realized that they were both on the same side and went after the poachers. They continued on with Ka-Zar's faithful companion, Zabu. Before long, the Fantastic Four's plane arrived. Ka-Zar went to greet his old friends.
Chapter 3 was called "Never Break the Chain!" Ben and Wyatt disembarked and met their companions. As they made camp that evening, Jason explained to his fellow tribesmen what had happened when he last confronted his brother. He and Ward tussled until a fire broke out in the complex. They were then met by other strangers, one of whom was named Klaw.
Grimm remembered Klaw from their last encounter at Project Pegasus. He was surprised that the villain was alive, after witnessing his disappearance inside his sonic weapon the last time they met (as shown in MTIO #58). Jason explained that the combination of Klaw's sonic device and the radiation emanating from nearby machines in that room gave him his powers. As he was recovering, Jason overheard Klaw and his allies talking about heading for the Savage Land to find vibranium. That's why he chose to follow them.
Jason chartered a plane to the Savage Land and parachuted down. He had no sooner set down when a large dinosaur attacked him. He was victorious, but suffered a minor wound in the process. Jason offered to lead the group in their hunt for Klaw and his allies.
Chapter 4 of this tale was called "The Dinosaur Graveyard." It began in a pit where several dinosaurs had been caged by Klaw's men. The villain planned to use them as reinforcements against his enemies as needed. The heroes scaled the walls of the pit before Ben met Klaw once more. His foe told him that he was accidentally freed from his weapon by a Project Pegasus cleaning lady, who had noticed the object and activated it. Klaw retaliated against her before breaking out of the facility.
While Grimm was suffering from another of Klaw's trademark sonic assaults, Ka-Zar and Jason had gone to the camp to confront Ward. Ward was stunned to see his brother in his new garb, after thinking that he'd perished during their last meeting. The two brothers fought as Wyatt stepped in to assist Ben.
Grimm broke free of the sonic ray and leapt at Klaw. The two tumbled down the hillside, landing in front of the large cage. Klaw soon released his captives, and it took the combined efforts of Ka-Zar and Zabu to restrain them.
Jason and Ward continued to battle each other, as the Thing finally managed to knock Klaw out. The violence ended when one of the poachers shot at the warring brothers. The man who ended Ward's life was the same night watchman from the village who had fired at Jason's people before. The trio of poachers fled, but weren't able to evade the oncoming beasts who were stampeding across the plains.
Afterward, goodbyes were said. Ben and Wyatt prepared to board the pogo plane. The American Eagle brought up the rear, holding the body of his late brother in his arms.
This was a sad story, with a good moral lesson. I remember picking this issue up in the discount bin at my local comic book store, hoping to see more of American Eagle. He was a minor character in other Marvel mags after that and was featured in a few Marvel Comics Presents issues, but really wasn't fleshed out more until more than a decade later. Another character with great potential who has been severely underutilized in the Marvel world.
That's it for this article. Later today, I'll discuss the eightieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Ben pairs up with a former Champion on a ride that Grimm never expected to begin in the first place. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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