Retro Comic Recap: The Champions #2

Happy Tuesday, folks!

Time for me to talk about the second issue of the Champions. The cover depicted Hercules, surrounded by Pluto, Ares, and Hippolyta, while Ghost Rider, the Black Widow, the Angel, and Iceman fought foes in the background. The story was called "Whom the Gods Would Join..." The issue had a cover date of January 1976.

The tale began with Iceman, Venus, Ghost Rider, Angel, Hercules, and Black Widow standing in front of the recently arrived Ares, Pluto, and Hippolyta. The heroes were in disbelief after listening to the villains' assertions (as announced at the end of the last issue). Pluto repeated that Hercules was supposed to wed Hippolyta, and that Ares would wed Venus.

This started a brawl between the Olympian gods, a conflict that the other heroes avoided until it appeared that Hercules had been defeated. The Ghost Rider then rammed his motorcycle against Pluto, giving the others time to drag their friend to safety. Iceman then sealed the portal that the Olympians had entered from with a casing of ice before using an ice slide to lift the Black Widow and Hercules away, as the Angel flew close by with Venus in his arms. 

Their opponents tried to break the ice door until Pluto decided to send them all back home. There, they had an audience with Zeus to plead their case. Pluto did all the talking for his allies, concluding with the oath that Hercules had to abide with. Zeus concurred with that statement, but warned his guests not to commit any further wrongdoings.

While Pluto, Ares, and Hippolyta celebrated, the heroes had regrouped just in time to be attacked by the Huntsman. The Ghost Rider's hellfire dispatched that enemy, but not before their foe had knocked out Venus and Hercules. The remaining Champions strategized under the advice of the Black Widow. Ghost Rider stayed behind while she, the Angel, and Iceman went to renew their conflict with the Huntsman and his ally, a large humanoid called Menoetius. 

Iceman and the Widow's teamwork enabled them to defeat their larger opponent, followed almost immediately by the Huntsman. Angel grabbed his rival's staff to prevent him from bringing forth other dangers. As it turns out, the Huntsman didn't need his weapon to cast spells. He then made the Ghost Rider strike at his new teammates, thinking them to be the Olympian gods they'd fought earlier. He used that distraction to spirit Venus and Hercules away.

The four human Champions were left behind in Los Angeles. Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider) was sorry for attacking his friends, but the group now had bigger concerns. They had to figure out how to venture to Olympus to free Hercules and Venus. 

For a new team that wasn't formally named or aligned as of yet, this wasn't a bad second issue. There were stil some rough parts in the plot and artwork, but not too bad for a brand new team. It featured villains that I wasn't familiar with upon first read, and it kept me interested in wanting to know what happened next.

I'll cover the finale of this trilogy tomorrow, with a discussion of the third issue of the Champions. We'll find out what happened to the kidnapped Olympians, and if their new colleagues were able to prevent Pluto's plans from reaching fruition. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.