Retro Comic Recap: Super-Villain Team-Up #16

Good morning, folks!

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween. It's time for me to talk about the sixteenth issue of Super-Villain Team-Up. The cover depicted the Red Skull and his associate, the Hate Monger, before several captives on Skull Island. The tale was titled "Shall I Call Thee Master?" The issue had a cover date of May 1979.

The story started with the aforementioned villains sitting down across from one another at a dinner table, about to toast their alliance. The Skull soon retired for the evening and went to his private quarters. The next morning, the man who was once Johann Schmidt went to the pistol range for target practice and got in a few exercises, with his faithful lackeys at his side.e He rejoined his comrade in time for the morning's procession, swearing allegiance to their masters as they passed by their balcony.

Elsewhere in the estate, a man named Yousof Tov was finishing his breakfast, although it was one he completed while under captivity. The Shin Bet commando was at the mercy of his host, who reminded him of the neuro detonator that had been placed in his neck (in early issues of Captain America's title). He walked past others from his home country. One of them was a woman who chastised Tov for joining the enemy. Yousof tried to explain that he had little choice in the matter, but his words weren't very effective.

He soon made his way to where the Red Skull was practicing his aim. The Skull then led Tov to his underground chamber, where he was preparing to develop a second cosmic cube. The first one had slipped from his grasp, and the German villain wasn't about to let the same happen with this one. 

The Skull then explained that Tov could procure security clearances and secrets from S.H.I.E.L.D. (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage and Law Enforcement Division) and A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics). Tov was reluctant to play along, until his host offered him the chance to eliminate the Hate Monger. Upon hearing that, Tov was more than willing to kill his adversary. The Skull then depressed a button on the remote control in his hand, sending Tov into instant unconsciousness.

Some time later, the Red Skull walked in on the Hate Monger, who was now unmasked and focused on his paintings. He talked about rescuing the Skull from his entrapment on the moon (in SVTU #12) and their initial partnership agreement. The Hate Monger recalled introducing the Skull to Arnim Zola and the Red Skull's subsequent plots against his hated rival, Captain America (chronicled in Cap's own mag). As he stared out the window, we saw the face of the Adolf Hitler clone that was the Hate Monger.

Back in his own quarters, Tov faked pain from the neuro implant. His guard quickly neutralized the effect, which gave Tov the opportunity to knock the man out and burst through the doors. Tov grabbed a rifle from one of the soldiers outside his room who had fallen, and ran for freedom. 

Before Tov left the grounds, he shot the lock on the cage containing other prisoners. He announced they were free to flee, but none of them opted to leave until Tov himself was shot. The woman that he'd quarreled with earlier ran to his side, and a fight broke out between the prisoners and mansion guards. 

Tov managed to escape during the melee and ventured toward the pier where he commandeered a small speedboat. He sped toward a U.S. naval vessel, but when he came aboard, he soon realized that the Red Skull and the Hate Monger were right behind him. Tov was returned to the base. As he walked back, he saw the prisoners whom he'd freed were back in their cage, including the woman named Rachel, who had fought with and against him. 

This was one of two Super-Villain Team-Up issues that were published on an annual basis by Marvel to retain the Super-Villain Team-Up trademark. I'm not a big fan of Carmine Infantino's artwork, but Peter Gillis' script gave me more insight into the Red Skull, a character that I'd only known from his earlier appearances in this title and in Cap's monthly series. I still prefer Dr. Doom over the Red Skull, but Schmidt is still a character to be wary of. The Hate Monger has also made his mark on multiple Marvel characters over the years, including an upcoming storyline in the Fantastic Four several years later. 

That's it for now. Taking a break to enjoy some NFL football on TV. I'll be back this afternoon for a synopsis of the seventeenth and final issue of Super-Villain Team-Up. In that one, we'll learn if the Skull was successful in his efforts to develop another cosmic cube. Until then, have a great Sunday and don't forget to be kind to one another.