West Coast Avengers 116

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! - And there came a day … Hawkeye? Lady Merveille? Wonder Man? Tigra? Quicksilver? Crystal? Cannonball? Falcon? Beta Ray Bill? Jocasta? Bova??? Irving Forbush??? Just who are the WEST COAST AVENGERS?!?!?

THE WEST COAST AVENGERS GATEFOLD

Previously ... The WCA has returned from Colorado where they found Shape aligned with Arnim Zola and the Enlightenment Foundation, plus they have just returned from the Kree/Shi'ar War.

AVENGERS ROSTER

HAWKEYE - Clint Barton is an expert marksman, sporting a large supply of trick arrows; a former outlaw, he's the WCA's founding Chairman and tied to the WCA more than any other person.

QUICKSILVER - Pietro Maximoff is the twin brother of the Scarlet Witch, son of Magneto, husband to Crystal and father to Luna. He is a mutant possessing the power of acceleration.

LADY MERVEILLE - Monica Rambeau is a former Avengers Chairman, possesses the power to turn her body into any part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

WONDER MAN - Simon Williams became Wonder Man when the Enchantress had his body infused with ionic energy; a strong man with human failings, he struggles to live up to his power

TIGRA - Greer Nelson is a former biologst, changed by the Cat People into a modern version of their greatest warrior of legend

FALCON - former partner of Captain America and devoted social worker; thanks to his costume, Sam possesses the power of flight - RESERVE

CRYSTAL - a member of the Royal Family of Attilan, wife of Quicksilver and mother of Luna; can command the elemental forces - RESERVE

NON ROSTER CAST OF CHARACTERS

BETA RAY BILL - alien cyborg warrior, adopted of Asgard, Bill wields the Mjolnir-level hammer, Storm Breaker, a gift from Odin

JOCASTA - twisted and tortured by Ultron into becoming the Super-Adaptoid, then forced to face the Avengers who bruised and battered her, Jocasta has come to the WCA in hopes that they can help her regain her form and her sanity

BOVA - the first evolved creature of the High Evolutionary, Bova is an evolved cow that brought Quicksilver into the world; serves as a nanny to Luna

LUNA - the young daughter of the mutant Quicksilver and the Inhuman Crystal, Luna is, as far as anyone can tell, simply human

NORTHERN BEAR PRODUCTIONS

* Continuity Note - this story takes place after the KREE/SHI'AR WAR. See the Epic Branch for details.

Hawkeye stood in the middle of the West Coast Avengers Compound, fearing he might explode. Around him stood the various members and hangers on of the West Coast Avengers: Falcon, Quicksilver, Crystal, Luna, Bova, Tigra, Wonder Man, Variable, USAgent, Lady Merveille, Jocasta, Living Lightning, Beta Ray Bill and a new visitor looking for the recently departed Cannonball.* He was half-expecting Shape and Jolt to pop back in at any moment.

* Cannonball left the team in WCA 114 to track down his ex-girlfriend, Meltdown, and find out why she's on the cover of a men's adult magazine. See XXX-FORCE for details on the Vigilante Branch.

"This is too freaking much! I've had my ass tossed this way and that way across the galaxy twice now! I'm tired, I'm cranky and I'm down to my last pair of clean socks!" Hawkeye continued to rant, pretending he didn’t see the smirk on Tigra's face. "This roster is less stable than Madcap on happy juice. I need answers people. I need to know who's on this blamed roster. I'm not as hung-up on all the by-laws and regulations as I used to be about the roster, okay, but I need to know who's going to be on this roster and who's just visiting?"

"I didn’t mean to start a commotion, Hawkeye," came the soft Irish lilt of the mutant heroine Siryn. "I was just looking for Cannonball. My dad - Banshee - has recently come out of his coma and I was, well, I guess I was looking for someone to talk to about it. Do you happen to know where he went?"

Hawkeye tried not to sigh too loudly. "I can help you look for him in a few minutes, okay, Siryn?"

"Sure thing," she said and quietly moved to the back of the gathering. She caught Tigra looking at her from the other side. The cat woman was running her finger in circles near her ear, giving her the international sign for, "He's crazy."

"Let's start with the obvious," Hawkeye began. "Or at least, what I think is obvious. Bova, you're not signing on for active duty, are you?"

"No, Sir Hawkeye," the evolved cow said quietly. "I hope that's not a problem to me staying here."

"Hey, Pietro," Hawkeye snapped back, "relax. It was a joke." Hawkeye let a grin play out across his face. "Honestly, people, I just need to know if you're an Avenger or if you're just here soaking up the sun. I don't want people to think this is where Avengers go only when it's cold back East."

Quicksilver was about to snap back at Hawkeye, but Crystal put a hand on his shoulder and whispered calming words to him, "Not now, my husband. Let Hawkeye have his fun."

"I'm sorry," Agent snapped. "I can't believe you called me here for this! I told you I had things to do!"

"Yeah, well," Hawkeye grinned, "consider this payback for announcing your departure to SCN before telling it to me." Without waiting for a response, and trying not to grin to wide, Clint turned his attention to Variable, a new hero that had come to the Avengers during their most recent try-out before deciding Avengers life wasn't for him.* "Variable, what do you say?"

"I can't, Hawkeye," Variable shook his head. "I … I don't think I could put my family through this. Our recent … encounter* has me convinced that while I need to train and learn how to use my powers, I couldn't stand being away from them. I hope you understand." Variable looked around him, "I actually just stopped by hoping we could, uh, talk about that stuff.**

Clint smiled. Variable was a good man and he'd do whatever he could to help Scott out. "You got it. Just give me a moment."

"Are you going to help him before or after you help Siryn?" Tigra laughed from Clint's left.

"You got it, boss!" Tigra said happily. "Unless you keep giving me 'sit in the Quinjet' duty on missions, of course." She smiled when she said it and Clint smiled in return, but Clint gave her a quick nod to let her know he knew that he could've used her better on the last mission.* He'd read her and Monica's mission reports on her role during the time they were after Doom in space** and he was impressed. It was easy to take her for something of a flake but there was no denying she had earned the right to be an Avenger.

"I'm gone, Clint," Falcon replied. "I came out here to Los Angeles to help a friend, and now that that's done,* I should be returning back east. I've got some things that need looking into."

"Good enough, Sam, but we liked having you around," Clint thanked. "Pietro? Crystal?"

"I have no intention of leaving," Quicksilver announced, "and see no reason why Crystal can't take her place as a full-time member again."

Pietro looked at his wife, wanting to say something, but not sure what to say. "Crystal, if you don't want to be here, we can-"

Crystal shook her head, constantly amazed how her husband could go from one extreme to the other in the blink of an eye, "No, Pietro. I want to be here, and I'll help out when I can, but …" She let her voice trail off as she turned to look at the sun glistening off the ocean over the far cliff.

"We'll talk later," Crystal said and turned back. "It's not a big deal, don't worry."

Pietro didn't believe her and looked, to Clint, like he was going to say something. Clint could tell by the look on his face and his own experiences being married that what was going to come out of his mouth was, most likely, going to come out wrong and get him in trouble. He decided to save him and started talking again before Pietro could get the words out.

"Miguel?" Clint tried not to sound angry when he spoke to the young hero, "You helped out during the Kree/Shi'ar War, but you never showed for our battle against Doom. I take it you want to stay as a reserve?"

Miguel opened his mouth to say, "Sure" and stopped. "I'm sorry, but I can't. My college study is just too important and now that you've got Lady Merveille around, who can do everything I can and more, and better … I'd really rather just concentrate on my studies. I hope you understand."

Clint nodded. "I do, Miguel, even though I do hope you'll take advantage of Merveille's experience while she's here." Hawkeye rolled his eyes back into his head. "You are going to be here a while, right, Merveille?"

"Yes," Monica Rambeau answered tersely through a forced smile. With her financial troubles back home in New Orleans,* she had to stay to get the full Avengers stipend. Literally, every penny counted.

* The boating business Monica runs with her father is on the verge of bankruptcy, see the last two issues for full details

"Excellent. Always good to have a former Chairman on the roster." Hawkeye let his eyes keep moving to the left, "Jocasta?" The female robot took her eyes off Wonder Man where, Hawkeye just realized, they'd been most of the impromptu meeting. She'd regained almost-complete control over her new Super-Adaptoid-ish ability to change shape, and was once again in her familiar form, and Clint noticed, her familiar grey color. What, exactly, her limitations were, Clint meant to find out. "I'm hoping you'll be sticking around for awhile."

Clint wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but moved on to the alien/cyborg warrior Beta Ray Bill. Of all here, this was the most interesting person to Hawkeye. He'd aided the team during the Doom affair, and helped out somewhere during the Kree/Shi'ar War, and Clint had to admit it would be nice to have this kind of firepower around - even though he already had Wonder Man and Lady Merveille on the roster. "Beta Ray Bill?" he asked, the moment at hand. "Since you haven't been an Avenger before, we'd need to put this to a vote, but I'd like to invite you to join. Anyone who could wield Mjolnir is certainly Avenger-material."

The alien-cyborg breathed deeply, looking around the gathering. These were good people and, truth be told, he was intrigued about staying. It was something he'd given some thought to in the past few days, drawn, in no small part, to the family/brethren atmosphere. Plus, with his recent involvement with Doom and the Shi'ar, he'd like to keep an eye on the Earth monarch. He met Hawkeye's eye, "If you'd have me, I'd be honor-arrrrrggghhhh!"

Bill dropped to the gound as thought exploded into his mind, "BILL, THIS ONE NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE!!!" Bill picked himself up, the ringing still evident inside his mind, "I've … I'm sorry, I've got to go! Aparently, old business is not yet finished!" Bill started swinging his enchanted hammer, a move the Avengers had seen from Thor a thousand times before. "Some other time, perhaps. Fare thee well, Avengers!"

Beta Ray Bill flung his hammer into the air and exploded off the ground, vanishing quickly into the sky.

"Heck if I know," Tigra answered, shaking her head, "but we'll probably have to go someplace else if we want to hear about it.* No one ever calls, anymore."

* Um, er, uh, see it's, uh … just go read DEFENDERS 187 for the NEW LIGHT story, okay?

"Well, whoever does monitor duty tonight will have to keep an eye out for problems. Simon? I know your acting career is getting back on track, but I hope you'll stay on the team."

Simon Williams smiled, "Of course I will, Clint. Always good for the publicity of my career and my films if I'm on the evening news." Simon stepped out to where everyone could see him. He put on a brave face, but the truth was that as good as he felt emotionally, physically there was something wrong with him. He'd been having fainting spells since returning to Earth. His left wrist itched. Right where Admiral Phyken sliced it off.* "Charlie, that's my director, said I should get a catch slogan. You know, like the wrestlers have? Because it's big with the kids. So I've trademarked my catch phrase and Charlie is going to have me say it in the movie. That way, when the film comes out, we can make some extra cash. How do you like it? The front says, 'MY FISTS HIT AS HARD …'" Simon turned around, "and the back says … 'AS THOR'S HAMMER!' Pretty cool, huh?"

The team, with the exception of Quicksilver, looked at him with bemused smiles they might give a five year old. Pietro couldn't contain himself, "Are you serious?"

"Huh?" Simon's smile vanished as he looked at the mutant speedster. "Sure, I'm serious. It's a great way to make some extra money and a great way to improve my Q rating with the public."

In the back, Variable turned to Siryn and whispered, "Can you believe this? Are all superheroes this crazy?"

Siryn smiled, "Yeah, for the most part. Hey, don't look at me. I was born into this, I didn't have a choice."

Variable began to think Siryn was crazier than all of them put together, "And when you learned who your dad was you decided to take up the fight against," he couldn't believe he was speaking these words, "evil?"

Siryn smiled, enjoying the look on Variable's face as she told the story, "No, my uncle is a super villain, Black Tom Cassidy. He raised me to steal. It wasn't until I was older that I realized what I was doing was wrong."

Havok stood on the bridge of Lighthouse, a large space station in Earth orbit, invisible to the world below. Various members of his crew milled about their stations, performing their duties.

"I'm telling you, he'll never go for it," John Jameson spoke to Havok. "He's not the kind of guy who'll leave Earth and live in space."

"You're wrong, John," Havok said confidently. "I'm very certain that I can persuade him to join with us. When he sees the good he can do, and the responsibilities he'll have, and the power he'll be given to effect real change …"

"I don't want your money, John," Havok dead-panned as he turned to look out at space across the large floor of the metal bridge. "I'm more interested in making you eat your words."

Slyde looked around the room in disbelief. How a common street villain ever found his way into a mansion like this … unbelievable.

"Brother Slyde, don't you ever take off your costume?" Slyde turned to see a beautiful woman coming to him with a tray of fruit. She sat down next to him on a plush couch, completely at home inside the mansion's opulence.

"Um, no, actually," Slyde said, somewhat nervously. "At least, I try not to." His life had been strange the past few months, since a man, seemingly at random, handed him a card for the Enlightenment Foundation that read ....

At first, there was nothing but the card and Slyde had all but forgotten about it, but then later another man handed him a different card. This one read …

The next time he went out to commit a crime, he'd found a group of men, dressed in robes, waiting for him as he escaped from the Taco Bell with almost 200 bucks in cash and a few Chalupas. They took him to a run down place on the outskirts of where he met more of the Brothers.

Without asking for anything in return, they offered him food, water, a place to stay and a decent living to earn, living in a house overlooking the city. He was nervous at first, unsure of what they wanted in return, but it became apparent that they didn't want anything.

Slyde had found a home with the Brothers here in the Enlightenment Foundation. They helped him when he needed help and didn't ask for anything in return. But even more, to him, they accepted him for who he was. When he stole and was caught,* they bailed him out of jail.** And always, they opened their doors to him. There were men and women from all walks of life: accountants, cashiers, prostitutes, car salesmen, college students … all living together, some 24 hours a day, some only a few nights a week, trying to make each other better people.

But this … he looked to the woman and at the room … this was all too much. There was a new Brother, this one a Hollywood actor who lived here in Beverly Hills. He'd opened his home to them and offered them whatever they wanted. He was shooting a movie in France at the moment and the 20 Brothers that made up this branch of the EF had full run of the place.

"Hey!" the woman yelled after him as he took off from the room and down the hallway.

"Take care, Clint," Falcon extended his hand. "It's been fun. I didn't expect to end up fighting Dr. Doom half way across the galaxy when I came out here, but I'm glad I was able to help."

"Thanks, Sam," Clint shook Falcon's hand. "It was good to see you. Good to have you Avenging, again."

"I'll admit, I've never been a huge fan of joining groups. I always thought I got lost in the shuffle and that I was better serving the world staying solo and on street level. I'd rather let you guys save the planet, I just want to save the neighborhood."

"Yeah, but that's no reason not to join a group," Hawkeye countered. "Maybe the Avengers are the wrong group to do the kind of work you want, but that doesn't mean there isn't one out there."

"If there is," Sam smiled, "I haven't found it. Still, though, seeing what Councilman Proctor is doing with his Helping Hands charity … and seeing what happened before I came out here,* maybe I could try to effect change on a wider scale. I don't know what my next step will be."

He watched Sam walk down the hallway and then Hawkeye turned around to check out the monitors. He'd promised Siryn he'd help her find Cannonball, and even though she wasn't here, it wouldn't hurt to start.

The team had scattered throughout the Compound, but he still wanted them on full alert. If there was something that they could get involved in tonight, he wanted the newly minted roster to go out and take the threat down so the public would know who was on the team.

Still, he was hoping Variable or Living Lightning would stick around, or Jolt or Cannonball would come walking back in, so there was a new Avenger to train. Clint honestly believed that part of the Avengers job was to train the next generation of heroes.

He frowned, really hoping Cannonball had been able to last, though he understood why the young mutant had left. But … the X-Men and X-Force were taking more steps out into the open these days. Some of it because that new cable network, SCN, needed programming but a lot of it because they chose to step out. Heck, Xavier was going so far as to announce his candidacy for public office. Having Cannonball on the team would help them out, in some small way, maybe. The Avengers had had mutants on the roster since the first line-up shake-up* and public polls had shown that people often looked more favorably on mutants when they were associated with the Avengers. They couldn't single-handedly solve the bigotry in this country, but Clint knew they could make some kind of dent. 'If only Sam had stuck-'

Hawkeye turned from his thoughts to the door to see the mutant heroine Siryn enter.

Pietro and Crystal stood in the kitchen area of their bungalow, unsure where to start the conversation. Behind them they could turn to see Bova and Luna playing in the grass. Crystal turned to look at her husband, loving him more, it seemed, with every passing day. The troubled mind that had once bothered her now fascinated her, every glimpse she got of it, every insight that came to her drew her closer to him.

He was a difficult man to love, there was no doubting it, but, she thought, love was worth it.

"Crystal," Pietro began, "I am sorry for telling Hawkeye to make you a full member of the team, but I … well, I had no idea that you didn't want to be here."

"But, Pietro," Crystal answered softly, "I do want to be here. I thought you knew that."

Pietro turned away, his eyes finding Luna in the grass. " I … worry … when you are not active, Crystal." Crystal's eyes popped open at the admission. "You are … not a … not a cold woman, Crystal. You are warm-blooded, you like action and excitement. Being a mother … you are good at it, don't misunderstand me, but I wonder if being a mother provides you with the … excitement you … need."

Crystal took the half-step to her husband, "You worry that if I sit at home, alone, that I'll go looking for adventure to replace what I miss by not being with the team?"

"Look at me, my husband. There is something you must know. Something that should calm your fears about me being home and having free time on my hands." Slowly, Pietro turned. Crystal opened her arms and smiled a smile so radiant Pietro felt his heart skip a beat. Crystal took a deep breath and just a slight look of doubt crept onto her face. There was no turning back. "We're having another child. I'm pregnant."

The Falcon soared out an open window of Infantino Tower, having just said his good-byes to his friend, the Councilman Michael Proctor. His business here in LA was done and he could get back to the East Coast now and figure out just who it was that left $250,000 in cash at his apartment.

He arced over the city skyline, heading to LAX, where his flight back home would be waiting for him. Clint had offered to let him take a Quinjet, but Sam declined. Nothing wrong with conventional flight every now and then. 'Besides- huh, what's he doing?"

To his left, Sam could see the former X-Man Havok waving to him from atop a skyscraper. He descended.

"Just looking for you," Havok answered solemnly, putting Sam momentarily on edge. "I have an offer to make you. I'm forming a … team, and I'd like you to be a part of it."

"I'm not really interested, to be honest," Falcon answered. "I've always been more of a solo hero."

"To enact change. Real change. I'm tired, Falcon, of punching bad-guys and having nothing come of it. I'm tired of facing the same world-threatening threats over and over while real problems that we could help with are ignored because their isn't some mad villain behind it."

Falcon couldn't help but act interested, "And this team you're forming is going to do that? How?"

Havok let himself smile, "We have a way. Care to see our headquarters? I guarantee that if you join with us, you'll have money to bring about the kinds of changes you want to see."

"Okay," Falcon nodded, "I'm curious enough to hear you out. Where's your headquarters?"

Be sure to check out Lighthouse: Little Green Men to follow the Falcon's story. You can find it on the Epic Branch.

Simon looked at Tigra with a bemused smile on his face, "Come on, Tigra, not now. I've got lines to study."

"Oh come one, you know it wouldn’t take you too long …" she raised her eyebrows and approached Simon with her best sexy strut. "It's been so long for me … I hate sleeping in a cold bed …"

"I said No!" he exploded suddenly and Tigra jumped back involuntarily. "Damnit, Tigra, this acting gig is important to me! The rest of you love being Avengers but I've never really felt comfortable here and you all know it! So take your come hither looks, your fur and your blasted tail and hit the road!"

"God!" Wonder Man screamed, turning quickly to grab his script. The room spun and he had to extend his arm to stop himself from falling. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' he thought to himself worriedly. 'Why am I fainting all the time? Why do I feel so weak?' Shaking his head, he walked to the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror, 'Am I losing weight?'

And the entire time he asked himself these questions, his left wrist burned and burned and burned.

Outside the bungalow, Tigra stewed. 'What's his problem?' She walked through the Compound's grounds for a while, not thinking of anything, no destination in mind. She ended up at the beach and started thinking in ways she usually rejected, but now welcomed.

'I hate thinking like this,' she frowned as she sat down in the warm sand. 'I'm supposed to live for the moment, not caring about what other people think or about what I've done in the past. But,' her eyes danced over the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean, 'that's the cat part of me talking. There's a human side in here, too. A side that maybe I've rejected for too long. Blah!' she kicked at the sand angrily. 'What do I care if others think I'm a flake? Why do I care if-"

Her Avengers Communicard (about the only item she could carry in her bikini outfit) beeped to life and she looked down to see Hawkeye staring back at her.

"All Avengers report to the Hangar immediately! Los Angeles is under attack. I want all full-time members only!"

"Saved by the bell!" Tigra jumped up happily, thrilled to put the reflective thoughts behind her and engage the present full-on again. She even happily ignored the buzzing in the back of her mind that told her this conversation wasn't yet over.

The Quinjet landed in the street and the Avengers: Hawkeye, Wonder Man, Lady Merveille, Tigra and Quicksilver exited the craft. A group of onlookers came rushing over. Clint noticed with some amazement that a SCN van was already pulling up.

"You've got to help us, man!" a woman cried as she stood in Hawkeye's face. "There's a crazy guy in there and he's got our kids hostage!"

"Who is it, ma'am?" Hawkeye asked, the panic in the woman's voice tugging at his heart. The loss of children weighed heavily on the Archer's soul. "We got a report that it was a super-powered criminal, but LAPD was unable to tell us who it was."

"I'm sure they are," Hawkeye snapped at the young man in the back, "but right now I'm not interested in debating their ineptness. He turned around to the Avengers, "Merveille, Quicksilver, would you do the honors?"

Quicksilver nodded and they were off in a flash. A few seconds later, Pietro returned, but Merveille was nowhere to be seen. Clint waited a few moments, growing impatient. He wanted this to come off well for the community, to show that-

The door to the community center opened and Merveille walked out with Slyde in front of her. "I didn't know there were kids in there, I swear!" he yelled.

Slyde panicked and tried to escape down the side of the building, leaving a momentarily startled Merveille in his wake. It was stupid and he knew it, there was no way he could outrun Quicksilver, let alone Merveille, but he had to try.

"Aaaaaarrrggghhh!" he screamed, his hands coming up to protect his ears. It felt like his head was going to split in two.

"Hold it right there, Slyde. I'm sure the Avengers would like a word with you," came a voice from above.

"That's right, we would!" Hawkeye yelled, dropping a weighted net over Slyde's head to keep him from escaping. "Seems like we've danced this dance before, Slyde."

"Hawkeye! Cameron Showlers from SCN here!" Clint and the Avengers turned around to see a young female reporter and a camera rushing towards them. "Have you apprehended the villain? Is this the new Avengers line-up?"

Hawkeye waited for the cameraman to come to a halt. He wanted this shot to look good. "Yes on both accounts, Cameron," Hawkeye smiled. "Turns out we didn't need the full complement to nab Slyde here, but we didn't know what we were walking into. And yes, this is the new West Coast Avenger line-up. Let me introduce you and the world to one of the finest Avengers line-ups in history!"

Tigra and Merveille exchanged raised eye-brows, but let Hawkeye indulge in his hype.

"Besides myself, we've got long time Avengers Lady Merveille, Wonder Man, Tigra and Quicksilver. Plus our newest addition …" he waited for the Irish mutant to drop to the pavement, "Siryn!"

Cameron looked at Hawkeye, waiting. Finally, she realized he wasn't going to say it. "Couldn't you say it? I know it's really not the moment, but it'd look great. Please."

"Sure," Hawkeye grinned. "On three, everyone. One, two, three! …AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!" Hawkeye turned around to see five smiling faces, "Hey, how come I was the only one who yelled it?"

"Sorry, Cameron," Lady Merveille spoke up, smiling. "We might not be the most vocal Avengers of all-time, but we'll be there when it counts."

The Avengers started to walk back to the Quinjet, leaving Hawkeye scratching his head. "Yeah, but it's still fun to say, right guys? Guys? Come on, hey, wait up!"

NEXT ISSUE: THE MASTERS OF EVIL WAR explodes into the pages of WCA! Spilling over from the pages of CHAMPIONS, it's not one, but TWO Masters of Evil running loose and the WCA is caught in the middle!

Okay, the roster has been a bit out of control. Starting with this issue, however, things should be settled down enough to get some stability in the ranks. I've got most of the cast I want to work with now and I take some satisfaction in the fact that I didn't just write people out with no reasons. I tried to create realistic reasons for their departure. Things should be settled now, for a little bit, though you know Clint, if he can improve his team, he will. He is still looking for a scientist, remember …

Wow, I didn't know that getting up so early would get me "first look" at so much cool stuff. Not that it's gonna make me start setting my alarm clock earlier, but, y'know...

Anyways! WCA #115. What to say, what to say...

I like it. "You're looking pleasantly non-psychotic today..." Hee hee! MBQ has a wonderful gift for picking just the right word at the right time, and it shows here.

In fact, it's more like the right /plot/ at the right time... The En... oh, wait. No spoilers. Well, the group that the Whackos are involved with at the moment... it's not only interesting as all get-out, it's also timely. Read it, you'll see why.

Oh, and Tigra's question about the Shape's speech patterns was another priceless gem. Thought I'd mention that.

In short, I'm giving WCA #115 4 out of 5 stars. It's an excellent issue, but it's also a setup issue, and it kinda shows a bit.

Oh, and one more thing. Wonder Man's STILL not whining! YAY!

-Shawn Connolly-

Thanks, Shawn. Shape, Slyde and the Enlightenment Foundation will play a big role in this title as I move along.

Mark,

I've been enjoying your run on AWC a lot. I think you've got every single character nailed (even if I don't like the Tigra's character, you still got it right) and the close ties with the Hawkeye books make it that much more enjoyable.

I would've liked to see Agent stay, but I suppose it was inevitable and the way it was done was Grade A Agent.

The latest issue didn't have any fights yet it wasn't a flat-out characterization issue either. I haven't seen much of that, but you pulled it off nicely.

I really like the Monica Rambeau sub-plot (I won't call her Lady Merveille and I don't think anyone else should either...). That last line about the Heroes for Hire, very intriguing.

Great work Mark,
Adam Di Stefano

Thanks, Adam. There hasn’t been much action in the book since the WORLD WITHOUT storyline, but I've tried to really get these characters where I want them. Now that I have, things will pick up in intensity.

West Coast Avengers #115 by Mark Bousquet:
Need I say it? I liked it. I liked it a lot. Just like last issue, I prefer these less cosmic stories. I really like Mark's characterization and the subplots he has flying around. I have no idea where he's going with Jocasta, but I'm looking forward to watching it unfold. The discussion on Shape's dialogue was great. I just hope it wasn't a playful jab at how I write Hercules (of course I think that Herc would speak old English incorrectly, so that's my defense <g>). I doubt that Zola is on the up and up, but if he is that's a great plot twist.

ALSO SEE: CHAMPIONS 36 by Mark Beaulieu for the kick-off of a Champions classic, the MASTERS OF EVIL WAR!!! And then in HAWKEYE 19 someone's after the Avenging Archer! Written by Lonni Holland!

You can join the MV1 Talk list for discussion of MV1 fanfic by going to http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/mv1talk .
You have to register with onelist but it's a painless process that generates ZERO spam.

MARCH, Y4	MV1 Presents ... Earth's Mightiest Heroes!!!	AVENGERS
		And there came a day when the foes became too great for Earth's Mightiest to handle alone! On that day was born the West Coast Avengers!
# 116	NORTHERN BEAR PRODUCTIONS	# 116