Marvel Comics · Released Jul 1st, 1978

The Avengers #173

"Threshold of Oblivion!"

Iron Man briefs Captain Marvel, the Black Panther and Whizzer (wearing his civilian clothes) about the recent mystery about the disappearing Avengers.

At Kennedy airport, the Black Widow and Hercules have taken a commercial flight from L.A. Natasha is anxious to get to Avengers Mansion, but has to drag Hercules away from flirting with a pack of stewardesses. Minutes later, she pleads with a police helicopter pilot to take them straight to the mansion, but since the team's special security clearances have been revoked, he refuses. Incensed, Hercules tosses the 'copter across the airfield, destroying it, before stomping off to get a cab.

Hercules and Natasha eventually arrive at the mansion. They, Captain Marvel and Black Panther all agree to help solve the mystery. The Whizzer however tells Iron-Man that he's decided to retire from superheroics for good. Hercules and Black Widow leave briefly to deal with some lost luggage. While walking down the street, Natasha chides Hercules for his lack of urgency. Hercules, an immortal, admonishes her for not taking time to enjoy life while she still has it...after all, mortals don't live long by his standards. Natasha is slightly rattled to realize to understand his perspective on human life.

Elsewhere, Guardians of the Galaxy are adjusting to 20th century Earth life as they watch over a young Vance Astro, whom they are convinced the mad cyborg Korvac has traveled back in time to assassinate.

the man called Michael asks his wife Carina Walters to give him some privacy. After she leaves him, Carina attempts to contact her father, who is apparently his enemy, but stops herself. In the other room, Michael uses his godlike abilities to ascertain that none of the great universal powers are as yet unaware of his existence, though he also senses that his own mate may be plotting betrayal. Upon confronting her, he realizes that she is in love with him.

Back at the Mansion, Hawkeye attempts to cheer up the Scarlet Witch, but she is too distraught over the disappearances of both her brother and husband. Elsewhere, an old man journeys to America by steamship and carves a figurine of Wanda.

In the mansion kitchen, Wonder Man is having lunch when Thor arrives. Simon invites him to sit down and chat, but Thor acts as if he's never met, Wonder Man. Simon tries to remind him of their battles together against Graviton, Ultron, and Count Nefaria. Thor does not recall any of them.

More Avengers vanish, until only Iron Man, Hawkeye, the Wasp, and Thor remain. But just before vanishing himself, Yellowjacket suggested contacting Vance Astro of the Guardians of the Galaxy, whose Drydock space station may have better sensors than the mansion. Major Astro is able to trace a radiation trail to a small orbiting craft. Teleporting the foursome there, they come face-to-face with their old foe, the Collector.

Format

Comic

Cover Price

$.35