Invincible Writer Kurt Busiek
Living Legend George Perez
Inks Al Vey
Colors Tom Smith
Letters Dave Lanphear
This comic is cover dated November 1998.
Look at that cover. Cap with his energy shield. Firestar in her horrible 90s costume. At this point, Busiek was writing both Avengers and Iron Man. This issue works as a time capsule of that era. Also has one of those fold out covers with a previous issue recap and cast of characters. I loved this feature, it didn’t last but modern Marvel uses this technique on some issues.
In story, New York City is celebrating The Avengers’ return, they have been back from the Heroes Reborn Counter Earth for a year.
Justice and Firestar have graduated from the New Warriors to the Avengers. Justice is still star struck, Firestar is worried about her power is killing her.
Captain America is worried about this celebration, as he had just finished his own adventure involving hero worship. Busiek was way tune in with the continuity of the say.
Spider-Man watches from above, knowing that if he got involved with the celebration, something will go wrong.
Vision is in the parade as a hologram, as he is still recovering from injuries if the previous adventure.
Hank Pym causally mentions to Firestar, that he can help her with her power issue. He will make a new suit for her. An issue she has had for quite some time and he can just fix it like it was just another thing to do on a list.
Via the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade homage, we get a history of the Avengers. Followed by an awesome splash page of Perez drawing every Avenger up to that point in time.
Followed by the whole reason I own this issue. The X-Men are watching this footage. Kitty, in her latter day Excalibur outfit, is mad that the X-Men don’t get a parade as they formed around the same time. The exact year actually, they are both 50 this year, along with Doctor Who and the Kennedy assassination.
A reference to Beast being a member of both teams. Wolverine, Storm and Rogue are present, they will join the Avengers eventually. Colossus, Kitty, Nightcrawler, Gambit and Marrow have not yet.
Bruce Banner is also watching the footage from the road.
Hawkeye is bring written out of the title, so that he can join and lead The Thunderbolts.
Scarlet Witch is seeking information from her mentor, Agatha Harkness. Wanda is gaining stronger strength and power.
We get another splash page of all of the Avengers’ foes.
Daredevil is watching the parade, as well as he can. He wonders if he will ever join. He comes up with a lame excuse about too many people around him will throw off his senses. I believe he did eventually join the New Avengers.
We get a history of Wanda. I have always been a fan of the Maximoff / Pym family tree. Magneto, his three children – Wanda, Quicksilver and Polaris. Hank Pym married Wasp, he creates Ultron, who then creates the Vision. Vision marries Wanda. Their children eventually become Young Avengers’ members Wiccan and Speed. Quicksilver marries Crystal of the Inhumans, their child, Luna, is pure human.
The Fantastic Four are also watching the parade when a bright light overcomes the celebration. Odd how Human Torch is still the only member to not join the Avengers, he is a family man, I guess.
The bright light was The Grim Reaper, Wonder Man’s brother (I can’t stand Wonder Man – he is essentially the Avengers’ Colossus, in my mind. He tried to get involved in Wanda and Vision’s marriage.).
Grim Reaper brings back some dead Avengers – Captain Marvel, Doctor Druid, Hellcat, Mockingbird, Swordsman and Thunderstrike. Of these, only Hellcat and Mockingbird are alive again, that’s pretty impressive.
Also, Wonder Man is back and alive, fully ion now. I prefer my Wonder Man dead. He is currently alive as well.
Living Avengers vs. Dead Avengers.
Issue ends with the Dead Avengers winning round one.
Shadow and Flame with Magik 