Appearing in "...Though Hell Should Bar the Way!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- (Unnamed)
Other Characters:
- Two-Gun Kid (Matt Hawk) (Mentioned)
- Mr. Meyer (First appearance)
- Mack (First appearance)
- Neil Sedaka (Mentioned)
- Ultron (Mentioned)
- Michael Korvac (Referenced)
- God (Yahweh) (Invoked)
- Collector (Behind the scenes)
- Johnny Olson (Mentioned)
Races and Species:
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- Androids (Mentioned in narration)
Locations:
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- Midtown
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- Guggenheim, Upper East Side (Mentioned)
- Midtown
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- Unnamed train station
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- Hell (Invoked)
Items:
- "Stunblaster" from the Avengers Gym
- and
- , and
- and
- Adamantium (Mentioned)
Synopsis for "...Though Hell Should Bar the Way!"
A new menace threatens, causing heroes associated with the Avengers, such as the Two-Gun Kid and Quicksilver, to vanish into thin air. At the same time, back in New York, Thor continues to appear and disappear from the heroes' ranks sporadically and inexplicably. Then, as Ultron's female robot creation is being moved into the mansion for study, she comes to life and battles most of the Avengers to a standstill. When Iron Man and Captain America arrive on the scene, however, they order the others to allow her to escape, hoping she will lead them to Ultron himself.
Notes
- The subplot of Captain America questioning Iron Man's leadership capabilities which has been ongoing for several months is finally resolved. Iron Man almost reveals his secret, that he is Tony Stark, to Steve when they work out their differences.
- Although she already appeared in Avengers #162, this is the real debut of Ultron's robotic "bride" as a character. She hasn't yet been given the name Jocasta and is referred to sarcastically by Iron Man as "Tin Lizzie." The Wasp remarks that the Bride has a voice that is identical to her own, though "metallic and hollow."
- Wasp debuts yet another new costume.
- Plot by Shooter and Perez, script by Shooter.
- Letters (story pages): Saladino (uncredited) page 1, Wohl pages 2-17.
- This issue contains a letters page, '"Avengers Assemble". Letters are published from John Reiss, Rogue C. Farmer, and Peter Sanderson.
- This issue also contains a Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation.
- This issue also contains a Hostess Cupcakes advert featuring Spider-Man (& Mary Jane Watson) Vs. some gem thieves.
Trivia
- The title to this story is a quote from the poem "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes: “…Then look for me by moonlight, Watch for me by moonlight, I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way.” The story takes place on the night of a full moon and Ultron's bride is plowing through one obstacle after another in her quest to reach Ultron.
- The story contains a fairly large error in astronomy. The main story takes place at Avengers' Mansion and takes place at night while a full moon is shining. During the scene between Quicksilver and Crystal in Attilan (which narration helpfully tells us is "half a world away"), it is still night-time and the moon is shining. The moon could not possibly be seen from New York City and remote Asia (where Attilan is located), not should it be night-time in Attilan.