In this episode:
Mike and Ed discuss the declaration of a national state of emergency, martial law, and the Avengers declaring war on America and democracy itself. Where are the other heroes? Is this the best we can do to defend ourselves from these unthinkable events? Was no one prepared for this? Does this mean Iron Man was responsible for Tony Stark’s assassination? These are dark times for America, but the show will go on.
Behind the comic:
This is the first appearance of Count Nefaria, who will go on to have a surprising impact on Marvel comics.
In this issue:
The Avengers have successfully stymied American crime, and the Maggia is unhappy about it. Their secret leader is Count Nefaria, the most powerful crime lord on earth. He is also the wealthiest European nobleman. He decides to move to America, having his castle rebuild brick by brick in America. He meets with the Avengers and basically creates holograms of them. He sends thr hologram Avengers into the real world and has them basically declare war on the US. The US responds by declaring the Avengers enemies of the state. This all happens while the Avengers are basically kept in suspended animation. They are released from suspended animation and are attacked by American troops. They respond by battling the armed forces, only to find that they are public enemy number one. The Avengers eventually figure out what has happened and they confront Count Nefaria and defeat him. Count Nefaria is deported, and the Avengers are left with one of their own, the Wasp, having been struck down.
Assumed before the next episode:
People are less than impressed with the Avengers but are willing to move on.
This episode takes place:
After the Avengers have done some spin control to convince people that they were not the enemies they were said to be.
Episode 181 - Martial law? American discord! (Avengers #13) -- February 1964