AVENGERS ANNUAL #22

"BLOOD WRAITH"
Writer: Glenn Herdling | Penciler: Mike Gustovich
Inker: Ariane Lenshoek | Letterer: Steve Dutro | Colorist: Gina Going
Associate Editor: Pat Garrahy | Editor: Ralph Macchio | Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Note: This annual also features a backup story spotlighting new characters called the Anachronauts. It has nothing to do with the Avengers' ongoing saga and I have opted not to cover it here.

The Plot: A group of mystics invades Avengers Mansion, in search of the Black Knight's ebony blade. The intruders gain the upper hand over the Avengers in residence, Crystal, Hercules, and Vision. Meanwhile, at the Black Knight's castle outside Washington, D.C., the Knight spars with his squire, Sean Dolan. But when an Avengers priority alert comes in, the Knight mounts his steed, Valinor, and takes off for New York. Back at the Mansion, Black Widow arrives and helps Crystal against her opponents, while Sersi shows up to aid Vision and Hercules. Outside, Black Knight confronts the final invader, Le Sabre. Le Sabre tells the Knight that several wizards are engaged in a race to collect various artifacts, and the ebony blade is one of them. Le Sabre says that someone is surely already at the Knight's castle, seeking to claim the blade.

And back at the castle, two more villains break inside. They are confronted first by the castle butler, Catherwood, and then by Sean. When the castle's caretaker, Victoria, appears, one of the men takes her hostage. Sean grabs the ebony blade as is transformed by its magic. He maims one of the invaders and kills the other, then, overtaken by the sword's blood curse, lunges for Victoria. The Black Knight arrives and stops him, with the Avengers showing up soon after. The battle moves outside, where Sean draws Hercules' blood and knocks out Vision, then proves immune to Sersi's powers. Black Knight engages Sean again, and during their fight, the former squire christens himself Blood Wraith. Eventually, the Avengers all recover -- but the Black Knight wants to face Blood Wraith alone, so he allows him to leave for the time being. Blood Wraith mounts Valinor and takes off for parts unknown.

AVENGERS #362

"A VISION REVEALED!"
Writer: Bob Harras | Guest Penciler: Gordon Purcell
Guest Inkers: Steve Alexandrov & Fred Fredericks
Colors: Gina Going | Letterer: Bill Oakley
Guest Editor: Ralph Macchio | Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

The Plot: Black Widow monitors a low-level Gatherer energy signature within Avengers Mansion. Just then, Vision shows up for monitor duty. Meanwhile, Black Knight, Sersi, and Hercules fight a battle droid in the Avengers' workout room -- but after they defeat it, it reactivates and attacks anew, forcing the Knight to destroy it. He comments that Vision ran diagnostics on the droid earlier in the day. In the monitor room, Swordsman arrives and asks Vision to help figure out his fractured memories. Vision agrees, but quickly attacks and seemingly kills Swordsman. At the same time, Black Knight notices that the Gatherer readings Black Widow had detected are now gone from the Avengers' systems.

Vision sneaks into Crystal's room, but she awakens and he attacks her. Black Knight and Marilla find Swordsman's body, then run to Crystal's room at the sound of battle. But Hercules arrives first, getting the droip on Vision. Captain America and Black Widow show up next, but Vision holds his own against all the Avengers, then takes Crystal hostage. Black Knight tries to save her, but Vision goes intangible. Sersi arrives next, and transmutes Vision to stone. Black Knight declars that the faux Vision is now the Avengers' prisoner -- and their clue to find the Gatherers.

Continuity Notes: Crytal remarks that the kiss she shared with Black Knight was "last night". You'll recall that last issue, Vision had been Proctor's prisoner for thirty-six hours, meaning issues 360 through 362 all take place in a span of around two days -- and it looks like the next installment will pick up not long after this one ends, as well.