AVENGERS #356

"DEATH IN A GATHERING PLACE"
Writer: Bob Harras | Penciler: Steve Epting
Inker & Colorist: Tom Palmer | Letterer: Bill Oakley
Editor: Ralph Macchio | Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

The Plot: In Wakanda, the Black Panther is attacked by the Gatherers. But, forewarned by the Avengers, he holds his own until Hercules, Thor, Vision, and Sersi arrive via Lockjaw's teleportation power. Black Panther finds Coal Tiger, brought along by the Gatherers, and struggles to determine why they share a face. Back at Avengers Mansion, Black Knight and Black Widow discuss the fact that they are the weakest of the Avengers following Gatherer Cassandra's telektinetic blast, and they had to stay behind because of that. In Wakanda, the battle continues, while Black Panther and Coal Tiger speak and realize they are the same person.

Swordsman begins to doubt what the Gatherers have told him, while Proctor observes from afar. Soon, the Avengers are dispatched and Cassandra begins a procedure to make Black Panther fade from existence, allowing Coal Tiger to remain in his place. But Swordsman can't countenance this, and stuns Cassandra. Hercules rejoins the fray, as does Thor -- accompanied by Wakanda's Elite Strike Force. The Gatherers are forced to retreat. With his dying breath, Coal Tiger thanks Swordsman for saving Black Panther's life. Then, as Swordman unsteadily attempts to follow the Gatherers through their "slash/way", Vision grabs him and keeps him in Wakanda, the Avengers' prisoner.

Continuity Notes: Crystal is weirdly nowhere to be seen this issue, despite Lockjaw's involvement. It's said that Black Knight and Black Widow remained behind because they are "mere mortals" and more susceptible to Cassandra's attacks -- unlike Thor, Hercules, Vision, and Sersi, who all have superhuman (or better) physiques. Crystal is mortal in terms of her body, I suppose, though unlike the Knight and Widow, she has super-powers. But in any case, it just seems odd she's not seen or even mentioned here, aside from the obvious implication that she summoned Lockjaw to help. (And help he does! He even gets into a fight with the Gatherers' animal-guy, Sloth!)