—Keeper of the FlameFor ages, our people have dwelt in this forbidden land ... guarding the secret flame of life within these impassable mountains! But now a spy from the outside world has discovered us! For that... he must die!
Appearing in "Frenzy in a Far-Off Land!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Black Widow (Natasha)
- Prince Rey (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Power Man (Erik Josten)
- Swordsman
- Keeper of the Flame (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Tony Stark (Mentioned)
- Hu Chen
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Mentioned)
- Santa (Mentioned)
- Dr. Franz Anton (First appearance)
- Numerous unnamed Forbidden Land citizens
- H. Rider Haggard (Mentioned)
- Rock Hudson (Mentioned) (Topical Reference)
Races and Species:
- Humans
- Mutants (Mentioned)
- Fleas (Mentioned)
- Geese (Mentioned)
- Insects (Referenced)
- Reindeer (Mentioned)
- Cats (Mentioned)
Realities:
Locations:
Items:
- Captain America's Uniform and Shield
- Goliath's Suit
- Black Widow's Gauntlets
- Swordsman's Sword
- Wasp's Suit and Bio-Synthetic Wings
- Hawkeye's Suit, Bow and Trick Arrows
- Cobalt Fire Pit (First appearance)
Vehicles:
- Rocket Air Car (First appearance)
- Jet-Stream Cruiser
Synopsis for "Frenzy in a Far-Off Land!"
Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch take a leave of absence from the Avengers due to their powers dwindling.
Goliath also sets off to South America to try and find a cure for his condition. He is seeking out his old college professor, Dr. Anton. Meanwhile, the Black Widow is ordered to destroy the Avengers again with the help of the Swordsman and Power Man. The Avengers locate the villainous trio but Hawkeye wants to go after them alone, as it is personal to him.
In South America, Goliath learns that Dr. Anton has been captured by someone known as the Keeper of the Flame. He tries to save his mentor but is overwhelmed. He is brought to safety, however, by Prince Rey, leader of a rebel force against the Keeper.
Hawkeye defeats the Swordsman but is trapped by Power Man. Realizing she loves him, the Black Widow saves him, finding herself unable to harm him.
Captain America and the Wasp leave for South America to help Goliath.Appearing in ""Never Bug a Giant!""
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Prince Rey (Main story and flashback)
- Keeper of the Flame (Main story and flashback)
Other Characters:
- Numerous unnamed Forbidden Land Citizens (Main story and flashback)
- The Incas (Mentioned)
- Police from unidentified South American location
- Manuel (First appearance)
- Sam Hill (Invoked)
- Dr. Franz Anton
Races and Species:
Realities:
Locations:
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- North America
- South America (Main story and flashback)
- Andes Mountains (Main story and flashback)
- Forbidden Land (Main story and flashback)
- Andes Mountains (Main story and flashback)
- Europe
- Balkan Mountains
- Transia (First appearance) (Unnamed)
- Balkan Mountains
Items:
- Wasp's Suit
- Captain America's Uniform and Shield
- Hawkeye's Suit, Bow and Trick Arrows
- Cobalt Fire Pit (Destruction)
- Destructo-bombs
- Bio-Synthetic Wings
Vehicles:
- Jet-Stream Cruiser
- Rocket Plane (First appearance)
Synopsis for ""Never Bug a Giant!""
The story is continued from the last issue.
Captain America, The Wasp and Hawkeye leave for South America to help Goliath. Meanwhile, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch realize how badly they liked being Avengers and hope their powers return soon.
Goliath and Prince Rey escape to Prince Rey's rebel hideout. He explains how the Keeper controls a powerful cobalt flame capable of destroying the world. Goliath realizes Prince Rey only wants the flame for his own desires and leaves him.
Goliath attacks the Keeper and gets captured. The other Avengers attack and also get captured with the exception of the Wasp. Prince Rey's forces attack the Keeper's, while at the same time, the Wasp frees all the Avengers. Hawkeye smothers the flame with explosive arrows, destroying it.
The Avengers free Dr. Anton and leave. Unfortunately, Dr. Anton can do nothing to help Goliath's condition.