Avengers #77

Issue Details

Synopsis

"Heroes For Hire!" One morning, pedestrians are shocked to see the Avengers demolishing a building. When the police question them, they informs them the authorities that they've been hired by millionaire Cornelius Van Lunt, who bought the property out from under the city (which planned to use the property for a park) and hired the Avengers to demolish the building. Later, Pietro and Wanda appear on the Tonight Show to explain that they've rejoined the Avengers and that the team is working for Van Lunt. The Scarlet Witch reflects back on the events that led to their dealings with the shady businessman: Tony Stark informed the team that he was in a power struggle with Van Lunt, and that Van Lunt was getting Stark back by demanding back rent owed for the lease on Avengers Mansion. The team tried to think of ways to help Stark out. It was suggested that the Black Panther, the Prince of Wakanda, pony up the money. But he revealed that he cannot help as he has taken up a teaching job in the city under a civilian guise. Elsewhere, a criminal named Kronus has gathered a group of thieves to study methods to rob more efficiently. Their gathering is busted up by the Avengers, but the crooks manage to make their getaway. The next day, the Avengers hire themselves out to earn money to help Stark with his financial woes. They agreed to work for Van Lunt in order to square away their accounts. Meanwhile, Kronus and his men carry out a bombing plot all over the city. The Avengers track the criminals back to their base and apprehend them. When they unmask Kronus, they find out that he is really one of Van Lunt's lackeys. They learn that he used to be the owner of a business bought out by Van Lunt, and that he took up the job as a his lackey and the guise of a costumed criminal as a form of revenge. After some more demolition work, the Avengers pay off the debt owed to Van Lunt and part way with him.