Written by Steve Englehart
Art by Al Milgrom; Joe Sinnott; Janice Chiang; & Ken Feduniewicz
Cover Art by Al Milgrom & Joe Sinnott
SUMMARY:
Entitled “The Lady or the Tigra,” Marvel Comics published this issue for December 1986. Adrift on a vessel on the River of Death in Hades, the WCA (Hawkeye; Mockingbird; Tigra; Wonder Man; Iron Man/Tony Stark; Henry Pym; & guest stars Hellcat and her husband, Daimon Hellstrom) must babysit a freeloading Master Pandemonium. More is revealed re: Hellcat’s costume that Tigra had also previously worn as The Cat.
Landing in the realm of the Cat People, the team learns of Tigra’s bargain to relinquish the cat portion of her soul to be human again in exchange for killing Master Pandemonium. The evil sorcerer’s origin is completed in flashback. Against demonic cats in an arena, the West Coast Avengers are present when Greer Grant Nelson/Tigra’s destiny is at last determined.
REVIEW:
The eye-rolling yet spot-on cover image spells out a blah read. In terms of the dubious plotting, suffice to say, it’s at best forgettable. Considering the tiresome platitudes the team expresses here about zero killing, one practically yearns for Gardner Fox’s cardboard JLA dialogue from the 1960’s. As to the serviceable but faded artwork, what stands out in its few glimpses is Wonder Man’s ridiculous costume.
Please note there’s also two minor inking gaffes on the last page: Patsy Walker/Hellcat’s red hair is inked black (which is actually Greer Grant Nelson’s hair color). Otherwise, this whole package gives off a tired vibe — not a good sign in this early stage for an ongoing monthly. West Coast Avengers # 15 offers a few okay moments (courtesy of the visiting Hellstroms), but this issue struggles its way into the one-and-done pile. It’s indicative of West Coast Avengers not being on Marvel’s priority list at the time.
Parental Note: Though it’s done as innocently as possible, in addition to Tigra’s barely-there bikini, Hellcat strips down to her bra & panties in a plot twist re: the Cat/Hellcat costume.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a single-page ‘Bullpen Bulletins/Checklist’ column, as well as a West Coast-Lines letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
