These four issues, like most Avengers comics of this period, contain only occasional content relevant to this blog, and not much of it having to do with the adventures shown on the covers above. We do, however, see Captain America interacting with teammates and colleagues, reacting to calamitous events, and lashing out at government agents… and isn’t that really what we’re here to see?
As I mentioned at the end of the last post, the United States government is none too happy that the Vision took command of all their computer systems when he had “world domination mode” switched one. In issue #255, we see the Avengers’ current National Security Council liaison, Raymond Sikorski, defend the team against his fellow G-men, using much the same arguments the team themselves used against his predecessor Henry Gyrich in front of the Senate in issue #190.
They’re interrupted by a message from Vision, taking full responsibility for what he did and announcing his resignation as Avengers chairperson. Back at the ranch, Vision is apologizing to the team for what he did, including using his limited mind-control abilities on the Wasp to gain leadership of the team, and sending Captain Marvel on a false mission to get her out of the way, about which she is understandably upset, but Cap stands up for his old friend.
Cap continues to assure Vision that, although he made mistakes, he realized them before things went too far, and remembered what is important..
Vision makes clear his appreciation, and then they discuss his strategy when appearing in front of the government, with Cap slightly uncomfortable with the plans to gloss over some details… but not very uncomfortable, given the Vision’s sound rationale.
Aww… if you don’t have this song in your head right now, then question your life choices my friend.
After the latest Disney+ TV stars leave, Cap, the Wasp, and Wonder Man reflect on the changes they see in the Vision. Cap finds the silver lining as always, focusing on what their teammate learned from his fall from grace (and that he took responsibility for it).
In issue #256, the topic of discussion turns to team leadership, and Starfox makes the natural suggestion…
…with which Cap agrees, as does Hercules, although based more on Cap’s words than his opinion of Janet.
After receiving an urgent call from S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers rush to the scene of a shipwreck…
…which one of the sailors describes as an attack from a huge being before he succumbs to his injuries, inspiring a solemn pledge from Captain America that invokes the name of the team (and raises the perennial question of whether the name actually fits its mission).
The being who attacked the ship appears to be Terminus, an alien connected with the Celestials and Deviants, whom the Avengers track to the Savage Land, where in issue #257 they meet up with Ka-Zar…
…and together they will face a
The Avengers, along with Ka-Zar and Shanna, fight Terminus, who destroys the Savage Land and ends thousands of lives before he is defeated (and revealed to actually be… well, you can see for yourself if you want).
In issue #258, Cap offers his condolences and apologies to Ka-Zar, feeling remorse over the losses.
Just as Cap consoled the Vision for his failures in issue #255, his teammates do the same for him here, which seems to make him feel… a little better, I guess?
For the last leg of their trip home, all five of them squeeze into a taxi, and of course Cap offers to pay.
In the mansion they discover Sikorski and several companions interrogating their butler Jarvis, who ain’t talkin’ (bless him). Sikorski explains that he was looking for the equipment the Vision used to take over the government’s computers (and everyone else’s, not that he knows that). But Starfox, um, took care of it already.
That’s the last straw for Cap, given that the suspension interfered with their mission in the Savage Land that he’s already torn up about.
Next, the Avengers are called to the scene of a battle between Spider-Man and Firelord, former herald to Galactus, but Spidey had already defeated his foe by the time they arrived. (This battle will be shown in November’s Amazing Spider-Man #270, which we’ll cover briefly in a future post.) Sikorski shows his loyalty to the team by allowing them to hold Firelord…
…which helps to smooth over issues between him and the team, especially Cap, who tries to apologize for his outburst, but Sikorski is too understanding (and too aware of how little the team cares for his predecessor). Then he tries to apologize, and Cap admits to some “experience” with federal bureaucracy.
After Cap leaves, he reflects on his behavior, especially in light of the Wasp’s return to command, and remembers he has some drawing to do back home… and wonders where Captain Marvel has gotten to lately.
If you’ve read the issues, you know she’s been in space this whole time, where the Vision sent her earlier, but she’s now dealing with Nebula and some Skrulls… and the rest of the team will join her in the next issue and post.
ISSUE DETAILS
Avengers (vol. 1) #255, May 1985: Roger Stern (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Christie Schiele (colors), Jim Novak (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Avengers (vol. 1) #256, June 1985: Roger Stern (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Christie Schiele (colors), Jim Novak (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Avengers (vol. 1) #257, July 1985: Roger Stern (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Christie Schiele (colors), Jim Novak (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Avengers (vol. 1) #258, August 1985: Roger Stern (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Christie Schiele (colors), Jim Novak (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Avengers: The Legacy of Thanos.
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Avengers #253-254 (March-April 1985)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #305-306 (May-June 1985) and Captain America #307-308 and Secret Wars II #1 (July-August 1985)
NEXT ISSUES: Avengers #259-260 (September-October 1985)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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