These two issues wrap up the “Ultron Unlimited” storyline that began in these three issues, and we finally learn what is “unlimited” about the killer robot this time around. As with the first part of the story, Captain America is seen mainly in a leadership role, this time in magnificent battle scenes (courtesy of George Pérez, Al Vey, and Tom Smith), while Hank Pym, Janet van Dyne, and the Vision have the more meaningful connections with Ultron himself (being his captives as of the end of the last issue). And after that, we have a more lighthearted appearance in Fantastic Four, at a comic-con no less.
Avengers #21 opens with a news report about the battle in Slorenia, the nation Ultron slaughtered and is using as his base for creating a new world and race. For the time being, at least, that race is the dead Slorenians, transformed with tech into mindless “necro-cyborgs,” whom the five Avengers below have been fighting with no loss of resolve.
After Cap tells Black Panther and Firestar to find Ultron, the latter wonders if there isn’t a more immediate problem to be addressed, and Cap explains the long game (fully aware of the short-term costs).
(Is this an ad for teeth-whitener? When does he find the time?)
After they find Ultron, Firestar sends the signal, and Cap makes sure the U.N. forces are good before he leaves to meet up with the rest of the Avengers.
Cap leads a joint attack…
…which, little by little, makes a slight dent. (At least Ultron has the sense to acknowledge Cap’s perseverance, albeit in a backhanded fashion.)
Our hero engages in a little trash talk…
…while setting up Thor’s storm.
Despite a massive bolt of lightning, Ultron still stands. But he’s not alone, as we see in issue #22, which opens with our heroes struggling against foes on all sides…
…with the following double-page spread showing what “Ultron Unlimited” really means.
Most of the rest of the issue consists of magnificent battle scenes, until the captive Avengers manage to free themselves just as the ones we’ve been following join them for the final assault.
Unfortunately, the Avengers have been in better shape, and Cap’s recommendation to back off and conserve their strength comes too late.
It is not Wanda who saves the day but Justice, who arrives with canisters of Antarctic vibranium, which vibrates so wildly it dissolves all metal—including adamantium, as Hank Pym discovers when he uses it to pummel Ultron into dust. (Part of why he went so wild is explained by his admission to Janet, earlier in the issue, that he based Ultron’s brain patterns on his own, implying Ultron is Hank’s darkest self come to life.) Cap declares the mission over…
…although the last page shows Alkhema, Ultron’s second “bride” (whom we saw in issue #19), prepared to take up his evil plans.
Finally, we see the astonishing scene of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four throwing down at San Diego Comic-Con in Fantastic Four #23… in front of writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca.
Then we find out why, starting with Johnny Storm explaining SDCC to Alysande, a Scottish highlander from another dimension whom the team rescued from captivity and now takes care of Franklin, who is also with them. (Note the cute “M-uperman” standee and the “Distinguished Competition” mention from Johnny.) Soon the actual Avengers arrive…
…but are gassed by the SKULL agents Johnny took for cosplayers and proceed to fight Johnny (and Wonder Man, who is unaffected) until the rest of the Fantastic Four show up.
For his part, Reed admires Cap’s skill, even when not in his right mind.
The whole thing ends up being part of a larger plot of the Red Skull and the Mad Thinker, but our heroes don’t know this (so shhh).
(By the way, you might want to check out my new Fantastic Four blog, Here’s the Thing…, which just live!)
ISSUE DETAILS
Avengers (vol. 3) #21, October 1999: Kurt Busiek (writer), George Pérez (pencils), Al Vey (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Comicraft (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Avengers (vol. 3) #22, November 1999: Kurt Busiek (writer), George Pérez (pencils), Al Vey (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Comicraft (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Avengers Assemble Volume 2.
Fantastic Four (vol. 3) #23, November 1999: Chris Claremont (writer), Salvador Larroca (pencils), Art Thibert (inks), Liquid! (colors), Richard Starkings and Comicraft (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Fantastic Four: Heroes Return – The Complete Collection Vol. 2.
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Avengers #19-20 and #0 (August-September 1999)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #22 and Black Panther #12 (October 1999), Avengers Forever #11 (October 1999), Galactus the Devourer #2-3 (October-November 1999), Captain America #23 and Contest of Champions II #4 (November 1999), and Domination Factor: Avengers #1.2 (November 1999)
NEXT ISSUE: Avengers #23-24 (December 1999-January 2000)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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