Marvel Triple Action #56

by Jimmy O'Brian

MV1 Presents:

Featuring...

The Avenging Namor! The Mighty Thor! The Amazing Spider-Man!

A figure of medium stature and mediocre posture approaches a run-down warehouse in worse part of New York City. In the door and up the stairs, the man dressed in a trench coat continues his journey until finally he reaches Point B, a seemingly inconspicuous door of simple wood and brass. His gloved hand reaches for the handle, but the door opens, apparently by itself. The man jumps, obviously nervous.

"Ja-HEEZUS H.....!" he half yells, but quickly silences himself, remembering the possibility of others in the otherwise barren building. Taking his cue, the man walks in. Quickly, he discovers what is the center of the small room, and at it, his partner. He stops about ten feet away, and his partner speaks.

"Ah, Peter. I see, or rather, heard, that the door worked correctly."

"Yeah, Thinker, and scared the life outta me, too!"

"You seem jumpy, my friend." the Mad Thinker says, and walks close to his partner in crime. His green suit is plain and ugly, like his face, and his hair is wild and plainly colored brown.

"Ah...eh, well, yeah...yeah, I suppose I am." the Trapster admits.

Going back to the other side of the room, the Mad Thinker tries to assure his partner.

"Really, Peter, there's no reason to be worried about this at all. With our heads put together on this one, we can finally prove that we aren't just throw-aways.....we will be dealt with like the geniuses that we are!" he says, sounding agitated and excited.

The Mad Thinker bends over a table with many different mechanisms and parts on it, few of which the Trapster recognizes. He fiddles with a few pieces here and there, but the Trapster can't quite see exactly what his friend is working on.

"I know it seems fool-proof.....but that's the problem, MT. How many times have guys like you and me said, 'We're gonna prove ourselves this time!', and then ended up back in the slammer quicker than who knows what? It always seems like it's perfect, but even the crappy, two-bit guys bring us in. They're one thing...but these are the Avengers we're talking about!"

"Precisely the point, my friend! Precisely the point! Defeating the Avengers will show all of the world just how powerful we can be."

"I still dunno, Thinker. I mean, we're dealin' with the big guns here.....Thor, Iron Man.....Hell, Captain America himself!"

"I know this, Trapster, and that's what makes our plan all the more beautiful.....we will be fighting 'big guns' with 'big guns'!"

"Yeah, I guess that's true.....but do you really think Subby can take all of 'em at once?"

"He won't have to, Peter. I've made sure that our plan is execute precisely at the correct time. Currently, Thor is the only Avenger left within Avengers Mansion. With Namor's might added to ours, we will be able to defeat him, and one by one, all of the Avengers!"

"It all seems too perfect, Thinker. I wanna believe in it, I mean, I helped think of it.....but I don't wanna be let down."

"Believe me, good Trapster, you most certainly will not."

Both of the criminals stand together, now, and smile grins of pure lust as they look onto their creation with criminal eyes and devilish hearts. The Mad Thinker picks up the small contraption, a large, metal ring-shaped item of metal and visible microchips, and turns to his partner.

"Now, let us go out and have our fun, Trapster.....we have an appointment with our new partner soon!"

They both laugh in evil tones, and ready themselves for battle. The Trapster sheds his brown trench coat, revealing his purple and yellow costume, while the Mad Thinker retrieves his Awesome Android, a monstrous robot of organic appearance with only a mouth on its rectangular face. Quickly ready, the two leave with the two creations to start the beginning of their despicable plan.

Night has just begun to fall over the busy city of New York while the three shrouded figures make their way through the back streets and alleys. Trying to stay out of sight, the Mad Thinker, his Android, and the Trapster all are making their way to the docks and piers on the east part of the city. They arrive quickly, before it is completely dark, and there they begin their fit of destruction.

The Trapster jumps from the roof of a sea-side storage shed, spraying his trademark sticky adhesive all over the security guard and the port workers, causing them to panic and try to escape.

"It's no use, boys!" the Trapster boasts, "The more you shuffle, the more you are stuck together!"

He sprays more of his glue over a nearby ship's deck, ruining the steering wheel and the other items on top.

"C'mon, Thinker!" he yells. "There's only so much damage I can do by myself!"

"Let it begin, then!" the Mad Thinker says confidently, and points towards the awaiting docks. "Go, my Awesome Android! Destroy all in sight!"

The mindless machine knows only to obey its master and lumbers forward to the wooden planks that simply wait to be splintered and broken.

The Awesome Android punches and stomps, pounds and smashes, as pieces of the scene fly everywhere. The Mad Thinker laughs maniacally, merely standing aside while his Android does the work.

The Trapster has trouble finding a good way to start trouble but soon sees his chance. He spots another ship, anchored in the port, and eyes the large drums with the toxic hazard symbol on them. Sinister thoughts surge his mind, and in a flash he's on the deck of the ship, knocking over the metal drums. Their contents spill, the toxic fumes escaping into the air, and quickly he sprays his sludge over the waste. Another flick of his wrist, and a small firebomb hits the mixture. The Trapster ducks for cover nearby, and the explosion he hears and feels lets him know that the guardian of the sea will be here soon.

As the Android continues his rampage, and the Trapster tries to find another way he can join in, when surely enough the water begins to stir. The Mad Thinker notices this, as the water forms as small whirlpool, and he calls out to his companions.

"Trapster! Android! Halt your destruction...I believe our bait has attracted our new partner."

The Android stops, and so does the Trapster, and they all look to the waters that are coming to life. They all know what is coming, and the Trapster tenses up a little. He know show powerful Namor is, and he knows the possibility of getting beaten.....beaten badly. He doesn't want that to happen, so he prepares.

Suddenly, a muscular figure erupts from the waves of the sea, mist spraying and waves forming from where the King of Atlantis has flown from his home. In the air, floating in place but ready for battle, the Submariner's broad shoulders and bulging arms prove to the criminals below that he has not come in peace.

"Who dares disturb my kingdom of the sea??" Namor asks loudly and forcefully, looking down below at the scene of destruction in front of him.

"What is the reason for the razing of both the surface world and my own?"

The Mad Thinker speaks next, answering Namor.

"Two lowly criminals do this, Namor, and the reason is purely out of want to destroy our oppressor's accomplishments." he answers, sarcastically. Namor doesn't realize this, and his rage takes over. Swooping like a bird of prey, Namor picks the Mad Thinker up and holds him only a few feet off the ground, underneath his armpits.

"Listen to me, criminal, and listen well. While I may have bettered my opinion of the surface world over the years, I have yet to change my views on those who prey on others, like you and these others. Now, you will be taken to the correct authorities and then I will help repair what you have done here."

"Ahhh, hahahaha, oh Namor....." the Mad Thinker laughs in the face of danger, "It won't be that simple. Android! Take him!"

At the command, the Android grabs Namor from behind and matches the Atlantean's mighty strength, holding him underneath the arms and locked behind his head. Although he fights, the Submariner is held for just the right amount of time for the Trapster to cover him, and partly the Android, in his gooey substance, causing the two to be stuck to each other and the ground.

"You truly think this monstrosity and your slime can stop the avenging son of Atlantis?" Namor says, nearly boasting, and struggles in the trap. The white bonds of glue do not budge from his powerful frame, and the Trapster walks up just as the Thinker sets their plan further into motion. He holds the metal ring in his hand, close to Namor, and smiles.

"Say goodbye to Atlantis, Namor.....and hello to your new life, avenging your home."

"What in the seven seas do you mean, you....."

Namor does not finish his sentence, as the Mad Thinker slips the ring over the top of his head. The son of Atlantis grows silent and his eyes seem to glaze over in no time at all. Then the Mad Thinker speaks again, and gives Namor and explanation.

"Namor! King Namor! We tried to stop them.....but the men....they destroyed Atlantis!"

Namor's eyes perk up more, and he scowls in anger.

"Who has destroyed Atlantis?? What do you mean?"

"Oh, King Namor, I am sorry. The Trapster and I, we fought for the kingdom, but the surface dwellers just blew it up!"

"My kingdom!! No, it cannot be! I must see this for myself!"

"No, King Namor! Please, the sight would be too much for your royal eyes to bear. Let us take you back to someplace more safe, where you can contemplate this loss."

"Yes.....yes, of course. Thank you.....what was your name?"

"Just call me the Thinker, King Namor. This is my friend the Trapster, and this behind you is my creation, the Awesome Android."

"I see. And what is it doing stuck to me like this?"

"Ah, my Android seems to have been malfunctioning. When we found you on the shore, it began to attack you, and the Trapster had to immobilize it to help you. Here, he will free you, and then we can take you somewhere else, to rest."

"I thank you, Thinker, and you too, Trapster.....but there will not be much time to rest. I must have my revenge on the surface dwellers who destroyed my pride...my home!"

"And we'll help you, Sub...I mean, King Namor." the Trapster adds.

"Yes, very soon, we will help you with your revenge. For now, let us leave."

At the Avengers Mansion, there is little sound to wake the sleeping god of thunder. Jarvis makes sure to stay quiet as he cleans, cooks, and generally takes care of everything, while all the other Avengers are away on either missions or on vacation...even Captain America. But as the time comes for him to wake up, the mighty Norse god Thor does so on his own, naturally, and without care.

He rises and dresses, putting the majority of his usual costume on, excluding his helmet and his red, regal cape. He walks slowly and peacefully through the mansion, and finds Jarvis in the kitchen, already waiting for him.

"Ah...Good 'morrow to you, Jarvis." he says in his booming voice.

"Good morning, Master Thor." Jarvis says, his back still to Thor as he cooks breakfast.

"What wonderful mastery of cooking doth you demonstrate today, friend?"

"Oh, Master Thor, it's just something I cook up..."

"Forever you will say so, Jarvis, but for sooth, 'tis a meal fit for Odin, always."

"...Well, Odin better like bacon, eggs, and toast, then."

"I know not of Odin's taste, but I do know the Odinson's tastes quite well...bring forth the bacon, eggs, and toast!"

Jarvis laughs, and when the food is ready, he brings it over to Thor, who has already sat down at the table.

As he eats, Jarvis fixes himself a plate, and sits at the table with the blonde god.

"It truly is an empty house with just you and me here, isn't it, Master Thor?" he asks between bites.

"Aye," Thor replies, focusing on eating.

"But I suppose it's good sometimes...to have quiet days like these have been."

"I have enjoyed them as well as you, good Jarvis."

"Why, thank you, Master Thor."

When Thor is done, he rises from the chair, and stretches. He realizes that he is without something to do.

"You spoke well about the emptiness of this mansion, Jarvis." he says, sounding bored.

"'Tis empty enough to bring about slumber...by boredom."

"Well, sir, I'm sure you'll find some manner of entertainment about, somewhere." Jarvis replies, trying to help.

"Possibly."

So Thor wanders the house, looking at old pictures and trophies, but grows tired of that, so he goes to his room to quietly read a novel, which Iron Man had loaned him.

"There is no battle in reading," he had said once, but he now knows that it is better than nothing.

After lying in bed for a while and reading, then taking a nap, Thor decides to go downstairs and ask Jarvis to join him in a game of chess. As he's walking down the stairs, he hears a great crash outside, and yelling that he can't make out. Thor comes running down the stairs, Mjolnir raised in his hulking arm.

"Master Thor, did you hear that?" Thor hears Jarvis call.

"Aye, I did. 'Twas a loud crash....."

"There's another." Jarvis adds.

"The sounds come from nearby," Thor states. "I will look into this further. Keep yourself in good health, Jarvis, and possibly good hiding, while I am gone."

"Be careful, Master Thor."

"Not to worry."

Thor flies outside from the second floor window of Avengers Mansion, his arms extended in front of him, letting his hammer carry him into the air. As he looks around, he sees a familiar figure, a muscular body in green trunks with wings on his ankles.....

"Namor!" Thor calls out, as he watches the King of Atlantis attack the home of the Avengers.

At first, the King does not notice Thor, but after a second calling, he turns around. Thor can see the rage burning in his eyes.

"Namor, why in all of Asgard would thou do such a thing? Hast thou gone mad?"

"I should ask you the same, Thor!" Namor says, and he charges through the air at the godly Avenger. Thor manages to zip out of the way, but just barely. Namor isn't pulling his punches.

"Whatever do thou mean, Submariner? What is troubling though?"

Namor once again charges Thor, and this time strikes him in the chest. Thor is knocked back, but recovers quickly and pushes Namor off of him.

"My home, my kingdom, my family.....my people. The Avengers destroyed them! You and the Avengers are no better than any of the other surface dwellers!"

"Namor, cease this madness! You have not acted in such a manner in years!"

Namor charges a third time, and Thor has no choice but to strike back with his Uru hammer. Thor tries to be gentle, and catches Namor in the shoulder as he rushes forward. Namor is knocked from his path, but he shakes it off and returns to hovering.

"I've had no reason to, thunder god.....but the Avengers destroyed my home, and I will have vengeance upon each and every one of you, even if it means getting help. Thinker! Trapster!"

With the word, the Trapster and the Mad Thinker (always with his Android) appear on the premises of Avengers Mansion, ready for battle. Thor looks at this as a challenge, and quickly knocks Namor down from the sky while he is distracted. While Namor is still recovering, Thor flies quickly down to the Awesome Android, who he knows will give him the most trouble.

"King Namor, how can you be lowered to working with such criminals as these? The Trapster...the Mad Thinker...both are evil, and both are very much.....well, they are not worthy opponents!"

As Thor grapples with the Android, Namor stands again, and the Trapster lets loose a large amount of his adhesive onto Thor, this time missing the Android.

"I'll show ya a worthy opponent, ya Swedish bimbo..." the Trapster mumbles as he sprays.

Thor battles valiantly against the Trapster, Android, and Namor, but quickly their attacks are becoming too much for the god. Trapped underneath a layer of drying meta-glue, the Android and Namor pummel Thor, as he stands helpless and motionless, groaning in pain and in strain to break his bonds.

"Well, looky what we have here.....need some help, Thor ol' buddy?"

"That voice....." Thor says, and he looks up from his bludgeoning.

The webbed red and blue form of the amazing Spider-Man, swinging in on his web, kicks the Awesome Android into Namor.

"Spider-Man! A sight for sore eyes, and sore body."

"Yeah, it's nice to see you too, blondey, but what's the deal? Why's Namor fighting, and why are you getting your butt kicked by Paste Pot Petey, here?"

"That's Trapster, you webbed idiot!" the Trapster retorts, and jumps at Spider-Man, who merely pushes him away, causing him to land hard.

"Thank you, webbed one," Thor says, as Spider-Man helps rip the half-dried glue from Thor's body. " As to your questions, I know not what has become of Namor, but he attacks me as fiercely as he has any evil, and he blames the Avengers for the destruction of Atlantis!"

Namor and the Android are back up and coming towards Spidey and the god Thor, so they get ready to fight while still speaking.

"What's this thing on Subby's head?"

Thor begins fist fighting and wrestling with the Android again, this time beating it with his hammer Mjolnir.

"I know not, Spider-Man. I noticed it before, but did not think about it." Thor answers.

"What are you talking about? And what are you doing here, Spider-Man? Fighting on the side of the Avengers, I assume.....you must be put to rest too, then."

Namor throws a punch at Spidey, who jumps very high backwards onto a crumbling wall of the mansion.

"Woah there, Subby, no need to get any more violent than usual, here. I was just noticing your nice little headband, there. Care to tell me what that is?"

"I don't know what you mean.....there is no crown on my head, since Atlantis is gone."

"Doesn't look like a crown, big guy."

"No matter! I will still destroy you, and then Thor!"

Namor flies towards the wall on which Spidey is sitting, and Spidey jumps off of Namor's head, throwing him more directly into the wall, which finally collapses.

Spider-Man knows he can't match Namor's speed and strength, but he's always a little smarter, especially when Namor is in one of these rages. Thor has managed to nearly subdue the Android, and Spider-Man sees the Trapster about to spray Thor again. Quickly, he jumps over to the criminal in a single leap, and webs him up, giving him a taste of his own medicine. Namor is still having trouble getting up from underneath the wall, and Thor has finally knocked down the Android, which is malfunctioning. All along, the Mad Thinker has sat on the side, always just barely out of site, and now Spider-Man sees him.

"Thinker!" Spider-Man yells, and swings over on another web.

The Mad Thinker tries to run, but Spider-Man is much quicker. He grabs the maniacal inventor, and pushes him against a wall.

"What've you done to Namor, egghead?" he asks forcefully.

"I'm afraid you've got the wrong Avengers villain, Spider-Man.....Egghead's been dead for a while..."

"Don't mess with me, Thinker...I'm not in the mood! I just helped destroy a third of the Avengers Mansion, not to mention fighting a friend of mine...now tell me: What have you done to Namor?"

The Mad Thinker looks at Spider-Man's masked face and slowly a smile crosses his lips. It spreads, becoming more intense, and finally the Thinker begins laughing in yet another hero's face.

"Why, Spider-Man...we've made him our new partner!"

"But how?? Tell me!"

"Persuasion, my dear boy."

"I told you, Thinker..."

"Yes, I heard. I just don't think you asked quite nice enough. Now, if you'll excuse me, we must be going.....but both you and Thor will be seeing more of the Terrible Three soon enough!"

"Where do you think you're going, Thinker?"

But the Thinker has already reached down to his belt and pressed a single button, causing himself to disappear from the grip of Spider-Man, and the others, the Android, Namor, and the Trapster, all to disappear. Thor, who has just caught up with everything, approaches Spider-Man.

"What did the Thinker reveal?" the god asks.

"I think him and the Trapster have Namor under mind-control.....probably from that device around his head. I've seen it before, but I don't know where.....I don't know how it works."

"Can we not simply take it from Namor's brow?"

"We don't want to risk what might happen from the shock. I think we need a counter-device, and that's something neither of us have."

"Then what are we to do, young Spider?"

"Iron Man's gone...but I have an idea of who might be able to help us..."

Spider-Man quickly shoots a web and jumps, pulling the web and swinging away quickly. Thor follows, flying after him, and asks Spider-Man a question.

"Webbed one, where dost thou lead me?"

"To Charles Xavier's Academy for Gifted Youngsters.....we're going to pay Dr. Henry McCoy a little visit!"

NOTE: This story takes place before Strange Tales #22, and before Marvel Fanfare #62-65 (Jess Nevin's Trapster story-line).