AVENGERS #17: What Were They Thinking?

Published: June, 1965

Comic books are all about good guys fighting bad guys, rock-em, sock-em, POW, WHAM, SPLATT and even the occasional BARRROOM! Right? Then why is it that in this issue, some of the most important details are not in what our heroes are doing, but rather in what they’re thinking? As the new Avengers gets off the ground, everyone is pretty much making nice on the outside, but inside numerous thought bubbles, we see their true colors.

On the first page of this story, though there are eight talking bubbles and two whispers, I also count SIX very telling thought bubbles! This gang is still solidly in the “breaking the ice” phase of their new partnership, and a good deal takes place well below the surface. We’re privy to their inner thoughts as they adjust to this new situation of being thrown together as Avengers. And honestly…it’s not always pretty to be privy.

WHO’S THE BOSS?
The previous issue featured a rocky start, and we got our first hints that this is not necessarily going to be a smooth transition, when Hawkeye begins to scheme to oust Cap as the leader of the Avengers. To add to the drama, Quicksilver has now also decided (silently, though, in thought bubble only) that perhaps he would be the best choice to replace Cap.

In the previous issue, there was no hint that Quicksilver planned to vie for the lofty position of He Who is Most Qualified to Dramatically Declare “Avengers Assemble!” Perhaps, upon further contemplation, the writers surmised that Quicksilver’s reputation as an alpha male would be in quicksand if he didn’t at least make some effort to be the boss. Nice try, but Quicksilver screams like a little girl when he sees the minotaur, so, in the end, I guess he’s not exactly leadership material.

If either of them has a chance, it would be Hawkeye. But then…no. Not really. Hawkeye certainly has some strong qualities, but he is a lone wolf, not a pack leader. As Cap notes (in a thought bubble, natch!), “He has never taken orders from anyone before.” Cap, of course, has taken orders, when he was in the army, so he knows what it’s like on both sides of that equation. Cap fervently believes in teamwork, and he knows that a leader is not always the smartest or ablest person in the room; the leader not only “plays well with others,” but knows how to make others play well with others, as well. (Okay…say THAT ten times fast!)

SEXISM, ANYONE?
Can I be totally honest here? In the past, Hawkeye has come across as an obnoxious jerk. The fact that he would choose to get in a belly-bumping contest with Captain America is actually not that surprising.

When we first encounter Hawkeye in Tales of Suspense #57, he is performing at a circus, and his ego is more out of control than a clown car with cut brakes. Later, when he meets Black Widow, his immediate “Wow!” is followed by a string of superlative nicknames like “Gorgeous,” “Beautiful” and “Doll.” Once he’s confident Black Widow accepts him as an ally, the heavy-handed flirting transforms into a true relationship, where he calls her “My Darling Natasha,” and appears genuinely in love with her above all else—save Country. Oddly though, at least as he tells it in Avengers #16, once Black Widow is struck down, he cannot bear to learn whether she is alive or dead, so he just…goes on with his life, not only ignorant of the fate of his beloved, but also acting as if he doesn’t care, or it never even happened.

Strange? I’ll hazard a guess: perhaps the writers, unwilling to declare Black Widow dead or alive, were also unwilling to lock Hawkeye in as a melancholy figure. Because here in issue #17, when Scarlet Witch laments that she didn’t have a chance to demonstrate her powers, Hawkeye assures her, “You don’t have to do anything, gorgeous! Just stand there and let us look at you!” He also calls her “Doll” and “Beautiful,” just as he did with Black Widow.

So. Has he reverted to his default as a sexist jackass, or is this his way of letting the only gal on the team know he’s available? And why would that be so important to him? Is he really interested in Wanda, trying to send a message—albeit, in the clumsiest way he knows? Or is he only hoping to stake his claim, in case he might in the future decide she’s the girl for him? In the end, is this simply his way of telling Cap to keep his hands off Wanda?

Or…and I might be stretching here, but is he simply trying to make sure that nobody mistakes him for a milquetoast, for anything less than a red-blooded American Ladies Man? But why would he even imagine the others might think that about him? Perhaps he doth protest too much?

I was hoping by the end of the issue that Hawkeye would acknowledge Scarlet Witch as more than just a pretty “doll,” but that hasn’t happened yet. In his defense, his toxic masculinity calmed down dramatically after he and Black Widow got better acquainted, so I hope Hawkeye will feel more secure about himself as time goes on—not only with Wanda, but with Cap and Quicksilver as well.

PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP
Cap, of course, doesn’t suffer the same insecurities as Hawkeye. He is confidence personified, and as perceptive as a leader needs to be. With no ego to cloud his thoughts, he right away understands what’s happening: “They feel that I am the weakest of all!” He knows he’s got some work to do with this group, but he’s up to the task and willing to go through the process without wasting a lot of energy on petty personal ponderings.

I WONDER ABOUT WANDA
It occurred to me that as Quicksilver and Hawkeye contemplate how they will oust Cap and become the leader, Scarlet Witch has no such thoughts. Is it because as a woman in the 1960’s, she assumes she could never be a leader, no matter how much she might desire it? Or is it because as a woman in the 1960’s, she has no desire to lead?

And how about this: After Wanda sees Cap put Hawkeye in his place, she marvels that Cap “is no weakling!” and says she will ENJOY being an Avenger. Does she like a strong gruff man barking orders, or is she just showing professional respect? Or maybe…she’s got the hots for Cap??

DELUSIONAL JONES
One more: Yes, Rick Jones is still hanging around and must get in on the action, even if it’s just via a thought bubble to show what’s bugging him. Of course, it’s the same thing that’s always bugging him. He silently pouts that others (neglecting to consider that these others have actual superpowers and skills) are getting into the Avengers before he does. Oh, Rick. Please take a look at the Delusions of Grandeur section of my previous Amazing Spider-Man feature. This ain’t happenin’ for you, buddy…at least not today.

THAW
But let’s get back to what’s actually happening in this issue. Despite a rocky start to the new partnership, midway through Cap recognizes Hawkeye’s abilities and thinks, “If I can just keep a tight rein on him, Hawkeye will be an Avenger to be proud of!” And a bit later, Hawkeye marvels about Cap, “He’s never at a loss! He takes command everywhere!” Of course, neither of them say these things out loud to each other, but the fact that they can begin to even think like this is a move in the right direction.

Quicksilver, however, moves more quickly when he realizes why Cap is so keen on getting Hulk to join the Avengers—because, he says, “at a moment like this, only strength such as HIS could prevail!” Quicksilver recognizes Cap’s leadership abilities, and even dares to speak these words out loud! There’s no one around at the moment to hear him say this, but the fact that he has abandoned the safe little thought bubble for a positive declaration about Cap indicates he’s coming on board.

I THINK…THEREFORE I AM…
At the end of this adventure, Cap declares, out loud, that this mission was a success because even though they didn’t find Hulk as they set out to do, they did find their “true strength together!” Well, that might not exactly be a resounding win, but as booby prizes go, it’s not too bad.

However, in the last panel, Cap thinks, “They’re pleasant and friendly now, but how will they stand up to our first set-back?” Well, I guess there’s too much going on here to resolve it all in one issue. We have to keep the drama alive somehow! I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s still a rocky road ahead for these new Avengers, but some of the thought bubbles in this issue have me optimistically thinking…“Hey! These crazy kids might make it!”