George was able to make Nelson Rockefeller look dramatic and interesting; he was the greatest even then.

You've probably heard the recent news about George Pérez, which sucks; but at least there's still time to appreciate him. I got a torn-cover copy of this one that week, which was a little sad but I'm glad to have it. From 1976, Avengers #147, "Crisis on Other-Earth" Written by Steve Englehart, pencils by George Pérez, inks by Vinnie Colletta.

It's a short Avengers roster--Cap, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch and Vision--against the now-villainous Squadron Supreme, and they've just been transported to the Squadron's earth, so there goes home field advantage. To shore the numbers up, the Avengers have "one hairy applicant, and Patsy Walker," namely the Beast and Hellcat! Patsy had found and helped herself to the costume back in #144, then somewhat infamously, a two-part fill-in versus the Assassin. Which was fine, but people wanted Pérez!

Hellcat leaps into action, kicking Hyperion in the face; a bold choice for a rookie! Whizzer is sure she'll get torn up, and gets a repulsor shot from Iron Man. But the fight is interrupted by the arrival of the army, and the President of that world's United States: Nelson Rockefeller! That is incongruous enough, but he's wearing the Serpent Crown, right out in the open! He's not wearing it long, though, as the Vision steathily grabs it and makes the toss to Wanda, who is able to create a standoff by threatening it. The Avengers split, while Rockefeller reaches out telepathically to Hugh Jones on our earth, the secret of the Serpent Crown: it is connnected to other Crowns across multiple realities, and anyone who ever wears it, becomes its slave, forever! (That may be retconned later.)

Wanda can feel the Crown, trying to compel her to wear it, and control her as it controlled many of the world's corporate moguls. She falls behind the other Avengers, but Vision notices his wife missing, and goes to recover her. She is not grateful, calling him "a cold, unfeeling computer!" Vision knows that's the Crown talking, and tries to take it; but Wanda blasts him and takes off running back to the President. She runs headlong into the Squadron's Hyperion, Lady Lark, and Golden Archer; who don't know all of the Vision's tricks. While they fight, Wanda struggles against the Crown's psychic attack, and manages to beat it. Through will? Her witch or mutant natures? Or, as the Vision suggests, through the power of their love? He opts to take the Crown, reasoning even if it could affect him, their love would save him as well. Aw!

I really, really need to find a new copy of Marvel Team-Up Annual #5, a big Serpent Crown story I had as a kid. Which also features our pal Quasar, although not in the best light.