Random Happenstance

I think I've realized, and then forgotten, that the High Evolutionary is gonna be in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, like more than once. Partly because I don't think they went with the magenta-tinted outfit and headgear, and partly because traditionally H.E. wasn't tied to Rocket Raccoon's origin. But, it makes sense, and I'm always willing to give them some rope and see where they go with it. Still, it's as good an excuse as any to flip through a random High Evolutionary appearance, isn't it? From 1994, Avengers #380, "Errand of Mercy" Written by Bob Harras, pencils by Mike Deodato Jr, inks and colors by Tom Palmer.

Near scenic Mount Wundagore in the Balkans, Quicksilver and Crystal visit the ailing--and possibly dying--Bova. The evolved cow-woman was the closest thing to a mother Pietro had in his life, and he's genuinely distraught at the thought of losing her. So, he's more than willing to jump at the chance to get the High Evolutionary to save her; which is a bit of a jump: there were lights on the mountain again, which doesn't necessarily mean he could save her. On their way up the mountain, though, they meet someone else: an Acolyte of Magneto, albeit one that's been cast out. He had been visiting the shrine to Magneto's first wife; but leaves when the New Men confront them. (The Acolyte adds literally nothing to the story, but they were the thing at the time.)

Meanwhile, subplots! Hercules keeps working on Taylor Madison, who likes him back but claims she can't get involved with him right now. She also gets a new roommate, who's pretty obviously a supervillain: you have to check those references! Captain America's health was failing, from events in his own book; but he hasn't let Black Widow or the Vision in on his condition yet, even though they've noticed. Crystal and Pietro get into the required scuffle with the New Men, with Pietro losing his temper when Crystal gets hurt; but he's no match for the High Evolutionary, who seems pretty impressive for the whole page he's in this comic. Bova's caretaker/companion Fydor watches the lightshow on the mountain, sinisterly; while in a final subplot, young Luna is put to bed by her Inhuman nanny, but was the only one to see the Black Knight appear in a mirror, and plead for help...Fydor is really well rendered, early on and at the end, which absolutely sells him as shifty.

Weirdly, this was also available as "Marvel Double Feature," with a George Perez written Giant-Man story. But, we've got the bare-bones version here, I guess. Also, this kinda sorta ties into current events in Roy Thomas's Thor; but that wasn't a high-water mark for the book, sorry.