Shiny covers, unexpected guest-stars, and fridging.

I know I had at least one other shiny Avengers cover from this time, but not sure about this one. I also don't usually scan the covers, but I wanted to see how the shiny came out. From 1993, Avengers #366, "The First Rule!" Written by Bob Harras, pencils by Steve Epting, inks by Tom Palmer.

The lead story continues the plot thread from Operation: Galactic Storm and Avengers #350: seeking vengeance for the death of the Supreme Intelligence, the alien Kree have captured several Avengers, and plan on using a Nega-Bomb to destroy earth. The team's lineup had changed somewhat since #350, with the addition of Deathcry and guest Magdalene, and returning members Giant-Man and Captain America. The back cover wonders, though, if Cap's old-school, non-fatal moral code wasn't outdated. Also, Cap wears an earpiece-mike set-up that seems to be glued to his cowl. Still, he'd be wearing a leather jacket later in the run...

Also this issue: "Swordplay 3" (Or rather, cubed.) Written by Glenn Herdling, pencils by Mike Gustovich, inks and colors by Ariane Lenshoek. Previously, the Black Knight's former squire, Sean Dolan, has taken the cursed Ebony Blade, and become the murdering Blood Wraith. After killing some criminals involved in Tolliver's scavenger hunt, Blood Wraith is crossed by Deadpool, who was also on the hunt. (From the first Deadpool limited series, "The Circle Chase.") The Black Knight gets in there too, for a three-way duel; which ends with former Dr. Strange supporting character Victoria Bentley stabbed and her soul taken by the Ebony Blade. Pool steals the sword, but the Blood Wraith recovers it, yet finds his bloodlust has momentarily been sated by Bentley's death; which keeps him from killing Pool. I know the Blood Wraith would go bad again--with a pretty hefty body count--so Bentley's sacrifice was pretty pointless; except that she may earlier have been positioned as a love interest for the Knight, who was at this point was involved in a love triangle with Sersi and Crystal.