Random Happenstance

I'm always going to prefer a comic that tries to do too much; as opposed to one written for the trade; but today's book maybe tries way too much--and for less than a buck! From 1996, Avengers Unplugged #4, "The Old Ball and Chain" Written by Glenn Herdling, pencils by John Statema, inks by Scott Koblish.

She-Hulk is late for work, but on her way in recognizes her old foe Titania--even unmasked and in a wedding dress! Surprisingly, there really isn't a big glamour shot of her dress this entire issue; too much other stuff going on. She-Hulk gets bounced by a horde of super-villains, but calls in the Avengers, who arrive pretty quickly.

Most of the rest of the issue is the current Avengers roster versus groups of villains, who seem to use more teamwork than the heroes today: Crystal is stopped by Volcana, Hydro-Man, and the Molecule Man. (And it's mentioned in passing, Volcana and the Molecule Man had broken up.) Hercules catches another beating from the Wrecking Crew--not as bad as the one that put him in a coma in Avengers #274. Screaming Mimi, Angar the Screamer, and Klaw shoot down Deathcry. Stilt-Man, the Wizard, and Mr. Hyde bring down Giant-Man and the Black Widow, but they're in a hurry to get back to the ceremony: the wedding of the Absorbing Man and Titania!

The Vision nearly stops the wedding--not even waiting for the "if anyone objects" part!--and shrugs off the Wrecker; before the Absorbing Man uses the diamond from the ring to change form and clobber him. He does shatter his wrecking ball, though, and takes Thunderball's after an obligatory "ball 'n chain" joke. Still, when the Avengers smash in a wall and realize it's a wedding and not a crime, they leave almost immediately after, seemingly out of embarrassment. She-Hulk points out there's probably warrants for about everyone there; but Giant-Man tells her to file the paperwork, maybe they would be back after Titania and Absorbing Man were on their honeymoon.

I had thought those two were already married when we checked out Thunderstrike #16, but nope. The Absorbing Man had been intermittently trying to go straight; which I don't think Titania was necessarily onboard with. Well, it wouldn't stick, anyway. This was one of the few ninety-nine cent comics I can think of that had important continuity; but it still bit off more than it could chew.