I may not have realized the glory of the Charleston Chew back then.

I thought I had one of these already--OK, maybe I do, but I don't think I mailed in wrappers for it. From 1993, the Avengers Collector's Edition #1, "Vibrant Alchemy!" Written by Pat Garrahy, pencils by Mike Gustovich, inks by Tom Palmer.

There were maybe a lot of these in the 90's, and I already realize I'm wrong in the title: I do have a few of the 1992 Marvel Collector's Edition, "brought to you by Charleston Chew!" Man, do I miss crap like that, mailing in wrappers or points. They aren't essential or anything, but this one at least looks like an Avengers comic proper, thanks to the Tom Palmer inks. And, it also ties into a classic and some modern continuity; as the Avengers fly out to Wakanda, where the Black Panther...is either engaged, or it's his anniversary? It's not clear, as his girl is already referred to as a queen, and it's not Storm, this was well before that. The team is asked to check their weapons, which I don't think ever happens, but it's just Cap's shield and the Black Knight's photonic sword; and it's so they can be immediately jumped by Diablo and the Masters of Alchemy. The latter had been the "Elements of Doom" in Avengers #188, and they were looking to add vibranium to their number. One of T'challa's men, Baru, sacrifices himself for his queen, to make up for "his failures" in or around Deathlok #25: he gets turned into Vibranium, but seemingly retains his personality; opting to stay that way to serve his people, possibly against his king's wishes. I'm guessing he's not seen again, but who knows?

This issue also features Taylor Madison, Hercules's serious girlfriend there for a bit: spoiler alert, that doesn't end swell.