So, the Rape of Ms. Marvel Begins: Avengers Vol 1 #197– July 1980
Avengers Vol 1 #197: "Prelude of the War-Devil!"
The most terrible plot line for Ms. Marvel, ever, begins in this issue. You know what I referring to.
Even though the Avengers did not capture the Taskmaster in the previous issue, they still won. When they get back to the Avengers mansion, they get stuck in an elevator that breaks down. Iron Man eventually fixes the problem and all of the Avengers, and some anxious Avengers all get out safely.
In the meantime, at a Stark Industries facility, one worker knocks out another one in order to steal a robot that the other worker has been working on. A giant robot called Red Ronan. Which he wants to use in order to start World War III. How unoriginal.
Back at the Avengers mansion, Iron Man suggests to Captain America that Jocasta should be a full time Avengers after she helped them defeat the Taskmaster. Captain America agrees and says he will bring it up in their Avengers meeting today. Jocasta runs to tell the happy news to Vision who is still upset.
Then the issue moves to Wanda who receives an unexpected visit from Ms. Marvel. Ms. Marvel knows that Wanda is upset about her future and her possibilities about being a mother. Ms. Marvel came to give her some advice. Which is nice of her considering that they aren’t really friends.
Ms. Marvel explains to Wanda that she can’t be an Avenger and a mother as so much of her energy and time will be focused on only one person, an infant, instead of the entire population. She also brings up the fact that half of the women in the world would want to be her. This has to be more fulfilling then simply being a mother. Wanda says that she doesn’t agree with the logic, but she does agree with the conclusion. I’m not even sure if it’s some good advice. Parents have lives beside their kids and they require a lot of focus and attention for only a few years. Being a feminist isn’t about being anti-motherhood, which is what Ms. Marvel sounds like here. Sure, you can be fulfilled without kids, but you can feel fulfilled by having kids as well. I am not sure why this conversation is here considering what is about to happen. Both to Ms. Marvel and Wanda, but mostly Ms. Marvel as that is the impending event.
Wanda explains that when she and Vision got married they agreed not to have children as it is unfair to the possible children who their parents might die on the job. But, the recent events of her brother’s coming fatherhood and her family discoveries have shaken her. However, she decides that though she wants to have children dearly in the future, for now she prefers her life as an Avengers and to be married to Vision and she decided to head back to New-York just before Ms. Marvel arrived.
Suddenly, Ms. Marvel states that she’s feeling sick and dizzy and she faints. Because from some reason nausea and dizziness lead to loss of consciousness. Obviously, not a woman wrote this or the next issues. This is how it begins. The most horrible plot line for Ms. Marvel and possibly in all comic book history.
Back at the Avengers mansion Captain America runs into Iron Man who shows up early for the Avengers meeting. Iron Man tells Cap that he wants to step down from the role of Chairman of the Avengers permanently. He says that Mr. Stark needs him more, but we all know that it is Mr. Stark who simply has too much on his plate right now.
Then we switch to the end of an Avengers meeting and get some glimpse of their personal lives outside of Avenging. Like a blind date going horribly wrong for Wonder Man.
Iron Man tells Vision that Wanda is on her way back. But, for now she’s with Ms. Marvel at the hospital and they both will be back from Jersey as soon as Ms. Marvel feels well enough to travel. Vision has a very cold reaction which is very Vision like.
Wanda comes to visit Ms. Marvel at the hospital. The doctor tells her that Ms. Marvel is taking the news of her condition rather poorly. Apparently, doctor-patient confidentially doesn’t exist because the doctor simply tells Wanda that Ms. Marvel is pregnant. Obviously, Ms. Marvel is upset, she just gave an entire speech about how being a superhero is much more preferable and fulfilling than motherhood. Also, fainting is not a normal part of any stage of pregnancy.
And thus, the terrible plotline begins. I thought that it will all happen in issue 200, but I guess that will be the climax. It’s just so infuriating. Her speech about not wanting to be a mother was just there to make it clear that she does not want to be a mother, and then she became pregnant against her will. It is just awful. It is more than the rape of Ms. Marvel, it is the destruction of the character.