This is "From a Different Point of View," a feature where I discuss a comic book series with another writer. In this case, it is CBR's own Eileen Gonzalez who will be going over the history of the Avengers with me, story by story!

We continue with Avengers #55, "Mayhem Over Manhattan," by Roy Thomas, John Buscema and George Klein.

Brian Cronin: We finally get the big change in the creative team, as George Klein joins the book as Buscema's embellisher.

Brian Cronin: The late 1960s were a strange time for DC Comics.

Brian Cronin: Carmine Infantino had taken over as their Editorial Director and Marvel was coming on strong.

Brian Cronin: One of the ways DC decided that it needed to mix things up was by making some creative changes.

Brian Cronin: DC had mostly been sticking with a small group of writers for YEARS.

Brian Cronin: Practically DECADES.

Brian Cronin: And within a few years, nearly all of them outside of Robert Kanigher (who had an editorial job) were gone.

Brian Cronin: Similarly, older artists were moved on, as well, with DC changing their main letterer and, as it relates to the Avengers, removing George Klein from the Superman titles.

Brian Cronin: He had been inking Curt Swan on most of the Superman books for close to a decade.

Brian Cronin: And Superman comics were still THE top dog for most of the 1960s, with only Batman's brief Bat-mania putting it ahead of Superman.

Brian Cronin: So being the main inker was a plum gig.

Brian Cronin: Marvel, meanwhile, was glad to hire a lot of these veterans, just as DC was moving to hire younger creators.

Brian Cronin: Klein was a Joe Sinnott-style inker, which meant that his work added a lot of definition and volume, which was helpful when you had a guy like Curt Swan drawing SO MANY comics for DC.

Brian Cronin: And Sinnott, of course, was inking Jack Kirby on Fantastic Four and so everybody wanted their own Sinnott.

Brian Cronin: So Marvel springing to get Klein for Buscema was a real sign of, "Here, we respect you a lot, John, here's one of the top inkers in the game, whose style is particularly hot right now."

Brian Cronin: Amusingly, Roy Thomas once asked Buscema what he thought of Klein's inks, and he basically said something along the lines of, "He was pretty good."

Eileen Gonzalez: Real emotional guy, that Buscema.

Eileen Gonzalez: Must have been nice for him to have a top inker to work with, though. Just curious: did that work both ways? Like, was The Avengers a really big title at the time that Klein would have been eager to work on after so much time on Superman?

Brian Cronin: Likely no. He just probably needed the work.

Brian Cronin: He WAS treated really well by Marvel, though.

Brian Cronin: They knew he was a top guy and they treated him like it, but Sinnott obviously was still doing Fantastic Four.

Brian Cronin: And Spider-Man was still John Romita's baby (Romita was often emebllishing other pencilers)

Brian Cronin: So Avengers was as good as anything. Klein also inked Gene Colan on Daredevil.

Brian Cronin: Colan was another one Lee's favorites, so it was likely a case of him giving Klein to the guys they really liked.

Brian Cronin: Outside of their two main books, of course, which were set for inkers.

Brian Cronin: Klein's last assignment was inking Kirby on Thor.

Brian Cronin: So Buscema, Colan and Kirby. Shows what they thought of him, ya know?

Eileen Gonzalez: Yeah, it sounds like he was really well-respected in the industry! Especially by Stan Lee, who seems to have assigned him to the best available books.

Brian Cronin: Sadly, Klein was also a bit of an imbiber.

Eileen Gonzalez: Oh, dear.

Brian Cronin: And so he died of cirrhosis of the liver a year after joining the Avengers.

Eileen Gonzalez: That would suck regardless of his talent level, but from what I've seen of his work, he really had a lot to offer.

Brian Cronin: From a comic book history standpoint, at least we get to see a striking series of stories by him before he sadly passes.

Brian Cronin: I love that the opening caption notes that never have the Avengers' fortunes ever been any lower.

Brian Cronin: Weren't they DEAD two issues ago?

Eileen Gonzalez: At least they had Black Panther to save them before. Now T'Challa's in just as much trouble as they are. Who will come to their rescue? Rick Jones?

Brian Cronin: Poor Rick Jones.

Brian Cronin: No one has any faith in poor Rick Jones.

Brian Cronin: It's funny how the previous issue ended on that amazing cliffhanger, with the Crimson Cowl revealed as Jarvis.

Brian Cronin: And this issue takes that momentum and just...stalls.

Brian Cronin: Just a bunch of villains bickering, and not even particularly interesting chatter.

Eileen Gonzalez: They do go on waaay too long with the recap here.

Eileen Gonzalez: Also, when did Radioactive Man have a chance to learn about the Rover Boys? I don't think those were translated into Chinese at the time.

Brian Cronin: Hawkeye is out cold.

Brian Cronin: So someone was required to make a pop culture reference.

Brian Cronin: And Radioactive Man drew the short straw.

Brian Cronin: "What does this mean? I don't even get my own reference! But fine, I'll say it!"

Eileen Gonzalez: Ha! I want to see them all sitting around discussing the script now.

Eileen Gonzalez: That sounds like an idea for a Deadpool comic.

Brian Cronin: Also, not for nothing, but since he's green, I legit think a lot of people have just forgotten about Radioactive Man's background by now.

Brian Cronin: And he's, like, Generic Villain #3 now.

Brian Cronin: That's really the drawback inherent to villain teams, when you take guys like Klaw, who fought the Fantastic Four AND Black Panther, practically conquered Wakanda, and he's now just Guy #3.

Brian Cronin: Guy #2, since I can't use #3 twice.

Brian Cronin: Buscema continues his classic pattern of showing an every day scene of New York life as they land.

Brian Cronin: It's like he couldn't help but draw something other than his regular assignment.

Brian Cronin: It's also straining credulity of even the most cynical of Marvel Universe New Yorkers that a flying ship is unbelievable to them.

Brian Cronin: "Yeah, the Avengers and Fantastic Four are constantly flying around New York, but I can't believe what I'm seeing - it's ANOTHER flying ship! Two ships, that I can understand, but not a THIRD!"

Eileen Gonzalez: Given that they're mechanics, I'd be shocked if no one ever asked them to fix a flying ship before now.

Eileen Gonzalez: Like some villain took a hit, spotted their garage, and stopped by to ask for repairs at gunpoint.

Brian Cronin: I imagine them dropping a tool on the Melter's foot.

Brian Cronin: We get our first hint that the Crimson Cowl is not who he said he was.

Brian Cronin: By the way, why would the Melter think he would stop wearing his costume?

Brian Cronin: We all know who Klaw is (it's literally his last name) and he still wears a costume,.

Eileen Gonzalez: Good question. I guess he figures Jarvis would at least take the hood off?

Eileen Gonzalez: But even so, that hood completes the aesthetic, why would he want to part with it?

Brian Cronin: Yeah, his name is the Crimson Cowl!

Brian Cronin: I like that Klaw is made out of sound, but gas is also somehow deadly to him?

Brian Cronin: For...reasons?

Brian Cronin: But that's the second BIG clue that there's something up with the Cowl's secret identity.

Brian Cronin: Unless Jarvis suddenly ratcheted up his invulnerability.

Brian Cronin: That's an awesome panel of the villains reacting to the Cowl's plan.

Brian Cronin: His plan, by the way, is super bonkers.

Brian Cronin: I am surprised that the others are okay with it. "Threaten to drop a nuke on the Empire State Building."

Brian Cronin: That's super messed up.

Brian Cronin: How would that be good for, like, the Melter?

Eileen Gonzalez: Agreed on both counts.

Eileen Gonzalez: Eh, their costumes are kinda the same.

Eileen Gonzalez: I can see Radioactive Man being like "Why didn't I think of that?!" but don't the rest of these guys live in New York? Irradiating New York wouldn't be good for them.

Brian Cronin: Whirlwind even has that sweet chauffeur gig to fall back on!

Brian Cronin: By the way, whenever they discover his identity, the Wasp better fire whoever recommended her chaffeur!

Brian Cronin: And then we get the reveal.

Brian Cronin: On the one hand, it's awesome.

Brian Cronin: Ultron is awesome.

Brian Cronin: On the other hand, they definitely gloss over the fact that Jarvis' plan was to sell out the Avengers on the theory that they would still win.

Brian Cronin: That's still super messed up, right?

Eileen Gonzalez: UGH, yes, that's the one downside of this great two-parter. I know we discussed last time about Jarvis having pride issues after having grown up poor, but he literally works for the richest people on the planet. He couldn't ask for a loan, but he could set them up to be hurt or killed? Cool, thanks.

Eileen Gonzalez: But yeah, that reveal panel kills it on all levels.

Brian Cronin: Also, if he wanted them to win in the end, why not just TELL them? Say someone offered you money for the plans. You took the money, but you want them to arrest them.

Brian Cronin: If your moronic pride is that important, then there you go.

Brian Cronin: You swindled a villain, got your money and didn't dick over your friends.

Eileen Gonzalez: Good point. But now he's getting beat up by Ultron, who I'm guessing didn't even pay him first. Oops.

Brian Cronin: "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm a robot, I don't have a bank account."

Brian Cronin: We know that the Marvel Universe is filled with cynical civilians, but a guy comes stumbling up to you, covered in lacerations and bruises, and you assume he's a bum?

Brian Cronin: What the heck?

Brian Cronin: Maybe they thought it was an elaborate advertising stunt.

Eileen Gonzalez: Wouldn't surprise me.

Brian Cronin: "Beaten bum margarine! Ever feel like a wall of bricks was just dropped on you, but you want some margarine? Beaten bum margarine is for you!"

Brian Cronin: And then, luckily, the Black Knight has just been hanging outside the Avengers Mansion this whole time.

Brian Cronin: Really, dude?

Brian Cronin: Just chilling there.

Brian Cronin: "Well, if I hang out here long enough, maybe things will work out."

Eileen Gonzalez: What was he doing, anyway? Taking advantage of the Wi-Fi?

Brian Cronin: "Perhaps the Avengers' bruised butler will show up to tell me where to go."

Brian Cronin: We can't say he's wrong, as that IS what happened!

Brian Cronin: I like that Thomas threw in the time problem.

Brian Cronin: As otherwise, it would make NO sense for the Black Knight to go after the Masters of Evil by himself.

Brian Cronin: "A light beam! It must be the Black Knight!"

Brian Cronin: Not two sentences that usually go together.

Brian Cronin: The Black Knight frees the Avengers really easily.

Eileen Gonzalez: Yeah, I was just about to say what an efficient rescue this is.

Brian Cronin: How weird is the Radioactive Man being irked at the Panther's social commentary?

Brian Cronin: You're a freakin' Red Commie, dude!

Eileen Gonzalez: I guess they really did forget about that.

Brian Cronin: You're not the guy who's supposed to be defending Western Civilization!

Brian Cronin: "He's green, so that means he transcends nationalism."

Brian Cronin: Why does the Melter need to set his melting gun to human flesh?

Brian Cronin: Shouldn't something that melts steel also, you know, melt flesh anyways?

Eileen Gonzalez: I would love to see the other settings on that gun.

Brian Cronin: 1. Steel, 2. Iron, 3. Human flesh, 4. Puppies, 5. Unicorns

Brian Cronin: I love the ludicrousness of Hawkeye making a bow and arrow and shooting out a crowbar.

Eileen Gonzalez: It's so ridiculous he has to explain what he's even doing.

Eileen Gonzalez: I never would have guessed, personally.

Brian Cronin: Or is that a piston?

Eileen Gonzalez: He says a piston AND a crowbar.

Brian Cronin: But maybe one is the bow?

Brian Cronin: It's weird that Hawkeye wants Goliath to shout "Avengers Assemble" when, you know, they're all right there.

Eileen Gonzalez: It's tradition! It makes him feel secure.

Brian Cronin: With Ultron not there, it's all kind of anti-climactic.

Brian Cronin: "Oh? The Avengers defeated Ultron's flunkies? No way!"

Brian Cronin: And then Black Knight won't explain his origins. That's super sketchy, right?

Eileen Gonzalez: We did get to see Black Panther chuck Klaw out of the ship on the assumption that he MIGHT be able to float himself to safety. Yikes.

Brian Cronin: How hard is it to say that he's related to the old, evil Black Knight? But that he's a hero?

Eileen Gonzalez: Literally everything about Black Knight's reinvention as a hero has been sketchy.

Eileen Gonzalez: It'd be cool if this was actually some villainous plot of his, but no, he really is trying to be a good guy.

Brian Cronin: At least he didn't destroy some property and almost kill innocent people just because he was frustrated that the Avengers didn't trust him.

Brian Cronin: And then he brings in Jarvis and we get the ridiculous forgiveness deal.

Brian Cronin: Why not just have it that Ultron hypnotized him the whole time?

Eileen Gonzalez: Why would they EVER trust him again?

Brian Cronin: I mean, I guess I want to give Thomas credit for being bold enough to NOT have it be a simple mind control deal.

Brian Cronin: But then they resolve it as if that's all it was.

Brian Cronin: As this never comes again.

Brian Cronin: So what was the point?

Brian Cronin: "Yeah, I betrayed you and you almost died, but then I tried to help!"

Brian Cronin: "Oh, okay, all is forgiven."

Eileen Gonzalez: The Avengers are used to their friends almost killing them at this point, I guess.

Brian Cronin: "Everyone should be allowed to betray their friends one time."

Brian Cronin: True. It's one of those things where they have gone all the way around.

Brian Cronin: They all distrust each other so much.

Brian Cronin: That they can't begrudge anyone for betrayal.

Brian Cronin: Fascinating angle, really.

Brian Cronin: And then we get that odd, but cool, last panel of Ultron.

Eileen Gonzalez: He has his own spotlight!

Brian Cronin: It's very old school cartoon villain.

Brian Cronin: I expect a freeze frame of him shaking his robot fistsa

Brian Cronin: As the Avengers laugh at the Lone Ranger joke.

Eileen Gonzalez: "Hi-ho, Aragorn!"

Brian Cronin: And then the closing credits roll.

Brian Cronin: "Mechanic work supplied by incredulous mechanics of Brooklyn"

Brian Cronin: "Guests fly free on giant menacing ship, USA."

Eileen Gonzalez: But who built Ultron? Ah, that's a tale for another issue...

Brian Cronin: I like that they had the Melter bring it up.

Brian Cronin: Like, "Wait, huh? Why? Who? How?"

Brian Cronin: And then it wasn't addressed again.

Eileen Gonzalez: Melter is smarter than I thought.

Brian Cronin: We'll get to that mystery, but first....some crazy ass time travel fun!

Eileen Gonzalez: If the Avengers thought this adventure was weird... well, they probably didn't, given everything they've been through... but if they did, their next couple of issues are on a whole other level.