Here’s the thing: this comic basically boils down to the mighty Avengers facing off twice against the fifth-rate villain Gray Gargoyle, the one who turns everything he touches to stone. They’re humiliatingly defeated the first time, just because writer David Micheline wanted it so. In the second and final battle, they defeat him in a matter of seconds, as expected. Yes, it’s pretty entertaining and with a cover by George Pérez and Sal Buscema what more could you want? Intricate plots and rich characterizations? Pfft! John Byrne on pencils and Dan Green on inks get the job done, and if that’s not enough for more discerning tastes, we get a wonderful ad for the then newly launched “ROM” as a bonus! What comic book fan could resist this Marvel? It was the beginning of the ’80s, and it was only going to get better!
