While the undead Avengers take Jarvis and Scarlet Witch hostage in the mansion, in Central Park Grim Reaper holds the living Avengers in a mystical force field. He explains Wonder Man’s resurrections weakened the barriers between life and death, allowing Reaper to return with the enslaved dead Avengers’ spirits, and that by feeding off public despair he will engulf Earth in a mystical hell. Outside, Daredevil, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and Stunt-Master all fail to breach Reaper’s barrier. Scarlet Witch breaks Reaper’s control over the undead Avengers, who return to Reaper’s prison and free the living Avengers. Reaper conjures demonic warriors who battle the Avengers while Scarlet Witch mystically reaches out to Simon, inadvertently weakening Simon’s link to the dead world; since he was their anchor, the other ghostly Avengers vanish back to their afterlives. Finally accepting her love, Scarlet Witch brings Wonder Man fully back to life, who then does the same to Reaper by forcing him to admit that it is Reaper’s love for his brother that binds him to the mortal plane. Reaper is sent to an asylum, and the Avengers celebrate Scarlet Witch and Wonder Man’s romance while Vision looks on grimly.
Young Eric Williams tries to lure brother Simon away from his schoolwork (1). Grim Reaper observes Simon’s recent temporary resurrections, planning to breach the weakening barriers between life and death (2). Scarlet Witch takes Wonder Man Christmas shopping (Av #157, ’77). Wonder Man battles Count Nefaria (Av #165, ’77). Wonder Man gathers firewood for Wanda (Av #3, ’98).
A much younger Chili Storm later appears in MInc #1, ’09, but whether it is the same Chili seen here, a relative or an imitator remains unclear. Hellcat and Mockingbird’s fates are followed up in Tb, ’00, where Mockingbird’s message is explained and Hellcat is lastingly resurrected.
