Lured to Avengers Mansion by a forged note supposedly from the Black Panther, Captain America is attacked by the Panther’s old foe Man-Ape. The ambush nearly succeeds in killing Cap, but he is rescued at the last second by the resident Avengers, who battle Man-Ape until the villain escapes with his aide N’Gamo’s assistance. The Avengers discuss the incident, puzzled as to why Man-Ape targeted a hero he had never met before. Meanwhile the Black Panther visits his friend Monica Lynne, who is abducted by Man-Ape shortly after the Panther’s departure. Just as the Avengers inform the Panther of Man-Ape’s return, the villain reveals his capture of Monica and challenges the Panther to single combat. The Panther agrees, single-handedly attacking Man-Ape’s high-tech helicopter, where he fights his way past Man-Ape and N’Gamo only to be felled by a booby-trapped Monica dummy. Man-Ape boasts of his victory to the other Avengers, warning them they will be next. He then brings the captive Panther and Lynne to the underground lair of the Lethal Legion, a group of Avengers foes dedicated to the destruction of all past and present Avengers members.