As the Avengers try to determine why Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch have fallen into a quasi-lifeless state, Gyrich realizes the robotic Jocasta is intelligent when he hears her speak for the first time, and insists she must undergo security clearance. Slyly exploiting Gyrich’s narrow-mindedness, Jocasta asks him if the government has become so paranoid it needs security passes for “mere machines.” A confused and flustered Gyrich departs to consider the matter. Meanwhile, their essences trapped in marionettes through the power of the mystical Nivashi Stone, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch listen as their captor, Django Maximoff, tells them he’s their father, and recounts their childhood in a gypsy camp. Jocasta leads the Avengers in tracking an energy trail associated with Pietro’s and Wanda’s condition to Maximoff’s boarding house. Using the Nivashi Stone, Maximoff assaults the Avengers with animated mannequins and tangible illusions of Nighthawk, Princess Python, and Toad. The heroes clear their minds, dispelling Maximoff’s illusions, and Vision shatters the Nivashi Stone, returning Quicksilver’s and Scarlet Witch’s essences to their bodies. Feeling sorry for him, the siblings decide to accompany Maximoff back to his homeland.
Django Maximoff enjoys family life among his band of gypsies until local villagers kill his wife and drive his children, Mateo and Ana (Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch), into a river, leaving him a homeless wanderer who eventually settles in Vladivostok, makes puppets, and meets Mr. Doll (1). Maximoff learns that his children are Avengers and plans to visit them (2).
Scarlet Witch takes a leave of absence from the Avengers. Gaspar Saladino’s lettering is uncredited.Letters page features LoCs by future writer, Kurt Busiek, and future web comic creator, Al Schroeder III. Ironically, as Wonder Man now states his intention to leave the Avengers, he finally becomes an official member by taking monitor duty, which under Gyrich’s new rules, can only be done by “authorized personnel” – e.g. team members.
