The Lava Men attack the approaching Sub-Mariner and imprison him with the other Avengers in the submerged rock sphere. Breaking out of their prison, the heroes fi nd themselves in Subterranea, where Jinku accuses them of slaying Cha’sa’dra and dooming his race. Captain America asserts that Cha’sa’dra was a minor demon who tricked the Lava Men into worshiping him, but the witchdoctor refuses to listen and summons a giant lava-beast to slay the Avengers.
Cha’sa’dra transforms the ancient Gortokians into immortal Lava Men, who worship the demon through the ages (1). N’astirh plots his invasion of earth (Av #300, ’89). Cha’sa’dra is killed in battle during Inferno and the Lava Men die or transform into immobile stone (2).
Though the same species, the Gortokians in this issue are not to be confused with Grotesk’s tribe. Prof. Harker’s full name was revealed in OHMU HC #8, ’09.
