The Avengers, Vol. 1 #128 (1974)

Bewitched, Bothered, and Dead!
The Avengers and Fantastic Four step out onto the roof of Avengers mansion. Suddenly as it turns midnight the sky fills with storm clouds and bolts of lightning start to rain down upon them. Thor tells his comrades to seek cover while he, as the god of lightning, goes to deal with this. Agatha Harkness tells Thor not to as this is unlike any storm he has ever known. Thor goes anyway and starts to spin his hammer. Thor has no effect and the storm rages on. Back on the roof, Agatha Harkness has her arms open wide. She starts to sing a song and the storm comes to an end at one minute past midnight. Agatha Harkness says she supposes that they would appreciate an explanation. Agatha says that the storm was actually an attack on her, and that she has been expecting it. Reed Richards says that she has always assisted them and that they will stand behind her now. Agatha says that she was supposed to supervise Franklin's mutant upbringing, but that Franklin is no longer a threat. Agatha says that Sue can take care of Franklin now. Agatha says that it is now her duty to turn to the Scarlet Witch. Wanda is surprised, but Agatha says that she knows Wanda desires to be more than she is and to have her name be more literal as a witch. Agatha says that she knows something about being a witch, and Wanda accepts her offer.With that said the Fantastic Four decide to take their leave. Reed says that he hopes the next time they congregate for a wedding that it is a nice quiet ceremony. Thing says that he saw the way that Mantis looks at Vision. Torch says that it is the Scarlet Witch who loves Vision, but Thing says that it didn't look that was to him. The Fantastic Four fly off. Down in the alley, a shadowed figure thinks to himself that 'the old biddy' knew he was going to attack, and that even though she knows that he must strike again tonight that he will have both Agatha and Wanda's souls by daybreak. Scarlet Witch and Vision take Agatha Harkness to the female residence area. Wanda says that she hopes this will be alright, but Agatha says that her home was recently destroyed and any accomidations are welcome. Agatha's cat Ebony walks through the door. Vision asks if he might have a moment in private with Wanda. Agatha says that she must insist that Wanda not leave her side until dawn. Wanda reluctantly agrees that if it that urgent that she will stay with Agatha. Vision strides away wondering what could be more important than him professing his love for Wanda. After Vision leaves, Agatha casts a spell that causes the events within that room to go unnoticed by the rest of the mansion. Wanda says that her name 'Scarlet Witch' is more poetry than truth, and that Wanda is getting scared that there might be an attack. Agatha tells Wanda to put her doubts and fears behind her because the attack has begun. A flash of light fills the air and suddenly the dwarfish Necromandus stands among Agatha and Harkness holding a box. Necromandus says that he wishes to free himself from his body, and that he plans to do so by stealing Agatha's immortal soul. Necromandus says that he failed for his former masters, but that he has found a new master. Necromandus says that he will steal her soul. Agatha says that Necromandus has ventured far out of his depth. Agatha tells Wanda to avoid the fight and that she will deal with Necromandus. Agatha blocks Necromandus' attack and redirects it at him, but then Necromandus' body is bathed in the eldritch power of the stars. Agatha shows Necromandus that Ebony has similar powers, and the now enlarged Ebony and the enlarged Necromandus engage in battle. Necromandus smacks Ebony away reverting him into his smaller form. Wanda says that she has to help, but Agatha tells her that she is still in control. Necromandus says that he doubts that and strikes Agatha down with his powers. Wanda realizes that it is up to her as Agatha cast a spell trapping them in the room. Two floors away, Swordsman stops Mantis to talk to her. Mantis asks what he wants now. Swordsman says that she seems to be avoiding him. Swordsman says that he loves Mantis. Mantis says that she hopes Swordsman can be stronger than he has been because she no longer cares for him. Mantis walks away. Swordsman snaps and draws his sword to kill Mantis. Iron Man and Thor grab Swordman and knock his sword out of his hand respectively. Iron Man tries to talk to Swordman about women problems, but Swordsman says that he doesn't want women, he wants Mantis. Swordsman is still screaming as Mantis walks down the steps. Mantis walks to Vision's quarters and asks him if she can come in. Wanda quickly throws a hex that causes the bedspread to wrap itself around Necromandus' head and then she throws a chop into his neck. Necromandus tears the bedspread and smacks Wanda with one swipe. Wanda uses another hex to direct the bricks from the fireplace into Necromandus' face. Wanda is exhausted from her two hexes, but she manages to kick Necromandus in the face. He pushes her into the wall. Wanda uses her third hex to slam a picture frame into Necromandus' face. Wanda collapses from exhaustion. Necromandus says that she fought valiantly, but now it is time for him to open his box and trap her and Agatha's souls within. Back in Vision's room, Vision tells Mantis to come in. Mantis says that Vision is the only Avenger capable of understanding her. She says that she has clear memories of her life as a Vietnamese urchin struggling to survive, but they also have evidence that shows she was raised by alien priests. She says that she knows things that she should not. Mantis says that she is worried that she is being used as a pawn in a game and wonders what she should do. Vision says that he wishes he knew how to help her, but that in fact as a synthezoid his own artifical brain has twice malfunctioned under stressful conditions. Vision says that perhaps as he finds the solutions to his own problems he might be able to help Mantis with her problem. Mantis says, 'Yes, our lives must be drawn more closely together.' Necromandus says that at last the price will be paid. Their souls for his body. As Wanda lies on the ground she sees the eyes of Ebony glaring at her with an old unearthly light. A shudder passes through Wanda he she sits up. Wanda uses an unprecendented fourth hex and shatters Necromandus' box. Necromandus shouts and says that Wanda has no idea what she has done. A vortex starts spinning around. Necromandus says that the spirits are free and that they are going to take them all with them. Necromandus scerams but eventually it fades away among all the screams. Wanda feels herself being pulled away, but then something holds onto her until the vortex passes. Wanda looks up to see Agatha Harkness holding Ebony. Agatha says that now Wanda knows what forces true witchcraft controls. Wanda realizes that Agatha set this up as a test. Agatha says that it was Wanda who defeated Necromandus by tapping into her unconscience inner reserves. She asks how she could have planned that. Back in Vision's room, Mantis says that from the moment that she came to the Avengers that she sensed that she and Vision were similar. Mantis puts her arms around Vision's neck. She says that they have both been with people that were quarrelsome, weak, and unworthy of their love. Vision says that it is Wanda that he loves, no matter how irritable she has been. He says that he values her friendship, but that is all there can be between them. Suddenly a giant light fills the sky. The Avengers all run out in front of the mansion to see what it is. Thor spots a new star in the sky and wonders what it could mean. Kang says that he can tell them if they want. Kang says that star was a signal to him that our world was ready for conquest.
Release Date: 1974