WHAT HAS COME BEFORE: The Champions fought and defeated the powerful Graviton, sparing Los Angeles from his attack. When they returned to celebrate their victory, Ivan revealed that the Winter Solider is still alive!

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Flying over the Arctic Ocean, a small jet plane makes it way towards Russia. Its passengers—Angel, Iceman, Johnny (Ghost Rider) Blaze, Hercules, Black Widow, Darkstar, and Black Goliath—the Champions! Behind the wheel of the small plane is John Jameson, the former NASA spaceman, who has spent time in outer space and on the moon (and has a history with the super-hero community dating back to a run-in with Spider-Man, after a space trip*). Also with them is Ivan, one of Black Widow’s oldest friends.

[As readers may remember, from Amazing Spider-Man #41-42]

“It never ceases to amaze me how quickly you can get things you want,” Angel comments, looking over at the Black Widow, who sits across from him, in a vertical row of seats. “I mean, a plane and an ace pilot in—what—two hours?”

“Let’s just say,” Black Widow responds with a sly smile, “that I’ve got connections.” Angel notes silently that Black Widow has more or less acknowledged the truth of his statement, but not revealed anything of substance. He merely shakes his head, realizing that this is just another side-effect of her spy training.

“What I’d like to know is what’s so important that we up and head to the Soviet Union like this on a moment’s notice?” Johnny Blaze asks, his voice revealing a sense of urgency, and making it clear that he wants to know just why they are going across the Atlantic this way, on a moment’s notice. “Who is this Winter Solider anyway?”

“The Winter Solider,” Ivan comments, looking first to the others, and then to Black Widow, questioningly. “You mean you haven’t explained it to them?” His voice makes it clear that he is surprised by the fact that the Widow has not done so, but his comments are directly at the Widow, who he faces—and not her allies. He asks her with surprise, but as a friend.

“I didn’t know he was still alive until you told me,”** she responds, shaking her head, her face showing signs of distress and pain. “My husband—my ex-husband***—told me he was dead on some mission years ago.”

[**Last issue.]

[***Her ex-husband is none other than the Red Guardian, as long-time fans may remember.]

“Uh,” Iceman asks, looking perplexed, as his eyes cut back to the Black Widow, “you want to fill us in on what’s going on, Widow?”

“We’re going to Russia to try to find, and hopefully rescue the Winter Soldier,” she responds. “But you probably know him as Bucky.”

“Bucky?!” Iceman asks, clearly surprised. “As in Captain America and Bucky?!”

“That’s right,” Ivan interjects. “He did fight, along with our own Red Army, during the Great Patriotic War.”

“Wait a minute!” Black Goliath exclaims, surprised by what he is hearing. “You think Bucky’s alive?”

“If Bucky doth live,” Hercules adds, “should not we alert Captain America? Of all men living, he hath a right to know that his former partner lives.”

“I’ve thought about that, Hercules,” Black Widow replies, “but I haven’t been back to Russia in some time. I thought he was dead when I joined the Avengers, and I never brought it up. The last thing I want is to build up Cap’s hopes, only to find out that Bucky is really dead.” She looks over at Ivan, adding: “No offense, Ivan.”

“None taken,” Ivan replies. “Given your history with him, I’m sure you have a greater interest in his return than anyone.”

Angel and Iceman both look over at Black Widow, then back to themselves, realizing as they do that there are still many things they did not know about Black Widow.

“I know there are many secrets,” Darkstar comments, as Iceman turns to face the lovely blond seated beside him, “but from a child I heard about the Winter Soldier. I never saw him, nor knew anything about him, other than that he was one to be feared…if anyone dared not follow the state.”

Angel shakes his head, a look of dissatisfaction on his face. “I’d hate to know that I lived in a country ruled by such fear.”

“That is the way it has always been,” Darkstar responds with a shrug.

“Uh,” Black Goliath comments, leaning towards Black Widow. “What I’m curious about is how well you’ve planned out what you’re planning on doing. I know that you have a lot of special ops training, and know the ins and outs of the Russian climate. I just want to make sure that we don’t see a platoon of guns trained on us as soon as we touch down on Russian soil.”

“Not to mention the prospect of an international incident,” the Angel adds.

“Hey, Warren,” Iceman tosses in, with a smile, “I’m hoping for it. There’s nothing funnier than a Russian president slamming his fist on the table and storming out of the U.N. Come on, you know that’s a riot! Beside, isn’t this the kind of thing you hired a P.R. man for?”

“I’m just thankful that you’re not in the White House, Bobby,” Johnny Blaze interjects. “Not that it’s not bad enough as it is.”

“I think the best answer to your question,” Ivan comments, looking over at Black Goliath, “is that we have taken the proper precautions. Our pilot is following a very specific flight plan to avoid any chance of interception. And, fortunately, the Winter Soldier is being held in a very remote location. This will not only allow us easier access to him, without the chance of a big fight with Soviet forces, but will also lessen the risk for collateral damage.”

♪ Theme Music: “Back in the USSR” by The Beatles.♪

On the eastern shore of the Soviet Union, on the outskirts of a small fishing village, the small plane touches down in a dirt field, stirring up some of the tundra on the field, which is virtually as hard as pavement. The darkness covers up much of their entrance, as John Jameson quickly cuts the already-dim landing lights he utilizes to land the vehicle, concentrating on making the landing as brief as possible, so that he can quickly cut the engines and keep their arrival as quiet as possible.

“That’s some fine flying,” the Angel offers, placing his hand on Jameson’s shoulder, “and I should know.” Jameson looks back and sees a broad smile on the Angel’s face. “Your reputation as a crack pilot is well-deserved.”

For his part, Jameson nods. “Do you want help going in?” he asks, glancing alternatively at the Angel, and the Black Widow, who is immediately behind the Angel, and visible across his right shoulder.

“No,” Black Widow responds, shaking her head. “I know about your training, and know you’d be a major asset in a firefight, but I want the plane ready to go at a moment’s notice. We might need to make a very quick getaway…and that’s why we really need you here.”

Ivan leans down, and pops open the door, as a small fight of stairs rolls down, striking the ground. “I agree with the Widow,” he comments, his face stoic, and his expression determined. “The more time we stay here, the more likely we’ll all be to spending time in a Siberian prison.”

“No thanks,” Iceman interjects, shaking his head. “I read Solzhenitsyn…back when I was in college. It didn’t sound like a good way to spend my spare time.”

“I can assure you,” Ivan responds, running his thumb and index finger between his nose and his moustache, “that those stories do not even begin to describe the horrors of such places.”

“Very re-assuring, Ivan,” Johnny comments, as they rush out of the plane, and through some small shrub bushes.

The heroes and Ivan kneel behind the small bushes, as they look over at a two-story concrete building, with a flat roof. The building has no windows, and only one door can be seen. It is a black door, with two concrete stairs leading into it. On the two front corners of the building are two security cameras, which slowly rotate from side to side.

“Is it just me,” Iceman remarks, a smile crossing his lips, “or does that building look really out of place?!”

“This is it, huh?” Angel asks, looking over at the Widow. “It all seems so weird. The world’s assumed that Bucky’s been dead for about thirty years now.”

“Hey, perk up, buddy,” Iceman offers, tapping his friend on the upper back. “We’re gonna be a part of history.”

“Before we do that,” Black Widow offers, pointing up to the security cameras, “you might want to use your powers to freeze the cameras in place…preferably at opposite ends of the building, and away from us.”

“Sounds good to me,” Johnny adds. “No need to let them know that their camera’s not functioning.”

“Whatever we must do,” Hercules responds, his voice commanding, but showing signs of irritation and impatience, “let us do it. I am unaccustomed to skulking about in such an unseemly manner. The prince of power longs to enter the fray!”

Iceman complies with Black Widow’s suggestion, shooting his ice powers across the distance, and literally freezing both of the cameras in place, each pointing at the opposite corners of the building.

“Good work, Iceman,” she urges. “Okay, that’ll only work for a few minutes. Let’s go!”

The Champions rush forward, making their way to the door in no time. As Hercules prepares to smash in the door, and Johnny erupts into flame, becoming the Ghost Rider, the Widow motions them both back, getting out a small instrument that looks like a hair piece from her beautiful long, red hair. She uses it to pick the door, which quickly clicks open.

“I know that either of you could get us in quickly,” she comments, “but we’re not ready to announce our arrival…at least not yet.”

As the door opens, the Champions are immediately greeted by the sight of a long hallway, leading back. There are three doors on each side of the hallway. To their immediate right is a stairway leading up.

“Okay…what now?” Darkstar asks. “I never spent any time in this kind of work.”

“We do not know whether he is being held upstairs or downstairs,” Ivan explains, “so we will have to split up into two groups and find him.”

“I agree,” Black Widow returns. “Angel, you lead a group upstairs and seek him there. I’ll lead the rest of the group down here and seek him here.”

Angel nods, as he and Ivan rush up the stairs. They are followed by Iceman, Darkstar, and Hercules. Black Widow looks over at the remaining members of the Champions—Black Goliath and Ghost Rider.

Black Widow wastes no time, and rushes down the hall, opening the first door. There, she finds two startled scientists, who were seated at a computer screen, monitoring the results of some tests. Their eyes widen at the sight of the Widow. Before they can respond, she is upon them. She leaps the distance separating them, kicking the first scientist in the face, knocking him out.

Ghost Rider rushes over to the scene, glaring down at the terrified second scientist. “If I was you, I’d be very quiet,” he warns. The scientist nods, his body trembling involuntarily with fear at the sight of the flaming-skulled Ghost Rider.

“He probably doesn’t understand you,” Black Widow comments, as she walks over to the scientist and Ghost Rider.

Black Goliath, looking down at the two, shakes his head, as he smiles. “Oh, he understands,” Goliath returns. “Whether he understands English or not…he gets it.”

<”Do I need to tell you what we’re here for?”> the Widow asks, grabbing the scientist by his lap coat, glaring over at him.

Ghost Rider looks over at Black Goliath, as if awaiting an answer from him. Black Goliath shrugs. “What—just because I’m a scientist, you think I know Russian?!” he asks. “You gotta be kiddin’!”

<”I know why you are here,”> the scientist responds. <”But I would be a fool to tell you what you seek. The State…”>

<”Yes, I know about the State,”> the Widow responds sharply. <”Just as you know me by my reputation.” Now…take me where I want to go, or you will see me live up to my name!”>

<”It will not matter…”> the scientist stammers.

<”What do you mean?!”> the Widow asks.

“What he means, Widow,” a voice responds sharply, as a beam of energy shoots across the room, striking the Black Widow in her back, and causing her to slump to the floor. As Ghost Rider and Black Goliath look towards the origin of the blast, they see Crimson Dynamo (who’s right glove is glowing with energy) and Red Guardian. “Is that you will not live long enough to interfere with our plans.”

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TO BE CONTINUED...

NEXT ISSUE: The Champions take on the Soviet Super Soldiers! More on Ares’ and Satana’s schemes! All this and more in 70s Champions #5!

CABLES OF CHAMPIONS

You might be thinking “Back in the USSR…but that came out in 1968!” And, you would be right. However, it was re-released in 1976 in the UK, and that’s why it’s included here. Close enough, right?

But, anyway, this issue also features the return of probably my favorite Ghost Rider villain—the Orb. His memorable appearance in Marvel Team-up in the early 70s, and the graphic depiction of his hideous face, is something you never forget. He’s a natural adversary for Johnny, and will soon be even more so.

Another cool aspect of this series is that the Cold War was very much still in progress when this series takes place, which allows me to use some of the classic Soviet villains in their prime. That was hinted at in this issue, and will be even more evident next issue. This is another thing that really made the old Champions series great, IMO. For a series that lasted only 17 issues, they had already developed a very real rogues gallery, and a really good one. I’ve already tapped into some of those villains, and there will be more of this—as well as some new ones. There are some uniquely Champions villains that haven’t been seen in some time.

I don’t know about you, but there are certain characters that, when I see them, I think “Avenger”, “Defender”, etc. This is the way I want everyone who see the Champions as well. And I think there are some characters out there that could make interesting additions to the team—either in a temporary or permanent role. Your input, of course, is very much welcome on that point.

As always, I’d love to hear what you think of this series. I can be reached at earth2jsa@yahoo.com.

- Jeff Melton

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