History ComicBook / TheCelestialMadonnaSaga

''The Celestial Madonna Saga'' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give modern readers a headache).

* PutOnABus: The story ends with Mantis going off into the unknown with her Cotati lover, not to be seen again until Steve Englehart started writing ''Silver Surfer'' in the 90s.

''The Celestial Madonna Saga'' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers).

In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought [[Characters/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyModern Mantis]] with him, a Vietnamese martial artist. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Rama-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a fourth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon.

* ChekhovsGun: When he showed up for the final ascent of Mantis to Celestial Madonna, Immortus brought a box with him. Kang appeared shortly afterwards, to abduct Mantis right before her ascent, but the content of the box foiled his plan.
* ChekhovsGunman: Moondragon answered a distress call aimed to Captain Marvel. Actually, ''her'' presence is more important for the events developing than if Marvel actually took the call.

* DamselInDistress: Played with. Dormammu had both the Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness captive, and Vision tries to rescue them. He is defeated. Then, it is the Scarlet Witch who breaks free and rescues ''him''.

* FailedASpotCheck: The Frankenstein Monster quickly abandons the Legion of the Unliving because Kang can only control the dead members, and apparently didn't realize that the monster himself is not dead... he's just made of dead body parts.

* FakeMemories: To prevent Mantis from having dellusions of grandeur, the priest of Pama erased her memories of her training in the convent before releasing her to the streets of Saigon, the new memories were that she just always lived in those streets.
* FlirtingUnderFire: Mantis, the Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkess are captured by Kang and placed inside test tubes, where 2 of them are going to die. The other Avengers are captured and helpless, while Kang makes strange experiments with them, and his yet unkown plan nears completion. Mantis, Scarlet Witch... do you really think that is a good moment to discuss who deserves the love of the Vision better?

* LetsYouAndHimFight: The Slasher manipulates the Avengers and the Titanic Three into fighting to cover his robberies.
* LukeIAmYourFather: All the problem about Mantis' past began at the end of ''Avengers'' #122, when Libra claims that he is Mantis' father.

* MeaningfulEcho: Some time long before this conflict, the Avengers fought against Sentinels. One scanned the Vision and reported him to be a three-decades-old android. The comment was ignored in the heat of the battle, but remembered when he learned about his origin as the Human Torch.
* MrExposition: The staff that Immortus gave to the Avengers, the other staff he gave to the Vision, the Cotati spirit, and Moondragon. The last issues have very little actual action.
* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: After defeating the Avengers, Kang teletransports them to his base, to use for his masterplan, but left the Swordsman behind. He said he was a weakling, not worth of his time.

* OhCrap: Kang has this reaction whenever Thor confronts him in single combat. In the epilogue arc, it leads to Kang destroying himself by overcharging his weapons in a last-ditch attempt to fend off the Thunder God.

* WackyMarriageProposal: So, Mantis got married... to a tree?
* WeddingsForEveryone: The story ends with not one but TWO weddings at the same time: Mantis and the Cotati spirit, and the Scarlet Witch and the Vision.
* WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway: The Cotati built a garden, and won the contest with the Kree. In response, the Kree killed them all.

In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought [[ComicBook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy Mantis]] with him, a Vietnamese martial artist. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Rama-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a fourth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon.

In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought ComicBook/{{Mantis|Marvel Comics}} with him, a Vietnamese martial artist. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Rama-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a fourth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon.

* DamselInDistress: Played with. Dormammu had both the Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness captive, and Vision tries to rescue them. He is defeated. Then, it is the Scarlet Witch who breaks free and rescue ''him''.

''The Celestial Madonna Saga'' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers). In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought ComicBook/{{Mantis|Marvel Comics}} with him, a Vietnamese ninja. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Rama-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a forth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon. Sounds complicated? Remember that this is just ''the brief introductory version''.

* BodyHorror: When Libra says that he is Mantis' father, she replies that he's a liar. To prove her point, she says that he also claims to be blind, and yet moves and fights as no other blind occidental may do. (She does not know Daredevil). To prove that he's not blind, she takes the bandage from his face... eek. The sight of burnt eyes (or, more exactly, the sight of burnt cavities that used to contain eyes) is not something easy to manage.

* GothicHorror: Briefly with the vampire Amenhotep, and then in a more extended fashion with the Legion of the Unliving, which even includes one of the TropeCodifiers, the Frankenstein Monster.

* WeddingsForEveryone: The story ends with not one but TWO weddings at the same time: Mantis and the cotati spirit, and the Scarlet Witch and the Vision.

* MeaningfulEcho: Some time long before this conflict, the Avengers though against the Sentinels. A sentinel scanned the vision and reported him to be a three-decades-old android. The comment was ignored in the heat of the battle, but remembered when he learned about his origin as the Human Torch.

* NotUsingTheZWord/OurZombiesAreDifferent: The Legion of the Unliving initially seem impervious to physical harm, but it's later chalked up tot he odd properties of timeless Limbo and to Kang's MindControl over them.

* BeyondTheImpossible: Nothing can pierce Kang's personal ForceField...so Thor just hits it so hard that it and Kang are thrown around with great force anyway.

* FailedASpotCheck: The Frankenstein Monster quickly abandons the Legion of the Unliving because Kang can only control the dead members, and apparently didn't realize that the monster himself is not dead....he's just made of dead body parts.

** In the epilogue arc, [[ScrewDestiny he proves right]]...but only because fighting his fate so vehemently leads to his KarmicDeath instead.

''The Celestial Madonna Saga'' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers). In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought Mantis with him, a Vietnamese ninja. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Rama-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a forth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon. Sounds complicated? Remember that this is just ''the brief introductory version''.

''The Celestial Madonna Saga'' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers). In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought Mantis with him, a Vietnamite ninja. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Rama-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a forth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon. Sounds complicated? Remember that this is just ''the brief introductory version''.

* TheObiWan: Agatha Harkness

'''''The Celestial Madonna Saga''''' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers). In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought Mantis with him, a Vietnamite ninja. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Rama-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a forth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon. Sounds complicated? Remember that this is just ''the brief introductory version''.

'''''The Celestial Madonna Saga''''' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers). In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought Mantis with him, a Vietnamite ninja. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Ranma-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a forth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon. Sounds complicated? Remember that this is just ''the brief introductory version''.

* MeaningfulEcho: Some time long before this conflict, the Avengers though against the Sentinels. A sentinel scanned the vision and reported him to be a three-decades-old android. The comment was ignored in the heat of the battle, but remembered when he learned about his origin as the Human Torch.

** Similarly, Kang is finally undone when he loses track of Thor in the latter's Don Blake AlterEgo.

** It's also Kang's goal in marrying the Madonna and thereby gaining control of her child.

'''''The Celestial Madonna Saga''''' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers). In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought Mantis with him, a Vietnamite ninja. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Ranma-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Rama-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a forth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon. Sounds complicated? Well, remember that this is just ''the brief introductory version''.

Of course, this is a comic book without any relation to [[Music/{{Madonna}} the Queen of Pop]].

* BreatherEpisode: "A Quiet Half-Hour in Saigon" in issue #131 works this way, since Kang is busty scheming and the Avengers aren't in battle for most of it.

'''''The Celestial Madonna Saga''''' is a 1970s storyline of ComicBook/TheAvengers, written by Steve Englehart. The plot is massively complex, and it is perhaps the most complex comic book plot written up to that date (and it may still give a headache to modern readers). In short, the Swordman had returned to the Avengers and brought Mantis with him, a Vietnamite ninja. Unraveling details of her past, which was composed of fake memories, she became the "Celestial Madonna" (the perfect human being), got married with a sentient tree and ascended to a higher plane of existence. The time-traveler Kang the Conqueror tried to abduct Mantis, but he was opposed by pharaoh Ranma-Tut (a future self of Kang) and Immortus (a future self of Kang and Ranma-Tut); even so he attacked a second, a third and a forth time. The Vision discovers that his body was not created by Ultron; actually he used to be the robotic Human Torch, with a changed body and new brain patterns (this became more complicated in the future...). Agatha Harkness trained the Scarlet Witch in sorcery, so she became an actual witch, and not just a mere fancy superhero name. And, as a bonus, we also learn the origin of Moondragon. Sounds complicated? Well, remember that this is just ''the brief introductory version''.

* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: The ending for Mantis and the Swordsman

* CrossOver and CrossThrough: One issue is given over to the original Comicbook/{{Thanos}} storyline from ''Captain Marvel'', and [[Comicbook/CaptainAmerica]]'s then-current storylines, also written by Engelhart, affect his status quo in this story.

* JerkassHasAPoint: This is Moondragon's priamry character trait; other than assuming herself to be the Madonna, she's right about everything she tells the Avengers. It's just that she's so arrogant and overbearing that no one wants to hear her out.

* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: After defeating the Avengers, Kang teletransported them to his base, to use for his masterplan, but left the Swordsman behind. He said he was a weakling, not worth of his time.

** In the follow-up arc, [[ScrewDestiny he proves right]]...but only because fighting his fate so vehemently leads to his KarmicDeath instead.

* BreatherEpisode: Not a breather, exactly, but the Avengers' brief skirmish with the Titanic Three

* ChekhovsGunman: Moondragon answered a distress call aimed to Captain Marvel. Actually, ''her'' presence was more important for the events developing than if Marvel actually took the call.

* CrossOver: One issue is given over to the original Comicbook/{{Thanos}} storyline from ''Captain Marvel'', and [[Comicbook/CaptainAmerica]]'s then current storylines, also written by Engelhart, affect his status quo in this story.

* FailedASpotCheck: The Frankenstein Monster quickly abandons the Legion of the Unliving, since Kang can only control the dead members, and the monster is not dead....just made of dead body parts.

* FlirtingUnderFire: Mantis, the Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkess are captured by Kang and placed inside test tubes, where 2 of them are going to die. The other Avengers are captured and helpless, while Kang makes strange experiments with them, and his yet unkown plan nears completition. Mantis, Scarlet Witch... do you really think that was a good moment to discuss who deserves the love of the Vision better?

* LukeIAmYourFather: All the problem about Mantis' past began at the end of Avengers 122, when Libra told that he was Mantis' father.

* MyFutureSelfAndMe: Kang, Ranma Tut and Immortus: 3 different selves of the same man.

* BecomingTheMask: With her studies of mystic arts, the Scarlet Witch became an actual witch.
* BodyHorror: When Libra said that he was Mantis' father, she said that he was a liar. To prove her point, she said that he also claims to be blind, and yet moves and fights as no other blind occidental may do (she does not know Daredevil). To prove that he's not blind, she took the bandage from his face... eek. The sight of burnt eyes (or, more exactly, the sight of burnt cavities that used to contain eyes) is not something easy to manage.

* ClingyJealousGirl: Mantis towards the Vision

* MeaningfulEcho: Some time long before this conflict, the Avengers though against the Sentinels. A sentinel scanned the vision and reported him to be a 3 decades old android. The comment was ignored in the heat of the battle, but remembered when he learned about his origin as the Human Torch.

* NightOfTheLivingMooks: Kang's second attack. Seizing Immortus' machines, he abducted the Avengers to Limbo and raised an army of super-powered dead people.

* {{Revision}}: A tool used for the complexity of the story. First the Star-Stalker explains the origin of the Priests of Pama, who trained Mantis, and some issues later we hear the same story but with more details that make it more complex (details unknown by the Hunter, which explains why he didn't told them).

* TheSocialDarwinist: Inverted. There is a "Celestial Madonna", a perfect human being, but it is not a Übermensch from a world power, it is a poor girl from a third-world country ravaged by war. In fact, living among poor people and being one of them was ''precisely'' the reason why Mantis was selected to be the Celestial Madonna and not Moondragon, who never left the convent.
* TakingTheBullet: The Swordsman saved Mantis from Kang, and died.
* TookALevelInBadass: The Scarlet Witch, after learning sorcery
* WackyMarriageProposal: So, Mantis got married... with a tree?

* {{Revision}}: A tool used for the complexity of the story. First the Stellar Hunter explains the origin of the Priests of Pama, who trained Mantis, and some issues later we hear the same story but with more details that make it more complex (details unknown by the Hunter, which explains why he didn't told them).

* BecomingTheMask: With her studies of mystic arts, the Scarlet Witch became an actual witch.