Avengers #69 (1969)

Twin Cities copy of Avengers #69

I think the Grandmaster will play a role in the remainder of Marvel's Phase 3.  I've suspected his involvement in the movie franchise since Guardians of the Galaxy, when Lee Pace was cast in a then-undisclosed role.  He ended up playing Ronan of course.  The Grandmaster was my wild guess at the time.

In December last year, rumors circulated that Al Pacino was in talks to star in a Marvel film, possibly GOTG 2 (scheduled for May 2017, probably filming a year from now).  I only saw one site that tied him to a possible role as the Grandmaster. Other than that, I did not see much talk about it.

The Grandmaster's Marvel Universe debut

A clue appears at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron that in my mind is a clear tip-off to the future role of this character.  I have not seen this theory in any reviews, articles, or "Easter egg" videos.  Near the close of the film, Thor says to the other Avengers "It can't be a coincidence that all of the Infinity Stones are appearing now. It is almost as if we are pawns in someone's game."  Or something to that effect.

To me, this is a clear reference to the Grandmaster.  The story title of Avengers #69? "Let the Game Begin!"  It's about Kang and the Grandmaster summoning the Avengers and the Squadron Sinister to fight each other in an alternate reality.

I do believe prices for Avengers #28 rose when it was announced in June 2013 that Benicio Del Toro would play The Collector.  I'd expect this other Elder of the Universe to play a more significant role.

Avengers #69-71, in my mind, belongs up there in the list of classic Avengers stories.  And so many important first appearances!

What does CGC have to say about this book?  It doesn't give the Grandmaster his correct due, another sign this significant event is under the radar:

As a tease of a future post, I'll leave you with the last page:

The Hulk #180, if you will, for the Squadron Sinister

Avengers #69 notable events:

1^st appearance of the Grandmaster (an Elder of the Universe) – appears in 6 panels / 4 pages

1^st brief (last panel) appearance of the Squadron Sinister (4 team members, all 1^st app.)

1^st brief (last panel) appearance of Doctor Spectrum (Kinji Obatu of Earth-616)

1^st brief (last panel) appearance of the Earth-616 Hyperion (creation of the Grandmaster)

1^st brief (last panel) appearance of Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond of Earth-616)

1^st brief (last panel) appearance of The Whizzer / Speed Demon (James Sanders of Earth-616, becomes the Speed Demon in Amazing Spider-Man #222)