Continued from the previous issue Luke Cage and Black Goliath are still under the hypnotic spell of the Ringmaster. As Claire tries to break the spell she realizes that she loves Luke and not her ex-husband Bill Foster. Meanwhile in a hidden corner D.W. Griffith is trying to figure out what to do next. In a classic villain monologue the Ringmaster introduces his Circus of Crime and ends with “ we are virtually INVINCIBLE”. Live Wire takes over the monologuing duties, explaining his previous unsuccessful skirmishes with the Fantastic Four. Further explaining that he heard about the Circus of Crime’s incarceration by Daredevil and decided to free them. In his efforts to reunite the entire crew, he orchestrated a jail break for Princess Python as well.

Princess Python starts dreaming out loud about a romance with the incapacitated Luke Cage. Obviously Claire isn’t thrilled about snake girl hitting on her man so she gives her a verbal lashing. Princess Python zaps Claire with her electro-prod and has her carried to a bed so that she can tie up Claire.

Meanwhile D.W. comes up with an idea to steal the Ringmaster’s hat but is easily stopped by Live Wire.

As the Circus of Crime begin their planning meeting they realize that the hooded Princess Python’s hands are black. Claire had broken a chair over snake girl’s head and put on her costume. Now she is wielding the Electro-prod to take out the Circus members. Knowing that she cannot take all of them she throws the prod at Luke’s head to try and wake him up. This time it works and Luke jumps into the fight with a fury.

In the massive fight that ensues Luke, Black Goliath and DW work together to subdue the entire crew of Circus members. As the police are cleaning up the villains, Claire tells her ex-husband, Bill Foster, that she cares for him but she loves Luke Cage. Luke and Claire embrace.

Note: Issue 24 called Black Goliath, Bill Foster, however issue 25 called him Bill Temple throughout. His name is Bill Foster regardless of the naming issue in Power Man #25.

-Ron C.

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