History: (Avengers West Coast#100/2 (fb) - BTS) - Moira Brandon was a popular actress during the silent era of film, portraying popular historical characters such as Joan of Arc, Ann Boleyn, and Cleopatra. Moira considered the Cleopatra film "Black Sands", an adaptation of Shakespeare's play, to be her greatest triumph, but the arrival of talking pictures put her out of business, as her voice was not suited for talkies. She took possession of the set pieces from Black Sands, and kept them in her the basement of her estate in Palos Verdes. Moira regretted that for all the heroic women she portrayed during her years in the cinema, she herself was not courageous.

In recent years, Moira was approached by the Avengers, who wanted to purchase her estate for use as their new headquarters in Los Angeles, to be used by the west coast branch of the Avengers. She set up a meeting with Hawkeye and Mockingbird at the estate, but their enemy Crossfire learned of this, and broke into the estate, tying up Moira's butler. He threatened to kill her and her butler unless she helped him lead the two Avengers into a trap in her basement, where he would be waiting for them.

(Avengers West Coast#100/2 (fb)) - Moira met with Hawkeye and Mockingbird and related her career to them, then led them down to the basement, where Crossfire made his entrance, destroying Hawkeye's bow with his crossbow. Although Hawkeye and Mockingbird put up a great fight, Crossfire switched to a handgun and held them both at gunpoint. However, Moira took up Crossfire's crossbow and shot him in his shoulder from behind, saving them all. Moira collapsed from the excitement, but Hawkeye and Mockingbird saw to her, and congratulated her for helping them. Hawkeye informed her that she would be the first West Cost Avenger for her help.

(Avengers West Coast#100/2 (fb) - BTS) - Some years later, Moira Brandon died, but remained proud to the end that she had proven herself to be a hero.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas, Don Hudson and Charles Barnett.

The OHOTMU Deluxe Edition#1 identified the former movie star who had owned the Avengers Compound as Sylvia Powell.

The Avengers 1999 Casebook, and the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Avengers 2004 all confirmed Moira's standing amongst the Avengers. She also appeared on the cover of JLA/Avengers#3.

Moira Brandon has an entry in Marvel Legacy: The 1990s Handbook.

Images taken from:
Avengers West Coast#100, page 42, panel 5
Avengers West Coast#100, page 37, panel 2

Appearances:
Avengers West Coast#100 (November, 1993) - Roy Thomas (writer), Don Hudson (pencils), Charles Barnett (inks), Nelson Yomtov (editor)

Last updated: 09/12/04

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.