Synopsis: The Nazi U-boat Leviathan
torpedoes an allied ship but it was a trap: Captain America enters
the ship through a torpedo tube and subdues the entire crew of Hydra
agents. He then surfaces the U-boat to admit the Howling Commandos.
Their mission? To employ the craft as a Trojan Horse to enter its
base. The objective is easily met: the base is deserted. All they
find is an empty lab and a drawing of the Hydra of Greek myth. Cap
then hears a call for help and he rushes to the rescue to see
Falsworth and Morita in the grip of a tentacled monster. As Cap
watches in horror, the monster drags them though a vent into the
base’s flooded sub-basement….
“U-Base (Part 2 of 2)”
Synopsis: Cap informs the Howlers of
what just happened. Evidence shows that the Hydra scientists were not
creating monsters but experimenting with cell regeneration; an
earthquake damaged the building and spilled their Hydra Serum into
the water supply. They plant explosives to destroy the building and
the monster and Cap has thirty minutes to try to rescue the captured
Falsworth and Morita. Cap dives underwater and swims until he
surfaces in the monster’s lair. The hero tries to fight the
creature but every time he slices off a tentacle it regrows
instantly. After a furious battle, the monster uses a claw to write
“Help me” in German on the wall. As the bombs detonate, Cap saves
the monster from the explosion: it is the mutated form of the U-base
staff. As the Americans depart, Cap plans to bring Howard Stark to
investigate a cure for the unfortunates….
2. “Citadel of Spires”
Writer: Fred Van Lente. Pencils: Ron
Lim. Inks: Crimelab Studios, Don Ho. Colors: John Rauch
Synopsis: Heimdall narrates a tale from
the youth of Loki and Thor. The siblings, accompanied by Sif, Hogun,
and Volstagg set out to rescue Fandral who had been captured by the
Dark Elves while spying on them. Their quest sends them against a
giant which the brothers vanquish together while arguing over the
merits of brains versus brawn. Passing through a forest of thorns
they reach the citadel of Allyse the Drow Queen, a towering structure
on a rock in the center of a deep chasm. Thor advocates a frontal
attack while Loki suggests subterfuge; they continue to bicker. Loki
plans to walk the treacherous winding rock path to the back door and
Sif, thinking he is right, elects to join him. The two thread the
winding way and are attacked by giant bats, and Sif falls into the
chasm. Meanwhile, Thor hurls Mjolnir which breaks the chain holding
the drawbridge and he, Hogun, and Volstagg head forward, only to
confront an armored giant….
“Citadel of Spires, Part Two”
Synopsis: Thor battles the giant at the
front of the citadel while Hogun searches for the captured Fandral.
Meanwhile, Loki realizes that the giant bats are a mere illusion and
rescues Sif who is hanging on a precarious perch below. Entering the
castle they come face-to-face with Malekith the sorcerer who
challenges Loki to a duel of magic. Loki multiples illusions of
himself; Malekith outdoes him and strikes him down from behind in his
confusion. Elsewhere, Sif drags Fandral out of the Drow Queen’s
bed. Thor calls down lightning to strike Malekith while Loki blinds
the giant with flashing lights so that it topples the nearest tower.
The heroes rush across the newly formed bridge and Volstagg’s
weight causes the broken tower to crumble beneath the pursuing enemy.
Thor and Loki gain a better appreciation of teamwork.
For the special marvelite in you