Captain America #169: Review

Jan 1974

Steve Englehart, Sal Buscema

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Story Name:

When a Legend Dies

Review & Comments

Rating:

Captain America #169 Review by Peter Silvestro (February 15, 2010)

Co-written by Steve Englehart and Mike Friedrich

Part one of the seven-part Secret Empire story arc. The Tumbler is later succeeded by his brother in the role (CAP #291). First (brief) appearance of the original Moonstone (Lloyd Bloch). If you haven’t already spotted it, note the initials of the Committee to Re-gain America’s Principles.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Captain America #169 Synopsis by Peter Silvestro

The Falcon is walking down the street one evening when a car tries to run him down. Dodging, he is knocked down but only slightly injured, and Morgan’s hoods jump out of the car and pile on the hero. Steve Rogers hears the commotion, changes into his Captain America outfit and leaps into the fray. The thugs panic at the sight of Cap and flee, making the Falcon feel even more that he is only Cap’s weaker sidekick. He explains to Cap that he would like to consult the Black Panther about enhancing his powers with Wakandan technology, and after Cap arranges a meeting, Falcon and Leila take off for Africa in the Panther’s transatlantic ship. Downtown later, Cap spots a TV in a store window showing an ad sponsored by the Committee to Re-gain America’s Principles, painting Cap as a dangerous, drug-enhanced vigilante. Cap is outraged at the manipulation of fact in the ad, which only scares the surrounding crowd even more. Captain America heads to the offices of the Committee to Re-gain America’s Principles and confronts the leader, Quentin Harderman. Cap denounces Harderman’s views which the smooth executive defends, suggesting Cap prove his good will by taking part in a charity boxing match. Cap agrees and leaves, still upset. Outside he spies his old enemy the Tumbler robbing a liquor store and gives chase. After the two acrobats spar, the Tumbler tricks Cap into raising his shield in defense…which the villain uses as a springboard for escape. Later, Sharon tells Cap that Peggy is determined to join SHIELD so she can be close to Cap, prompting Cap to head to the spy agency where he is told he is no longer welcome. The following day, Cap arrives at the exhibition hall where he meets his opponent John Robert Keane, whom Cap recognizes as…the Tumbler. Cap attempts to apprehend the villain when suddenly Keane collapses and dies. It’s all a set-up arranged by Harderman though: the real killer, a helmeted figure hiding in a sniper’s nest, had shot Keane with a laser beam. But the entire crowd witnessed what appeared to be Captain America committing murder.

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