Captain America has been captured by the villainous team of Mr. Hyde and Batroc and chained to the front of the Roxxon oil tanker set on a collision course for the New York docks. As a final gesture of triumph Hyde attempts to break Cap’s shield. Finding he can’t, he hurls it overboard so it embeds in the rail of the ransom barge. As Hyde leaves the deck, Batroc secretly kicks one of the anchor-chain releases. Cap feels the sudden slack on one wrist and is able to weaken and break the chain on that side. As he tries urgently to loosen the other manacle he worries over the potential for a city destroying explosion from the massive tanker. After superhuman exertion the chain snaps but Cap flips backward from the reaction and hits his head on the bulkhead, falling unconscious into the water….
In the wheelhouse, Hyde congratulates Batroc on his choice of hostage, recalling his own last encounter with Captain America (issue #152). Hyde then reveals his real plan: revenge against his treacherous former partner the Cobra—by blowing up New York. Batroc, aghast that the threat to the city was not a bluff, attacks Hyde with a killing blow—which fails against the brutish villain. Meanwhile Cap has gained the safety of the ransom barge and recovers his shield from the two henchmen. He finds Hyde crushing the life out of Batroc with his bare hands and intervenes, hurling his shield to distract the brute from his prey. As the unlikely partners battle their common foe, Batroc reveals that he insisted on Cap as a hostage to provide an ally should he need to turn against Hyde. After a vicious struggle, Hyde beats the French mercenary unconscious and turns his attentions to Cap. He reaches for the nearest object to use as a weapon against Cap—and rips free a hose carrying liquefied natural gas., The brute is frozen in an instant but manages to stagger and fall overboard. Cap dives in the drink for a rescue but loses the villain in the murky waters. Cap surfaces to discover Batroc and his gang have made off with Roxxon’s billion-dollar ransom. Cap and the Coast Guard soon intercept the unlucky baddie.
Story #2The Life and Times of Captain America!
Writer:
Roger Stern. Penciler:
John Byrne. Inker:
Joe RubinsteinSynopsis
Overview of our favorite patriotic hero, including a brief history, a floorplan of Steve Rogers’ apartment, profiles of Steve’s friends (Anna Kappelbaum, Josh Cooper, Mike Farrel, Bernie Rosenthal) and Cap’s partners (Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan, the Falcon and Leila Taylor, Bucky Barnes and Sharon Carter, the Avengers).
Cameos by Thor, Iron Man, Wasp, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Jarvis, Beast.