Captain America (1968 series) #270

Out for an evening stroll, Steve Rogers and Bernie Rosenthal are having a talk about the complicated nature of their relationship. They are interrupted by the arrival of Steve’s boyhood friend Arnie Roth. Steve introduces him to Bernie, claiming he is a friend of his father’s to explain the apparent age difference and the two chums go for a walk, where Arnie reveals that he recognized form newsreels that Steve is Captain America….

Interlude: in Harlem a member of a neighborhood watch group is gunned down by a crook he had been chasing….

Also out that night is Bernie, mulling over the relationship tangle with Steve. She spies an old bag lady, Olympia, being harassed by some rotten kids. Bernie chase them off and sees the old lady home….

Arnie explains the reason for his visit: Arnie is in trouble with local mobsters over gambling debts and the hoods have kidnapped his roommate Michael to ensure he pays up—or else. When they arrive at the baddies’ hideout, Arnie reveals that he is actually being pressured to lead Cap into a trap. Cap says he understands and enters, quickly taking down the whole gang in the darkened room. Suddenly a huge purple robot appears and attacks Cap; Arnie discovers the bound Michael but he appears to be dead. Arnie shouts which distracts the monster so that Cap can deliver a killing stroke with his shield. The robot melts away and Michael returns to life. They realize there was some connection between Michael and the robot but who and why remains a mystery.

Epilogue: Steve and Bernie kiss and make up….