As the story opens Captain America is giving fellow Avengers Starfox and Black Knight some lessons in self-defense. After he tosses them around, Starfox decides to distract him by stimulating the pleasure centers of Cap’s brain. It doesn’t work because a) Cap was on guard against his powers and b) he already finds exercise pleasurable so there was no effect. On his way home, Steve Rogers overhears some kids on the subway talking about comic books (specifically Captain America) and decides to try his hand at comics illustration. Picking up a few at a newsstand, Steve heads over to help his fiancée Bernie Rosenthal close up her failed glass-blowing shop….
Elsewhere at a fancy hotel, Sidewinder addresses the other snake-themed criminals he has invited. He proposes a society, a trade union which would offer security and greater opportunities than they would have if they worked alone; his major selling point is that his ability to teleport would mean instant rescue from prison. One prospective member, Constrictor, rejects the plan and walks out. Sidewinder distributes brochures outlining his plan to his guests, organizing them into three groups for an initiation test. Outside, Constrictor sees it is in his best interests to nip this Serpent Society in the bud, so he places an anonymous phone call to the Avengers. He spies the first group of serpents (Anaconda, Rattler, and Cobra) heading off in a van for their test. He hitches a ride on the back by means of his extendable adamantium cables and soon they arrive at a deserted site for the defunct Brand Corporation. The trio heads to a nearby diner while awaiting nightfall. Constrictor again contacts the Avengers….
At home, Steve puts together some sample drawings of comics characters and makes an appointment at Marvel to show his work to an editor. He receives a call from Jarvis directing him to the desolate industrial facility. Cap interrupts the group and Anaconda attacks him with her elongating arms and holds him fast while her accomplices head off with the stolen goods. She enwraps Cap in her arms and starts to squeeze; Cap manages to flip his shield from the floor into his hand and clocks her a good one. Cobra and Rattler, waiting for her outside, decide she won’t be coming and they return to Sidewinder with the stolen apparatus….
In a bar, Frank Schlicting—Constrictor—is watching a news report on the robbery when he is accosted by an employee and ushered into the alley. There, Constrictor faces Anaconda who knows it must have been him who tipped off Captain America. She beats the stuffing out of him then goes inside for a drink….
At home Steve and Bernie settle in for the evening.