On the streets of Cleveland, Captain America defeats the villainous Blacklash after a short scuffle. The baddie was surprised to see Cap away from New York, and Cap is equally nonplussed to find the whip-wielding assassin robbing jewelry stores in Ohio. Blacklash tells Cap about the Scourge of the Underworld, the mysterious vigilante who is murdering costumed criminals. Cap wonders if this is the same gunman who tried to kill the Constrictor in his presence some time ago (issue #311)….
At the headquarters of the Serpent Society, the leader Sidewinder suddenly teleports in, bearing the body of Death Adder, killed by Scourge last issue. He assembles the members of the group and begins to coordinate an effort to track down and capture the mad vigilante….
At the Bar with No Name, the criminal hangout in Ohio, Gary (Firebrand) Gilbert continues to invite costumed crooks to a meeting about organizing a similar effort to stop their mutual enemy….
Meanwhile, Steve Rogers does some research on the killer and comes up with a lead. As Captain America, he visits a mental hospital in Indiana, to check up on vigilante murderer Greg Salinger, the second Foolkiller. After discovering quite quickly that Salinger is raving and incoherent, not to mention securely confined, he leaves. Cap notices someone watching him from concealment. He spies a rope up to the roof and yanks on it, bringing Diamondback of the Serpent Society falling into his arms. She introduces herself and explains that they are on the same mission. She flirts openly with the hero while suggesting they work together to catch Scourge. As they take off in her ship, she gives a short account of her life: urban delinquent who turned to a life of crime after her beloved brother was shot by police during a robbery, she devised a costume and obtained throwing diamonds from the Trapster and joined up with the Serpents. Now she puts the ship into a crash dive and drops the ignition key down the front of her outfit and challenges Cap to find it in time. Cap refuses and also declines a deal. She apologizes and lands the craft to let Cap off. As she is chasing him through a cornfield attempting to persuade him to reconsider teaming up, she is shot by an unseen assailant. Cap tackles the gunman, who turns out to be a farmer who thought they were being invaded by Martians. Cap takes the wounded Diamondback to a hospital….
Saturday night at the Bar with No Name, many costumed criminals arrive for Gary Gilbert’s meeting. High-tech security devices are in place to ensure that none of the guests are Scourge in disguise. The meeting comes to order and Gilbert outlines the background and m.o. of their quarry and asks for suggestions. As discussion erupts from the floor, Jake the bartender draws a pair of automatic weapons and sprays the room with bullets. Removing his mask, he shouts, "Justice is served!"