Captain America (1968 series) #374

In the ruined warehouse, Captain America dodges the flashlight thrown by Bullseye but is speared in the thigh by the shovel. Cap’s agility keeps him on the defensive and he recognizes by the pinpoint accuracy of the thrown weapons that his opponent is Bullseye, whom he knows only by reputation. Meanwhile, Diamondback has recovered Cap’s Sky-Cycle from the river and, leaving the Black Widow behind, hurries to Cap’s rescue. Disliking the odds, the villain makes his exit and Diamond picks up Cap and they search for Bullseye….

Meanwhile, the Kingpin is outraged by the enemy trying to muscle in on the drug trade by orchestrating a series of drive-by shootings of the Kingpin’s crack dealers.

At Avengers HQ, the increasingly unstable Cap rebukes Peggy Carter for calling the Black Widow in on the case, and when he hears Diamond confiding her worries about him to John Jameson he orders her out of the building. Finally he turns on John and Michael O’Brien for suggesting he work with the DEA, insisting he can do this himself….

Elsewhere, Bullseye is hunting down the source of the rival’s drugs, Daredevil has returned to New York (from DD #283) and is wondering about Captain America’s emotional state, and Cap himself is taking on the demand side of the drug traffic, trapping a well-to-do customer and threatening him for contributing to the criminal subculture. Later, a disguised Diamond meets with John Jameson and they discuss Cap’s problem; she noticed he is exhibiting all the symptoms of Ice and surmises that Cap was exposed to its effects in the exploding drug warehouse (issue #372). As they ponder what to do next, she spots an approaching car with a gun protruding from the window. Quickly, Diamondback knocks John to the ground and she takes several bullets in the back….

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Story #2

Power Tools

Writer: Mark Gruenwald.Penciler: Mark Bagley. Inker: Dan Panosian. Colorist: Nel Yomtov.

Synopsis

Battlestar has been summoned to a seedy L.A. motel by his former wrestling manager Ethan Thurm who believes his life is in danger—just as three costumed villains smash through the door. The Power Tools (Jackhammer, Buzzsaw, and Drill), a trio with enhanced strength and cybernetic modifications, engage Battlestar in combat, wrecking the motel while Thurm hides in the bathroom. The hero holds his own—until Jackhammer captures Thurm, forcing Battlestar to surrender. The two captives are taken to a remote warehouse where Battlestar is put into an elevator…which starts filling up with gas….