Shortly after returning from his icy prison, Captain America
asked Iron Man to fly him to Bucky Barnes’ grave, where he saw an unusual
flower that looked familiar….
Now, Cap and Namor are stranded on a desert island with a
bitter Subby becoming irritated at Cap’s optimism; Cap tells him that kings don’t
give up, especially when people are in danger….
Long ago, Cap sailed out into the ocean to meet with Namor,
reminding them that they had once been allies and showing him the Atlantean
flower from Bucky’s grave….
On the island, Namor confesses to Cap that he believes he is
responsible for “Machan’s” plans but Cap would not put him in a category with
other deadly dictators. The debate is cut short by their discovery of a science
lab on the island. Sneaking in they find Roxxon scientists experimenting with
hybrid monsters and now turning their attention to the Genus Compound. Enraged,
Namor attacks and is met by a man in a battle suit; the two heroes take him on,
the now-human Namor suffering injury, so Cap hurls a vial of the Compound,
restoring Namor’s powers and the Atlantean tears the battle suit apart. While
Cap collects the vials of compound, Namor frees the scientists—and then, to Cap’s
horror, he frees the monsters to pursue their tormentors. Cap tells Namor he is
no better than the Red Skull he once fought for the same reason (issue #7); Namor
wants to abandon the fight but Cap says he can’t, reminding him of a promise
made many years ago to team up again to fight would-be dictators for “once and
Invader, always an Invader.” And then the rest of the Invaders—Human Torch,
Toro, Spitfire, Winter Soldier—arrives for them….