Captain America #188
Druid War
Captain America has been kidnapped by the Demon Druid who has unleashed his latest creation, the Alchemoid to destroy the Avenger. This is all because of Cap’s past association with SHIELD, an organization that the Demon Druid has attempted to destroy in the past.[1] Captain America quickly discovers that the Alchemoid is going to be a difficult foe to defeat since his very skin burns at the touch.
Meanwhile, the Falcon has been taken to a SHIELD facility for observation after it was revealed that he has been a pawn of the Red Skull this entire time.[2] SHIELD has brought in Sam’s girlfriend, Leila Taylor, to question her about anything she might know about Sam’s criminal past and because Sam will need a familiar face to help him through his recovery. When Sam wakes up he begins having hallucinations about Nomad, Captain America, and the Red Skull, forcing doctors to sedate him.[3] As Lelia is being dragged away from questioning, both Peggy Carter and Gabe Jones wonder what is going on.
Meanwhile, Captain America continues to hold his own against the Alchemoid, even though he cannot touch his foe. Furious over the Avenger’s continued survival the Demon Druid continues to crank up the Alchemoid’s power levels until it causes his creation to overload and explode.
By this time, Peggy and Gabe have returned to the SHIELD helicarrier to question Nick Fury about the agency’s handling of the Falcon. To their dismay they learn that Fury is off on business, leaving Jeff Cochrane — his second in command — in charge during his absence. Cochrane tells them that they are dealing with the Sam Wilson situation the best they can and assigns the pair to go to Los Angeles to confirm if the claims of Wilson’s past crimes as “Snap” Wilson are true. They are the only ones Cochrane can spare since the rest of SHIELD are currently mobilizing to deal with the return of the Demon Druid.
Back at the Druid’s hideout, Captain America fights through his minions in an effort to capture the terrorist. When the tide of battle shifts in Cap’s favor, the Druid’s glowing saucer pulls him to safety just as SHIELD arrives. Captain America is forced to stay behind and help the spy agency capture the Druid’s minions. Exhausted from his ordeals, Cap insists on learning what happened to his partner. Eric Koenig assures him that Sam is already on the road to recovery and invites him back to SHIELD headquarters to check on the Falcon.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Falcon, Dredmund the Druid, Leila Taylor, SHIELD (Peggy Carter, Gabe Jones, Countess de la Fontaine, Eric Koenig, Jeff Cochren)
Continuity Notes
The Demon Druid’s earlier clash with SHIELD was chronicled in Strange Tales #144-145.
It was revealed in Captain America #186 that Sam Wilson was once a drug dealer nicknamed Snap and that the Red Skull brainwashed him into becoming an ideal partner to Captain America as secret weapon to use against him. It’s later revealed that Snap Wilson was a fabrication, as detailed in All-New Captain America #3. However, the situation is a bit more complex than that and with many unanswered questions. See here for more.
Steve Rogers became disenfranchised and quit as Captain America after discovering the leader of the Secret Empire was the former President of the Untied States in Captain America #175. He then continued his crime-fighting career as Nomad in issue #180. He was forced back into the role of Captain America in issue #183 after the Red Skull murdered his successor.
