Captain America #196
Kill-Derby!
Prisoners of the Loyalist Forces of America, Captain America and the Falcon have been forced down into the arenas where the gladiatorial Kill-Derby is held. There, the lower classes of this secret society compete for the chance to win a pot of gold. Struggling to get free, the two heroes are gassed and one of the Kill-Derby combatants takes Captain America’s shield to use in battle.
When the two recover from the gas exposure, Captain America is insistent on getting his shield back so it’s image is not perverted in some death game. With no other choice, they tell Tinkerbell — the head of these games — that they will participate in the Kill-Derby.
Meanwhile, on the surface, the military continues to search for the Royalist’s hideout using ground-penetrating radar. Overseeing this operation is General Argyle Fist, who refuses to give up until they find something. While most of the other troops are convinced they’ll come up empty handed, they finally hit pay dirt when the device, nicknamed Hound-Dog, is able to detect something.
Down below, Captain America, the Falcon, and Tinkerbell enter the arena on rocket-powered skateboards to join the Kill-Derby match. This delights Cheer Chadwick, the daughter of one of the Loyalist’s ruling Elites. The ensuing battle is nothing but utter carnage as Captain America and the Falcon fight through the warriors and their advanced weapons, pushing onward to recover Cap’s shield.
While back on the surface, Argyle Fist and his troops find Hound-Dog and discover it has been attacked and the technician operating it has gone missing. However, the device can still be salvaged and its data examined. Fist orders the device repaired, not willing to give up on Captain America and the Falcon.
Meanwhile, at the Kill-Derby, the combatants try to kill Captain America with a massive propeller but the device is destroyed by the Falcon. As his partner holds the rest of the combatants back, Captain America confronts the man who took his shield. When he tries to convince the warrior that he’s not interested in the pot of gold and only wants his shield, the combatant doesn’t believe him. Since reason won’t work, Captain America tells the man to get ready for action and charges into battle.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Falcon, The Elite (Cheer Chadwick), Royalist Forces (Tinkerbell), Argyle Fist
Topical References
This story states that it takes place prior to the American Bicentennial. This should be considered a topical reference. Modern readers should interpret the event as a 4th of July celebration, but not one tied to any specific milestone.
