Captain America #221
Cul De-Sac!
While trying to solve the mysteries of his past, Captain America has come to Newfoundland where he is captured by a former Nazi named Lyle Dekker.[1] Transferring his mind into the Ameridroid — a massive android fashioned to look like Captain America — and stealing Captain America’s powers, Dekker now intends to (somehow) use his new body to take over the world.
As the Ameradroid smashes out of Dekker’s hideout and addresses the gathered people as their new master, Captain America manages to break free from his bonds and attack the android. Unfortunately for the hero, the Ameridroid is much stronger due to its massive size and he quickly knocks Cap out.[2] However, as he gloats over his long awaited victory against Captain America, Dekker realizes that he had to sacrifice his own humanity to do so.
Growing increasingly distraught, the Ameridroid becomes thinking of himself as nothing more than a freak. Returning to his lab and looking at his lifeless human body, Dekker lashes out by throwing it against his equipment. When Captain America enters the room he doesn’t attack, but reasons with the former Nazi, pointing out that he has been given a second chance at life and that he can now use his talents for good. Listening to this advice, the Ameridroid leaves to figure out how he will pay penance for his past crimes and thanks Captain America for helping him see his new life as a blessing instead of a curse.
Exhausted from his ordeal, Captain America returns to New York and is surprised to see that he hasn’t been evicted from his old apartment. Still, despite the fact that he solved one mystery about his past, his life before becoming Captain America is still a blank. Still, he refuses to give up and drawing inspiration from Dekker’s change of heart vows to begin a brand new life, after he gets some sleep for the night.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Ameridroid
Continuity Notes
There is a lot going on off the top so here are the facts:
In Captain America #215, Steve realized that he no longer remembers much about his past before he entered Project: Rebirth and became Captain America.
In issue #218, he came across an old recording from the day he was freed from suspended animation in Avengers #4. In it, Captain America recounts that he fell in the waters off the shore of Newfoundland when Baron Zemo’s drone exploded in 1945. This makes no sense when you consider the drone was launched in England.
What Marvel has yet to explain is how Dekker could still be vital enough to plot against Captain America since the war due to the Sliding Timescale, which increases the gulf of time between World War II and the Modern Age with each passing year. I think it’s safe to assume that Dekker, a brilliant scientist, probably created a means to slow his aging process.
Dekker mentions how his attempt to sabotage a film studio making a Captain America serial back in 1944 was foiled by Cap. See Captain America #219-220. This issue misattributes those events to issue #220-221.
Topical References
Dekker states that it has been 30 years since World War II. This should be considered a topical reference for reasons I’ve stated above.
The Coming of Captain Avenger!
A meeting of the Avengers is called to order and Rick Jones races in to be part of the proceedings.[1] He ends up tripping over a wire and lands into some equipment. Shocked with powerful energy, Rick manages to break free from the machine and discovers that he has been transformed. Now having super-human powers and wearing a costume that is an amalgamation of those worn by the Avengers, Rick decides to call himself Captain Avenger.
That’s when Baron Zemo and his minions come smashing through the wall and blasts the Avengers with a powerful weapon. While the rest of the team is rendered inert, Captain Avenger is immune to its effects. Angry at Zemo not only for harming his friends, but also being responsible for the death of Bucky Barnes during World War II, Rick lashes out at the Nazi war criminal.[2] In his rage, Captain Avenger destroys Zemo’s weapon and the Nazi informs him that it was the only way to restore the Avengers to normal. Rick refuses to believe this and is about to slay Zemo when he suddenly wakes up and realizes it was all a dream.
When the confused Avengers ask Rick what he’s talking about, he tells them to forget it and walks away thinking he’ll never become a hero.[3]
Recurring Characters
Rick Jones, Avengers (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, the Wasp)
Continuity Notes
A footnote here states that this story takes place between Avengers #14 and 15.
Per Avengers #4, Bucky was believed to have died during World War II, and this was the main reason why Captain America was reluctant to make Rick his new sidekick. Bucky did not actually die and was transformed into a Russian assassin called the Winter Soldier. The truth will not be learned by Captain America until many years later in Captain America (vol. 5) #14.
This story ends with an image of Captain Marvel, who Rick will eventually merge and shared existence with in Captain Marvel #17.
