Captain America #338
Power Struggle
The narrative of this story jumps back and forth between what’s happening with Captain America and Bucky in New York and the Captain and his allies in Las Vegas. For the sake of clarity this summary tells the two plots separately rather than jumping back and for between the two.
Nevada
The Captain and his allies — Nomad, Vagabond, the Falcon, and Demolition Man — were able to save hostages from four serpent themed villains known as Copperhead, Puff Adder, Black Racer, and Fer-de-Lance. Unfortunately, without Steve Rogers’ credentials as Captain America, their involvement is not well received and the heroes are tossed in a cell right across from the crooks they helped catch while they attempt to straighten things out with the authorities.
While the Captain is in questioning, Nomad grows incredible impatient and suggests that they break out of jail. However, both D-Man and the Falcon decide that this would be an incredibly bad idea. Soon, Steve is returned to the cell and the Falcon decides to go for questioning next, hoping his reputation as a crime fighter will help them get out of this jam. Steve admits to the others that being Captain America gave him a lot of legal leeway that they can’t use to their advantage anymore.
After the officers and Falcon leave the room, Sidewinder teleports into the cell block. He offers Fer-de-Lance and the other snakes the opportunity to get free, offering them spots in his Serpent Squad. This is an offer they cannot refuse. Watching Sidewinder free the crooks one-by-one leaves the Captain in a moral dilemma over breaking out of their cell to stop them. By the time he gives in only Fer-de-Lance is left. Luckily, Nomad and D-Man are strong enough to bend the bars of their cell and Steve jumps Sidewinder before he can abscond with the last prisoner. Steve holds tight as Sidewinder tries to teleport back outside and because he is holding the villain from behind, Sidewinder is unable to hit him with the “side effect” ray beans built into the forehead of his mask. When he can’t shake the Captain loose, Sidewinder teleports back into the cell and threatens to blast Fer-de-Lance unless he is let go. The Captain lets him go and Sidewinder escapes with the last prisoner.
That’s when the police come back to the cell block and are furious that the snakes got away and accuse the Captain and the others of helping them escape. The Captain insists that they are innocent and tells the officers if they hurry outside they might be able to stop Sidewinder and his cohorts get away. Nomad is furious with Steve for letting them go, but the Captain was not willing to sacrifice a life, not even that of a criminal.
New York
The new Captain America and Bucky have been sent on their next mission, to recapture Professor Power, who had just recently escaped SHIELD custody.[1] The pair are dropped on Power’s private estate where they clash with his Roman themed guards. Armed with his own shield, Bucky enjoys the fight but is reminded by Cap to hold back his punches so as not to kill anybody with their enhanced strength. As they make their way into the Professor’s castle, Lemar admits that he fell asleep during their briefing and asks John to clarify who they’re going after. John explains that Professor Power was a mad scientist whose son ended up in a catatonic state after involvement in a war overseas. Unable to cure his son, Powers transferred his mind into his body and almost caused a nuclear war on two different occasions. In his most recent attempt, Powers had his mind scrambled by the Defender known as Mondragon and was placed in SHIELD custody until one day he managed to escape.[2]
Getting inside the castle, the pair are attacked by robotized suits of Mandroid armor. Although the automations try to gas the duo, their enhanced strength allows them to hold their breath long enough for the gas to dissipate and they trash the robots. They race into the next room where a team of scientists are working on reviving Professor Power’s mind. There they are ambushed by a giant named Leviathan. However, despite his titanic size and great strength, the dimwitted bruiser is easily defeated by Captain America and Bucky who work together to choke the giant out.
However, this battle alerts the scientists to their presence and they try to evacuate Professor Power in one of their escape jets. As the craft begins to blast off, Cap tosses his shield, smashing the thrusters and causing the ship to veer off the launching ramp and crash. Checking the wreckage, Captain America finds Professor Power is still alive. Regaining his ability to think, Professor Power tries to attack John who loses his temper and pummels Power to death.[3] Although John is horrified by what he has done, Lemar points out that their mission was to neutralize Power by any means and that killing the mad scientist probably won’t get him in any trouble.
Unfortunately, John doesn’t see it that way as he has set a much higher standard for himself since becoming the new Captain America.
Recurring Characters
The Captain, Captain America, Bucky, Falcon, Nomad, Vagabond, Demolition Man, Professor Power, Leviathan, Serpent Squad (Sidewinder, Puff Adder, Fer-de-Lance, Copperhead, Black Racer)
Continuity Notes
Steve Rogers was forced to quit as Captain America rather than be forced to work exclusively for the government. John Walker was then chosen to succeed him. See Captain America #332-333. This remains the status quo until Captain America #350.
John Walker recounts all of Professor Power’s previous appearances to date. These events took place in Marvel Team-Up #117-118, Captain America #268, and Defenders #106, and 126-130.
This isn’t the end of Professor Power, all John managed to do was kill the body of his son Matthew. The Professor’s mind is transferred back to his physical body as seen in Avengers West Coast Annual #7.
Topical References
Lamar mocks the Mandroid robots for not looking like his nephews Transformers toys. This should be considered a topical reference as the Transformers are a real world product.
