Captain America #350
Seeing Red
A man who bares a striking resemblance to Steve Rogers goes into a training session with a group of men dressed like Captain America. Although he is out numbered five to one, this man slaughters all the men trained to fight him. After changing, the man returns to his office in a building which overlooks the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. He thinks about how he has abandoned his own ideals to embrace the American way and twist it for his own ends, to enslave the entire world and destroy America itself. He then checks in Douglas Rockwell, his lackey who heads the Commission on Superhuman Affairs. He reports that there is no sign of Steve Rogers since he went to the Arctic to stop Flag-Smasher, but there are rumors that he is currently in New York City.[1]
These reports are accurate, as Steve Rogers assisted in defending New York from a demonic invasion.[2] Now that the danger has passed, Steve is disappointed that mutants are taking the blame for what happened and contemplates recruiting some onto his new Avengers team to help give them an image boost.[3] His thoughts are interrupted when a truck’s breaks fail and he has to save some kids from the speeding vehicle. The daring rescue leads to a around of applause from the bystanders on the street.
Meanwhile, back at Fort Meade, Rockwell arrives to check up on John Walker, who is recovering from his ordeal with Flag-Smasher. John informs Douglas that Steve Rogers reclaims his shield during the fight, much to Douglas’ frustration. However, he hasn’t fully made up his mind if he is going to replace John as Captain America yet and walks out. Battlestar tries to cheer John up, telling him that if the Commission boots them they can go independent again. However, Walker is not happy with Lamar for bringing Steve Rogers to save him and tells him to get lost. Lamar complies because he knows John has been having a hard time since his parents were murdered, but wonders how he can get through to his friend.[4] Once everyone is gone, John’s phone rings. The man on the other line tells him that he knows how he can reclaim his shield and tells him to come to the Smith Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington at midnight. Without a second thought, John puts on his Captain America costume and sneaks out.
Later that evening, the Commission has a meeting to discuss what to do with John Walker. After his brutal attack on the Watchdogs as well as Left-Winger and Right Winger, the government is dealing with a lawsuit from their family. While they survived being blown up, the pair suffered burns over 90% of their bodies.[5] The group decides that they need to cut Walker loose. When Steve Rogers name is brought up, Douglas Rockwell explodes with anger, telling his colleagues that Rogers would have been rotting away in prison had it not been for the President’s intervention. The meeting concludes without any definitive answer, but the members of the Commission are beginning to think that Rockwell is becoming as unhinged as John Walker.
Soon, Steve Rogers sneaks into Douglas Rockwell’s office and catches him in the middle of a video conference with his benefactor. Unwilling to reveal who his master is or if this is sanctioned by the government, Rockwell suddenly gets a call on his phone that makes him nervous. When Steve insists that he answers it, Rockwell picks up the phone. Moments later, a gas squirts out of the mouthpiece causing Rockwell’s head to shrivel and turn red, the trademark of the Red Skull’s dust of death. Steve can’t believe that his old foe is still alive but is willing to find out.[6] Removing the gas sprayer from Rockwell’s phone, he puts in some calls to trace where the call came from.
At that moment, Captain America arrives at the Smith Building where he is greeted by a man who looks and claims to be the real Steve Rogers. He reveals that he was the force giving funding to ULTIMATUM, the Watchdogs, the Resistants, the Sweat Shop, and the Scourge of the Underworld. While John Walker is fighting for his life, Steve Rogers sneaks into the Smith Building. He is quickly discovered by the owner, the man who looks exactly like him. Steve knows that this man wants him to believe he is the Red Skull, but isn’t so ready to accept it. Regardless of this, the man with Steve Rogers’ face reveals that he has been the driving force that catapulted John Walker to fame as the Super-Patriot and worked behind the scenes to have Walker replace him as Captain America. From there, he put events into motion so that Walker, a man unsuited for the role, could tarnish Captain America’s image.[7] Steve isn’t ready to take this at face value but has heard enough and decides to go looking for answers.
While back at the Commission, the members of the group have had Douglas Rockwell’s body removed from his office and are just now finding that he was a mole for some bad actor and begin investigating to find out who was responsible.
Meanwhile, Steve Rogers enters the room where John Walker has been fighting for his life. Unaware that he had been played by the Red Skull, John attacks Rogers intending to fight to the death. The fight takes them into a room lined with monitors that replay every atrocity that Walker has committed while wearing the Captain America costume. Steve is shocked by how brutally violent his successor is. Although John is much stronger, Steve ends up winning the fight.
The Red Skull comes out to congratulate Steve for a job well done. He explains that he cheated death by having his mind transferred into a clone of Steve Rogers’ body, turning him into the ultimate Aryan of the Nazi ideal. He explains that he has abandoned his previous means of world domination instead deciding to use the American system against itself so he can pervert and subvert it for his own goals. As he details his plans, the Skull keeps getting closer and closer, until the cigarette he is smoking is almost poking Steve in the face as it just from the holder. However, John Walker recovers from his fight and tosses his shield at the Skull from behind. This trips the villain up causing him to bite down on his cigarette holder and shoot himself in the face with his own dust of death. As with all of his victims, the Red Skull’s perfect imitation of Steve Rogers’ face is deformed into a red skull. However, unlike his victims, the Skull survives this transformation. Horrified by what has happened to his beautiful face, the Skull flees vowing to get his revenge.
Later, both Steve and John are before the Commission which is now under the command of Val Cooper. She has decided that their attempt to replace Steve as Captain America has been an abysmal failure and they have decided to return his costume and shield and allow him to operate as a free agent again. While Steve is thankful, he decides that he doesn’t need them. However, as he leaves, John Walker stops Steve and tells him that he royally screwed up as Captain America. Although it was a position he craved from before he realizes that there is more to being Captain America than he could ever imagine and wants Steve to have his costume and shield back. Hearing this passioned request, Steve agrees and reclaims his proper mantle of Captain America.
Recurring Characters
Captain America (Rogers), Captain America (Walker), Battlestar, Red Skull, Scourge of the Underworld, ULTIMATUM, Watchdogs, Sweat Shop, Resistants, The Commission (Valerie Cooper, Raymond Sikorsky, Douglas Rockwell, Adrian Sammish), Professor Power,
Continuity Notes
Steve was sent to rescue his replacement, John Walker, who was being held hostage by Flag-Smasher. See Captain America #348-349.
This was the Inferno event which saw New York the staging ground for a demonic invasion of Earth. This event mostly took place in Uncanny X-Men #239-243, X-Factor #36-39, and New Mutants #71-73. Other comics in this crossover include X-Terminators #1-4, Amazing Spider-Man #311-313, Damage Control #4, Daredevil #262-263 and 265, Fantastic Four #322-324, Power Pack #42-44, Spectacular Spider-Man #146-148, and Web of Spider-Man #47-48. Captain America himself will get involved with Inferno in Avengers #298-300.
Steve has just recently reformed the Avengers in Avengers #300. Prior to this, the team had disbanded after they were betrayed by Doctor Druid. See Avengers #291-297.
John Walker’s parents were murdered by the Watchdogs in Captain America #345 after John’s identity was publicly exposed back in issue #341.
John blamed Left-Winger and Right-Winger for his parents getting murdered and got his revenge against them in Captain America #347.
Everyone believes that the Red Skull had died of old age circa Captain America #300. How he survived is explained later this issue.
The Skull highlights the rise of Super-Patriot (Captain America #323), his battle with Steve Rogers (Captain America #327), Walker and Hoskins becoming the new Captain America and Bucky (Captain America #333-334), how John seemingly beat Professor Power to death (Captain America #338), as well the aforementioned murders of John’s parents (issue #345) and the near killing of Left and Right-Winger (issue #347)
Captain America’s Partners
A two page pin-up detailing the various partners Captain America has had over the years including the Falcon,[1] Rick Jones,[2] Nomad,[3] D-Man,[4] and Bucky.[5]
Recurring Characters
Bucky, Rick Jones, Falcon, Nomad, Demolition Man
Continuity Notes
The notes on the Falcon state that he was trained by Captain America to fight the Red Skull, this happened in Captain America #117. It is stated here that the Falcon has been Cap’s longest running partner. This was true at the time of this publication with the Falcon fighting alongside Cap from Captain America #133 through 222. Falc returned to fight alongside Cap from issue #337-345
Rick Jones is stated as being Cap’s first sidekick since he was revived in the Modern Age. Rick was Cap’s partner from Avengers #5 through 17 and Captain America #110-116 when he took on the role of Bucky. He later ended up teaming-up with Captain Marvel from Captain Marvel #17 through 51.
Nomad was the Bucky of the 1950s, first seen in Young Men #24. Revived in the Modern Age circa Captain America #153-156, he later came to the original Captain America and fought crime with home from Captain America #281 through 309. He teamed up with Cap again from issue #337-345.
D-Man was a professional wrestler since his first appearance in Thing #28. He first sided with Captain America from Captain America #328-331 and again from issue #337 until his apparent demise in Captain America #349. He survived but won’t be seen again until issue #381.
Lastly, we got Bucky who was Cap’s first sidekick from the very beginning, circa Captain America Comics #1. It states here that Bucky died near the end of the war, as was the prevailing idea circa Avengers #4. It’s later revealed that Buck survived and was transformed into the Russian assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Cap won’t learn the truth until Captain America (vol. 5) #14.
The Women in Captain America’s Life
A two page spread of all the women who haven been in Captain America’s life, romantically or otherwise. They include Peggy and Sharon Carter, Bernie Rosenthal, Donna Maria Puentes, Gail Runciter, Holly Riddley, Diamondback, and the Viper.
Recurring Characters
Peggy Carter,[1] Sharon Carter,[2] Bernie Rosenthal,[3] Donna Maria Puentes,[4] Gail Runciter,[5] Diamondback,[6] Holly Riddley,[7] Viper[8]
Continuity Notes
Peggy Carter was Captain America’s love interest back in World War II as first detailed in Tales of Suspense #75. Some how surviving into the Modern Age, she reconnected with Steve in Captain America #161-162. She is referred to as Sharon’s older sister. This is no longer the case due to the Sliding Timescale. Click here for more on Peggy Carter’s anachronism issues.
Sharon Cater was Captain America’s first modern day romance since they first met in Tales of Suspense #75. At the time of this story, she is believed to have died after being brainwashed into joining the National Force circa Captain America #237. She actually survived and had gone into deep cover and will turn up alive again in Captain America #444.
Cap dated Bernie Rosenthal from Captain America #248 until she left to go to law school in issue #317.
Donna Maria Puentes got caught up in Captain America’s battle with Arnim Zola due to her dictator brother being involved with the mad geneticist. See Captain America #206-212.
Gail Runciter was a minor player in Steve Rogers’ life due to her connection with SHIELD. The pair first met in Captain America #268. She had romantic interest in Steve but he turned her down in Marvel Team-Up #128. The blurb here states that she was one of the many SHIELD agents killed by the Deltites circa Nick Fury vs. SHIELD #1-6. However, she and many other alleged Deltite victims would be found and freed from suspended animation in Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD (vol. 3) #44.
Mother of Hiram Riddley one of the hackers on Steve’s Stars and Stripes network. First seen in Captian America #313. Had dinner with Steve once in issue #321.
Diamondback has been a recurring foe of Captain America since Captain America #310. However, she has been smitten with Steve and has actively been trying to get him interested in her since issue #319.
Viper has been Captain America’s foe since back when she was Madame Hydra in Captain America #110. She changed her name to Viper in Captain America #180.
The Six Captain Americas
A run down of everyone who has taken on the mantle of Captain America including Steve Rogers, William Nasland the Spirit of ‘76,[1] Jeff Mace the Patriot,[2] The 1950s Captain America aka the Grand Director,[3] Roscoe,[4] and John Walker, formerly the Super-Patriot.[5]
Recurring Characters
Captain America (Steve Rogers), Spirit of ‘76, the Patriot, Grand Director, Roscoe Simmons, John Walker
Continuity Notes
William Nasland got his start as Spirit of ‘76 in Invaders #14. He took over the role of Captain America after Rogers went missing in 1945, as per What If? #4.
Jeff Mace began his career as the Patriot circa Human Torch Comics #4. He took over as Captain America in What If? #4 after Nasland was killed by the androids of Adam II. He served until he retired from the role in Captain America: Patriot #4. Somehow surviving into the modern age, Mace died of cancer in Captain America #285.
William Burnside was the 50’s Captain America, although his real name will not be revealed until Captain America #602. He took over the role of Captain America in the 1950s in Young Men #24, although the full story behind this is not revealed until Captain America #155. The super-soldier process he underwent made him insane and he was put into suspended animation until he was released in the Modern Age. He is stated as having killed himself as the leader of National Front, as seen in Captain America #231-236. In reality, he survived and will turn up alive again in Captain America (vol. 5) #37.
Roscoe was briefly Captain America when Steve Rogers gave up the role from Captain America #176-183. Roscoe’s tenure lasted between issues #181-183 and ended tragically when he was murdered by the Red Skull. Roscoe’s full name was given as Roscoe Simons in Captain America #615.1.
Lastly, John Walker who first appeared as Super-Patriot in Captain America #323. He usurped the role of Captain America from issue #333 through 350.
The Resurrection
A Few Months Ago…
The Red Skull wakes up in a cloning chamber in the Swiss hideout of geneticist Arnim Zola. Using the DNA of Captain America, Zola has succeeded in transferring the Red Skull’s mind into this new body. When the Skull emerges from the cloning tank his memory is hazy. However, at Zola’s insistence, the Skull begins to recount his life story however, he does so in the third person as though he is describing events that happened to someone else….
… He remembers how his mother died giving birth to him and how his father tried to drown him out of anger. Made a ward of the state, young Johann Schmidt was a ward of the state until he ran away and lived a life on the streets. As young adult, he fell in love with a shopkeeper’s daughter but murdered her when she rejected his advances.[1]
Soon he was a bellhop that worked in a hotel that once hosted Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Chastising his subordinates Hitler mockingly said he could train the bellhop to do a better job and was instantly inspired to do just that. He personally trained the young man and transformed him into his most feared operative, the Red Skull.[2]
This put him in direct conflict with Captain America, the super soldier created to fight such menaces as the Skull.[3] After many wartime clashes, the pair had what appeared to be their final battle in a bunker beneath Berlin. An air strike caused the the bunker to collapse unleashing an experimental gas that put the Skull in suspended animation for decades until he was revived in the present day by Advanced Idea Mechanics. He then stole their Cosmic Cube and tried to use it against Captain America, who had also been revived in the present day, but lost.[4]
He continued to plot against his old foe, like the time he created a robotic duplicate of his former partner Bucky,[5] and when he revived the Fourth Sleeper, but these two ended in failure.[6] Retreating to Exile Island, the Skull romanced one of the servants to spawn a heir. However, when she gave birth to a daughter, the Skull was angered and almost threw the baby out at sea. Instead, he decided to keep her and raise her to be his successor.[7] In the meantime, he re-obtained the Cosmic Cube and tried to defeat Captain America by swapping bodies. He brainwashed a young criminal named Sam “Snap” Wilson into becoming an ideal partner to Captain America and act as a sleep agent. Wilson became the Falcon and helped Cap defeat the Skull again and restore his body.[8]
The Red Skull later tried to conquer the nation of Irabia,[9] and Latveria but neither mission was a success.[10] An attempt to try an incite the People’s Militia into commit racial violence was also thwarted by Captain America and the Falcon.[11] The Skull also found himself in a conflict with the Kingpin over control of Hydra, which led to the activation of the Fifth Sleeper, also defeated by Captain America.[12] His next attack on was an attempt to disrupt the American economy. Although this was also a failed scheme, the Skull revealed the truth about Captain America’s partner, the Falcon.[13]
After another failed attempt to defeat Doctor Doom, the Skull teamed up with Arnim Zola and the Hate-Monger for a time.[14] After that, he funded Zola’s cloning experiments,[15] and failed to take over SHIELD.[16] After a scheme pitting Captain America against the Ameridroid,[17] the Skull discovered his body was starting to rapidly age and he was going to die. Seeking to understand this process he had his daughter artificially aged as an adult. He then staged one last final battle against Captain America. Artificially aging and poisoning Steve Rogers as well as capturing his friends, the Red Skull planned to goat the Captain into murdering him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t push Rogers over the edge and he died of old age.[18] However, before this happened, Arnim Zola took a DNA sample from Steve Rogers while in captivity….
… This led to the creation of a clone body of the Steve Rogers which served as a vessel for the Red Skull’s mind. The Skull is pleased because now he is physically equal to his greatest enemy. With a new lease on life and a new body, the Red Skull heads off to plot a new scheme to destroy Captain America. However, he decides against wearing his Red Skull mask, deciding that he will be taking a more subtler approach and does not want to cover his perfect Aryan face.
Recurring Characters
Red Skull, Arnim Zola
Continuity Notes
This is in line with the origin the Red Skull gave in Captain America #298. Some of these facts are refuted in Red Skull #1-5. No explanation has been given for these discrepancies next. My theory is that the Skull either embellished the past to make himself more despisable to Captain America.
This is in line with the account the Red Skull first told way back in Tales of Suspense #66.
A scene here of Captain America as a prisoner of the Red Skull and Hitler is shown. This is from Tales of Suspense #67.
The Skull’s modern day revival and Cosmic Cube fiasco was chronicled in Tales of Suspense #79-81.
The Skull’s Bucky robot plot happened in Tales of Suspense #88-90.
The Fourth Sleeper happened in Captain America #101-102.
The birth of Synthia Schmidt was first told in Captain America #298.
The Sam Wilson/Snap Wilson scenario described here is a lot more complex than that:
The original tale was told in Captain America #115-119, with no indication that Sam had been brainwashed.
The Skull later revealed in Captain America #184-185 that Sam was a crook named Snap Wilson who was brainwashed into thinking he was a good guy.
Despite evidence that supports this in Captain America #191 and 276-278, it was later revealed in All-New Captain America #3, that Snap Wilson was a fabrication created to make Sam doubt himself. No explanation is given for the contrary facts. I have a theory here.
The Skull’s attempts to take over Irabia were foiled in Captain America #129
The ill-advised attempt to conquer Latveria took place in Astonishing Tales #4-5.
The People’s Militia scheme occurred in Captain America #143.
The 5th Sleeper/Hydra plot happened in Captain America #147-148.
The economy plot and the Snap Wilson reveal were chronicled in issue #184-185.
The Skull’s failed attempt at defeating Doom and his later team-up with Zola and the Hate-Monger happened in Super-Villain Team-Up #10-12 and 16-17.
The Skull’s backing of Arnim Zola happened in Captain America #210-212.
His failed SHIELD coup took place in Captain America #226-227.
The Ameridroid plot happened in Captain America #261-263.
The Red Skull’s “final battle” with Captain America all went down from Captain America #293-300.
