Strange Tales #114
The Human Torch Meets... Captain America
After a training session with his sister, the Human Torch learns of an antique car show which boasts that Captain America will make an appearance. While there seeing his childhood idol, some thieves steal the box office receipts for the show, and Torch and Captain America manage to stop them, however Cap tells the Torch to go away, and steals all the glory.
Later that night "Cap" springs the crooks out of jail. When the Torch learns of this he goes after the criminals who admit that "Cap" planned the whole thing. After a chase across the city, the Torch manages to catch "Captain America" and unmasks him, revealing him to be the Torch's old foe the Acrobat. Afterwords, the Torch wonders what became of the real Captain America.
Recurring Characters
Human Torch, Invisible Girl, Doris Evans, Acrobat
Continuity Notes
At the time of this story, Steve Rogers was still in suspended animation since he was first put in that state in 1945, as later explained in Avengers #4.
Sue refers to Captain America as an "old comics magazine hero." Sue's opinion that Captain America is nothing more than a myth seems out of place considering the number of stories that have (since) been published that establish that Captain America was indeed a real person. The point fairly punctuated in Marvels #1 that shows Captain America's exploits were well documented, including his disappearance in 1945. As well as Captain America: Man Out of Time #3, which shows an entire exhibit on Captain America and the three individuals who succeeded him at the Smithsonian. Granted, these stories were published decades after this one hence this lack of awareness on Sue’s part.
Johnny recognizes the Acrobat from when they first met in Strange Tales #106.
The events of this story are recounted in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #11.
The Return of the Omnipotent Baron Mordo
Karl Mordo calls on Doctor Strange to ask for help, disguised as Strange's old friend Sir Clive Bentley. Strange travels to Bentley's castle in England. Inside the castle, Strange is trapped by the paralyzing vapors of Mordo's magical candles. The Ancient One contacts Doctor Strange, but Strange wishes to overcome Mordo alone. He issues a mental command to a nearby girl to come to the castle and extinguish the candles.
The girl is actually Victoria Bentley, daughter of Lord Bentley who has been dead for ten years. Mordo returns, attacking Strange with his mental powers and orders Strange to kill Victoria, who possesses a latent mystical talent. Just then Strange arrives in his mortal form. it was only his projected image that had been in the castle until then. Strange and Mordo do battle in a mystical dimension until Mordo gives up and disappears.
Recurring Characters
Doctor Strange, Ancient One, Baron Mordo, Victoria Bentley
