Story #2Free Speech
Writer: Mark Gruenwald. Penciler: Kieron Dwyer. Inker: Al Milgrom. Colorist: Bob Sharen.
Synopsis / Summary / Plot
The new Captain America, John Walker, finds that his partner Bucky, Lemar Hoskins, has adopted a new costume and a new identity—Battle Star. He made the decision after an older African American guard at The Vault suggested that he should not be following in the footsteps of a white kid sidekick and he should become his own man. Plus he explained that "Buck" is a derogatory term for a black man in some parts of the country. Cap likes the change and they head to the ceremony where they will make their formal debut….
A huge crowd is gathered at the Washington Monument and Captain America is introduced. He takes the stand and explains how the original cap has retired and he has been chosen as his successor; Cap then introduces Battle Star as his partner—but a hovering helicopter attracts his attention. Seeing two costumed figures emerge from the craft, the heroes ask the crowd to evacuate calmly. The two interlopers drop to the stage and introduce themselves as Right-Winger and Left-Winger—and reveal Cap’s secret identity as John Walker. Recognizing them as their old partners Jerome Johnson and Hector Lennox (respectively), Cap and Battle Star attack and the two new villains, bitter at having been betrayed by Walker and Hoskins, fight furiously. Cap tries to explain that it was the government who rejected them after a background check (issue #333) but the two Wingers will not listen. The Secret Service arrives to arrest the two but they have achieved their goal of upstaging the new Captain America at his big debut….
Story #3In Our Midst!
Writer: Mark Gruenwald. Inker: Al Milgrom. Colorist: Bob Sharen. Letterer: Kieron Dwyer.
Synopsis / Summary / Plot
At a meeting of the
Serpent Society, leader
Sidewinder welcomes the four new recruits rescued from the
Las Vegas jail—
Fer-de-Lance,
Puff Adder,
Black Racer, and
Copperhead. He explains that the Society is a trade union for criminals and offers them probationary membership.
Diamondback shows Fer-de-Lance to her room and, once she is gone, the new villainess activates a signal beacon which summons her real leader,
Viper, to the room. Viper enters the apartment of
Black Mamba, Sidewinder’s paramour, and zaps her with a ray gun. Donning Mamba’s French maid outfit (!), she is able to enter Sidewinder’s bedroom and bite the distracted mastermind on the neck, filling him with her venom. He pulls away and grabs his teleportation cloak and vanishes. He appears in Diamondback’s room appealing to her for help; she administers anti-venom just as Puff Adder bursts through the door looking for them. Sidewinder manages to transport them both to the communications room where he passes out. Checking the monitors Diamond discovers that the house has been invaded by enemies—and there is only one person to turn to for help. She dials
Captain America’s hotline….