When Wakes the Sleeper!

Captain America has recognized Werner Von Krimm, a Nazi war criminal who is now posing as a simple jeweler in America.[1] As Cap fights off Werner’s bodyguards he is ordered to stop by Nick Fury, the director of SHIELD. Much to Captain America’s surprise, he apologizes for the inconvenience and sends Von Krimm on his way. When Steve questions why Fury let a war criminal go, Fury reveals that he planted a tracking device on him as Werner Von Krimm can lead them to bigger game.

At that moment, on an island hideout off the Florida Keys, the Red Skull awaits for the arrival of Von Krimm. This is because he has the crystal key needed to activate a fourth Sleeper robot that his minions have just recovered from the ocean floor.[2] While they work to clear the debris off the Sleeper’s container, the Red Skull recounts how he survived his last clash with Captain America. Although they left him to die aboard an experimental submarine set to self-destruct, the Skull managed to flee in an escape pod. Thanks to its radiation shielding, Red Skull survived when the sub finally blew up.[3]

Meanwhile, Werner Von Krimm is taking a private plane to the Red Skull’s island unaware that he is being followed by Captain America aboard a SHIELD spycraft. As he passes over the island, Cap watches as Von Krimm lands in a hidden airdrome. His ship is then blasted out of the sky. Luckily, Captain America is able land safely thanks to a prototype “inflato-suit” created by Tony Stark. A group of armed soldiers then arrive to capture him. Despite Captain America’s best efforts he is knocked out from behind and taken prisoner.

Inside the facility, Werner meets with the Red Skull and hands over the crystal key needed to activate the Sleeper. As Captain America is brought into the room, his foe explains how the Fourth Sleeper works and as he talks the crystal key begins to vibrate as it reacts to the Red Skull’s mental impulses. Suddenly, the Fourth Sleeper springs to life and begins laying waste to the hideout. Unable to control the robot, the Red Skull then tries to flee down an escape hatch, but Captain America follows after him. That’s when the Sleeper activates its devastating weapon, the ability to cause massive eruptions. This causes a powerful explosion that then sinks the entire island. Down in his secret bunker, the Red Skull reveals that the Sleeper can change his density and pass through solid matter, making it able to blow up any target from below ground. Captain America than attacks his foe and wrests the crystal key from the Red Skull’s hand. That’s when the water pressure causes the bunker to collapse, sending the two combatants into the ocean.

Meanwhile, the Fourth Sleeper begins walking underground to the mainland destroying targets along the way. The military becomes aware of the Sleeper but has no way of stopping it. At SHIELD headquarters, Agent Thirteen confronts Nick Fury about why she didn’t include her in Captain America’s mission. Fury tells her that it was too dangerous to go after the Red Skull, he then informs her that Captain America is dead.[4] However, Fury is wrong as at that moment, Captain America makes it to the ocean surface with the crystal key still clutched in his hands.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Red Skull, Nick Fury, Sharon Carter (unidentified), Fourth Sleeper

Continuity Notes

1. As the Sliding Timescale continues to push the Modern Age forward it becomes increasingly impossible for Von Krimm to still be in his relative prime in this story. Official Index to the Marvel Universe: Captain America points out that this is unexplained. Given the number of Nazis who had access to technology that expanded one’s lifespan, it’s possible that Von Krimm had access to a means of slowing his aging or putting himself into suspended animation until the modern age.

2. A footnote reminds readers of the last three Sleeper robots which Captain America destroyed in Tales of Suspense #72-74.

3. The Red Skull’s last clash with Captain America was chronicled in Tales of Suspense #88-91.

4. Agent Thirteen is not identified by name here. Her real name is revealed to be Sharon Carter in Captain America #103.

Topical References

• This story has multiple instances where characters state that World War II ended 25 years prior to this story. As mentioned above, the Sliding Timescale continues to push the Modern Age forward making the length of time between the end of the war and this story to grow longer with the passage of time. To figure out the math on this, go here.