Slave of the Skull!

Captain America is helping SHIELD test out their latest model of Life Model Decoys. Although they outnumber Cap they are no match for his superior fighting skills. When the test is over, Steve goes to see the SHIELD medic for a check-up. While stripping off his costume, Steve is suddenly struck with horrific pain in his neck. This is caused by the nuclear tape device that has been planted on the back of his neck by the Red Skull. Watching from Exile Island, the Red Skull is pleased to see that the device works as he expected. Communicating to Captain America through the device, the Red Skull reveals that the device not only can cause him pain but also acts as a detonator for a hydrogen bomb that he has planted in Washington, DC. The Red Skull orders Captain America to return to Exile Island or the bomb will be detonated.

After making the call, the Red Skull oversees the mobilization of their stormtroopers before meeting with the other Exiles.[1][2][3] The Exiles are looking forward to Captain America’s return as they are all going to be given the opportunity to try and kill the Star-Spangled Avenger. As they bicker among themselves, the Red Skull schemes to turn their hatred for one another against them so he can destroy them all when the time is right.

Back in the United States, SHIELD doctors find the nucler tape and confirm the Red Skull’s claims. At the same time, Sharon Carter gets word that the bomb has been found in a defense building. This confirms to Steve that he has no choice but to return to Exile Island alone. He pilots a submarine back out to the Sargasso Sea where he surrenders to the Red Skull’s minions. Once he reaches the shore, he is greeted by the Red Skull who mocks his enemy. Cap tries attacking the Skull, but he uses the nuclear tape to cause him pain until he blacks out.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Nick Fury and his SHIELD agents have found the bomb but discover that it has been rigged to explode if it is tampered with it. Fury tells Sharon Carter that they’ll have to wait until they can get Tony Stark to come and disable the explosive.

On Exile Island, Captain America is dragged into a room where he is to fight each of the Exiles one-on-one. Cadavus is the first to attack, using the weapons built into his motorized wheelchair. While the beams keep him off balance, Gruning then trips the hero with his electrified whip. That’s when Iron-Hand Hauptman attacks with his metallic fists. Luckily, Captain America grabs Hauptman and tosses him into Gruning. That’s when Krushki tries to overpower Cap with his wrestling skills. However, the Avenger proves to be the superior fighter. When Baldini tries to attack with his weighted scarf, Cap shoves him into Cadavus, wrecking his wheelchair. With the other Exiles losing the fight, General Ching offers to shoot Captain America.

The Red Skull denies this suggestion and tries activating the nuclear tape. Surprisingly, nothing happens when he presses the button on his control device. Moments later Exile Island is invaded by SHIELD. While their stormtroopers clash with the SHIELD agent, the Red Skull and the other Exiles flee. With the island secured, Captain America is reunited with Sharon Carter who peels off the nuclear tape and tells him how they managed to disarm the Red Skull’s bomb. Soon, the battle with the Exile troops is won and Captain America raises the American flag to celebrate their victory.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Red Skull, Sharon Carter, Exiles (Baldini, Cadavus, General Ching, Gruning, Iron-Hand Hauptmann, Krushki), SHIELD (Nick Fury)

Continuity Notes

1. The Red Skull mentions how Adolf Hitler failed. That’s technically true. That piece of shit was immolated by the Human Torch in 1945, as detailed in Young Men #24. However, Hitler lives on as his mind is transferred into cloned bodies. For more on this see Fantastic Four #21, Super-Villain Team-Up #17, and Fury #1.

2. The Exiles are all unidentified. They will all be partially named when they appear again next issue. Their full names are revealed elsewhere as detailed below:

   • Franz Cadavus, Eric Gruning and Jurgen Hauptmann’s full names are revealed in Marvel Atlas #1 in the Germany entry.

   • Angelo Baldini, Ivan Krushki and Jun Chang’s full names are revealed in the Exiles entry in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #4.

3. Per Official Index to the Marvel Universe: Captain America, it is unexplained how the Exiles managed to remain relatively youthful in the years between World War II and this story. A number of Nazis had access to technology that could slow the aging process or put themselves in suspended animation. Presumably, a similar method was used by the Exiles.

Topical References

• It is stated that World War II ended 25 years prior to this story. This should be considered a topical reference. This is because the Sliding Timescale keeps pushing the Modern Age forward so the length of time between the end of the war and the present gets longer. For the math on all that, go here.