In The Name of Batroc!

Captain America is watching footage from World War II that features one of his clashes with Nazis forces. The producer of the documentary wants Steve Rogers to be the narrator as he figures it will make it a hit. However, seeing footage of Bucky, his former sidekick, Steve becomes deeply depressed as he is still trying to get over the boy’s death.[1] The idea of a loved one getting killed in action has Rogers thinking about his girlfriend, Sharon Carter. He suddenly realizes that he can’t ask her to marry him as long as she is risking her life as an agent of SHIELD.

Meanwhile, Batroc the Leaper has come to gather the Swordsman for his latest scheme. They are also joined by the Living Laser, who is overly confident of his own powers. Batroc has gathered the two criminals because he needs help recovering a missing seismo-bomb which he hopes to sell to an enemy nation.

Meanwhile, Captain America is getting briefed on the weapon. He is told that it was in the possession of an enemy spy who died during questioning before they can learn its location. Worse, the device has been activated and after three warning tremors, it will cause a massive earthquake that will destroy the city. With the clock ticking, Captain America begins searching the city for the bomb. He ends up crossing paths with Batroc, Swordsman, and the Living Laser. Batroc leaves Swordsman to deal with the Star-Spangled Avenger while he and the Living Laser continue their search. Although the Swordsman uses the weapons built into his sword to disarm Captain America, the hero doesn’t need his shield to take down his enemy.

While Cap is busy, the first warning tremor briefly shakes the city. When he catches up with Batroc, the French mercenary leaves the Living Laser to deal with Cap. The Living Laser fares about as well as the Swordsman. However, during this fight, the second warning tremor goes off. He then catches up with Batroc who knows the location of the bomb and as they fight, learns that the device is active. When the final warning tremor goes off, Batroc points out its location and flees for his life. Luckily, Captain America manages to shut down the device before it can destroy the city.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Batroc the Leaper, Swordsman, Living Laser, SHIELD, (in flashback) Bucky, Nazis

Continuity Notes

1. Per Avengers #4, Backy was believed to have died in 1945 trying to stop a bomb-carrying drone. Cap will learn, years later, that Bucky actually survived and was transformed into a Russian assassin called the Winter Soldier. See Captain America (vol. 5) #14.

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.