Captain America #106
Cap Goes Wild!
Captain America is trying to stop a team of Chinese spies who have stolen an important document from SHIELD headquarters. Unfortunately, he is unable to stop them from getting the file onto an escape helicopter. Escaping back to their homeland, the two pilots are pleased their masters can begin Operation Replica.
As the police come to take the remaining spies into custody, Captain America is approached by a SHIELD agent who orders Steve into his car. They drive back to the hotel where Rogers has been living to go his next mission. After calling to cancel a date with Sharon, Steve sits down to get his briefing. The SHIELD agent shows him some shocking footage from his portable projector: It shows Captain America and Bucky in action and then, shockingly, Captain America takes a gun from one of the men they are fighting and mows all their foes down in cold blood. It all looks so realistic that it horrifies Steve, who demands to know who is responsible. The SHIELD agent tells him that the film was produced by a production company in Hollywood that he is to investigate for having ties to their enemies.
Meanwhile, in China, the leader of the country is pleased to hear that Operation Replica is going as planned. The stolen SHIELD file are the latest Life Model Decoy designs. Soon, scientists are fast at work creating a LMD replica of Captain America that they will use to kill the original and take his place. With the LMD completed, they prepare to smuggle it into the United States.
Later, at Infinity Studios in Hollywood, the production of a big-budget science fiction film is underway. This is of concern to Willie Lucas, the co-owner of the studio, since they never had such a large budget before. His brother, Cyril assures his brother that this new film will be a hit at the box office. This concern is warranted because Willie knows that the money has come from the Chinese government. Forcing his brother into the office, Cyril explains that they need the money because their studio is broke and they need more money for a life-saving operation that Willie needs. That’s when they get a call from Captain America, who is asking to be shown around the studio. Despite Willie’s protests to not go through with this plot, Cyril gladly invites the Star-Spangled Avenger to come down to the studio.
When Captain America arrives at the studio it has been completely deserted. As he walks around the set he is suddenly attacked by the LMD duplicate. As it attacks Cap, the LMD explains how it will replace Captain America and tarnish his reputation, thereby providing a huge propaganda victory for his Chinese masters. As the battle rages, the Lucas brothers watch and Willie finds that he cannot stand to watch this go on. When Willie tries to stop the LMD, he is easily tossed away by the android. Furious, Captain America begins attacking with renewed vigor. The battle begins taking its toll on the LMD and when it begins to glow, the android tries to flee the scene. Captain America follows after it, but he is stopped by the SHIELD agent who tells him that the LMD will self-destruct. As it turns out SHIELD intentionally allowed the Chinese to steal the LMD plans because they are faulty.
Back inside the studio, Cyril rushes to his brother’s side and discovers he died trying to save Captain America. Realizing the errors of his way, Cyril also knows that he will be killed for his failure. When the assassin comes to end his life, Cyril Lucas doesn’t put up a fight.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, SHIELD
Topical References
The leader of China is depicted as Mao Tse Tung, who died in 1976. Likewise is references to the leader of China being referred to as “chairman”. The leader of that country is now referred to as the General Secretary.
Dated pop-culture references: The narration references Raquel Welch, Stella Stevens, Doris Day and Rock Hudson.
One of the Chinese scientists says “ah so!” this is not actually Chinese, but a bastardization of the Japanese phrase ā sō desu ka? (oh, is that so?) It was commonly used in popular culture in the 50s and 60s and its usage here is viewed as racist to some.
