Vendi, Vidi, Vici: Viper!

Captain America is on his way to meet with the Police Commissioner when he is attacked by a group of thugs working for a new crime boss calling himself the Cowled Commander.[1] The Star-Spangled Avenger makes short work of his attackers and turns them over to an officer arriving on the scene before continuing on his way. When meeting with the Commissioner, Cap learns that the Cowled Commander is responsible for bribing officers on the force, something that Sergeant Brian Muldoon has been accused of recently. Captain America is pretty certain that Muldoon is innocent.[2] That’s when the Commissioner suddenly remembers that he has a private phone call to make and excuses himself from the meeting. Moments later a bomb goes off, catching Captain America in the blast and leveling the police station.

Meanwhile, Sam Wilson returns to his office and is visited by Leila, a local community activist.[3] She once again tries to convince Sam that his social work is pointless and that he needs to become a fighter to help the black community in Harlem. Surprisingly, she speaks positively of Sam’s alter-ego, the Falcon, suggesting Wilson be more like him.[4] Excusing himself, Sam tells Leila that she might be surprised that the Falcon is not entirely like Rafe and the others in the activist community. Changing into the Falcon, Sam goes on patrol with his pet hawk, Redwing. Finding it quiet, Falcon decides to pay a visit to Morgan, the local crime boss. Morgan, amused by the Falcon’s regular visits, tries to buy his services. Naturally, the Falcon refuses. That’s when Morgan gets a call about the explosion at the 13th precinct and that Captain America may have been killed in the blast. Falcon is horrified by the news and races to find some clue that his partner is still alive.

While at the 3rd precinct, Brian Muldoon meets with his captain to discuss the ongoing bribery investigation. Muldoon hopes that he can return to duty, but unfortunately, the captain informs him that Brain isn’t the only one being accused and the scandal is not being received well by the public. While he can’t say when Muldoon can return to duty, the captain assures him that they are working on it. Frustrated over the situation, Muldoon decides to take matters into his own hands.

By this time, the Falcon arrives at the ruins of the 13th precinct and begins helping the fire crew by searching the rubble for survivors. Sharon Carter also arrives on the scene and although he doesn’t really believe it himself, Sam assures her that Cap is still alive. As he sifts through the rubble, Falcon finds no evidence that Cap was caught in the blast. That’s when he notices someone standing on a nearby rooftop and that they are holding a metal object that is reflecting sunlight off its surface. Thinking this might be Captain America, Falcon goes up to the roof and discovers that the person up there is the one responsible for the bombing, a new snake-themed villain who calls himself the Viper.[5]

The Viper tells Falcon that he is a former advertising executive that has turned to crime and works for the Cowled Commander. When the villain tries to use his blow-gun to shoot Falcon with a poisoned dart, Redwing swoops in and plucks the weapon out of his hand. Falcon then lays into the Viper and although he is the superior fighter, falls when the villain strikes Sam with one of his throwing darts. That’s when Captain America arrives on the scene alive and well. As it turns out, Cap was thrown clear from the blast and was laying low to find out who was responsible. In the ensuing battle, the Viper realizes he can’t win against Captain America and instead bargains for his freedom. Telling Cap that the poison in Falcon’s system is lethal he offers the antidote in exchange for his freedom. Captain America agrees, but when he bends down to pick up the vial of antidote the Viper hits him with a poison dart and leaves both heroes to die.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Falcon, Viper, Leila Taylor, Sharon Carter, Brian Muldoon, Commissioner Feingold

Continuity Notes

1. The Commissioner is not mentioned by name here. Defenders #13 identifies his last name as Feingold.

2. Brain Muldoon was suspended on these allegations in Captain America #152. We will learn that he is the Cowled Commander in issue #159 and this is all part of a half-baked scheme to restore the NYPD’s tarnished reputation and get public support for increased police powers.

3. Leila’s last name is not given here. Captain America #188 identifies it as Taylor.

4. Leila mentions how she and other community activists helped save Falcon from the 50’s Captain America. That was in Captain America #154.

5. The Viper’s true identity is not revealed here. Captain America #158 identifies him as Jordan Dixon.

Topical References

• On the opening splash page there is a posted on the ground that reads “VOTE Use the Power 18” This is a reference to the 1972 Presidential Election that led to the re-election of Richard Nixon. “The Power of 18” is in reference to the 26th Amendment of the US Constitution which guarantees the right to vote to every American 18 years or older (generally speaking). At any rate, the implied reference to the 1972 election should be considered topical.

• Sam comments about how his affinity with animals (named Redwing and his cat Figaro) makes him almost like Walt Disney. This isn’t a topical reference since Disney had been dead since 1966. Disney is ubiquitously remembered for many early Disney films which featured characters talking to animals such as Snow White and Cinderella. Since Marvel is now owned by Disney, a reference to its parent company wouldn’t necessarily be topical due to brand synergy.

• Harlem is once again referred to as a ghetto here. As I’ve said countless times before, this is a comment about the neighborhood at the time of publication. Gentrification and urban renewal has revitalized the area. While it’s not perfect, it’s certainly not as bad as it is depicted here.