The Man Who Sold the United States

In their hunt for the Madbomb set to go off on the 4th of July, SHIELD has secured the home of Mason Harding, the inventory of this powerful doomsday weapon. Captain America and the Falcon soon arrive at the mansion to make sure that all of the members of the Loyalist Forces of America have been accounted for. This leads to a brief firefight between the two heroes and the remaining mercenaries that are still lurking around.

With that out of the way, Captain America has SHIELD agents arrange for Carol Harding — Mason’s ailing daughter — to be relocated to a medical facility where she can be treated for her condition. Before Carol is relocated, Cap sits down with her to learn what she may know about her father’s invention. Carol feels partially responsible for what her father is doing as it was due to her expensive medical treatments. Cap assures her that he will do what he can to make sure her father remains safe and she gets the medical treatment she needs.

Meanwhile, Mason Harding has been taken to the home of William Taurey, one of the leaders of the Loyalist’s Elite class.[1] Harding demands to be allowed to see his daughter again, but Taurey denies this request, telling the scientist how Captain America and the Falcon have already stormed his family home. Due to this most recent set back, Taurey has decided that Mason has outlived his usefulness and orders his men to eliminate him. Taken into another room to be executed, Mason manages to escape by activating a miniature Madbomb that causes his would-be assassins to kill each other.

While back at the Harding home, Captain America remains on vagile for the possible return of Mason Harding. When he spots Harding’s car approaching the mansion he races to confront it. That’s when the Falcon swoops in and pulls Cap to safety just as the car — a decoy — explodes. As they plan their next move the pair are surprised when Mason Harding suddenly returns. He tells them how he was forced to work for the Elite to develop the Madbomb to pay for his daughter’s medical treatments. After the attempt on his life, however, he is no longer loyal to them and is willing to tell SHIELD everything he knows. He then turns over his miniature Madbomb device, saying it is the key to protecting the heroes when the eventually shut down the Madbomb.

Meanwhile, the Loyalists are having an advance celebration for their upcoming seizure of the United States. When William Taurey is informed that Mason Harding escaped and is now in SHIELD custody, he orders his technicians to set off “Big Daddy”, their massive Madbomb that will drive the entire country insane.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Falcon, The Elite (William Taurey, General Heshin), Royalist Forces, SHIELD, Mason Harding, Carol Harding

Continuity Notes

1. This story incorrectly identifies William as Malcolm Taurey. Issue #200 named his William and that name is reinforced in all subsequent appearances and Marvel Handbooks.

Topical References

• This story states that it takes place prior to the American Bicentennial. This should be considered a topical reference. Modern readers should interpret the event as a 4th of July celebration, but not one tied to any specific milestone.