Captain America #220
The Ameridroid Lives!
While investigating a clue to his lost memories, Captain America has traveled to Newfoundland. There he has been captured by Lyle Dekker, a former Nazi spy who he clashed with during World War II.[1] The war criminal has now hooked Cap up to a machine that will transfer the hero’s powers to the Ameriadroid — a massive android created in Captain America’s likeness. Before he does this, Dekker decides to finally reveal the truth about their last encounter….
… Lyle Dekker did not drown during his first clash with Captain America, but managed to escape to a Nazi submarine that was waiting to pick him up. On board, the Red Skull was furious to learn that Dekker failed to eliminate Captain America. After torturing the spy, the Red Skull decided he wasn’t worth keeping around and had Lyle shot out of the torpedo tube. Instead of drowning, Dekker was rescued by a Canadian fishing boat and brought to Newfoundland.
Having access to Swiss bank accounts containing a fortune, Dekker was able to begin forming his own private army and build a hideout where he would prepare to get revenge against Captain America. He had his men keep him informed of Captain America’s whereabouts during the final days of the war. This is how he learned about Captain America and Bucky’s last clash with Baron Zemo which ended when the two heroes were caught in the blast of an exploding drone plane.[2] When Captain America splashed down in the waters off the English coast, Dekker and his men were there to recover him and bring him aboard their submarine.
Steve was then brought back to Dekker’s hideout in Newfoundland where the Nazi spy revealed his latest invention, a device that would allow him to swap bodies with Captain America. At the time, Dekker believed that the war would devastate the world with each side destroying the other. With control of Captain America’s body, Dekker had aspirations to take over whatever was left of the world. As part of this power play, Lyle had invented a new type of nerve gas to take over the world. Hearing all this, Captain America fought free from his captors and attempted to escape in a plane full of the nerve gas. Dekker had his men blast the plane out of the sky with his heat ray, sending it cashing into the ocean below….
… Completing his tale, Dekker reveals that while he found the plane wreckage Captain America’s body was lost at sea. He theorized that the nerve gas could have put him in a state of suspended animation and began preparing for Captain America’s eventual return. Now, after all these years, Dekker intends to continue his original plan. The only difference this time is that instead of stealing Captain America’s body, he will have his abilities and charisma transferred into his Ameridroid, while Dekker’s own mind is transferred into the massive android. With that, Dekker presses the button that will begin the transfer process.
Meanwhile, back in New York, Veda — an operative of the Corporation — waits at Avengers Mansion for Captain America’s return from Canada. After Jarvis checks on her, she radios in to her boss, the man known as Kligger.[3] Kligger is annoyed that she is late to report in and he warns her that they are reaching a critical part of their operation. Although she is not needed for the next phase of their plan, he tells her to remain at Avengers Mansion for the time being.
Back in Newfoundland, he transfer process is complete and Lyle Dekker’s body is left a lifeless husk. Now controlling the Ameridroid, Dekker addresses his minions and tells them that in his new body they will conquer the world.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Ameridroid, the Corporation (Kligger, Veda), Red Skull (flashback)
Continuity Notes
Off the top here are some of the facts coming into this story:
In Captain America #215, Steve Rogers realized that he no longer remembers much about his past before joining Project: Rebirth.
In issue #218 he listened to a recording from when he was rescued from suspended animation in Avengers #4. In it, Cap tells the Avengers he splashed down in the waters off the coast of Newfoundland after Baron Zemo’s drone exploded, an impossibility since the drone was launched in England.
What Marvel has yet to explain is how Lyle Dekker could still be somewhat vital in the Modern Age without a means of slowing his aging process. This is due to the fact that the Sliding Timescale causes the gulf of time between the World War II and the Modern Age to grow larger with each passing year. I think it’s safe to presume that Dekker, a brilliant scientist, probably came up with a means to do so.
This is another reference to Avengers #4. It’s stated here that Bucky died in the blast. Bucky actually survived and was transformed into the Russian assassin known as Winter Soldier. Cap won’t learn the truth until Captain America (vol. 5) #14.
Kligger’s full name is not given here. In Incredible Hulk #231, he is introduced as Eugene Kligger Stivak.
Topical References
Dekker states it he has been waiting for Captain America’s return for over 30 years. This should be considered a topical reference as it notes the passage of time between the end of World War II and when this story was published in 1978. As stated above, the Sliding Timescale makes the length of time between these two periods to constantly change.
On a Wing and a Prayer
The Falcon is looking for his hawk, Redwing, who has been missing all day. As he whistles for Redwing, a wanna-be super-villain named Mortimer Freebish fires an arrow with a message attached to it at the hero. Falcon reads the message and learns that Redwing has been kidnapped and the man responsible wants to have a showdown with Falcon at Washington Square Park.
Later that evening, Freebish tries to come up with an appropriate arrow-themed name for himself while he waits for the Falcon shows up. Wearing an overcoat and hat to disguise himself, the Falcon manages to sneak up on Mortimer and get the drop on him. He then frees Redwing from the glass ball that the hawk has been trapped in. Mortimer tries to take down Falcon with his various trick arrows. However, he forgets to wear protective eye wear and blinds himself with his own flare arrow.
When Morty’s vision comes back he spots a man wearing the same overcoat and hat sitting on a nearby bench. Assuming it is the Falcon, Freebish tries attacking the man only to discover that it’s not the Falcon. This allows Sam to sneak up on his foe for the second time and knocks him out with a second punch. With the villain passed out next to the man he mistook for him, the Falcon and Redwing have a good laugh at Mortimer’s expense.
Recurring Characters
Falcon, Redwing
