Captain America #308
The Body in Question
This story continues from Secret Wars II #1…
Following his encounter with the Beyonder on Earth, Captain America decides to pay a visit to the new headquarters of the West Coast Avengers while he is in Los Angeles. Evading the security system, Captain America tries to figure out what day it is, since he has traveled from New York to London to Los Angeles over the last couple of days and the time zone changes have messed with his sense of time.[1] He is also concerned about what the Beyonder is doing on Earth, particularly after seeing the entity’s god-like powers back on Battleworld.[2]
After getting past the various traps that defend the compound, Captain America is greeted by Hawkeye and Mockingbird. They are pleased to see Captain America and show him around their new headquarters.[3] As the couple are heading to a party, they tell Cap that he can use one of their Quinjets to make the trip back to New York. Watching them go, Captain America is pleased that Hawkeye is settling into the married life.[4]
As Cap heads to the hanger, he is confronted by a massive armored plated humanoid appropriately calling himself the Armadillo. Although Armadillo is massive, strong, and protected by his armored plating, he too slow to strike the lone Avenger.[5] However, Cap can’t keep this pace up for long and instead lures the Armadillo back to the perimeter defense systems where he knocks Armadillo into a trapdoor that contains him in a steel net. Captain America then asks Armadillo why he has come to Avengers Compound.
The Armadillo tells Cap that it is a matter of life and death. Not long ago, Armadillo was an ordinary man. One day, he returned home to discover that his wife Bonita had collapsed on the floor. He took her to every doctor and specialist he could find but none of them could find a way to cure Bonita of her illness. Unwilling to give up, the man who would become the Armadillo began seeking out unconventional and extralegal medical help. He soon got in contact with a criminal scientist named Karl Malus. Malus claimed that he could cure Bonita and since her husband didn’t have much money he agreed to carry out an important job for Malus instead. Using his scientific skill, Malus was able to mutate the man into Armadillo and send him to Avengers Compound to recover Goliath, who is being held at the facility since he was recently defeated by the Avengers.[6]
Seeing Karl Malus as the real threat and Armadillo as an unwitting accomplice, Captain America decides to allow him to take Goliath back to the scientist. Unfortunately, the vial of shrinking formula Armadillo brought with him was shattered in the fight. Captain America then convinces Armadillo to go back to Malus’ lab for more, intent on following the limbering idiot back to the hideout.
Meanwhile, back in New York, Steve Rogers’ fiancée Bernie Rosenthal visits his apartment again and discovers that he is still not back yet. She is desperate to talk to him because she needs his advice. She also notices that Jack is gone and looking around sees that he has packed up his belongings and left, leaving her to wonder why or where he went. When they arrive, Captain America confronts Karl Malus. When the mad scientist orders Armadillo to attack Captain America — threatening to withhold the cure for his wife — Cap convinces him that this is a bad idea, pointing out that a battle could damage equipment needed to save Bonita’s life. Caught in a stalemate, Malus points out that he hasn’t committed any illegal acts. Captain America admits that this is true and agrees to leave, but warns them that he is going to be in touch with the authorities.
This entire time, Captain America has been followed by the Beyonder who has been observing his activities while cloaked in invisibility. Impressed by Captain America’s physical perfection, the Beyonder uses his power to copy Cap’s physical structure down to the molecular level and adopts a physical form identical to that of Steve Rogers. Satisfied with his new body, the Beyonder teleports away so he can continue to learn the true nature of desire.[7] Unaware of this, Captain America returns to Avengers Compound and takes one of the Quinjets to head home.
Back in New York, three members of the Serpent Squad — Anaconda, Black Mamba, and Death Adder — have broken into the home of their former employer Sidewinder.[8] Searching for the money he owes them. Looking around, Black Mamba finds a dossier that Sidewinder has been compiling on various snake-themed supervillains and wonders what he is up. When Sidewider returns home and discovers that it has been invaded, he quickly changes into costume. However, rather than fighting his former comrades he reveals that he had invested their cut from the job and pays them even more money. This appeases the trio enough that they are willing to listen to Sidewinder’s proposition, a criminal enterprise that will earn them enough money to make them richer beyond their wildest imagination.
… Secret Wars II continues in Uncanny X-Men #196.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Armadillo, Beyonder, Hawkeye, Mockinbird, Karl Malus, Goliath, Anaconda, Sidewinder, Black Mamba, Death Adder
Continuity Notes
Captain America was in London in Captain America #305-306. On his way home, he diverted his flight to Los Angeles after receiving a summons from Professor X warning him that the Beyonder was on Earth, as seen in Secret Wars II #1.
Captain America was one of the many heroes and villains kidnapped by the Beyonder in Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #1-12.
Hawkeye and Mockingbird were sent to California by the Vision to set up a new western branch of the Avengers in Avengers #243. The team will be fully operational in West Coast Avengers #1-4.
At the time of this story, Hawkeye had just recently married Mockingbird, as seen in Hawkeye #1-4.
The Armadillo’s real name is not given here. Captain America #316 identifies him as Antonio Rodriguez.
Goliath was taken down by the Avengers in Iron Man Annual #7.
The Beyonder is next seen in Uncanny X-Men #196.
This trio of serpent themed criminals were hired by Sidewinder to recover the Serpent Crown for Roxxon. They were thwarted by the Thing, Stingray, and Triton. See Marvel Two-In-One #64-66.
Topical References
Anaconda counts 12 thousand dollars in payment. This amount should be considered topical. Adjusting for inflation, this amount would be worth over 30 thousand in 2021 money.
Secret Wars II Reading Order
Secret Wars II #1, New Mutants #30, Captain America, #308, Uncanny X-Men #196, Iron Man #197, Secret Wars II #2, Web of Spider-Man #6, Amazing Spider-Man #268, Fantastic Four #282, Secret Wars II #3, Daredevil #223, Incredible Hulk #312, Avengers #260, Secret Wars II #4, Dazzler #40, Alpha Flight #28, Rom #72, Avengers #261, Secret Wars II #5, Thing #30, Doctor Strange (vol. 2) #74, Fantastic Four #285, Secret Wars II #6, Cloak and Dagger (vol. 2) #4, Power Pack #18, Micronauts (vol. 2) #16, Thor #363, Power Man and Iron Fist #121, Secret Wars II #7, New Mutants #36, Amazing Spider-Man #273, Spectacular Spider-Man #111, Uncanny X-Men #202, Defenders #152, Secret Wars II #8, New Mutants #37, Amazing Spider-Man #274, Avengers #265, Uncanny X-Men #203, Fantastic Four #288, Secret Wars II #9, Avengers #266