Captain America #362
The Bloodstone Hunt Part 6: Necromancing the Stone
Captain America and Diamondback have just recovered the fourth Bloodstone fragment from an Egyptian temple. As they retreat into Cap’s Quinjet they are shot at by Baron Zemo in his own ship. One of his shots strikes the collapsable ladder they are using to climb aboard, threatening to send them both falling to their death.
On board, pilot John Jameson needs to get out of Zemo’s crosshairs and uses some flying maneuvers to shake him off, hoping that Cap and Diamondback can hold on for a few moments longer. The gambit pays off and they get away. However, when John’s passengers finally get on board, Cap discovers that their Bloodstone fragment fell out of his pouch during the escape.
These two three fragments were recovered by Batroc’s Brigade who present them to Baron Zemo when he picks them up. Now both they and Captain America have two fragments each. Baron Zemo vows to beat Captain America to the next one.
Hours later, Batroc’s Brigade are searching for the final fragment in the busy streets of Tokyo, Japan. Their “divining rod” (comprised of Ulysses Bloodstone’s rib bone) leads them to a restaurant where the staff a trying to use the fragment to resurrect their leader, Boss Lao. The man performing the resurrection ritual orders the men to attack. They are no match for Batroc’s men and they quickly recover the stone before the priest can swallow it. When they exit the restaurant, they find Captain America waiting for them outside. He has come to negotiate the surrender of the last two fragments. They make arrangements to meet at a dormant volcano a few hours later.
Little do they know, Captain America was only making this arrangement as a distraction so Diamondback could sneak into Baron Zemo’s ship. When they arrive at the meeting place, Baron Zemo orders Captain America to hand over the Bloodstone fragments or he will set up explosives he rigged all over Tokyo. During this tense stand-off, Diamondback searches for the fragments aboard Zemo’s ship but all she can find is the dusty old corpse of Baron Zemo’s father.[1]
Back outside, Captain America decides to comply with Zemo’s orders so as not to put lives at risk. However, when he goes back into the Quinjet he discovers that someone attacked John and took the Bloodstone fragments. When Cap goes back outside to explain this, the cockpit of Zemo’s plane explodes outward and the reanimated corpse of the original Baron Zemo emerges with the reformed Bloodstone affixed to his forehead. However, reather than resurrecting Zemo’s father as he had planned, Heinrich Zemo’s body is possessed by the Hellfire Helix, the Bloodstone’s living consciousness.
As it turns out, Cap’s Bloodstone’s were stolen by a mercenary named Crossbones. When he then went to Zemo’s ship to get the rest he got in a fight with Diamondback. As the pair struggled, the fragments reformed and took control of the corpse of the first Zemo. After knocking Diamondback out, Crossbones decides that this plan is a wash and begins planning his escape.
Outside, Hellfire Helix announces his intention to wipe out all life on Earth and begins using his power to reactivate the volcano at his feet. As Captain America evades jets of lava, Helmut Zemo begs his “father” to stop and is restrained by Hellfire Helix’s power. Captain America realizes that their only hope is destroying the Bloodstone again and so he tosses his shield at it. However, it’s not Cap’s shield that destroys the Bloodstone, but an arrow that Crossbones fires from his crossbow.[2] With the gem-shattered, Hellfire Helix’s connection to the physical world is severed, making the volcano go dormant again. As Captain America tries to save Baron Zemo from falling in the volcano. However, unhinged by this experience, Zemo legs go of Cap’s hand so he can fall into the volcano after his father’s body.[3]
In the aftermath of the battle, Captain America looks for Diamondback but finds no trace of her. Assuming that she has bailed on him, he and John James head for home.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Diamondback, Crossbones, John Jameson, Batroc’s Brigade (Batroc, Zaran, Machete), Baron Zemo, Heinrich Zemo (corpse), Tristram Micawber, Bloodstone (corpse)
Continuity Notes
Heinrich Zemo died many years prior to this story, back in Avengers #15. His son took over the Baron Zemo identity in Captain America #275.
This is not the end of the Bloodstone. As of this writing (December, 2021) the entire stone has yet to be reformed. However, a fragment ends up in the possession of Elsa Bloodstone, the daughter of Ulysses. See Bloodstone #1-4.
This is the last we see of Heinrich Zemo’s physical body. As of this writing he still remains dead. His spirit is seen again in Hades circa Incredible Hercules #129-130. His son Helmut on the other hand survives this encounter and will resurface in Spectacular Spider-Man #195-196.
Night of the Scourge Part 5: Won’t Be Scourged Again
US Agent has been dispatched to San Fernando to rescue Curtiss Jackson — aka the Power Broker — from the assassin known as the Scourge of the Underworld. Buried under a tunnel collapse, US Agent has finally mustered up the strength to pull himself free.
However, in the nearby lab, Scourge has tracked down and seemingly killed Curtiss Jackson. When US Agent enters the room, Scourge grabs Vagabond — who had come to Jackson to undergo his strength enhancing treatment — as a hostage. Scourge thinks he is dealing with Captain America, who wouldn’t allow an innocent person get hurt. Unfortunately for him, US Agent is not the same man. However, before either man can make a move, Vagabond manages to kick Scourge in the nuts and get free, allowing US Agent to disarm him.
That’s when he gets a good look at Curtiss Jackson, who survived the attempt on his life after undergoing his own strength enhancing process. However, Jackson was one of the 50% that end up deformed by the process. Although his massive muscles were strong enough to withstand Scourge’s explosive rounds, he has been rendered immobile due to his massive bulk. Jackson now wishes he was dead because death is better than this.
Ignoring Jackson’s plight, US Agent drags Scourge to his sky-cycle to take him to the authorities. However, just like his predecessor, this Scourge is fatally shot by his own successor. After US Agent drops off Scourge’s body at a nearby hospital and doubles back, the shooter is long gone.[1]
Recurring Characters
US Agent, Vagabond, Scourge of the Underworld, Curtiss Jackson
Continuity Notes
This is the same thing that happened when Captain America captured the first Scourge back in Captain America #320. As revealed in US Agent #1-4, the Scourge of the Underworld is not an individual but a group of assassins trained to kill super-villains that was formed by the golden age hero known as the Angel.
