Escape From AIM Isle

Captain America, the Falcon, and Diamondback have come to Boca Caliente to investigate the AIM weapons expo incognito. When their covers are blown they find themselves fighting for their lives on an island full of super-villains.

Thinking that Diamondback was taken out to sea by MODAM, Cap went after her to rescue his girlfriend. However, the victim turns out to be Superia. Despite the fact that this is one of his enemies, Captain America dives into the ocean to save her life. She is surprised that he is doing so and when she is freed from her bonds she swims to shore without so much as a thank you. Cap then summons Moonhunter in his ship and climbs aboard to get his sky-cycle so he can return to the island faster and help his friends.

Back inland, the Falcon and Shang-Chi have been holding off the legion of super-villains that have come to the island. When AIM sends security forces on hover platforms, Falcon commandeers one so Shang-Chi can get airborne and the pair escape. At the same time, Diamondback is elsewhere on the island trying to evade detection. She wants to get off the island because she accomplished what she came for, killing Snapdragon, and radios Cap for help.[1]

Meanwhile, in the Savage Land, Ka-Zar is singing through the trees when he hears the sound of nearby machinery. Deciding to go and investigate he discovers trespassers are drilling the side of a mountain in order to collect Vibranium ore from his land. Furious to see his domain soiled in such a way, Ka-Zar vows to put a stop to it. When he gets down to the site he is shocked to see that it is AIM who is responsible for the operation.

While on Boca Caliente, Captain America is reunited with his allies and when they try to leave the area, AIM deploys and army of Neutralizer robots to stop them. When their craft are shot out of the sky, Diamondback begins to panic when she hits the water, remembering the time she nearly drowned.[2] Luckily, Captain America is able to get to her and help Rachel keep her head above water. Cap then calls for help while they try to fend off the Neutralizers. Thankfully, they don’t have long to wait as Moonhunter arrives in Cap’s jet and uses EMP bombs to incapacitate the robots so they can make a quick escape. Cap and the others soon cross paths with a SHIELD stealth-ship piloted by Nick Fury. He had come to lend them a hand, but Cap tells them that the place was crawling with super-villains and impossible to shut down. Fury understands and commends Cap for his effort. Agreeing to drop Shang-Chi off wherever it is convenient, Moonhunter receives a call from Wakanda inviting Cap to the Black Panther’s wedding.[3]

Soon, Captain America and his allies arrive in Wakanda for the T’Challa’s wedding. When they arrive at the airport they are informed by one of the Panther’s officials that the wedding has been called off due to a sudden crisis. Captain America asks to speak to T’Challa in person to see how he can help. The Black Panther agrees to meet with his old friend. He tells Cap that his country’s economy is in a tailspin due to the fact that someone has managed to find an alternate source of Vibranium, a rare metal that until recent Wakanda had a monopoly on. Putting their minds together the only other source they know about is the Antarctic Anti-Metal variant that exists in the Savage Land. Suspecting that someone might be illegally mining the Anti-Metal, Captain America and his allies agree to help the Black Panther put a stop to it before the Wakanda economy collapses.[4]

Meanwhile, Ka-Zar has been discovered and captured by AIM who take him prisoner. He is brought to a nearby village occupied by the rogue scientists. There he is introduced to a group of humanoid dinosaurs called the Saur-Lords.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Diamondback, Falcon, Black Panther, Ka-Zar, Moonhunter, AIM, Batroc the Leaper, Black Talon, Blizzard, Eel, Frenzy, Puff Adder, Rhino, Scorpion, Spymaster, Zaran, Saur-Lords (Allo, Anky, Bront, Pter, Styro), Suprema, MODAM, Nick Fury

Continuity Notes

1. Although Diamondback seemingly killed Snapdragon last issue, she’ll turn up alive again in Moon Knight (vol. 6) #2. A profile in Captain America: America’s Avenger #1 states that Snapdragon faked her death.

2. Diamondback nearly drowned in the ocean back in Captain America #388.

3. The Black Panther was planning on marrying his long time lover Monica Lynne as seen in Black Panther: Panther’s Prey #1-4.

4. Here, the Falcon states that he has made some modifications to the flight suit that T’Challa originally designed for him. The Black Panther created the Falcon’s first set of wings back in Captain America #170. Sam later had them upgraded in Captain America Annual #11.