Savage Landings!

Wakanda’s economy is on the road to ruins after a secondary source of Vibranium has appeared on the market. Suspecting that someone is illegally mining Antarctic Vibranium in the Savage Land, Captain America and his allies — Falcon and Diamondback — have agreed to journey there with the Black Panther to shut things down. Although Cap agreed to help his friend he is uncomfortable getting in a potential international incident between two nations over resources. Upon their arrival in the Savage Land, the group agrees to split up in order to cover more grounds.

Captain America and Diamondback take a sky-cycle to Ka-Zar’s home. Upon their arrival they are attacked by the jungle lord’s faithful sabretooth tiger, Zabu. However, the attack is instinctually and Zabu eventually recognizing Captain America’s scent and stops fighting.[1]

Elsewhere, the Falcon spots a metal citadel that is very out of place in the Savage Land and decides to go in to investigate. Inside, he finds the place poorly lit but can see clearly thanks to the infrared lenses in his cowl. While looking around, Falcon is suddenly greeted by the person who runs the facility. At that same moment, the Black Panther is meeting with the chief of a local tribe. The chief tells of invaders from the outside world that have been harvesting the “sky-metal” against their wishes. Asked to be taken there, the chief chooses his daughter Maza to show T’Challa the location of the intruders, secretly hoping that the Panther will take her as a bride. Maza leads T’Challa to the site where Advance Idea Mechanics are mining the Anti-Metal. When the Black Panther takes to the ground, he is suddenly ambushed by Ka-Zar. As the two fight, it becomes abundantly clear that the jungle lord is under some kind of mind control.

Meanwhile, Zabu is leading Captain America through the jungle to find his master. Along the way they are attacked by Allo and Anky, two of the humanoid dinosaurs that make up the Saur Lords. Not far away, Diamondback tires to catch up with her boyfriend on the sky-cycle when suddenly, Snapdragon appears on the communication screen and accuses Diamondback of murder.[2] Rachel freaks out at the sight of this apparition and promptly crashes into a nearby tree.

Back at the mining operation, the battle between the Black Panther and Ka-Zar rages on. Things come to an abrupt end when T’Challa knocks Ka-Zar into a tar pit. Not wanting his opponent to die, the Panther tosses out a vine so Ka-Zar can pull himself to safety. Instead, Ka-Zar yanks on the vine sending the Black Panther falling into the pit as well, dooming them both to a slow death. At that same time, Captain America’s battle with the two Saur Lords comes to a quick end when they are suddenly surrounded by an army of AIM soldiers. While Cap is distracted, one of the dino-men knocks him out from behind.

While at the strange citadel, the Falcon is greeted by its occupant the High Technician. After making introductions, the Technician orders the Savage Land Mutate known as Lorelei to use her hypnotic power to put Falcon under their control.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Diamondback, Ka-Zar, Black Panther, Falcon, Lorelei, AIM (High Technician), Allo, Anky, Maza, Zabu

Continuity Notes

1. Captain America recounts the last time he was in the Savage Land and encounter Ka-Zar and Zabu. This was in Avengers #256-257.

2. Diamondback got revenge against her old foe by drowning Snapdragon in Captain America #413. However, despite this, she turns up alive again in Moon Knight (vol. 6) #2. A profile in Captain America: America’s Avenger #1 states that Snapdragon faked her death.