The Power and the Glory Chapter Two: Exposé

A Skrull operative had been posing as the leader of Hydra as part of a complex scheme to make Captain America insanely popular. Achieving this goal, the Skrull then took Captain America’s place. Heading to Avengers Mansion, the Skrull is pleased when the Scarlet Witch shows him all the tons of mail that have come in recently since “Cap” defeated Hydra a few days earlier.[1] Heading down to the monitor room, the Skrull revels in his master scheme before he is scolded by Iron Man for fiddling with the controls. The Golden Avenger warns “Steve” that he could shut down half of America’s defenses if he’s not careful. This deeply amuses the Skrull impostor who revels in every minute of his deception.

Meanwhile, the real Captain America has been locked in a broom closet inside the Empire State Building. He has been restrained in a device that can counteract a Skrull’s natural shape-shifting powers. This makes it difficult for Cap to break free from his restraints as the device can adapt to counteract whatever methods are used to try and break free.

As Captain America tries to free himself, the Skrull impostor begins the next part of his plan. Having his two minions pose as terrorists, they attack a televised address being given by the Present of the United States. That’s when the fake Captain America comes to break it up, but allows them to escape. As planned, when the members of the media ask “Cap” to give a statement, he agrees to address the nation live on television. Heading into a dressing room to “freshen up” the phony has his minions disguise themselves as a congressman and a reporter and tells them to get into the crowd. On his way out, the fake Captain America runs into Andrew Bolt, who is current running for congress. When Bolt “reminds” the impostor that he asked for an endorsement the other day, the Skrull decides to give him just that, telling a media scrum that he is supporting Bolt’s campaign.

Meanwhile, the real Captain America has figured out a way of getting free from his restraints. Crawling out to the elevator, he pries open the doors he slides down the elevator cable. This cuts through his wrists causing him to bleed. As he anticipated, this tricks his restraints into thinking he’s assuming a liquid form and it transforms into a brittle cylinder. Steve then allows himself to fall to the elevator car below, shattering his prison and freeing himself.

At that same moment, the impostor is making his televised address. He tells the American people that the planet Earth is undergoing a secret invasion by alien invaders. Telling the public that one in every twenty people is a Skrull, he points to his minions in the crowd. When the people around them turn hostile, the two Skrulls drop their disguises and try to shoot their way out of the crowd. Unfortunately, they are mowed down by the on-site security.

When the real Captain America arrives at the scene, the impostor drops his disguise and engage in a fight. When a bystander tries to help Cap by shooting at the Skrull. His colleagues try to stop him because he is shooting wildly and might hit Captain America. This makes the gunman think they might be Skrulls as well. Luckily, Captain America stops him before he shoots anybody. Amused, the Skrull turns into a flying creature and escapes out a window, inviting Cap to look outside to see what the American people are doing in his name. Cap is shocked to see the city in absolute chaos as people have bought in to the Skrull’s lies about an invasion and have started attacking each other on the street.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Hydra (Sensational Hydra), Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch), Edwin Jarvis, Andrew Bolt

Continuity Notes

1. The Skrull formerly known as the Supreme Hydra had been using the terrorist organization to boost Cap’s popularity since Captain America (vol. 3) #2. He took Cap’s place last issue. The purpose of which we’ll learn later this issue.

2. Andrew Bolt first met Captain America in issue #4. The real Steve Rogers turned down a request to endorse him because — as Captain America — he doesn’t get involved in politics.

Topical References

• The President of the United States is depicted as Bill Clinton in this story. Clinton was POTUS from 1993 to 2001. His appearance here should be considered topical.

• This story features a number of obsolete technologies the appearance of which should be considered topical, including: CRT televisions, VHS tapes, and video tape players.