Captain America #230

Title: “Assault on Alcatraz!”

Plot: Roger McKenzie

Script: Roger Stern

Penciller: Sal Buscema

Inker: Don Perlin

Colors: Nel Yomtov

Editor:

CONTINUED FROM INCREDIBLE HULK VOL. 2 #231

Steve Rogers stands on a boat in the San Francisco Bay looking out at Alcatraz. Steve is looking to help his friend the Falcon, and his mission has lead him to Alcatraz. Steve is accompanied by the SHIELD superagents Marvel Man and the Vamp. Marvel Man asks Steve if he thinks the Blue Streak was telling the truth. He asks how the Corporation could possibly have the Falcon hidden in Alcatraz. Steve says that he doesn’t know, but that right now it is the only lead they have. Marvel Man says that he knows the super agents have kind of bombed out so far, but that he wants Steve to know that it is an honor working with him. Vamp watches them and thinks to herself to let Marvel Man butter the old man up for all the good it will do. She says that this is their first and last mission. She says that with Blue Streak turning out to be a Corporation plant and Texas Twister leaving in disgust that they have had it. She says that this couldn’t have worked out better if the Corporation had planned it.

Hulk rides as Fred Sloan drives his van to Berkeley. Fred is smoking a cigarette and says that he can’t get over how Hulk totaled those police cars. Hulk says that stupid lawmen weren’t going to stop him and that Hulk is Hulk. Hulk says that he is tired and that cigarette smoke makes him sleepy. Fred tells Hulk to go ahead and relax, but then he hears sirens. He wonders if he should make a run for it, but when he turns back he sees a groggy Bruce Banner. Bruce introduces himself and asks Fred who he is and where he is. Fred tells Bruce that they are on their way to Berkeley… or they were. The police car cuts Fred off and forces him off to the side of the road. Fred tells Bruce to be cool. Fred starts to apologize to the cops for speeding, but the police tell him to shut up. They recognize Bruce Banner. Bruce says that they have him and that he will come quietly. The cops say that they are sure of that. They draw their guns and fire. The two “cops” say that two hits for two shots is good for two guys pushing forty. The first says that Jackson will be pleased, but the other says that he won’t be if they don’t hurry and that the transport van is already there. They load Fred’s van into the transport van and take off down the California freeway.

Kligger holds the unconscious dog while Moonstone drags Jim Wilson behind her. Kligger looks down at his burning private plane. He says that is the end of the illustrious career of Senator Eugene K. Stivak. He says that it is a pity, but that it is just as well since the abuses of power he committed as a Corporation official would have been discovered soon anyway. He compliments Dr. Sofen on the use of her powers getting them out of his plane before they wrecked it. He says that he thinks her Moonstone identity for the next step in his plan. Dr. Sofen says, “Whatever you say, Senator.” Kligger says that she hasn’t been listening and that Stivak is dead. He says that he is Kligger… a humble servant of the Corporation. He says that they have business elsewhere.

On the tour of Alcatraz, Steve uses a SHIELD energy output tracer and finds that the area they are in is picking up an unusual high amount of electrical power. He says that they should hang back from the tour. They head down a corridor, Marvel Man asks if the tracer is working and that it doesn’t look like anyone has been down the corridor for years. Steve says that he doesn’t care what it looks like. He says that the signal is getting stronger this way. Vamp thinks to herself that they should just charge right in. She thinks how he has hardly said a word to her on this mission. She wonders if it is because he is upset with her from her beating Blue Streak within an inch of his life or if he is afraid of her. At the end of the corridor is a new armored door. Marvel Man says that it won’t keep him out. Steve tried to stop him, but Marvel Man blasts the door and destroys it. He says that they will teach the Corporation to mess with the Super-Agents. Cap says, “You young idiot! If they didn’t know we were here before they do now! Didn’t SHIELD teach you anything about stealth?” Cap hurls his shield against the wall and back onto his left forearm. Cap asks what they are waiting for and that they have to make up for the loss of surprise. Marvel Man and Vamp stare in amazement, but then follow Cap down a long flight of spiral stairs. At the bottom, Marvel Man asks Cap what it is. Cap is silent and Marvel Man thinks to himself that maybe Cap is amazed by the rows and rows of computers that rivals those of SHIELD, but then he realizes that Cap has spotted a captured Falcon. Cap calls out to Falcon, but then a voice tells Cap not to make any foolish moves. They turn to see Curtiss Jackson. Jackson tells them that he manages the West Coast Operations of the Corporation. He says that he takes it that his plant in SHIELD was discovered. Cap says that he was. Jackson says that is unfortunate and that he will have to be eliminated, but that is of no concern now. Jackson asks Cap if he knows how the sea gates work. He says that with the flip of a switch that Cap’s friend would drown very quickly. Cap says that he knows. Jackson says that he is not a cruel man, and that he hates unnecessary deaths. He says that it is bad for business. Cap says that he understands and that he is ready to bargain for the Falcon’s life. Marvel Man says that Cap can’t be serious. Vamp tells Marvel Man to grow up and that of course he is serious. Jackson says that is good. He says that they have little interest in Falcon and that it is his nephew that they want. Cap says, “Jim Wilson”. Jackson says that he wasn’t aware that Cap knew of the boy’s existence. Cap says that he didn’t until recently, but that he isn’t agreeing to anything until Falcon is released. Jackson tells Cap not to make demands of him, and that he is bargaining from a weak position. He tells Cap to look behind him. Cap sees Dr. Bruce Banner being strapped down to a table and Jackson says that they captured him just minutes ago. Jackson tells Cap that Jim Wilson is a good friend of Bruce Banner and the Hulk. He says that they learned that the hard way when Constrictor tried to return Wilson… a former employee of the Corporation, to Los Angeles. Jackson says that they now have two hostages to lure Wilson in, and that the Falcon is the less attractive bait. Marvel Man whispers to Cap and asks if he is serious. Cap whispers back that of course he isn’t, but that right now Jackson holds all the cards and that they have to stall for time. Suddenly the secondary intruder alarm goes off and Jackson turns to see Kligger holding the dog while Moonstone holds a bound Jim Wilson. Kligger tells Jackson that he believes he is looking for his friend Jim Wilson. Jackson asks Kligger what he was doing there, and that he thought Kligger was shoring up East Coast Operations before the Board of Directors cracked down. Kligger says that is true, but to fully satisfy them that he needs to eliminate Captain America. Kligger sees Jackson’s confusion at him knowing about such an operation, but tells Jackson that he has a number of agents in Jackson’s branch just like they do in SHIELD. Kligger tells Vamp that she did well. Vamp kisses Kligger and thanks her lover. Marvel Man asks if she was a plant too. Cap says that he thought as much when she attacked Blue Streak so viscously. He says that she was trying to keep him quiet. He says that he bets that she is the telepath who sacked the Constrictor on him. Marvel Man goes to blast. Cap tells Marvel Man to wait, but Marvel Man has already blasted away. Marvel Man says that he is fighting back now. He says that the first part of that is freeing and waking Dr. Banner. He says that they are going to need him. Marvel Man’s blast splits apart the table Banner was strapped to. The Corporation’s men are ordered to stop them and that they must not get to Kligger or Jim Wilson. Cap plows through the men. Marvel Man says that is it and tells Cap to save a few for him. Cap tells Marvel Man to watch his back. He thinks to himself that Marvel Man is good, and that if he can survive his overconfidence that he will go far.

Bruce Banner rubs his head and recalls being shot. He supposes that they were mercy bullets. Bruce wonders what is going on, but then the fear starts to trigger the change. He says that he can’t transform and that he must regain control, but by then it is too late. Hulk asks why shouldn’t he change. He says that Banner is worthless in a fight, but that nothing can stop the Hulk. Jim calls out to Hulk and tells him that these guys are hassling him. Hulk leaps at them. The men shoot and say that Hulk must have a weak spot. Hulk swats the men over and says that only men are weak, and that Hulk is never weak. Hulk grabs their guns and crushes them into a ball. Hulk throws the ball and knocks down the men. Marvel Man tells Hulk that is enough and that the guards are all down. Marvel Man tells Hulk to handle Moonstone and that they will get the rest. Hulk says that he remembers flying man. He says that flying man said he was a Defender, but that he lied. Hulk smacks Marvel Man. Cap thinks to himself that he has to stop the Hulk and that he could bring the whole island down on top of them. Cap calls out to Hulk and asks if he remembers him. Hulk says that he remembers him, but that it doesn’t mean that he has to listen to him. Hulk says that he just wants to get Jim and get out of there. Hulk swings at Cap and tells him to leave him alone. Cap dives under Hulk’s legs and kicks him in the back of the knees. Cap thinks how Hulk is faster and meaner than ever, and that he will have to keep on his toes if he wants to stay in one piece. Cap tells Hulk that the men that have Jim are his enemies too. He says that they can beat them together. Hulk says that he doesn’t need his help, and for Cap to get out of his way now. Hulk smashes the ground and Cap blocks some flying debris with his shield. Cap says that if he doesn’t stop Hulk soon that someone could get killed. Jim tries to shout to Hulk that Cap is there to help them. Moonstone tells Jim to shut up. Vamp asks Kligger how he can be so calm. She says that even her energy belt can’t match the Hulk’s strength. She tells Kligger that he has to give her the power. Kligger tells Vamp to be patient. He says that Jackson is playing his ace and opening the sea gate. He says that Falcon’s life will be coming to a very unpleasant end. Cap turns at the noise and Hulk grabs him in a bearhug from behind. Cap struggles, but Hulk’s grip is absolute. Cap’s body goes limp. Vamp says that the Hulk just beat Captain America and that he will come for them next. She says that he has to give her the power. Kligger says that it is hers. He presses a button and Vamp says that she can feel it flowing through her mind making her strong and changing her. Hulk turns and asks what is going on. He says that the girl’s voice sounds strange. Hulk is hit in the back with a club by a giant headed Neanderthal-looking creature. She says, “That’s because I am woman no longer, Hulk! I am the Animus… I am your death! Die-e-ee!!” Moonstone lets off a blast on Hulk at the exact same moment. The surprise of the attack stuns Hulk and he drops to the ground. The water builds around Falcon.

CONTINUED IN INCREDIBLE HULK VOL. 2 #232

When Captain America Throws His Mighty Shield rating: 9 out of 10

Review and picture by the Leader

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