Captain America (ES) Vol 1 11

Captain America has decided to venture into Harlem to check on his friend the Falcon when he overhears a news report that the police have the Falcon - wanted for a crime - in a tenement building. Believing that his one-time sidekick is innocent, Captain America decides to go and try to see what he can do to help his friend out. As he scales the roof tops trying to find the building he spots the Falcon's bird, Redwing, and follows him to the location of the police cordon. Sneaking into the building, he finds that the Falcon has been injured.

When Captain America inquires what's going on, the Falcon explains that he was framed by a criminal named Diamond Head, who is the leader of a gang of black supremists that have been trying to take over Harlem. Agreeing to help the Falcon clear his name, Cap devises a way to help the Falcon escape. Getting the Falcon to put on his uniform, Captain America exists out the front door and tells the police that he is a hostage and that Captain America helped free him and that he captured the Falcon. When the police go in, they spot "Captain America" leaving the scene, and do not even consider the idea that it is the Falcon in disguise.

Meanwhile, Diamond Head and his minions are going out and roughing up non-blacks who have stores in Harlem, forcing them to pay them protection money to prevent them from being forced out of business. While at the home of Sam Wilson, Captain America and the Falcon go over the information that Sam has gathered in trying to determine the true identity of Diamond Head and the location of his gang's hideout. Searching the records of recently opened businesses, Captain America and Falcon go to check out a warehouse that just recently opened for business. When Cap stakes out the location, he spots criminal Rocky the Lynx, a member of the Maggia near the warehouse. Rocky notes Captain America's entrance to the warehouse and decides to use it to his advantage.

Inside, Captain America is easily over powered by members of Diamond Head's gang, and Diamond Head himself makes an appearance. Before they can shoot Captain America, the Falcon comes out of hiding and fights off the gang members. Cap manages to free himself and knock down Diamond Head. Unmasking the criminal, he is surprised to see that he is Rocky the Lynx. As it turns out, the Maggia put up the Diamond Head disguise by trying to sweep out other gangs from Harlem so that they can take over the rackets in the area. After the police arrive, take the crooks away and the Falcon clears his name, Captain America departs. As he is leaving, the Falcon tells him that even though his skin is a different color, he still considers Captain America a brother.

Appearing in "Who Calls Me a Traitor?"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Captain America #127

Featured Characters:

Captain America (Steve Rogers)

Supporting Characters:

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Antagonists:

Android X-4 (First appearance) (Tony Stark's robot)
A.I.M.
- Dr. Ralph Ryder (First appearance)

Other Characters:

Realities:

Earth-616

Locations:

New York City
- S.H.I.E.L.D. Barbershop Headquarters

Items:

Synopsis for "Who Calls Me a Traitor?"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Captain America #127

At S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, Cap helps Nick Fury test the new Dr. Ryder-designed protecto-suit. Cap rejects Fury's suggestion to talk with Sharon and leaves. Later during an outdoor test, AIM attacks Fury and his S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, having already developed a way to nullify the protecto-suits. After Ryder convinces Fury that Cap is the most likely suspect for betraying S.H.I.E.L.D.; an agent calls Cap to warn him he's lost his clearance. Angered, Cap arrives at Fury's house and encounters an exiting Joe Robertson, who tells Cap that he is under suspicion. Fury visits Tony Stark to build X-4, an android that can test Cap, to reassure Fury that the man they've been dealing with is not an impostor. Summoned to S.H.I.E.L.D., Cap arrives eager for answers, but is forced to compete with X-4. Successfully calming Fury's fears, Cap is attacked again by X-4, but Fury cannot stop it. Hoping to find out who is controlling X-4, Sharon traces the radioactivity to Dr. Ryder, revealing him as the traitor. She drops a gas capsule, knocking him out, and deactivates X-4. Fury has suspected Dr. Ryder all along, but still stung by his treatment from his friends, Cap rejects their explanations and walks out.

Appearing in "The Strength of the Sumo!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Tales of Suspense #61

Featured Characters:

Captain America

Antagonists:

Sumo (General Wo) (First appearance)
Viet Cong soldiers

Other Characters:

Jim Baker (First appearance)
Jim Baker's brother (Mentioned)
Cecil B. Demille (Mentioned) (Topical Reference)

Races and Species:

Humans
Snakes (Mentioned)
Fleas (Mentioned)

Locations:

Earth-616
- Earth
  - Asia
    - Southeast Asia
      - Vietnam

Items:

Vehicles:

MIG (a Soviet plane)

Events:

Cold War
World War II (Mentioned)
- European Theater (Mentioned)

Synopsis for "The Strength of the Sumo!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Tales of Suspense #61

Captain America travels to Vietnam and launches a lone attack on an army of Viet Cong troops. After fighting armed guards to a standstill, Captain America tells the commanding officer that he is seeking to barter for the release of a captured American helicopter pilot.

After fighting off the major's two best men, Captain America is taken into the city, where he is reunited with the pilot, Jim Baker, whose brother helped Cap at an E.T.O. back in WWII. But this turns out to be a bit of a trap, as the major summons his general, a giant by the name of Sumo who matches his strength against Captain America.

After a quick battle, Captain America defeats Sumo and he and Jim escape the palace and steal a plane to fly back to the United States.

Links and References

References