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Quote1 I've taken away your crutch -- now you must look to your own hearts, join with those you have denied were your brothers -- reach out for ideals that made this costume I wear mean something -- and find America once again! Quote2
Captain America

Appearing in "What If Captain America Were Not Revived Until Today?"

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  • a Navy submarine
  • tanks

Synopsis for "What If Captain America Were Not Revived Until Today?"

The Watcher is revisiting the events of the revival of Captain America from a block of ice after being tossed into the sea by the Sub-Mariner and the subsequent rescue by the Avengers (Earth-616). He then describes a different world in which Sub-Mariner takes a more southerly route through the ocean and misses the Eskimos and the block of ice containing Captain America. The Avengers never recover Captain America from the ocean and therefore their membership ultimately consists only of Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man, and Wasp and without Captain America's unifying spirit, they eventually decide to go their separate ways after a brief period of time together, much to the chagrin of Rick Jones.

Meanwhile, a mysterious man becomes incensed at the news of Nixon's visit to China and apparent lack of commitment to the ideals of democracy. He enters a chamber that contains two bodies in suspended animation, that of a man dressed as Captain America and another dressed as Bucky Barnes. After activating some controls, the figures are brought back to life and they vow to fight the forces of tyranny. The begin their crime-fighting efforts in earnest and battle common street thugs in addition to numerous other villains but are later seen in their apartment discussing their financial woes and revealing that they are not the original Captain America and Bucky. Captain America speaks of the need to keep their images above reproach and they soon join the campaign of Norman Chadwick, a man running for senate on a far-right political platform.

Chadwick wins the election and a number of extreme measures begin to pass into law, many demonizing minority groups. While attempting to quell a demonstration in Harlem, a sniper shoots Captain America in the shoulder and a major crackdown on black communities soon commences with rioting in various neighborhoods across the country.

On a submarine in the North Atlantic, a submarine crew recovers the ice-encased body of the original Captain America from the ocean. When the body thaws out, many of the black and Jewish crew become irate when they see the Captain America garb, thinking him to be the other Captain America who has been instigating them and promoting extremist causes. Captain America defends himself and after slinging his shield is quickly recognized by the sub captain to be the original. When they dock, Captain Johanson sneaks Steve Rogers through New York with signs of fascism becoming increasingly apparent in day-to-day life. They eventually arrive at a secret hideout in Harlem occupied by Nick Fury, Spider-Man, and Snap Wilson who hope Captain America can help them deal with a party convention happening soon for the right-wing extremists.

Later at the convention being held at Madison Square Garden, the Freedom Five, consisting of the imposter Captain America and Bucky, as well as Hawkeye, Hangman, and Golden Girl address the convention audience when they are suddenly attacked by the real Captain America, Spider-Man, Nick Fury, Snap Wilson, and other commandos. A battle between the groups ensues and other uprisings begin to take place across the country in retaliation for the burgeoning fascism. The real Captain America eventually prevails over the imposter and despite anger from the crowd, he addresses them and tells them of the horrible damage that was done by their support for extremist causes and that the war for liberty was starting across America. The crowd eventually realizes that the man speaking to them is the real Captain America and began singing "America, the Beautiful".

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