Atomic Blonde Trailer, My Thoughts

What do you get when you take Charlize Theron, put a blonde wig on her, and drop her in Cold War-era Berlin with spy skills? You get the upcoming film Atomic Blonde. And here's the trailer!

I have to admit, I didn't think much about this movie at first, until I learned it was set in 1989, before the fall of the Berlin Wall. I happen to have a fondness for 80s stuff, so I thought I might give the trailer a looksee.

It starts with Charlize Theron being accosted by a group of guys. One of the guys is apparently taking out a black bodybag. How's he going to explain this to anyone he passes by?

Passerby: What's with the full bodybag?
Mook: Uh...prank. He's asleep. We're pranking him. Yeah, that's the ticket....

Charlize Theron reaches into her champagne holder, where she keeps a gun in the ice. How long has that gun been in there? And wouldn't the cold mess it up? Anyway, Charlize Theron shoots the dudes. That's awesome. I wonder if she'll stuff them in the bodybag.

Passerby: What's with the full bodybag?
Charlize Theron: Uh...prank. They're asleep. I'm pranking them. Yeah, that's the ticket...

Nice 80s groove to accompany the trailer. Is that New Order?

Hey, John Goodman! That guy's been doing a lot of stuff lately. Good for him. He deserves work.

Yeah, she totally knew that dead guy.

So, Charlize Theron is being sent to hunt down a guy who is attacking operatives. I am expecting shenanigans. And there are shenanigans. In the form of Theron beating down some dudes with her shoe. If I ever end up in a car with Charlize Theron in the 80s...tell my family I love them.

That bit with meeting the contact was hilarious. "I got your shoe!" I'm also assuming Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" is his theme song.

Okay, how did they get all those people to open umbrellas at the same time?! It's not even raining!

Hi, Sofia Boutella! Looking forward to seeing you in The Mummy!

Charlize made contact with Sofia indeed, dude. She did indeed. Wow. ...Mr. Takei?

Thank you, Mr. Takei.

Ouch. To that dude who got whipped in the nards and then took a freezer door to the face, I hope your employers gave you good health insurance. You're gonna need it.

I am scared of Charlize Theron. And why is Kanye West in this? Egomaniac has to appear in some form in everything. Ah well, the song fits.

Charlize Theron beating up evil dudes is awesome.

This was a cool trailer. This film sounds like it'll be an absolute blast. Just something to turn your brain off and enjoy two hours of action.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 Trailer, My Thoughts

The Marvel Universe has gone LEGO again! That's right! The original LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is getting a sequel. Unlike the last game, LEGO Avengers, this game won't be a jaunt through the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's a new story with the heroes of the LEGO Marvel Universe facing off against the time-twisting villain known as Kang the Conqueror. And here's the trailer for it!

The trailer begins with a tiny Baby Groot running from debris in slow motion. We then next encounter Rocket Raccoon. He explains we are in Chronopolis. In the comics, Chronopolis is essentially Kang's main base and home, the hub of his intertemporal empire.

A coupe of awesome detail. We see a Camelot-style castle (Kang tried to conquer Camelot once in Strange Tales #134), and a Ancient Egyptian pyramid (One of Kang's personas is Rama-Tut, a pharaoh). Nice attention to detail there. I wonder if we'll be visiting the Medieval Era and Ancient Egypt in the game. Would make sense. Time travel is Kang's thing, after all.

There's a funny bit with Rocket tossing a grenade onto a table where Enchantress, Loki, and Dr. Octopus are having tea. Rocket then asks what's the worst that could happen if one messes with the time-space continuum. As if the cosmos is saying, "This is why, Rocket!"...Hi, Ego! How ya been, buddy? Not holding any grudges against Star-Lord, I hope. Although, the way he's glaring at Rocket...maybe.

We then get a glimpse of some Spiders swinging through what appears to be a futuristic city. Spider-Gwen compliments Spidey 2099's suit, and I can't make out what the cyberpunk Spidey is saying. I think the city may be Nueva York 2099, Spidey 2099's home. As for the third Spider, I think that's Spidey Noir, another alternate Spider-Man.

We next see Baby Groot about get stomped by a...I think that may be a Sentinel. That can't be a Kree Sentry robot, the color is wrong...and Sentinels are colored purple. If it IS a Sentinel, it could hint about another possible timeline that this game could cover: Days of Future Past. Anyway, Star-Lord saves Baby Groot, and tosses the sapling into a time warp or something which causes Baby Groot to grow into his adult form. He then proceeds to stomp some mummies. Because he is Groot.

We next see more heroes fighting what I think are Kang's soldiers. And there's Hulk in his Ragnarok/Planet Hulk look. That's neat. Will we be visiting Sakaar in this game as well?

Hi, Kamala! Glad to see you're back!

Heh heh, Hawkeye shot Mysterio in the butt, and Drax tossed him around. He can't get a break.

And now Thor is calling Kang out. Kang responds, by laughing while in the form of a big cloud. Thor claims he's seen bigger. Well, he has encountered Celestials and Ego in the comics. They're pretty big. He may have a point there.

The trailer ends with a group shot of the heroes that appeared in this trailer. Nice bunch there. And I'm sure that's not all of them. There's bound to be tons more.

I can't wait for this game. It will be on my list of games to get when I get a Nintendo Switch. I'm a big fan of the Lego games, and this looks like another winner!

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

On this day, the last Monday of May, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service and defense of this country.

My late grandfather served in Guam during WWII, and my great-uncle also served on a submarine during it. Sadly, unlike my grandfather, my grand-uncle died in the war. I sadly never got to meet them.

On this day, I do think about them. My grandfather did survive the war, but he's no longer with us. I also wish I could have gotten to meet my great-uncle and get to know him. That would have been nice.

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful day, remember the fallen, and remember what they fought and died for.

Squadron Supreme #5 (January 1986)

Welcome back to Earth-712, everyone! The home of the Squadron Supreme, Earth's Greatest Heroes! For many years, they protected their world from threats too great for one of them to handle. When their world fell into chaos, they took matters into their own hands and tried to be its saviors...but they may end up becoming its tyrants.

Previously on Squadron Supreme: The Squadron Supreme dealt with a militia. During that event, Golden Archer nearly got killed, which led him to decide to propose marriage to his beloved Lady Lark. During that time, Tom Thumb unveiled a new device to reform criminals: The Behavior Modification machine, for the B-Mod. It let to a debate over the ethics of such a device. After Lark turns down the proposal, Archer secretly uses the device to brainwash Lark to make her love him again.

The cover is pretty good. You got the villains Quagmire and Foxfire standing in front of a screen showing a bunch of people in a cage, and there's Lamprey lying across it, looking creepy.  The Squadron Supreme is horrified by this. It's a great cover.

"Turnabout"
Writer: Mark Gruenwald
Penciler: Bob Hall
Inker: Sam De La Rosa
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

The story begins with Golden Archer finding himself...in a bit of a bind.

He's hit with a ray fired from a gun that's being held by a man who looks like something from the nightmare of people who fear doctors. The ray puts him under some sort of hypnotic spell, and it's used as a convenient way to recap the events of the last issue. There was a bit of a problem, though.

The altered Lady Lark...became rather smothering. Evidently, using a machine to turn someone into a lovesick fangirl has some bad consequences. Who'd have thought this? Archer certainly didn't, as shown in this panel here:

I love that panel so much. Lady Lark's pose and expression is hilarious. Just look at Golden Archer's face. It says it all. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, really. He also recalls that the rest of the Squadron began to notice Lark's change in behavior. I imagine Arcanna and Blue Eagle would've noticed it the most. Anyway, Archer runs off, only to end up being purloined like a priceless pearl necklace. Then, the perpetrators of Golden Archer's kidnapping are revealed.

Say hello to the Institute of Evil, the vile villains who stand against everything the Squadron Supreme stand for. Dr. Decibel, the Satantic Sonic Surgeon! Ape-X, half-ape, half-tank, all-evil! Quagmire, the tar-wielding terror! Foxfire, the diva of destructive light! Lamprey, the power-absorbing perpetrator of mayhem! Shape, the rubber rapscallion!

Considering that the Squadron Supreme pay homage to DC superheroes, I wouldn't be surprised to see some DC influences in these villains, too. Dr. Decibel seems like a mix of Dr. Polaris and Sonar. Ape-X reminds me of Gorilla Grodd or Ultra-Humanite. Lamprey is a clear homage to Parasite, and Shape could be argued to be a take on Clayface. Foxfire and Quagmire seem to be completely original. As is it just me, or does Foxfire seem inspired by Grace Jones? I mean, a black woman with a blonde flattop, that's is something Grace Jones would do back in the 80s.

So, why has the Institute taken him? Well, Ape-X is very curious about the B-Mod machine, and wants to learn more about it. I would ask how she knew about it, but considering the length of time between issues, it's not implausible to say that she learned of it somehow.

The scene shifts to a prison in...Upstate Vesperia. I have no idea what state Vesperia is supposed to be. The warden introduces the Squadron members Hyperion and Arcanna to a man named Calvin Maroney. Maroney is a big-time criminal, serving a life sentence for kidnapping, homicide, and weapons smuggling.

Hyperion tells him that if he undergoes the B-Mod treatment voluntarily, he will be given parole. Maroney wonders what will happen to him on the outside, as so one will hire him with his record. Hyperion reassures him that he'll be given a new home and job.

I love the panel with Hyperion and Calvin there. The grin that Hyperion has is somewhat unsettling, considering what they're going to do with the criminal, even though it's voluntary in his case. Maroney undergoes the B-Mod treatment, and he says he feels great, like a big weight has been lifted off of his mind. This further shows the unsettling nature of the B-Mod machine.

They let Calvin go, and Arcanna realizes that they won't be able to B-Mod all the convicts today. They pack up the B-Mod and leave, planning to finish up tomorrow. Hyperion has some new jobs for the warden and his staff once the prison is closed down. Arcanna then realizes something: What if they meet a warden that is rather uncooperative? Hyperion assures her they'll get to that bridge when they come to it.

In Mechanopolis, Sigmund (Seriously Gruenwald, you couldn't use real place names? What on Earth is this place supposed to be?!), the Whizzer says goodbye to his wife and daughter. Mrs. Stewart laments that Whizzer is spending less and less time with them lately, due to the increased responsibilities of the Squadron. In less than an hour, he reaches Squadron HQ for their meeting.

Dr. Spectrum reports that neither he nor Lady Lark have found the missing Golden Archer. Hyperion makes a remark that they can't have a repeat of Nuke's disappearance, which...has an effect on the wielder of the Power Prism.

I did like this bit. It shows that what Dr. Spectrum is going through, the guilt and feelings of failure over the death of Nuke, is not something that magically goes away in a short period of time. However, Hyperion gives him the assignment because he's best for the job. Wouldn't Whizzer be just as good? He's super-fast. He could cover a lot of ground rather quickly.

Tom Thumb reports that he can have two more B-Mod machines by the week's end, but he needs some help around the lab. Hyperion realizes the Squadron are rather packed with work (no one said running a country was easy), and suggests cancelling all leaves for the immediate future. The Squadron objects to this for various reasons. Whizzer and Arcana barely get to spend any time with their families as it is, and Amphibian gets landsick if he doesn't get to return to the ocean. I guess Amphibian here was just like the Silver Age Aquaman, requiring hourly showers. Hyperion scraps the idea, but states the Squadron do need some help.

Back at the Institute's hideout, the villains make their plot to get their hands on the B-Mod machines, using data that they...extracted from the Golden Archer. Ape-X orders Lamprey to abduct Arcanna's husband and children. Foxfire will get Howard Shelton, Power Princess's husband. Quagmire will get the Whizzer's wife and daughter. Dr. Decibel and Shape will go and obtain Blue Eagle's mother. Knowing what to do, the members of the Institute of Evil roll into action.

I can imagine Quagmire getting all protective of his motorcycle.

Quagmire: Shape, stop eating your bloody cookies near my motorcycle! You're getting crumbs on it!
Shape: Shape sorry. Shape just think your cycle is pretty.

The next day, Tom Thumb is working in his lab, and he asks Aida to play some Dvorak for him. She suggests "New World Symphony", and he's all for it. He takes a moment to relax, where he starts coughing. Aida gets worried, and he reassures her he's alright. The computer suggests that he tell the others about his illness, but Thumb refuses. He has no desire for anyone's pity. Aida responds that they may be able to help him, but there's an intruder alert.

Aida's systems are jammed, so Thumb himself goes to the monitor bank to check it out. He notices the screens are covered in darkness. He then hears more noise, so he activates his force field belt, grabs an experimental neuron-scrambler, and goes to check it out. And he finds trouble.

The Institute of Evil are in the HQ, and are giving the place their...own idea of remodeling. Tom Thumb tries to fight them off, but the Institute's power and numbers overwhelm him. Lamprey absorbs the power of his forcefield and Quagmire traps him in a black tar-like substance, which is actually stuff from the Darkforce dimension. Aida sees this, and sends a distress signal.

The rest of the Squadron hear the distress signal, and fly off into action. Dr. Decibel and Quagmire take Tom Thumb to the B-Mod machine, and prepare to use it to brainwash Thumb into joining them.

Lady Lark, Doctor Spectrum, Blue Eagle, and Arcanna arrive at Squadron HQ, and try to fight off the Institute. In a nice touch, Spectrum is forced to use his Power Prism to protect himself from Shape, despite his reservations and fears. Tom Thumb points out a monitor, showing the Squadron's families in a cage. The Institute make their demand: If the Squadron don't surrender, their families die.

Power Princess and Amphibian also surrender "offscreen", then Hyperion and Whizzer arrive. Hyperion gets ambushed by Lamprey, who absorbs his power. Whizzer tries to help, but Blue Eagle stops him, telling him they got his family. A horrified Whizzer freezes, trying to decide whether to aid the Squadron or save his family, and then makes his move.

The Institute continue their plans anyway, preparing to brainwash Hyperion, the most powerful member of the Squadron first. Meanwhile, Whizzer is running to his home, wanting to confirm that the Institute really have his family hostage. He then realizes, "Wait, I can just call them!" Since it's 1985, he finds a payphone and calls them. No answer. He calls his neighbor and asks to check on them. The neighbor confirms that his home was broken into, and they're gone. With a scream, he rips the phone's cord in half, and runs to a police station. He asks the officer to take him to where they have kept their guns impounded.

He returns to the Squadron's HQ, and sneaks in thanks to a special entrance designed for Amphibian. He then makes it to the meeting room, and opens fire.

The Squadron leaps to the Institute's defense, and Whizzer runs out of ammo, only grabbing one clip out of desperation. He plans to get Thumb, but Lady Lark knocks him out. They B-Mod the speedster, and then head out to...wherever the Institute was hanging out, the Squadron's captive families in view. Ape-X congratulates the other members of the Institute on the success of their mission. Hyperion expresses pride in joining the Institute's ranks, and then...the trap is sprung.

The Squadron hand the Institute a royal walloping and rescue their families. Hyperion asks Tom how come the B-Mod didn't work on them. Thumb explains that since he's the cautious sort, he programmed the B-Mod machines with the Squadron's own brain patterns, so the machines couldn't alter them. It's actually pretty smart of Tom to do that.

I admit, when I first read this, I thought it created a bit of a plot hole. If the B-Mod can't alter the minds of Squadron members, how was Golden Archer able to brainwash Lady Lark? However, Tom saved himself, by revealing that he couldn't tell Hyperion when he got cautious. Which would basically say he made that programming after Golden Archer fried Lark's mind. It also makes sense considering people's casual ignorance of Tom throughout the mini. He was too busy to confront Archer, and he probably felt no one would listen to him about his suspicions about Archer, so he took matters into his own hands.

Anyway, Hype congratulates Doctor Spectrum for overcoming his aversion to fighting a bit. Whizzer apologizes for his actions, and says he'll accept any punishment for his actions or resign from the team. Hyperion reassures Whizzer that errors happen, and in the end, no harm was done. However, Whizzer feels that he's lost the team's trust.

This was a good issue. I do like the introduction of the Institute of Evil. They were a great way of expanding on the Squadron Supreme's world. It makes sense that a group of heroes like them would have a batch of villains they fight. It's also nice to see a good old-fashioned heroes versus villains story here. The story also has a great personal stake as the Squadron is trying to save their families, their revealing their secret identities biting them in the butt. Bob Hall has really upped his art game for this issue.

Next time, we take a look at a hero who watched over the streets of Metropolis's roughest neighborhood while Superman fought the biggest monsters and madmen. Yup, we're going to take a look at the first adventure of Black Lightning...

Black Lightning Trailer, My Thoughts

Black Lightning. One of DC Comics's first African-American superheroes, he first appeared in Black Lighting #1 (April 1977), written by Tony Isabella, and featuring art by Trevor Von Eeden.

So, who is Black Lightning? Well, Black Lightning is actually Jefferson Pierce, an Olympic decathlete turned principal of Garfield High School in the district of Metropolis called Southside, but more famously known as Suicide Slum. In response to the Slum being torn apart by crime and corruption, Pierce used his hidden metahuman power to generate electricity to become its protector.

Over the years, Pierce has been a member of the Outsiders and the Justice League. His daughters, Anissa and Jennifer, have become superheroines as well, Thunder and Lightning. However, with the reboot of the New 52 and the half-boot of Rebirth, it's likely they have been wiped from canon.

Black Lightning is also getting another honor: He's become the latest superhero to be given a live-action adaptation for the CW, home of the Arrowverse. And here it is for you!

The trailer begins with the year "2005" appearing. According to the synopsis, in this series, Black Lightning had retired around this time. I'm guessing we're getting a glimpse of his last battle before he retired. The scene is accompanied by a woman's voiceover describing that he was a hero who kept the streets safe. We also see what appears to be a wounded Jefferson Pierce in a bathtub. The voiceover is revealed to be one of Pierce's daughters. I think it might be Anissa.

I wonder who that guy in white Black Lightning was facing was?

We see a woman pleading with the wounded Jefferson to let someone else fight the 100. For those not in the know, "The 100" are a criminal organization in the DC Universe. He then agrees. I'm guessing this is how he retired, and the woman is clearly his wife.

Flash-forward to 2017. We see Jefferson Pierce being a father and principal. I'm guessing he's that "cool" principal everyone likes. I love that the school is revealed to be Garfield High. Accurate to the comics, very good.

Things have not been good in the city, though (I doubt this series will be set in Metropolis). Since Black Lightning retired, violence has gone up. There's a lot of anger in the city, it's a powder keg ready to blow. We see Jefferson working on a new suit, which looks kind of cool. This does lead me to wonder, though. In this series, are Jefferson's powers innate, or are they from the suit? Because if they are innate, we could see his daughters develop powers in the future. Would make for some interesting stories.

And it looks like that may happen, based on the brief glimpse we get of one of Black Lightning's daughters' hands glowing.

Really neat to see him fight some criminals. And there's a funny moment with Jefferson sharing a laugh with Anissa and Jennifer.

This was a cool trailer! I think this'll be a great series! Shame it's not part of the Arrowverse, I'd love to see him interact with Flash and Arrow and the Legends of Tomorrow. Ah, well. Still looking forward to it.

Wonder Woman Final Trailer, My Thoughts

Well, the final trailer for the Amazing Amazon's solo live-action film debut is here! And here it is for your viewing pleasure.

This trailer does something I noticed in the Blade Runner 2049 trailer. Before it actually starts, the trailer just shows some random shots. I don't see the point of this. I think it's a bit unnecessary. We're going to probably see these shots in the trailer itself, so why do this?

Anyway, the trailer really begins with Wonder Woman ascending a ladder and getting ready to hand out some Amazon-style beatings. Over this is what appears to be what I think may be Hippolyta talking to a young Diana, saying fighting doesn't make a person a hero. And there's a scene with a child, who I am presuming is Diana, getting tucked in, aww.

Based on this conversation, I think we can safely assume that Hippolyta has had experience with Man's/Patriarch's World before. Is the whole thing with Hercules DCEU canon?

Gal Gadot does an epic dive. Prince Vultan approves of this dive.

Heh heh, Steve Trevor is wondering if Diana is part of a crazy Jonestown-esque cult. "I'd make a reference to Jim Jones, but he won't be born for about two decades."

Still not quite feeling this film's take on Paradise Island. What's with the giant spiral? This is a land that's supposed to be based on Ancient Greece. Where are the columns? The Parthenon-esque buildings? The statues of Aphrodite and Athena? The temples?

I knew it! I knew Doctor Poison would be one of the villains of this movie! I totally called it!

The bit with Diana grabbing the Wonder Woman gear is great. And her exchange with Steve over where the war was. See, DCEU? A little humor doesn't hurt anyone. I also liked the bits with Etta Candy and the dress, and Steve Trevor trying to explain what Diana is over the shots of Diana in action. It is nice that the scene does provide an explanation for the "Diana Prince" identity.

The trailer ends with a whole bunch of action scenes, showing off what to expect, lots of explosions, lots of fighting, Wonder Woman smashing a man through a window with her shield, that kind of stuff.

I've been hearing a lot of critics say this film is actually quite good. I hope so. The DCEU needs a win right now. They really do. Wonder Woman deserves to have a film that is actually good. I want to give this film a shot, so bring it on, Princess Diana! Let's see what you got!

Captain America and the Falcon #175 (July 1974)

In the 1970s, America was in a bit of upheaval. Particularly, the Watergate scandal, which would lead to the downfall of the presidency of Richard Nixon. As creative types, were wont to do, they drew inspiration from the scandal. Steve Englehart was no different. He was writing Captain America at the time, and as he said himself, he was writing a character who believed in America's ideals when the President was a crook. As such, this story came about. So, let's take a look at the climactic issue of Captain America's original battle with the Secret Empire.

The cover is pretty decent. The top is a bit busy with the masthead that has the title logos and images of the characters. The cover image is really cool, with Cap brawling with Moonstone and Number Two in front of the White House. However, Number Two's helmet doesn't match the actual comic.

"...Before the Dawn!"
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Artie Simek
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Editor: Roy Thomas

The issue begins with Number One, the head of the Empire, gloating over the supposedly dead Captain America, Falcon, and the X-Men's Professor X, Cyclops, and Marvel Girl.

Yeah, during the storyline, the Secret Empire kidnapped a whole bunch of mutants, and Cap teamed up with the still-free X-Men members to rescue them.

Also, during that time, the X-Men actually didn't have their own book. Their book had been cancelled, and they were reduced to guest stars in other books. Yup, there was a time in the MU when the X-Men didn't hog all the spotlight and have nearly ten books focused on teams and solo members. Number One's cronies take their bodies and unceremoniously dump them in a basement.

However, Cap wakes up, and sees two of Number One's said cronies. He leaps up to throw some American punches, but they stop him, explaining they're friends. They unmask to prove it.

It's Gabe Jones and Peggy Carter! The former Howling Commando and resistance fighter have infiltrated the Secret Empire for SHIELD to gather info so they can be brought down. Jones tricked Number One by setting the gun so it would stun Cap and his allies.

Jones explains that the Secret Empire, much like Advanced Idea Mechanics, were one part of HYDRA, but they decided to pull a WWWF on the National Wrestling Alliance (Pro wrestling historians will get that joke), and go solo and do their own thing. Jones then recounts their battles with the Hulk (Tales to Astonish #81-82), and Namor (Tales to Astonish #83-84), which led to the original Number One blowing himself up. With that, and Gabe Jones's efforts, the Secret Empire collapsed.

However, the Empire pulled a Force Awakens and made a comeback under a brand new Number One. As such, SHIELD asked Gabe Jones to reinfiltrate them. Gabe was able to worm his way deep enough he was able to bring in Peggy Carter as backup.

They have to move, as the Empire now has the Electro-Gyro, a gadget that would allow the Empire to achieve its goal. Elsewhere, the Empire are placing a disk with captive mutants attached to it on to a saucer craft.

The Electro-Gyro has been installed, allowing the Empire to steer the craft. So what are the mutants for? Well, they're the batteries for the saucer. According to Number Three, the saucer will be powered by "X-Waves", energies mined from the mutants' brains by special machines. Huh. So, evidently, according to this comic, mutants' brains can generate a special energy.

That's...kinda weird. Thing is, the human body does use electrical signals to make the muscles work and do things, including making the heart beat. Is that what the basis for this here? That for mutants, this "Bioelectricity" is somehow different? This is a headscratching thing right here. The Secret Empire's nameless...or should I say, numberless mooks, board the craft and take off, ready to use it to conquer the USA.

In Washington DC, the Lloyd Bloch Moonstone and Quentin Harderman, the man who used his advertising skills to turn people against Captain America (long story), watch the saucer land, gloating over how no one can stop them now.

The press and the military gather around the saucer, prepared to cover the story and defend the nation. The saucer's door opens.

Credit where credit is due, Number One knows what he wants. The Army says "nuts" to his demand for surrender, and fire on the saucer. Their weapons have no effect, thanks to the saucer's powerful forcefield, again somehow generated by mutants. Moonstone then flies in, and puts on the whole "No one is mightier than America and I will stop you" act. The saucer sends out Number Two, a costumed warrior in a big metal helmet.

I wonder how he moves his head in that helmet. The Empire's act continues, with Number Two claiming that his helmet gives him the same powers his ship does, and Moonstone's all "Bring it on, mothertrucker!" The two fight, and Number Two seemingly defeats Moonstone and frog-marches him into the ship. Inside, the two chuckle about their deception. Moonstone leaves the ship, saying that they cannot beat the invaders, and America must surrender to the Secret Empire. Number One re-emerges, announcing that atomic devices are being placed in various places across the country, and if the nation does not surrender in a half-hour, they will be detonated.

Inside the ship, some subterfuge is going down. Gabe Jones and Peggy Carter open a hatch, revealing Captain America, Falcon, Cyclops, and Jean Grey. Evidently, the SHIELD agents managed to somehow sneak the superheroes on board. One question I have is...where's Charles Xavier? Did they just leave him behind? The heroes sneak their way to the saucer's control room. and they charge in.

They make quick work of the guards, and shut down the saucer. Intereestingly, Cyclops remarks that Xavier couldn't join the fight. Where did he go, then? Is he back at the Secret Empire's base? The heroes couldn't have taken him home, they didn't have the time. Anyway, with the saucer disabled, the two X-Men can now rescue the other mutants. Cap tells Falcon to go with them and help them clean out the place and find out where the atomic devices are, while he heads outside.

Number One is unaware of what's going on, as he is gloating. He gets ambushed by Captain America. Falcon and the X-Men leave the saucer, having found the devices' locations. Moonstone runs his mouth, and Cap gives him an EPIC TACKLE.

The two fight, while the narration talks about how Cap defeats Moonstone because the Sentinel of Liberty has more determination and spirit. However, I also like to think that Captain America is helped by the fact that he is a trained hand-to-hand combatant with a nearly indestructible shield. Moonstone may have superpowers, but that doesn't mean he has the best training in how to use them wisely in combat.

Anyway, Cap hands Moonstone a can of American whupping. Quentin Harderman tries to throw Moonstone under the bus, claiming the superhuman duped him. However, Moonstone is all like, "Oh, no! I am not going down alone for this, man!", basically saying Harderman not just was in on it, but was the mastermind. Because the media cameras are still there, they pick up Moonstone's confession, exposing the entire scheme to discredit Cap and conquer America.

Number One attempts to make his escape, but Cap spots him and gives chase. He pursues the mysterious mastermind into the White House. You'd think the Secret Service would be trying to stop Number One from trying to get into the White House considering that's where the President lives and works. Maybe considering the original plan for this story...

Cap manages to catch Number One in the Oval Office, and rip off his hood.

Yeah, Number One was intended to be President Nixon. I am not kidding. This story was inspired by Watergate, so appropriately, the President in the Marvel Universe would end up being a sort of  supervillain, the head of a conspiracy to conquer a country. According to Englehart himself, he made the choice to deliberately keep vague the identity of Number One because he was uncertain if Marvel would let him do it.

Interestingly, Cap from around this point in time would be one of the characters in Avengers Forever, and Wasp remarked that it was some nameless high government official in this story.

Back to his, Number One states that the power in his position was not enough for him, and he wanted more. Much more. Thus, the official gambled on the Secret Empire to cause a coup to get the power he craved. Since the gamble failed, he's going to cash in his chips.

With a bullet. Cap then dejectedly walks out of the White House. He's in a funk. He knew his country had faults and flaws, but he always believed that in the end, people in the government worked to make things better. Yeah, sure. Dirty tricks and corrupt politicians didn't exist in the 1940s. Sure.

This issue was...pretty decent to pretty good. It does continue a tradition Cap does in his stories, and that's reflect the times they were printed in. Only appropriate that Cap tell a story inspired by the biggest American political scandal of the 1970s. The dialogue can be a bit...hammy at times, but it comes with the territory of comics made in this time. Cap's disillusionment is a bit...sudden, though. However, it works for the story. Sal Buscema puts in some really good art. Some of the panels have a bit of a Jack Kirby vibe to them, which is really neat.

Next time, we return to Earth-712, where we continue our look at the downfall of the Squadron Supreme...