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| Series | The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes | ||||||||
| Release Date | October 4, 2010 (Online) October 14, 2010 (Television) | ||||||||
| Episode Number | M 14 | ||||||||
| Writer | Paul Giacoppo | ||||||||
| Director | Sebastian Montes | ||||||||
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- Not to be confused with the similarly named episode "Meet Captain America".
In order to end the Second World War, Captain America and his sidekick Bucky must team up with the Howling Commandos and a man named Howlett to bring down the HYDRA war machine. But their mission may prove more fateful than they realize.
Story[]
At some point in time, Kang looks onto what looks like a group of crystals. He tells his computer to load Chronal Archive 001944. He leans back in his chair as the computer loads it.
Soon, the crystal-like wall before him separates and shines a bright light onto him. He squints his eye as he watches a newsreel from the period of World War II. He sees the symbol of HYDRA, a skull on top of octopus tentacles.
The narrator explains that the HYDRA war-machine is expanding its reach. An image of the Earth appears at the bottom and octopus tentacles are layered on top. It cuts to a map of Europe where HYDRA symbols are placed on various countries beginning from the East and moving West. The octopus tentacles slither along with the logos.
The narrator claims that no one has yet been able to hold off the army. It then shows the marching boots of the HYDRA army, and then goes to see buildings caught in an enormous blaze as HYDRA flags wave in the foreground. Men raise their fists into the air as the image "burns" away.
It shows a large squadron of Hellcat style airplanes flying above a fleet of destroyers, battleships, and an aircraft carrier. The narrator says that the Allies have banded together to stand against HYDRA.
It shows a still image of a group of soldiers following a Light Tank M3 through a ruined city. Tank sound effects are played. The narrator says that the men are going off to war.
It then shows a line of brawny men waiting in line as a young, scrawny kid named Steve Rogers is weighed. A doctor notes the weight while General Chester Philips watches. Heroic music swells as the narrator explains that the boy will become the famous Captain America.
Dr. Abraham Erskine looks at a hypodermic needle filled with a substance. Philips and another soldier look on as the shirtless Rogers looks scared. The narrator explains that while Rogers was too small for combat he would not give up and volunteered for a secret military experiment. Other doctors look on in protective suits.
Philips and several other men watch the proceedings, with a shadow of Steve cast on them. The narrator says that the nation's top scientists turned him into the world's first super soldier. The scrawny shadow is suddenly transformed into a large hulking body.
Later, Steve puts on a glove in front of a United States Flag covered background. He then puts on a hood with a large "A" and wings on it. He then holds up a large round shield.
He lowers the shield and stands next to a young boy named Bucky. The two look proud as they stand next to a tank with B-24 Liberators flying overhead.
A newspaper from The Excelsior spins towards the screen. The top headline reads "BATTLE OF BRITAIN: R.A.F. ON OFFENSIVE". The next one reads "CAP PUSHES U.S. FRONT" while the subtitle explains that the "Invaders disband to maximize efforts." Another headline reads "DICTATORS TALK FOR HOURS" with the subtitle "GENERAL APPEAL FROM LONDON". The picture shows Cap and Bucky fighting a group of HYDRA soldiers in a city's ruins at night. Cap is leaping down to tackle several men while others fire their guns at him.
Another newspaper flies at the screen. This one shows Cap punching a HYDRA soldier as another one runs up to him, with buildings on fire in the background. The top headline reads "BISMARCK: THE FIRST FULL STORY". The next one reads "CAP SECURES SICILY" subtitle "F.D.R.: 'Victory Imminent with U.S. Super Soldier.'" The next headline reads "Air and Sea Chase Lasted Four Days, Covered 1,750 Miles".
The narrator says that Cap is leading the fight against the Red Skull and HYDRA forces.
A third newspaper comes at the screen. This one shows HYDRA soldiers standing in formation at one of their complexes. The headline says "HYDRA ADVANCE" with the subtitle "Zemo's Hordes spread despite armistice." Other headlines say "LATE WAR NEWS SPECIAL" and "MORE LANDINGS AT ORAN and CASABLANCA".
A flag spreads across the screen. An image of Cap appears and the narrator wishes him good luck, wherever he is. The newsreel ends with the waving image of the flag.
At some other time, a flag atop a landing craft flaps in the howling winds. The craft travels through the choppy waters under the light of the moon, though it is only half shown through the clouds. It quickly approaches a rocky coast.
Inside, James Howlett, Dum Dum Dugan, and Izzy Cohen watch in anticipation. Rain pours down on them. One readies their gun. Another looks at the Howling Commandos patch, the image of a wolf firing a gun, on another's shoulder. The ship goes past Czech Hedgehogs.
The ship approaches and comes to a stop. The front end lowers and the men inside depart, wading through the waters. One takes shelter behind a hedgehog while Rebel Ralston holds up a pair of binoculars to look ahead.
He looks up to scan the large castle head of them. A bolt of lightning strikes behind it. Sergeant Jack Fury signals them to move forward and the men proceed.
The men make their way to a cemetery and walk through it. As they go through the shadow covered area, a gun appears over one headstone. The holder readies the cocks the weapon.
As Dugan and the others walk up, Sgt. Fury stops them. Just then a mortar goes up illuminating the night sky. He tells the Howling Commandos to move. They run just as the mortar lands causing a large explosion.
A HYDRA soldier then opens up with the MG 08 machine gun. Percy Pinkerton takes cover as does another nearby soldier.
The machine gun tears apart an angel statue that Dino Manelli and Izzy take cover behind. He blows a bubble with his bubblegum then peaks out to fire at the attacker. He quickly ducks before the machine gun fires at him. He pops his bubble as Izzy looks at him in confusion.
Elsewhere, Fury points out that they're sitting ducks and orders Howlett to recon the area. Howlett tells the "bub" that he's working on it. Dugan stands nearby.
The soldier continues to fire the weapon until it jams. He pounds on it as an object swoops by behind him. Just then, a large round object swoops through and cuts the gun in half. It explodes pushing the soldier back.
A hand reaches up and grabs the round object. Percy and Izzy look up in wonder. They see the silhouette of Captain America against the moon. He moves his shield so that part of the red, white, and blue pattern can be seen.
He tells them that they have to take down HYDRA's science base. He moves forward so that he can be fully seen. He goes on to say that they have a man on the inside who will help them.
Dugan walks up to the standing Fury as Howlett stands. He holds up his shield saying that they should go show the Red Skull that his time is over. The Commandos cheer.
Elsewhere, Red Skull stands on a balcony in the castle looking out on the moon. Lieutenant Strucker approaches and Red Skull recognizes him without even turning around. He slightly turns his head and orders Strucker to report.
Strucker tells him that the Allies have found their fortress and sent Captain America to them. Red Skull orders him to send a regiment to stop the super soldier, despite knowing that Cap will defeat them. The regiment is merely to delay Cap so that he can prepare the "specimens."
Outside, Gabe Jones blows a trumpet signaling the march forward. Dugan, Izzy, Rebel, and Dino rise over the hill and storm the fortress.
Cap's shield flies up and destroys part of a tower causing two enemy soldiers to fall. Cap grabs his shield as the debris and men fall around them. Cap and Fury then charge a group of nearby enemy and knock them off the side.
Elsewhere, Dugan wrestles with a large group of soldiers.
One HYDRA soldier backs up to large body of water. Howlett pops up and watches him. He leaps out of the water and attacks the unsuspecting soldier.
A soldier stumbles back as another flies into him. A third soldier runs up to see Percy knocking down a fourth. He throws several punches but Percy easily dodges the attacks. He swings his umbrella down and hooks it around the soldier's neck. Percy brings him close and punches him.
Meanwhile, the castle looks empty. High above, the lightning continues to strike.
Down below, Cap and Fury run up to the drawbridge. A group of soldiers stop them. One of them levels a strange gun at them and fires. Cap raises his shield and protects them. Cap then runs forward and begins knocking the men off the bridge.
Fury punches on man so hard he knocks the spit out. Meanwhile Cap takes on a large group. Cap throws his shield and knocks out two more men. It bounces off the wall and strikes a third. Fury smiles and says that everyone should have a shield like that. Cap looks to him and says that it's the only one.
Just then a grenade flies out and lands in front of them. Cap quickly raises the shield but both are caught in the explosion.
As the smoke clears, Cap struggles to stand and wonders where Fury went. He looks up to see Fury unconscious next to his shield. A gun then comes down and hits Cap on the head. Cap looks over and the gun tries again.
A HYDRA soldier flies over the side of the bridge. Cap dusts off his hands as he looks over. Another soldier appears and readies his gun. Suddenly the bridge comes down and squishes the soldier.
Cap looks up to see Bucky walking across the bridge. He stands and teases Cap for being late. As the smoke clears, Howlett and Rebel walk up and check on Fury who is just sitting up.
Seeing that his ally is fine, Cap turns to his sidekick and asks if there is any trouble inside. Bucky tells him that HYDRA soldiers are everywhere and he couldn't get to the lower levels without raising an alarm. Cap walks up to him and Bucky tells him that he knows how to get there.
Cap says that the time for stealth is over and storms in followed by Bucky.
Inside, Cap approaches a large door and Bucky tries to catch up. Bucky says he'll "knock" and throws a device at the door. It sticks and then explodes. The massive doors fall down and Bucky shields his face.
The two then hear large footsteps approaching. Bucky steps forward boasting that he'll handle whatever it is.
Then a large cyclops appears in the doorway. It leans over and roars at the two smaller beings.
Bucky stumbles back saying he'll let Cap handle this one.
Quotes[]
"Display Chronal Archive: 001944. Keyword: Rogers."
- -Kang, first line
"News from the front. As the HYDRA war machine expands its reach, one by one the nations of Europe fall under its shadow. None so far have withstood the onslaught. But Allied soldiers from across the globe stand together. And as the world goes to war, we recount the tale of Steve Rogers, the man who would become Captain America! Although Rogers was too frail for combat, his fighting experience wouldn't give up. He volunteered for a secret military experiment. And with the help of the country's finest scientists, was transformed into the world's first super soldier! Now he fights alongside the Allies as a symbol of freedom and levity for all the world. Even now, Cap is leading the charge against the dreaded Red Skull and his HYDRA forces. Good luck Captain America! Wherever you are."
- -Newsreel Narrator, first line
"We're sitting ducks out here. Howlett, I need recon."
"I'm working on it, bub."
- -Jack Fury and James Howlett, first lines
"This is the end of the line, boys. Our job is to take down HYDRA's science base. And we already got a man on the inside to get us in. Now, let's go show the Red Skull that his days are numbered!"
- -Captain America, first lines
"Lieutenant Strucker, report."
"Herr Skull, the Allies have found the fortress. Captain America is with them."
"Send your best regiment out to confront him. He will defeat them of course. But it will give us time to prepare the specimens. This will be the perfect test."
- -Red Skull, first lines, and Baron Strucker
"They should make that thing standard issue."
"Sorry Sarge. It's one of a kind."
- -Jack Fury and Captain America'
"Huh. You're late."
- -Bucky, first line
"The stealth portion of this mission is officially over."
- -Captain America
"Must be the welcoming committee. I've got this covered." [Sees cyclops] "You know what, Cap...he he...I change my mind. You get this one."
- -Bucky
Trivia[]
- The Captain America series of micro-episodes is the last to begin. In fact, the Iron Man and Thor series of micro-episodes already finished by the time this one began.
- It is also the shortest series to be completed, as only one other micro-episode interrupts this series ("Welcome to Wakanda") before it's completion.
- The first The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode to deal with the origin of a hero.
- During Steve Roger's transformation there are men in suits standing in the shadows. Presumably, these men are early members, or perhaps founders, of S.H.I.E.L.D..
- Excelsior is a popular phrase of Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee.
- A side headline on the first newspaper reads "U-BOA[Cut off] VESS[Cut off]" presumably talking about a German U-Boat vessel.
- The two lowest and two side headlines are difficult to make out for the single frame it appears.
- The third newpaper's headline reads "[Cut off]ERS SURRENDERS TO ALLIES".
- In the comics, the World War II Invaders were comprised of Captain America, Bucky, the android Human Torch, Torch's sidekick Toro, and Namor. Only Cap and Bucky appeared in the series.
- In the comics, by the time of World War II James Howlett had already forgotten who he was and took the name Logan. In this animated universe, he apparently only forgets it because of Weapon X.
- Second animated appearance of Rebel Ralston, Dino Manelli, and Pinky Pinkerton. They previously appeared in a very brief cameo at the end of X-Men's "Old Soldiers", which also featured Captain America and Logan storming a Red Skull controlled base.
- Bucky is voiced by Scott Menville. Menville played Robin on the television series Teen Titans. Bucky and Robin are typically seen as counterparts as both were sidekicks to major superheroes during the Second World War and have come into their own following the war, with both even taking up the mantle of their partner.
Goofs[]
- The map of Europe shown during the newsreel does not have the proper boundaries, even for the Second World War. Much of it is blended into one large nation, though perhaps in the series' continuity this did happen.
- There are fifty stars on the American flag. Alaska and Hawaii didn't become states until 1959.
- When looking through the binoculars Rebel Ralston sees a sideways 8 shape. This is a common mistake and never happens. In reality people see a circle.
- The moon is too skinny when Captain America catches the shield.
- While it looks cool, there's no way the whites on Captain America's clothing would stand out like that. Unless they were glow in the dark, which would not be wise for soldiers in a combat zone.
- Gabe Jones blowing a trumpet signaling an attack is a very poor strategy for a small commando team when go up against a large fortified position. They would not want the attention of the larger, more well-equipped army.
- The last two HYDRA soldiers could not have gotten on the bridge. Captain America and Jack Fury clearly knocked everyone off, the explosion would have at least knocked out any remaining, and the bridge was not yet lowered to allow more to come.
Continuity[]
- First appearances of Captain America, Kang the Conqueror, Red Skull, Bucky, Abraham Erskine, Chester Phillips, Wolverine, and the Howling Commandos Jack Fury, Dum Dum Dugan, Gabe Jones, Rebel Ralston, Dino Manelli, Izzy Cohen, and Pinky Pinkerton.
- Only appearance of General Chester Philips and Doctor Abraham Erskine.
- Jack Fury is the father of Nick Fury, introduced in "HYDRA Lives!".
- James Howlett, also known as Logan and Wolverine, previously appeared in Hulk vs Wolverine along with Hulk and was the title character of Wolverine and the X-Men. He reappears in "New Avengers".
- Baron Strucker previously appeared in the chronologically later episode "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.".
- Kang would eventually reappear in "The Man Who Stole Tomorrow".
- The Howling Commandos would reappear in "The Fall of Asgard" as ghostly images.
Background[]
This micro-episode along with "The Red Skull Strikes!", "If This Be Doomsday!", and "Lo, There Shall Come a Conqueror" were combined into the full length episode "Meet Captain America".
Jack Fury is voiced by Alex Desert, the same actor who voices his son Nick.
In this episode, Wolverine is called Howlett. In the Wolverine and the X-Men episode "Stolen Lives" he is called James. This makes him the first version to use the comic book version's real name of James Howlett.
The shot of Howlett coming out of the water is based on the iconic shot from the famous war movie Apocalypse Now.
First aired online on October 4th, 2010 and October 14th, 2010 for television. The television date was the same day for the airings of fellow micro-episodes "Enter the Whirlwind", "The Red Skull Strikes!", and "If This Be Doomsday!".
Video[]
