EARTH-84444 (EARTH-CAPTAIN AMERICA WERE REVIVED TODAY)
Type: Divergent Earth
Environment: Earth-like
Usual means of access: Presumably vibrational attunement
Dominant Life Form: Atlanteans, gods, humans
Significant Inhabitants: The Avengers (Giant-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp), Ayolotl, Billy, the Black Cadres, Bucky ("Bucky" Barnes), Captain America (Steve Rogers), Norman Chadwick, Sammy Cohen, the Fantastic Four, Freedom Five (Bucky (Jack Monroe), Captain America (1950s impostor), Golden Girl, Hangman (Harlan Krueger), Hawkeye), Friedrich, General Nick Fury, Quentin Harderman, Adolf Hitler, the Howling Commandos, J. Jonah Jameson, Jim, Captain Johanson, Rick Jones, Kang the Conqueror, the Lava Men, the Masters of Evil, Paul McCartney, Mike, Namor the Sub-Mariner, National Force, Phil, Plantman, Porcupine, the Secret Empire, the Sentinels of Liberty, the Serpent Squad (Cobra, Eel, Viper), the Sons of the Serpent, Spider-Man, William Taurey, "Snap" Wilson, the Yellow Claw
First Appearance: What If? I#44 (April, 1984)
History: (What If? I#44) - After battling the Avengers, the Sub-Mariner took a southerly track through the water to escape them. Despite their best efforts, the Avengers could not manage to keep track of the Sub-Mariner and they eventually abandoned their search in favor of finding him another day. The Avengers continued their fight for justice, battling such villains as Kang, the Lava Men, and the Masters of Evil until they all decided to take some time off for their own pursuits, effectively disbanding the Avengers despite protest from Rick Jones. Years later, after the President planned to visit Communist China, a janitor working in a government facility decided to free the contained 1950s replacement Captain America and Bucky from suspended animation. The janitor then explained to Cap and Bucky that America had need of them now more than ever. He then left, explaining that he was an American and never revealing his identity. Finding his shield close by, Captain America explained to Bucky that whatever forms of tyranny and subversion take, they would be there to fight it.
Soon after, Captain America and Bucky foiled the robbery of a local savings and loan, announcing their return to the arriving police and leaving the crooks for the police to take care of. In the months that followed, Cap and Bucky returned to the spotlight, taking down villains such as the Eel, the Serpent Squad, Plantman, Porcupine, and the Yellow Claw. They also appeared on television talk shows talking about their return to the present day. As they returned to their apartment, Bucky reminded Cap that they were down to their last $10 and asked if they could go to the Fantastic Four for help. Cap explained that he didn't know if they could be trusted and Bucky asked if it was because the FF might realize that he and Cap were not the original Captain America and Bucky. Cap then explained that it wasn't just that but he was concerned that the enemies of America had burrowed themselves so deep that they needed to keep their images above reproach. Their conversation was soon interrupted by a knock at their door. When they opened it, they saw Quentin Harderman of the Committee to Regain America's Principles. Mr. Harderman introduced himself and explained that both Cap and Bucky shared the Committee's positions, announcing that he was aware of their true identities as the replacement Captain America and Bucky from the 1950s. Cap and Bucky then resigned themselves to being found out and explained that if they were to be found out, they were glad that it was by a group of true American patriots like the Committee to Regain America's Principles. Not long after, Cap and Bucky appeared on television, promoting the election of Norman Chadwick for Senator, explaining to the public that America was in trouble of being torn apart. He then appeared on television with Chadwick himself, explaining to newsmen that civil rights and disarmament groups were contributing to Communist enemies. Chadwick soon won the Senate race in a landslide victory, quickly proposing the National Identity Card Bill to rid America of illegal alien workers. When support for the bill eroded, Captain America appeared on a poster promoting the Bill and earning the Bill enough support to get it passed. Almost immediately after its passing, Chadwick introduced the creation of the Federal Jobs Bureau to insure that every American got their fair chance at a job. African-American protesters soon took to the streets in opposition of the Federal Jobs Bureau and were met in Harlem by a slew of riot police, fronted by Captain America and Bucky. As Captain America spoke with the Reverend leader of the civil rights march, a sniper shot him, causing a riot to erupt in Harlem and spread to Watts, Detroit, and Chicago. The riots sparked military opposition and a summer of burning cities began as Captain America appeared on television from his hospital bed in support of Chadwick's newly-created Emergency Security Powers Act. As he recovered, Captain America appeared on television twice more, once in support of the Sentinels of Liberty group dedicated to American ideals, and second in support of the Congressional Committee on Public Safety after martial law had been declared in America.
Years later, a U. S. navy nuclear submarine found the real Captain America frozen in the arctic while on patrol. Thinking him to be one of the Sentinels of Liberty, sailor Sammy Cohen refused to help him and an African-American sailor tried to beat him to death. Before he could do so, the real Cap regained consciousness and demanded to know what they did to Bucky. Angry that he had placed blame on them, the sailors attacked the real Cap, who easily shrugged the men off. Recognizing the fighting style, the sub's Captain Johanson explained to the sailors that the real Cap had never been found and quickly asked Cap what year he thought it was. When he replied "1945," the captain explained to the sailors that the man who had been active as Captain America in recent years had to have been an evil impostor. The captain then explained to the real Captain America what had happened to America in his absence. When the sub arrived in New York for shore leave, Cap disguised himself as another sailor and went on land with the others. The group was soon stopped by one of the Sentinels of Liberty, who demanded to see Cap's papers. The captain presented the soldier with a fake ID card for "Roger Stevens." The soldier allowed them to pass and remarked with some racial slurs, angering Cap. Johanson then led Cap to the Daily Bugle and introduced him to J. Jonah Jameson, whom let them hitch a ride on one of the Bugle's delivery trucks to Harlem. When Cap and Johanson jumped off in Harlem, Cap was shocked to find the Harlem Wall erected around the Harlem area of New York. The sub captain then explained that the superheroes of New York had been relocated, such as the Fantastic Four sent to Arizona, Iron Man vanishing when Stark Enterprises was nationalized, and other heroes who had been duped by the replacement Captain America into joining his cause. Once they had entered Harlem through a secret entrance, the real Cap was horrified at the conditions in the area. Johanson then explained that the Sentinels of Liberty never entered Harlem, which was the location of a new American revolution led by General Fury with his lieutenants Spider-Man and "Snap" Wilson, organizer of the Black Cadres. "Snap" immediately distrusted Cap and revealed his identity, thinking him a Sentinel of Liberty. Cap soon recognized Fury as the former Sgt. of the Howling Commandos, much to Fury's surprise, and Johanson then explained how the real Cap had been found. Fury then welcomed Cap back and explained that they might be able to tips the scale when the America First Party held its national convention in New York in a week.
Days later, the impostor Captain America appeared before the America First Party and announced that he would help them free America from the Communists. Days after, the America First Party held their national convention in Madison Square Garden where Peter Parker attempted to get in with a press pass. When the Sentinels of Liberty attempted to stop him, he webbed their faces and got inside. Inside the convention, the impostor Cap introduced America to Freedom Five, a group of superheroes dedicated to nomination of William Taurey, head of National Force, as president. The convention was soon interrupted by the arrival of Spider-Man, the real Cap, "Snap" Wilson, and his Black Cadres. The two Caps began an intense fight as Spider-Man webbed up Hawkeye and the Hangman. Golden Girl managed to escape just as General Fury pulled a gun on the impostor Bucky. As the battle pressed on live television, the Harlem Wall came down and riots broke out in Watts and Detroit once again, the revolution rising up. Following the defeat of the impostor Cap, the real Captain America announced that America was fragile and had been corrupted but it could still be freed. The public finally realizing that this was the true Captain America, the song America the Beautiful rang throughout the United States as the fight to free it from its tyranny had just begun.
Comments: Created by Peter B. Gillis, Sal Buscema, and Dave Simons.
This reality diverged when the Sub-Mariner never chanced upon the group of Inuits worshipping the frozen Captain America.
Many characters on this Earth were never seen, only mentioned, including Ayolotl (who was only mentioned in a newspaper article about him being on a rampage), Bucky Barnes, the Fantastic Four (its members were never revealed but were presumably Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, & Thing), Friedrich (who was only mentioned in a newspaper article about buying Time-Life), Adolf Hitler, the Howling Commandos (who presumably were the same as their 616 counterparts), Kang the Conqueror, the Masters of Evil (who presumably mirrored the 1st Earth-616 incarnation), Paul McCartney, and National Force.
The 1950s replacement Bucky was never named in this story, but on Earth-616, the '50s replacement Bucky was Jack Monroe, later known as Nomad. I ASSumed that it was still Jack Monroe on this Earth as well.
Per Degaton contacted Peter Gillis about Hangman's identity and Gillis revealed that he intended Hangman to be a counterpart to Doug Moench's creation since he fit right in with the 50's Cap's agenda. And quote:"And Hawkeye, at that point, was still a carny performer and a patsy. In any case they weren't going to be a real fighting team (no actual super-powers there)--just a front for William Taurey's forces."
Profile by Proto-Man.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Earth-Captain America Were Revived Today has no known connections to
The Avengers were the same as their Earth-616 counterparts up until they gave up searching for the Sub-Mariner and never found the frozen Captain America. Following their battle with Sub-Mariner, the Avengers battled Kang, the Masters of Evil, and the Lava Men before disbanding when its founders decided to pursue their own pursuits. Once the government had taken over America, Iron Man mysteriously vanished from the public eye when Stark Enterprises was nationalized.
The Avengers were (from left to right): Giant-Man, Wasp, Rick Jones (pictured but not a member), Iron Man, and Thor.
Note: It was possible that Rick Jones was given honorary status as an Avenger in this reality, like he was on Earth-616, but it never revealed.
--What If? I#44
Billy was a child who appeared on television with the impostor Captain America supporting the Sentinels of Liberty.
--What If? I#44 (seen only on a TV
screen)
The Black Cadres were a revolutionary group organized by "Snap" Wilson. They aided General Fury and the real Captain America in overthrowing the impostor Captain America and the corrupt U. S. government.
Many of the Black Cadres carried guns and other firearms.
--What If? I#44
Steve Rogers, like his Earth-616 counterpart, was a World War II hero and partner of Bucky Barnes. When he was frozen in suspended animation in 1945, the U. S. government replaced him in the 1950s with a lookalike using the alias of Steve Rogers and partnered with a different Bucky. Decades later, after the replacement Cap had helped the U. S. government in controlling America, the real Captain America was revived by Captain Johanson and his submarine crew. Johanson showed Cap how America had fallen in his absence and then introduced Cap to General Fury, head of the new revolutionary movement to overthrow the government. Joining them, the real Captain America helped them attack the America First Party's national convention, defeating the impostor Cap in a heated battle. After the impostor was defeated, the real Captain America announced to the American public that they had let things go too far but it was still able to be saved. Once the public realized that this was the true Captain America, the song America the Beautiful was sung across the entire U. S. as they began the battle to free America from its own government.
Captain America had peak human physical attributes and aging, like his Earth-616 counterpart.
--What If? I#44
Norman Chadwick was a member of the Committee to Regain America's Principles. When the impostor Captain America agreed to help the Committee, Norman Chadwick was selected to run for the U. S. Senate. Because of the impostor Cap's presence, Chadwick won in a landslide victory and began passing numerous manipulate bills and acts, such as the National Identity Card Bill, the Federal Jobs Bureau, and the Emergency Security Powers Act, all to bring America closer to being under the Committee's control.
--What If? I#44
Sammy Cohen was a sailor in the U.S. Navy, serving on the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine that discovered the frozen Captain America. At first thinking the real Cap to be a member of the Sentinels of Liberty, Sammy tried to attack the Captain, only to be stopped by the submarine's Captain Johanson. When Cap came to, Sammy and the other sailors attacked him, only to be pushed away by the more experienced Captain. He was eventually convinced of the Captain's true identity.
--What If? I#44
The Freedom Five were a superteam that served the government. It was founded by the 1950s replacement Captain America who, along with the replacement Bucky, were taken out of suspended animation. Once the replacements agreed to aid the Committee to Regain America's Principles, they became the spokesmen for the Committee's Acts and Bills, eventually paving the way for the corrupt government's control over America. When the America First Party held their national convention in Madison Square Garden, the impostor Cap introduced the world to the Freedom Five, a team to aid William Taurey's run for the presidential seat. The team was quickly attacked by the real Captain America and General Fury's revolutionary movement. During the battle, Spider-Man webbed up Hawkeye and the Hangman, and the Golden Girl was allowed to escape since she was just a hired actress to fill the role.
They were: (from left to right): Golden Girl, Hawkeye, the impostor Captain America, the Hangman, and the impostor Bucky.
--What If? I#44
Nick Fury, like his 616 counterpart, was originally the Sgt. of the Howling Commandos unit during World War II. When the world became corrupted by the Committee to Regain America's Principles, the now-General Fury went underground as the head of the revolutionary movement that eventually overthrew the corrupt government with the help of the real Captain America and "Snap" Wilson's Black Cadres. During the battle against the impostor Cap's Freedom Five, Fury pulled a gun on the impostor Bucky.
Fury aged very slowly, just like his 616 counterpart.
--What If? I#44
Quentin Harderman was a member of the Committee to Regain America's Principles. When the 1950s replacement Captain America and Bucky were awakened from their suspended animation, Harderman confronted them at their tenement, revealing that he was aware that they were not the originals they claimed to be. He then discussed the Committee with them, luring them into serving the Committee's purposes.
--What If? I#44
J. Jonah Jameson, like his Earth-616 counterpart, was the head of the Daily Bugle newspaper. Once the Committee to Regain America's Principles had control over America, the Daily Bugle was still allowed to be published but it was severely edited due to the Emergency Information Freedoms Act. Despite the censorship, Jameson still fought the powers-that-be with his paper and when the real Captain America was revived from his frozen suspended animation, Captain Johanson took Cap to the Daily Bugle. After meeting with Jameson, Johanson and Cap were given a ride to Harlem on one of the Daily Bugle's trucks.
--What If? I#44
Jim, along with Mike, was a host of "Report to the Nation," a political television talk show. Not long after the impostor Captain America began supporting Norman Chadwick's run for the Senate, Jim and Mike had both the impostor Cap and Chadwick on their show to discuss the Captain's recent quotes regarding civil rights and disarmament groups. Jim then asked the impostor Cap about the allegations that he was not the real Captain America, to which Chadwick got extremely defensive.
--What If? I#44
Captain Johanson was the captain of the U. S. Navy nuclear submarine that found the frozen Captain America. Once the real Cap's identity was revealed, Johanson helped Cap set up a false identity of "Roger Stevens," complete with a fake military ID. When the sub surfaced, Johanson showed Captain America what had happened to America in his absence and explained what the replacement Captain America had done in his name. Upon seeing the state of Harlem, Captain America was determined to fight back. Johanson then led Cap to the underground revolutionary movement headed up by General Nick Fury, whom Cap recognized as the head of the Howling Commandos during World War II.
--What If? I#44
Rick Jones was the same as his Earth-616 counterpart up until the Avengers disbanded. When they all went their separate ways, Rick tried to talk them out of it.
--What If?
I#44
The Lava Men were the same as their Earth-616 counterparts.
--What If? I#44
Mike, along with Jim, was a host of "Report to the Nation," a political television talk show. After the impostor Captain America came out in support of Norman Chadwick for the U. S. Senate, Mike and Jim had the two on their show. Mike asked questions regarding the impostor Cap's stance on civil rights and disarmament groups while Jim asked about the allegations regarding whether or not the impostor Cap was the real Captain America.
--What If? I#44
Namor the Sub-Mariner was the same as his Earth-616 counterpart up until he was defeated by the Avengers and took a southerly route back to Atlantis.
Namor had the same superhuman strength, flight, and ability to breathe underwater that his 616 counterpart had.
--What If? I#44
Phil was the host of a television talk show that the impostor Captain America and Bucky appeared on shortly after their return from suspended animation.
--What If? I#44
Plantman was the same as his Earth-616 counterpart up until he battled the 1950s replacement Captain America, thinking that he was the true Cap.
Plantman presumably had the same plant-manipulation technology that his 616 counterpart had.
--What If? I#44
Porcupine was the same as his Earth-616 counterpart up until he battled the 1950s replacement Captain America and Bucky, thinking them to be the originals.
He presumably had the same quill-based technology that his 616 counterpart had.
--What If? I#44
The Secret Empire was the same as its Earth-616 counterpart up until the Committee to Regain America's Principles began controlling America. Once the Committee had their grasp on the U. S. government, they split up the control of America into parts, with the Secret Empire controlling a section of it. Prior to the America First Party's national convention, the impostor Captain America appeared before a committee of Secret Empire, National Force, and Sons of the Serpent heads and was told to support William Taurey for president.
--What If? I#44
The Sentinels of Liberty were soldiers hired to enforce the government's acts and bills. They started out as a group dedicated to the "ideals" of America but soon, they stood for little more than the government's hired goons. After a U. S. Navy nuclear submarine uncovered the real Captain America, the sub visited New York for shore leave, escorting a disguised Captain America into the country he had sworn to protect so many decades before. The Sentinels of Liberty now stood guard over the military and some were later stationed at the America First Party's national convention in Madison Square Garden.
--What If? I#44
The Serpent Squad were mostly the same as its Earth-616 counterparts up until they battled the impostor Captain America shortly after his return from suspended animation.
They were (from left to right): the Eel, the Viper, Cobra.
--What If? I#44
After America had been taken over by the Committee to Regain America's Principles, the Sons of the Serpent were part of the overall ruling council consisting of them, National Force, the Secret Empire, and the Committee itself. Prior to the America First Party's national convention, a member of the Sons of the Serpent, along with other representatives of the other council organizations, met with the impostor Captain America and reminded him to support William Taurey's presidential candidacy.
--What If? I#44
Spider-Man was mostly the same as his Earth-616 counterpart up until the Committee to Regain America's Principles began to slowly gain control over America. Resisting their takeover due to his loyalty to J. Jonah Jameson, Peter Parker soon joined General Nick Fury's revolutionary movement and secretly aided their campaigns. Once the real Captain America had returned, Peter Parker was sent to the America First Party's national convention in Madison Square Garden and attempted to use his press pass to get inside. When the Sentinels of Liberty refused to let him inside, he webbed their faces, donned his Spider-Man costume, and stormed the convention along with Fury, the real Cap, "Snap" Wilson, and his Black Cadres. He quickly webbed up Hawkeye and the Hangman as the real Cap battled the impostor Cap.
Spider-Man had the same superhuman strength, agility, and spider-sense that his Earth-616 counterpart had.
--What If? I#44
William
Taurey
William Taurey was the head of National Force and was its representative that met with the impostor Captain America just prior to the America First Party's national convention, where his presidential candidacy was announced. Secretly plotting to control America himself, Taurey was nominated for the presidency during the convention but General Fury's revolutionary movement stormed the convention, bringing down the impostor Captain America and his Freedom Five.
--What If? I#44
Unlike his Earth-616 counterpart, the Falcon, Sam Wilson was never trained by the real Captain America. Despite his attitudes, "Snap" Wilson formed the Black Cadres in response to the government's Acts and Bills that hurt African-Americans. When General Nick Fury formed a revolutionary movement against the government, "Snap" lent Fury his Black Cadres to aid in the fight against the government. After the real Captain America was introduced to General Fury, "Snap" immediately thought him a Sentinel of Liberty, ripping his disguise and revealing his costume. The real Captain America soon recognized Fury from World War II, proving his identity. The real Cap then helped "Snap" and the other revolutionaries in storming the America First Party's national convention in Madison Square Garden, where "Snap" forced the cameramen present to film the entire fight at gunpoint.
--What If? I#44
The Yellow Claw was the same as his Earth-616 counterpart up until he battled the replacement Captain America shortly after his return from suspended animation.
--What If? I#44
images: (without ads)
What If? I#44, p3, pan3 (Namor the Sub-Mariner)
p4, pan1 (Lava Men)
p4, pan2 (Rick Jones)
p4, pan4 (Avengers)
p11, pan1 (Serpent Squad, Plantman, Yellow Claw, &
Porcupine)
p12, pan4 (Phil)
p13, pan3 (Quentin Harderman)
p15, pan3 (Jim & Mike)
p16, pan1 (Norman Chadwick)
p19, pan3 (Billy)
p20, pan5 (Captain America Revived, main pic)
p21, pan1 (Sammy Cohen)
p24, pan2 (Captain Johanson)
p26, pan1 (J. Jonah Jameson)
p28, pan2 (General Nick Fury)
p30, pan1 (Secret Empire, William Taurey, & Sons of the
Serpent)
p31, pan4 (Sentinels of Liberty)
p31, pan6 (Freedom Five)
p32, splash page (Black Cadres)
p33, pan5 (Spider-Man)
p34, pan7 ("Snap" Wilson)
p37, pan4 (Captain America)
Appearances:
What If? I#44 (April, 1984) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Sal Buscema (penciler),
Dave Simons (inker)
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Last Updated: 08/16/04
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