STEVE ROGERS LMD

Classification: Terrestrial technology (Chinese)

Creator: Communist China

User/Possessors: Chinese communists (behind the scenes), Cyril Lucas

First Appearance: Captain America I#106 (October, 1968)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: Built by the Chinese communists for Operation: Replica using information stolen from S.H.I.E.L.D., this LMD was a perfect resemblance to Steve Rogers, and was said to be stronger, faster, and smarter than Captain America himself -- it was powerful enough to break a steel post. However, the LMD was constructed using an untested formula, resulting in it having an unstable molecular structure, which eventually caused it to disintegrate.

History:
(Captain America I#106) - A small unit of Chinese commandos was sent to New York City to raid a local S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ building. They stole a strongbox which contained a file of the secrets of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Life Model Decoy process. Although Captain America intervened on their attack, one commando managed to escape with the box and hand it off to a helicopter, which flew it back to China.

  In the Far East, construction of a perfect replica of Captain America was completed. Clad only in shorts and boots, the LMD would take the costume of Cap after slaying him. It was lowered into a shipping case and sent off. It would arrive on America's west coast by morning at the movie studios of Infinity Productions, at the office of producer Cyril Lucas, who was secretly working as an agent for the Reds. Lucas planned to use the replica to take Cap's place and discredit him with a propaganda film.

  Going to the studio to investigate, Cap was attacked by his replica. As the two fought, Cyril Lucas's younger brother Willie refused to stand by while the patriotic paragon was murdered, so he distracted the LMD, but it retaliated by hurling him away, resulting in Willie's death.

  As the LMD began to bind Cap's legs with electrical cables, Captain America kicked it away. Cap then noticed the LMD shaking and beginning to glow. The LMD ran off in a panicked state, crashing through a brick wall on its way. A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent showed up and advised Cap not to follow it -- it wouldn't be a pretty sight when the LMD fell apart. He further told Cap that S.H.I.E.L.D. had permitted the Communist agents to steal the LMD formula because it was untested and they had allowed them to act as guinea pigs.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Profile by John Kaminski

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Steve Rogers LMD has no known connections to

• Ameridroid (Lyle Dekker), had mind transferred into Captain America android @ Captain America I#218
• Steve Rogers LMD, built by S.H.I.E.L.D., "killed" by Sniper @ Tales of Suspense I#96
• or any other characters with similar names

Operation: Replica has no known connection to:

• Replicoid, Celestial creation, Thor doppelganger @ Thor I#389
• Replicus, extraterrestrial robot @ Thor I#141
• or any other characters with similar names

Operation: Replica

Using a scientific formula stolen from S.H.I.E.L.D., the Chinese communists created their own version of Life Model Decoy technology, which they used to produce a double of Captain America. However, the formula they stole was untested; this resulted in their creation having an unstable molecular structure, which eventually caused it to disintegrate.

--Captain America I#106

images: (without ads)
Captain America I#106, p15, pan5 (main image)