WALTER CRONKITE WITH THE NEWS, OCTOBER 5TH, 1963
IMAGE: [A black and white screen shows a bustling news room full of people milling around the desks, with a line of white text reading "CBS, 5:30, 10-5-63" at the top of the screen]
ANNOUNCER: From CBS HQ in New York, this is the CBS Evening News, with Walter Cronkite. And Eric Severid in New York, George Herman and Leslie Stahl in Washington, Fred Graham in Atlanta, Peter Kalisher and Tom Fenton in Paris, and Robert Shakne in Des Moises. Tonight, a CBS Special Report - Captain America, Back from The Dead?
IMAGE: [The screen splits into two halves, one showing a propaganda poster from the 1940's of Captain America in full costume, while the other shows a modern photograph of a man in the same costume standing in front of a podium]
IMAGE: [The screen changes to a broadcast, with the previous split image hanging in the background on the studio wall. An older man with neatly combed hair, wearing a suit and tie, is sitting at a desk, flipping through the papers in front of him before looking at the camera]
CRONKITE: Good evening, I'm Walter Cronkite. Incredible news out of New York City today, as Captain America, war hero and World War 2 veteran, has been reported to be alive after almost 20 years since his disappearance. Captain America, who's civilian identity was never disclosed for security purposes but has been confirmed by military sources as a serving member of the U.S Armed Forces, disappeared without a trace during a mission against Nazi Germany in 1945, and was presumed dead alongside his partner Bucky. Information of his seemingly miraculous rediscovery were released to the press earlier today by sources inside the U.S military and SHIELD. Captain America attended a brief ceremony in Washington DC, where he was greeted by President Kennedy alongside several other veterans, including Colonel Nicholas Fury.
IMAGE: [Captain America shakes hands with John F Kennedy in front of the White House, surrounded by the Secret Service. In the background, a man with an eyepatch, wearing a bodysuit, can be seen standing next to a large, armored figure in red and gold.]
IMAGE: [A black and white screen shows a balding man dressed in a military uniform, decorated with honors and medals. Text at the bottom reads "Col. Sam Sawyer, U.S Army"]
SAWYER: I understand that this claim is disputed by some parts of the American public, but on behalf of the administration, I want to assure all members of the press that this man is exactly who he claims to be, we've confirmed it using both his war time records and the personal files assembled during the super soldier project in 1942. While Captain America's identity remains classified for security reasons, the Armed Forces again want to assure everyone that the man under the mask is in fact the real one, regardless of how outlandish his story might seem. We request that all members of the public respect this American hero's desire for privacy as he tries to adjust back to society.
CRONKITE: According to a press release made by Stark Industries, which was later confirmed by military sources, this seemingly miraculous rescue was made by a member of the controversial superhero group The Avengers, namely the individual refering to himself as Mr. Sunshine. This masked crimefighter, who's true identity is unknown as is the rest of the teams, reports to have discovered Captain America frozen in ice and being looked after by a native village somewhere along the eastern coast of Canada. After making this discovery, he made contact with his fellow Avengers to help transport the Captain back to civilization. When reached for comment for why he requested assistance from an unsanctioned civilian group rather than the U.S authorithies, Mr. Sunshine responded with the following. We at CBS apologize in advance for the unpleasant language.
IMAGE: [A tall man with a shaved head, his face covered by a flag bandana and a pair of black sunglasses, wearing a leather vest with no shirt underneath, showing a great amount of chest hair]
SUNSHINE: Dig this, I have a lot of respect... well, I have SOME respect for the rank and file of the U.S armed forces, not crazy about how they do everything, but war's an ugly business. The brass however, I wouldn't trust farther than I can throw them across the street. I've read about the [expletive] they get up to just because they think no one can stop them. Cap's a real hero, and he doesn't deserve to be stuck in some bunker somewhere while they try to cram his head full of McCarthy [expletive] until he goosesteps the way they want him to.
REPORTER: Are you accusing the U.S military of exploiting their soldiers?
SUNSHINE: Take a look what they're doing in Tuskegee sometime, then you tell me. Me and Cap had a good long talk about what's been going on while he was asleep. He ain't happy.
CRONKITE: Again, we at CBS apologize for Mr. Sunshine's comments, they do not reflect the opinions of this station. In other news, Dr. Bolivar Trask is drawing increasing attention with his published studies on the rise of so-called...
....
Somewhere In South America
"It's really him then, Presidente?" The tan-skinned man dressed in brown fatigues asked as he watched the masked figure in front of him angrily shut off the television set, before pacing in front of the stone throne taking up much of the chamber they were in.
"Yes, somehow, somehow beyond all reason, it IS him!" The figure responed in heavily-German accented English "I don't know how, but some way, that accursed flag-waving fool survived!"
"Presidente, with all due respect" he flinched back as the figure glared at him "are you certain this is not just some pathetic trick on behalf of the Americans? It would hardly be the first time they tried to bring back the Captain America identity by giving it to someone else?"
The masked figure shook his head, snarling furiously "No, not after how poorly the last attempt went, and without Erskine, they have no way of ever recreating the serum properly. Even the Americans are not idiotic enough to try again if they're going to end up with another unstable maniac dressed as their beloved hero. Nor would they ever deign to hand over the glory of finding him to someone else. BAH!!" the figure lashed out, smacking the TV set off the pedestal, and smashing it to the floor "20 years, 20 YEARS I've languished in this miserable jungle, hiding from the Verdammte allies and their courts, and all this time, the one thing that has kept me going is the thought of Captain America condemned to a watery grave! And now, that comfort is to be taken from me?! NEIN!! I do not care how many pathetic superheroes the Captain allies himself with, even with my fortunes reduced, I still have my resources..."
The figure stepped into the light, revealing a man dressed in a strange, purple hood, a gold crown around his head, and a regal-looking coat with a fur trim, his hand clutched around a metal cane.
"It's time for Baron Zemo to once again go to war...