50 years earlier, the Red Skull happened upon Captain America lying amongst the rubble of the destroyed U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. As he gets closer he asks Captain what he is whispering, a prayer? He tells them that there is no God there today, just him. Looking at the destruction, Skull ponders why they didn’t think of this years ago. He knew they couldn’t beat them if he ever got them organized.
Turning to Captain America, the Skull tells him that what they’re going to do next is carve up his beloved country among all their chief lieutenants. The Abomination wants California, Doom wants the bible-belt, and Magneto wants Las Vegas for some godforsaken reason. He then asks him who he thinks gets the White House. As for the rest of the world, who’d want it now? While a tear starts to run down Captain America’s face, Skull tells him not to get upset it’ll be all over soon and closes his eyes.
Now, in New Babylon, the White House is adorned with Nazi flags and a statue of the Red Skull saluting. Inside, the Red Skull wears Captain America’s uniform and stares into his trophy case. In it, he sees Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s armor, Silver Surfer’s surfboard, Thor’s helmet, Spider-Man’s mask, Dr. Strange’s cloak, Cyclops visor, Vision’s head, the Thing’s arm, and Beast’s head, among other of his numerous trophies from fallen heroes.
He laments that, even now, he’d beat him. Even as an old man he’s still strong. The Red Skull then tells his associate Heinz that his wife thinks he’s morbid but he considers Captain America’s uniform the most glorious of all their prizes. The ancients wore the skin of their fallen foes. Why shouldn’t he be allowed his eccentricities? Heinz doesn’t answer but instead informs Skull that Tobias and the S.H.I.E.L.D. team have the corpses he requested. Should he tell them he’s unavailable? Without turning around, Skull replies ‘just send them in.’
Once Tobias and his men enter the room with two corpses and a briefcase in hand, Skull asks if that is the super-soldier serum that had everyone so excited. All that trouble over one little box. Tobias replies that he has to understand that Captain America rising from the dead is a very potent myth for Americans. Skull states that he’s not coming back this time. One of Tobias’ men asks if all the things around them are for real. Skull informs him that they are. This is his trophy room, where he comes when he needs to make decisions. What better place for inspiration than there among the corpses of his enemies? Tobias states that he still can’t believe he’s got Hawkeye in there. Skull agrees, he never really rated him either but credit where it’s due. It would seem churlish now not to stack him with the Parkers and the Starks.
He then asks Tobias how many more are out there, how many other would-be heroes holding meetings in their basements. Tobias tells him nothing they can’t handle. Opening a briefcase of money, Skull informs Tobias that he has done well and to keep the money he was using to flush them out and to have some fun with it. Just then, one of the men calls out that there is something wrong with the accomplice. Skull says of course there is, they riddled him with bullets. The man states no, his wounds are disappearing. He’s…
Before the man can finish his sentence, Logan awakens and proceeds to kick the man below the belt. After quickly taking down Tobias’ other guard, Heinz and then Tobias himself, Logan tells Skull that he’s goin’ down. Skull replies that this is an unexpected surprise. He thought he walked the path of the righteous man these days. Is this because they killed his little friend? Without answering, Logan attacks the Skull. The Red Skull proceeds to pound Logan with everything he has and eventually tosses him into his trophy case. As he does so, he tells Logan that he’s not just out of shape; he won’t even pop his adamantium claws anymore. What did they do to him?
The next punch from the Skull sends Logan crashing where Cap’s shield is housed. Picking up the Black Blade, the Skull utters the word automatic locks. When he does, it shields the two of them off from the rest of the building. Raising the blade, Skull tells Logan that he should have stayed in whatever hole he crawled into. At least that way he could have died in his bed. As soon as he brings the blade down with all of his force, Logan blocks it with Captain America’s shield. Skull exclaims no and Logan proceeds to beat the Skull into submission with the shield. Eventually, he knocks the Skull down to the ground and stands over him, prepared to deliver the killing blow. The Red Skull tells him not to make him laugh, he doesn’t have the guts. With that, Logan brings the shield down on the Skull’s neck, decapitating him.
While the Red Skull’s security works on opening up the door, Logan thinks out loud that he can’t let the kids down and that he’s gotta find something to fight ‘em with. Just then, he sees Iron Man’s armor. Donning it, Logan is able to blast the surprised security guards. Grabbing hold of the briefcase filled with money, Logan uses Iron Man’s armor to blast out of the roof of the White House and steers towards California. Unfortunately, the fuel rods run out of power and Logan crash lands in the desert 500 miles from home, Sacramento. Once he lands, Logan is found by two men, one of them named Silas, who head over to him in an attempt to steal the armor he is wearing. Before they can, Logan takes out the men and makes his way home.
Thirty-six hours later, Logan makes it home. His neighbor, Donovan stands with a solemn look in front of Logan’s house. Carrying the case, Logan says to him to tell ‘em he got it. Tell Maureen he got the money an’ they don’t have to worry about the Hulk Gang no more. When Donovan lowers his head, Logan asks him what’s wrong. Where are his wife an’ kids? What the hell is goin’ on? Donovan informs him that the Hulk Gang already been for their money. Logan asks him what he’s talkin’ about, they got two more weeks. Donovan says they said they got bored. Opening the door to his house, Logan finds his wife and two kids murdered.
Donovan tells Logan not to go doin’ somethin’ stupid. They’ll only take it out on the rest of them an’ he ain’t the man he used to be. He can honor his family by grievin’ and givin’ those kids a good Christian burial. He knows they’re always there for him. But he has to promise them he will not go lookin’ for revenge in those hills, does he understand? Again, Donovan asks Logan? Logan replies that his name isn’t Logan bub and pops his claws – it’s Wolverine.
