Captain America and the Falcon #173

I just bought this old issue of Captain American and the Falcon #173 at my local comic book shop. It is from 1974. It seems to be the 2nd part of at least a 3 part story line. The Committee of Regain America’s Principles has formed and for some reason has decided that Captain America and the Falcon are dangerous to the country and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Professor Xavier and his X-Men have found out that a group called the Secret Empire, a mutant hating group, is behind all of it. They are trying to get rid of all mutants as well as Cap and Falcon. Most of the X-Men are missing. The only ones left are the Professor, Cyclops and Marvel Girl AKA Jean Grey (later called Phoenix). This part of the story begins with Nick Fury and Shield agents on another assignment when they see Captain America and Falcon with Cyclops and Marvel Girl. The agents have to at least try to arrest them since they are wanted by the government and they are government agents. They all escape. What puzzles me about this scene is when Furry is thinking he thinks “I admit I don’t like that cornball Avenger—but arrestin’ him is somethin’ else.” He doesn’t like him!! I always that he and Cap were friends. I guess they were just friendly co-workers. Cap and his friends escape to a cave where the Professor explains how the Committee and the Secret Empire are working together and how he suspects that Hank “Beast” McCoy’s girlfriend might be connected. They make a plan. Cyclops acts like he is trying to kidnap McCoy’s girlfriend but Cap and Falcon disguised as the neatest and clean shaven bums I have ever seen rescue her. Hearing them say they are looking for work she has the Secret Empire contact them. They are given a job as a test of loyalty to steal an electron-gyro from the Brand Corporation. Dressed as Captain America and the Falcon they succeed. The Guards try to stop them but Mr. Black, the factory boss, finds a note Cap left that explains everything. Despite the guards insistence Mr. Black lets them escape. Dressed again as Roger Stevens and Willie Samuels they deliver the gyro to the Secret Empire. Proving they are loyal to the cause they are taken to the underground headquarters of the Empire. Professor X, Cyclops and Marvel Girl have followed them. Professor X says now all they can do is wait. Wait for two mortal men to try and deceive an entire empire on its home territory…risking exposure and annihilation every second they spend in that mammoth tomb they’ve willingly entered! Yes we wait perhaps forever because Captain America and the Falcon may never come out of there alive!!!
WOW! In 1974 that would have had me going to the drug store next month to get the next issue. I wonder if they came out alive?
This was actually a pretty good story by Steve Englehart. I don’t always like what he writes but this is one of the good ones. The art for Sal Buscema seemed a bit rushed to me but it was great to see his work again. Roy Thomas loves these types of stories and did a wonderful job of editing I am sure. I am not sure who did the cover art. It looks like it was either Gil Kane or Terry Austin. If you have any idea or if you know for sure please tell me. If you see this issue and want to read all of it and not just an overview I recommend that you buy it.