1963 #3 - Part 2

By Derek Mont-Ros

Today, dear readers, we take a look at the oddest hero of the 1963 timeline! Believe it or not, this orb-headed individual, who shares similarities with Arnim Zola from Captain America, is in fact the Iron Man of the group. His name is Hypernaut! However, as you’ll soon learn, this hero shares similarities with another hero. One who isn’t of Marvel.

 

Steve Bissette is the artist and does an excellent job as always.

The story begins with the origin twist I mentioned earlier. While talking to his alien primate buddy, Queep, Hypernaut explains a familiar origin. Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A pilot, in this case one named Dan Stevens, crashes a prototype jet, discovering a corps of super powered aliens. While there’s no doubt that the crashing, injury, and the eventual metal exterior leads him to be more like Iron Man, there’s no doubt that Mr. Stevens shares similarities with Hal Jordan, aka the Green Lantern!

However, while contemplating if it’s Dan Steven’s mind or a copy within his robot body, Queep alerts Hypernaut of strange danger entering his illusion of a citadel.

 

 

The strange, pasta-shaped creature seems to defy laws of dimensional physics, and proves to be too much for the hyper hero! However, Hypernaut comes to the conclusion that the creature comes from a fourth dimensional plane of existence, allowing him to have the upper hand.

 

Seeing that he can’t hide from the beastly creature, Hypernaut heroically confronts him….then DIES?!! You’ll see.

While monologuing believing that the creature has gotten the upper hand, Queep flies with his comrade’s head into the body of the beast!

Eventually, using 4D logic, the team find the brain of the beast and shut him down, destroying him in the process! This allows Hypernaut to recuperate.

Thus, ending this strange and confusing tale. However, this is not the last time we will see U.S.A and Hypernaut. In the meantime, enjoy these pinups by Rick Veitch and Steve Bissette. And finally, join us next time for 1963 #4 part 1!

 

 

1963 #3 - Part 1

By Derek Mont-Ros

 

Today, dear reader, we look at the exploits of the Captain America of Moore’s 1963! This Soviet sucker punching super soldier is known as U.S.A! He’s going to help us answer one of the many “what-ifs” that has plagued the minds of many Americans since the '60s:

 

WHAT IF PRESIDENT JOHN F KENNEDY WASN’T SHOT?

 

 

The story starts right after the assassination attempt on the president, where U.S.A is in disguise, pretending to be the president. He survives the attempt assassination and bounces to end the killer’s reign!

 

However, the man he finds, Leo Harley Osborne (not Lee Harvey Oswald), teleports away. Left in his place is…Leo Harley Osborne? What could this mean?

 

After leaving Osborne with the authorities, U.S.A heads off to Osborne’s house in order to investigate any clues as to why he attempted the assassination. It’s here that we learn that U.S.A takes daily doses of a formula called Vitamin Omega in order to keep up his appearance and strength. 

Looking in Osborne’s home, he finds an advertisement from a man called “Brian Ruby.” Suddenly, U.S.A makes a discovery and leaps to save the man who would have killed the president.

 

Note: The bottom two panels recreate the two iconic pictures of Lee Harvey Oswald’s arrest and shooting.

As our hero jumps in, U.S.A tackles Brian Ruby, who is revealed to be his arch nemesis, THE RED BRAIN!

 

U.S.A is then forced to fight both the Red Brain and his mind controlled police officers!

After defeating the fiend, the Leo Harley Osborne lookalike returns to put Red Brain in a catatonic state. Before U.S.A can touch him, he disappears before our very eyes! All that’s left is a newspaper. One with an odd date…1993!!!

 

What is behind this mystery? We may find out soon! In the meantime, stay tuned for part 2 of this explosive issue!!!