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The comic is divided into several stories, each focusing on a different character.

The first is entitled “One Year After”. It begins with a news reporter narrating a video montage right on the steps where Captain America was assassinated. The next couple of scene focuses on Sharon Carter, as her memory becomes clearer and she begins remembering things specifically about the gun she used to kill Steve. She barges into the apartment of the man who took the gun from her after the assassination. She beats the man up, questions him until she recovers the gun used to kill Captain America. Sharon gets a sigh of relief when she realizes that the gun she used was not a normal gun.

The next story entitled “The Other Steve Rogers” focuses on the 50s Cap guy reflecting on his life. Coming out from a diner, he gets into a fist fight with two men trying to break into his truck. Finally he reflects about how the world needs a Captain America like him today.

We move on next to Rikki Barnes with her story entitled “The Youth of Today”. Just a bit of background, Rikki has been stranded in Earth 616 since the events of “Onslaught Reborn”. The story starts with Eli Bradley having a fight with his Vice-Principal for not allowing him to say a few words about Cap during their assembly. Rikki followed him on his way home. Eli then changed into his Patriot costume and confronted Rikki as to why she was following him. She basically just wanted him to introduce her to the new Captain America so she could he his sidekick. Eli was then convinced that the girl was sincere and invited her to come with him to the memorial vigil being held for Captain America.

We now move on to HAMMER Federal Holding Facility where our next story “Crossbones and Sin” take place. While the inmates are watching a CNN report about Captain America’s shooter, Crossbones brags and laughs about his actions. One of the guard gets pissed off by this and electrocutes Crossbones with his gun. Upon hearing the name of his girlfriend, Crossbones goes berserk and kills everything in his way until he reaches Sin. In the end, the guards launch riot gas in the room to put everyone to sleep. Sin’s last words were, “they don’t even know, the fools…”.

For the next scene, we are taken to a training room where the new Captain America Bucky, Hawkeye, Ronin, Luke Cage and Black Widow are working out. Bucky plans to attend the memorial vigil in full costume in order to honor Steve. Natasha however warns him than Noman Osborn will be there and it might only provoke him, resulting in a battle that might cause innocent lives. She then leaves the guys with something to think about.

The next portion called “The Red Skull’s Delirium” takes us to the Red Skull in his Arnim Zola body. He recalls the time he almost killed Steve during their encounters and he kept saying that no one is allowed to kill Steve but him. He then closes with saying that “someday they’ll all see what I’ve done and they’ll know I was your better..”.

Finally the last story called “The Vigilant”, the new Avengers are gathered at Central Park for the vigil. So as not to provoke Norman and his gang, they all came in street clothes. Above them are Norman Osborn, Ms. Marvel and Sentry. Having spotted the New Avengers down below, Sentry asked Osborn if they should engage them however Osborn has a better plan. He goes to center stage and claims that despite their differences, he respects Captain America and what he stood for. The crowd then cheers with him as they chant Captain America’s name. Amidst the cheering, Sharon Carter finds Falcon together with the New Avengers. To everyone’s shock, she tells them that they can still revive Steve.

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Norman Osborn calls for a press conference to announce that his son has joined the Avengers. Peter Parker can’t believe that his friend has agreed to this, little does he know, Harry’s former fiancée is pregnant and that he is doing this for her.

At Avengers Tower, Norman shows Harry around but for the meantime, his access is limited unless he has proven himself to his father. Norman also forced Harry to take some kind of injection because of his former time as a drug user.

At the last scene, we see Norman holding a meeting with the Avengers about his new project. He calls this project, “American Son”.

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Peter proposes to his boss to combat Norman Osborn by writing articles exposing his true self. As usual, he got rejected until he got something decent to really incriminate Norman.

In the Gracie Mansion, Peter, Harry, Jonah Jamesson, Jonah’s dad and Aunt may are all gathered for a celebration. Norman Osborn arrived late and suddenly the room was filled with uneasiness.

Norman’s main purpose was to ask Harry to come home and join him to work for the Avengers. Harry just gave his father a laugh and left the room.

Meanwhile back in Harry’s apartment, Lily suddenly showed up and seemed to have a surprise for Harry.

Back at Sixth Avenue, Norman was pulled out from his car by Spiderman. Infuriated by Norman’s attempt to get Harry at his side, Peter was very close into killing him. This however was interrupted by a phone call from Harry to Norman, accepting his offer to work for him.

At the last scene, we the reader is shown why Harry was forced to accept his  father’s offer, Lily was pregnant with his baby.