Returning to America, the Black Panther finds the country in the middle of rising racial tensions, fueled by rival controversial talk show pundits: the Caucasian-American Dan Dunn and the African-American Montague Hale. Meanwhile, the Sons of the Serpent have regrouped under a new Supreme Serpent’s command, launching several attacks on non-white individuals and against government agencies they deem as un-American. Their next attack is against Monica Lynne, an up-and-coming African-American singer. Chancing to be nearby, the Black Panther defeats the Sons, but Monica is convinced the police deliberately responded more slowly because of her skin color. The next night, Monica appears as a guest on Dan Dunn’s program, this time siding with Montague Hale’s claims of racial injustice. Back at Avengers Mansion, the Panther asks his teammates to let him have the chance to defeat the Sons himself. They give him 24 hours, during which the Panther finds and overpowers a Son, then steals his uniform, using it to accompany other members back to the Sons’ secret base. However, once inside, the Panther’s true identity is soon discovered, and the Sons capture him.