This issue reveals (finally) what happened to Captain America after he appeared to die and then disappeared in issue #443, his still body glimpsed only at the last page of issue #444, along with two shadowy figures whose identities are revealed here as well. All in all, this is the proper first issue of Mark Waid and Ron Garney’s first run, launching a four-part story that begins the next phase in the life of the Sentinel of Liberty—albeit alongside some surprisingly partners.
This issue begins with a team of “medical professionals” (apologies to actual medical professionals) starting what seems to be an elaborate process involving blood transfusion and a block of ice, while a TV report replays (from the last issue) Black Widow’s public announcement one month ago of Cap’s “death”…
…before turning to his burial, the empty casket carried by then-president Bill Clinton along with Matt Murdock, Natasha, the Thing, Quicksilver, and (I’m guessing) Rick Jones.
While General Ulysses R. Chapman pays tribute to Cap’s importance to the country and its people, we realize, if we didn’t before, that reports of our hero’s death are premature.
And he’s back… with a kkka-rack!
Cap assesses his surroundings before grabbing his shield and finding it heavier than normal. (He should give himself a break—when I get up in the morning all I can manage to lift is a coffee cup.)
Then he hears a strange voice…
…which he identifies as belonging to a woman, and an angry one at that. She sends him on a guilt trip down memory lane, set to a tune about the loved ones he let down over the years: First we hear a rarely sung verse about his mother before the familiar chorus about Bucky, followed by a bridge about Sharon Carter.
Speaking of whom… she’s back too! And the voice didn’t lie: She does seem angry, and definitely not interested in a romantic or even friendly embrace.
Cap’s a bit taken aback, but before he can ask how she’s suddenly alive, she tells him how he’s suddenly alive, mentioning a mysterious “third party” and a “radical” treatment…
…which prompts a natural question from Cap and a disturbing answer from Sharon, followed by a test to fill in the details.
Unfortunately, Cap is quickly reminded how heavy the shield had “gotten” before realizing it ain’t the shield.
Cap refuses to give up even though he is clearly outmatched, so Sharon calls the dogs off before briefing him on his next mission.
Sharon ignores Cap’s concern over his new physical state but alludes to the third party once again…
…and refuses to answer Cap’s demand to know who it is, citing instead the purpose of the current mission, which is something Cap cannot dismiss.
Sharon and Cap are transported to Wisconsin, where they are quickly ambushed…
…and Sharon checks on how Cap is doing while he compliments her on her weapons knowledge (perhaps a clue to what she’s been up to since “dying” in issue #237).
Understandably offended by her diss of the mighty shield, Cap gives it a throw, hitting his targets but failing to catch it on the return, which is still an improvement… and just the beginning.
With another KRAK, Cap seems to be really back… and once he realizes why, he figures out who is responsible for his latest rebirth.
Yep, him. (Now we also know who the two shadowy figures at the end of the last issue were.)
We can assume Cap’s reaction was not to the Skull’s feeble attempt to rub it in, but merely what one does when confronted with the living image of fascism. Unfortunately, as the villain continues to point out, Cap is not at 100% yet, so the Skull swats him away before discussing the mission with Sharon.
Cap again demands answers from Sharon—even entertaining reasonable doubt that she really is Sharon—but she continues to vaguely insist that this is the most important fight ever.
After the explosion, she is hiding things no more.
What in the World War III is going on? More will be revealed in the next issue—including how Sharon is alive in 1995.
ISSUE DETAILS
Captain America (vol. 1) #445, November 1995: Mark Waid (writer), Ron Garney (pencils), Scott Koblish (inks), John Kalisz, Paul Becton, and Mailbu Color (colors), John Costanza (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Captain America Epic Collection: Man without a Country, Captain America: Operation Rebirth (trade paperback), and Captain America: Operation Rebirth (hardcover).
PREVIOUS ISSUE: Captain America #444 (October 1995)
ALSO THIS MONTH: Skrull Kill Krew #3 (November 1995)
NEXT ISSUE: Captain America #446 (December 1995)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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