These two issues provide a lighthearted break from Captain America’s recent problems with his health, which has been especially taxed by appearing in so many books these days! Here, we use his former partner Rick Jones’ nuptials to Marlo Chandler to see the way Cap interacts with his friends in a more casual—and somewhat ribald—setting.
In issue #417, the preparations are underway, with Cap acknowledging the Avengers’ concern for his feelings, given what happened the last time he met the Hulk, but assures Johnny and Sue from the Fantastic Four that he’s going for Rick.
And no, Sue is not entertaining at the bachelor party… that is, in fact, her current costume, introduced in Fantastic Four #371. (‘Nuff said.)
Next, Cap finds out that Hawkeye is not the only superhero who cheats. (All in good fun, I know.)
When next we see Cap, it is at the V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) hall he rented for Rick’s bachelor party, attended by an odd assortment of superheroes and civilians. (Worry not, the bride and her friends are off elsewhere having a bachelorette party.) Cap is clearly concerned about keeping the festivities controllable, and is not so sure he can believe Hulk’s assurances regarding the purity of the beverages…
…but it turns out the Hulk is not the problem as far as that goes.
To his credit, the Jade Giant does clear the air over what transpired between him and Cap in issue #406, but Cap understands and even admits that he was wrong—”in a way,” at least.
Hulk goes one step further, and Rick is pleased as (spiked) punch to see his two mentors patch things up.
Before long, a “villain” arrives, but her weapon alerts Tony that she may not be the threat she seems. Cap is all too ready to hand Rick over…
…but it turns out he misunderstood her role as well.
I don’t think Cap is very comfortable with it either! (Kudos to artists Gary Frank and Cam Smith for the excellent facial expressions.)
(And yes, that is the Thing in the shiny helmet, which he adopted in Fantastic Four #375 after Wolverine gave him a very close shave in the issue before, leading to this reaction from Sue—which is appropriate, seeing as she’s the one who called him “some sort of… a thing” in the very first issue.)
If Cap thought the “magician” was too much, wait until Vision starts the “adult film”…
…which also causes a stir with Rick and the rest of the guests when they see that Marlo is the star.
In issue #418, that matter between Rick and Marlo is resolved… kind of… and Cap, resplendent in his tux and winged cowl, helps his former teen sidekick get ready for the ceremony.
After the traditional supervillain hijinks that accompany every high-profile wedding in superhero comics—see Reed and Sue’s wedding for the prime example—the couple is wed, with Cap giving away the bride and Peter David, the comic’s writer, performing the ceremony.
(By the way, the real-world Peter David could use your help with catastrophic medical bills—please visit this GoFundMe page to see how you can help.)
ISSUE DETAILS
The Incredible Hulk (vol. 1) #417, May 1994: Peter David (writer), Gary Frank (pencils), Cam Smith (inks), Glynis Oliver (colors), Joe Rosen (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
The Incredible Hulk (vol. 1) #418, June 1994: Peter David (writer), Gary Frank (pencils), Cam Smith (inks), Glynis Oliver (colors), Joe Rosen (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: The Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Future Imperfect.
PREVIOUS ISSUE: The Incredible Hulk #406 (June 1993)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #427 (May 1994), Iron Man #304 (May 1994), Punisher War Journal #66 (May 1994), Avengers #374-375, Silver Surfer #93, and Warlock and the Infinity Watch #28 (May-June 1994), Daredevil #328-329 (May-June 1994), and Captain America #428 (June 1994)
NEXT ISSUE: The Incredible Hulk #421 (September 1994)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
Leave a comment