This post covers Captain America’s appearances with the Avengers during these two months, with only his brief appearance in Avengers referencing the health problems that are coming to a head in his own book. (He also appears with the Avengers in Namor the Sub-Mariner #58, but that’s covered in another post.)
In Avengers #382, the Black Widow finds Cap asleep in a comfy chair in Avengers Mansion, which concerns her—she not being among the select few Cap has confided in about his situation—while reminding her of how he hasn’t changed since their first meeting during World War II.
(The only thing inexplicable is that Ralf cites issue #269 instead of issue #268.)
Natasha allows herself a moment of admiration for the sleeping man in front of her before Jarvis enters, and she realizes that she should tread carefully. (Perhaps these feelings help explain her behavior toward Diamondback earlier.)
Although these thoughts have not been explored as of yet, in at lease one version of the future, they became reality.
This issue of Avengers and the preceding three were also published as double-sized books titled Marvel Double Feature: The Avengers/Giant-Man with an additional story “on the flip side.” As the title indicates, the other story featured Hank Pym, and was written (although unfortunately not drawn) by none other than George Pérez. It deals with a number of incidents around the world that seem to be related to Pym, for which the U.S. government blames him almost as much as he blames himself—especially after his ex-wife and fellow Avenger, Janet van Dyne (the Wasp), is affected, becoming a Giant-Woman herself (long before doing this intentionally, years later) and then acting erratically.
When we join the story in issue #381, Hank is being held in a psychiatric facility by Colonel Manning, to whom Captain America argues for Hank’s release, appealing to their shared military background and patriotism.
(Interesting bit about Cap outranking the colonel “by presidential order’—I don’t remember this being mentioned before.)
After Cap secures his release, the two heroes try to get to the bottom of the mystery, Hank beating himself up and assuming it has something to do with his “B.I.G. Project” (seriously), which uses Pym particles to grow (wait for it) really big vegetables.
Hank leans in on the self-recrimination until Cap steers his attention to his 50-ft ex-wife, whom the Vision is busy trying to keep from hurting anybody.
With Vision quickly reaching the limit of simply standing by, Hank wants to take over, and asks Cap to trust him, even though he acknowledges he has not always earned it. (Of course, Cap does.)
Unfortunately, Janet and Pym both hit the power lines, causing not only an explosion on site but cataclysmic events around the world as interdimensional portals erupt, allowing “the Creatures of Kosmos” to invade—and it was just such a creature that killed Janet’s father and led her to become the Wasp on June 26, seven years earlier (in-universe).
In Marvel Double Feature #382, having his conscience cleared by the revelations of the Kosmosian plot, Hank wants to counter the threat on his own, which Cap again endorses, a decision he defends on faith to a critical Crystal. (Did I almost type “Crystical”? Maybe.)
Cap and Crystal continue to debate unresolved aspects of the case, leading her to confront Cap directly about his own bias toward a longtime friend and colleague, which seems to have him standing at attention as he starts to defend himself anew, only to be interrupted by Hank admitting that all skepticism is warranted.
Later, Cap and Crystal watch in alarm as the Kosmosian opens another interdimensional portal, into which it leaps, with Hank in pursuit…
…and this seems to make Cap doubt his unwavering support. (It also makes his trunks turn red, adding even more mystery to the situation—maybe this is actually the Acrobat?)
As if Cap isn’t feeling bad enough, the good colonel chimes in, saying the military will take over if the “so-called superheroes” can’t handle things. This seems to spur Crystal and Cap to renewed action, but Natasha chimes in with good news.
The “match” refers to a strain of the Pym particles that they traced to one person: Erik Josten, the original Power Man in the Masters of the Evil who later became the second Goliath (and would eventually become a members of the Thunderbolts under the name Atlas). This knowledge enables Hank to wrap up this adventure—and apparently reconnect with Janet as well.
ISSUE DETAILS
Avengers (vol. 1) #382, January 1995, “Offerings”: Bob Harras (writer), Mike Deodato, Jr. (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks and colors), Bill Oakley (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Marvel Double Feature: The Avengers/Giant-Man #381, December 1994, “Attack of the 50 Ft Jan”: George Pérez (writer), Jeffrey Moore (pencils), Tim Dzon (inks), Marianne Lightle (colors), Ellie DeVille (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Marvel Double Feature: The Avengers/Giant-Man #382, January 1995, “Hank the Giant Killer”: George Pérez (writer), Jeffrey Moore (pencils), Tim Dzon (inks), Marianne Lightle (colors), Ellie DeVille (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
All collected in: Avengers Epic Collection: Taking A.I.M.
PREVIOUS ISSUE: Avengers #380, Captain America #433, Force Works #5, and Justice: Four Balance #3 (November 1994)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #434 (December 1994), Namor the Sub-Mariner #57-58 (December 1994-January 1995), Captain America #435 (January 1995), and Tales of Suspense #1 (January 1995)
NEXT ISSUE: Avengers #386 (May 1995)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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