This issue wraps up the final trilogy in the long “Fighting Chance” arc, and in it we see Captain America finally succumb to the gradual deterioration of the super-soldier serum in his body, spelling a very uncertain future for the Sentinel of Liberty. (Don’t expect a last-minute deus ex machina to restore him at the last minute—this will not be easy for Cap.) Also, we have two prominent guest appearances in team books other than Avengers (in which he has played a very small role of late).
At the end of the last issue, Cap was literally flushed down a drainpipe in a swimming pool in the Serpent Society’s compound in Arizona, with King Cobra and Mr. Hyde close behind. That leads to this issue’s ignominious opening splash page (with the title calling back to one of the role models Free Spirit mentioned earlier):
The final bit of exposition above might just be true!
I show the double-page spread below, not for any inspiring or interesting dialogue, but simply to reassure you (and me) that Cap is not finished yet.
Already feeling the strain, he is lucky to find his Battle Vest™, which enables him to reference the title of the overarching storyline before King Cobra invokes his own idea of the American Dream.
(Speaking of which, I’ll take this chance to mention that I expanded my coverage of the concept of American dream in the second edition of my book—out in summer 2024—to include recent discussions.)
Cap must be almost out of juice now, or he would be suggesting better lines for Mr. Hyde, like “you can run but you can’t Hyde” or “you can run but not from Hyde!” He does find the shark repellent in his utility belt, but Hyde is no shark.
Let’s check in with the kids, as Jack Flag shuns his serpent disguise and Free Spirit recognizes game, just before the cavalry arrives.
While King Cobra marvels at all of Cap’s wonderful toys, our hero finds himself suddenly unable to use any more…
…giving Hyde the “fighting chance” he’s been looking for. (And yes, Hyde’s real name is Calvin, Calvin Zabo.)
Luckily for Cap, his combat armor has both voice-activation and air bags, and even more luckily for him, they work together. (And Hank, please stop saying “touch.”)
The air bag is actually filled with gas that knocks Hyde out, after which the vest emits metal bands that ensnare King Cobra. (Gee, maybe I should stop mocking that thing.) This gives Cap a moment to breathe—which is all he can do after his muscles complete freeze up.
While Touch-Man searches for him, Cap uses his extraordinary resolve to summon the will to move, refusing to accept defeat and even trying to save King Cobra…
…although in the end he cannot, and he pays for trying.
He makes one final attempt, telling himself that Captain America does not give up, he cannot give up… until his body gives up completely (again).
Again unable to move, Cap turns to criticizing himself, feeling he let down everybody who ever thought he was a hero or inspiration, rather than acknowledging that he did the best he could (and more than most would or could).
Then the hallucinations begin (although the snake may be real).
He actually hopes the snake will bite him, but it slithers away once the most beautiful girl in the world appears, speaking Emma Lazarus’s famous words…
…before telling her most dedicated son that he’s done enough and that he can let go. Although this sounds kind and compassionate at first, Cap rejects it, refusing to give up on life while he still has it, after which her message, and then her appearance, turn distinctly darker.
After she disappears, Cap wonders if he has already died, and only then does he regret his stubborn refusal to share his secret and seek help from those who would gladly provide it. Most surprisingly, he even asks God to take someone else, a stunning reversal from someone who always willingly risked his life for others—but who can judge what someone says when they’re literally at death’s door?
Well, I guess we find out who—although we know it’s really a manifestation of Cap’s consciousness telling him he went too far.
Cap finally decides to let go when Hank finds him with the heart of a nation no longer beating, and unsure he can bring him back.
We’ll see what Hank can do in the next issue, but we’re not finished with this post yet: Cap makes significant guest appearances in two other comics this month, both referencing his illness (and obviously taking place before his trip to Arizona).
First, in Force Works #8, Cap pops into the team’s Christmas party—avoiding the front door for some reason—and offers a hand of reconciliation to John Walker, his one-time replacement and current USAgent.
Hank Pym is happy to see them make up, but when he mentions to Tony that they all try to live up to Cap’s example, Tony suggests that each of us must live up to our own standards—according to the ideals of Kantian autonomy and existentialist authenticity, very good—and Hank wisely submits to the “ironclad philosopher.” (Not only do I discuss these topics at length in several of my books, but Hank’s comment also supports any plans I might have for an Iron Man book!)
Hank was referring to a nearby Iron Man (remote-controlled), but we can just as easily explain the following excerpts from a recording of the proceedings, apparently the result of Cap telling Walker about his condition, most likely to account for the shoulder pads and all the pouches. (The girl is Rachel, the daughter of Julia Carpenter a.k.a. Spider-Woman.)
I imagine Cap is hoping for better company when he touches base with the Scarlet Witch, complimenting her on the success of Force Works before reminiscing about their Kooky Quartet days.
It wouldn’t be a party without taking a few shots at Tony (although Cap is generally complimentary toward him).
Before the end of the evening, Cap does say hi to Tony, mentioning the memorial for Wonder Man, who “died” in Force Works #1 (but returns a few years later in Avengers, vol. 3, #2). (Cap appears at the memorial in Force Works #10 but does not speak.) Tony also mentions Cap’s health problems, about which Cap confided in him in Iron Man #303 (but which Hank did not learn about until Captain America #435, after Cap was in Arizona… watch it, Tony, geez). Finally, Cap puts in a good word for Wanda (although I’m guessing she would rather he didn’t).
Finally, Cap plays a major role in the fourth issue of Fantastic Force, a Fantastic Four spin-off featuring a team led by Psi-Lord, a grown-up future version of Franklin Richards (son of Sue and Reed). When we first see Cap, he has asked an old friend, Professor Isaac Sandor, for help diagnosing his condition, but the good professor’s tests might just kill him!
Cap is interested in Sandor’s research as a possible cure, but unfortunately it was stolen (and Fantastic Force is on the case).
When Cap hears of a situation going south, he can’t just stand by, but because the professor knows what bad shape he’s in, he calls Franklin to help him.
Cap finds the creature is a new version of the Super-Adaptoid—now with extra powers of internal monologue—and he wisely realizes he’s in no shape to take it on directly…
…but it leaves him no choice (and adopts his appearance just to keep things visually interesting).
Cap uses what seems to be the same metal wraps that his combat vest used against King Cobra in the Captain America issue, but the Super-Adaptoid escapes at the same time that Cap’s muscles freeze up. Luckily, though, help is on the way…
…in the form of Fantastic Force: Huntara, Devlor, Vibraxas, and Psi-Lord (clockwise from upper-left). Cap is surprised to hear who Psi-Lord is, but at least it gives him a chance to call someone else “so old.”
Franklin can tell that this Super-Adaptoid is more scared than evil, but still poses a threat, so they are forced to fight it. At one point, Cap lends Devlor his shield, which he uses to stun the Super-Adaptoid enough for Psi-Lord and Huntara to banish it into a “void of non-existence.” (That sounds like being on hold with customer service, so I feel sorry for the guy.)
Although it’s ambiguous whether or not the Super-Adaptoid was truly alive, Franklin regrets what he had to do. Cap tells him his father (who was believed dead at the time) would have approved, but Franklin knows that Reed would have found another way to resolve the situation without “killing” the Super-Adaptoid.
ISSUE DETAILS
Captain America (vol. 1) #436, February 1995: Mark Gruenwald (writer), Dave Hoover (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), George Roussos (colors), Joe Rosen (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Captain America Epic Collection: Twilight’s Last Gleaming.
Force Works #8, February 1995: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (writers), Stewart Johnson (pencils), Don Hudson (inks), Joe Rosas (colors), Jack Morelli (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Avengers/Iron Man: Force Works.
Fantastic Force (vol. 1) #4, February 1995: Tom Brevoort and Mike Kanterovich (writers), Pino Rinaldi (pencils), Ralph Cabrera and Sandu Florea (inks), John Kalisz (colors), John E. Workman, Jr. (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Not yet collected.
PREVIOUS ISSUE: Captain America #435 (January 1995)
ALSO THIS MONTH: Captain America/Nick Fury: Blood Truce #1 (February 1995)
NEXT ISSUE: Captain America #437 and Iron Man #314 (March 1995)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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