As Mark Gruenwald approaches the end of his long run on Captain America, he starts to revisit concepts from throughout his run (and even earlier), as well as fixing continuity glitches, as he was wont to do. Plus, the last two issues of the Thunderstrike series see Cap and the Avengers join to watch Eric Masterson face what could be the fiercest battle of his life.
In Captain America #442, after a couple pages setting up a murder mystery involving a team of international superheroes Zeitgeist, Blitzkreiger, and Hauptmann Deutschland—who together searched for the Red Skull starting in issue #387—we see Cap letting his new proteges Free Spirit and Jack Flag know they did well on the recent “Taking AIM” crossover with Avengers (beginning here) and thanking them for recovering his armor/exoskeleton, after which they ask for their next assignment.
Cap has a definite idea for their next mission, which isn’t what they expect—but it is a valuable lesson borne of his own long experience, possibly reflecting some regrets of his own as he approaches his end.
Next, we have a small diversion which reintroduces Larry Ekler, a.k.a. Everyman, first seen in issue #267, who has a new mission: killing the first generation of heroes, including Angel, first seen in Marvel Comics #1—and much more recently in U.S.Agent #4 as the man behind the Scourge(s) of the Underworld.
It turns out that this ain’t the original Angel, Thomas Halloway, but his brother Simon, although that’s of no consequence for Everyman, who is playing a longer game.
(This detail was actually introduced by Gruenwald to reconcile the recent appearance of two Halloway men named Angel, oops.)
Next we go to Arnie Roth’s hospital bed, where he was taken after he collapsed in issue #439, but which Cap hasn’t had a chance to visit until now. Arnie mentions Cap’s new look before commenting on recasting established actors in roles—which sounds to be like metacommentary on Gruenwald’s part, possibly expressing a wish that Cap not be replaced should he succumb to his current illness. (Maybe?)
Next, Cap returns to his Brooklyn headquarters, where he impatiently mocks Fabian’s “wacky gizmos,” which must hurt a little—after all, the young man recently started (as of issue #440) taking his job more seriously, calling Cap “sir” (as he does below) instead of “Caparino” or similar nicknames.
Fabian calls his attention to a news report of Halloway’s stabbing where a curious invitation was found—identical to the one Cap received.
Back to Free Spirit and Jack Flag, who refuse to enjoy any downtime, with the former reflecting on the inspirational power of Captain America’s humanity and mortality…
…before they are interrupted by Madcap, the nihilist whom Nomad met in issue #307 (Gruenwald’s first on the title, incidentally).
When Cap arrives at the party—sans RSVP, quelle horreur—he remembers the original Angel and laments his murderous turn of late.
Unaware that the man killed in the subway was Halloway’s brother, Cap wonders if Halloway was behind that murder, and if there’s a killer at this very party—a party for a group he apparently doesn’t feel comfortable being a part of. (Perhaps that fact reminds him of his age, which played a minor part in the current deteriorating state of his health.)
While one of the servers looks on admiringly, the other party guests crowd our hero, several of them calling out their codenames in the hopes that he’ll remember them.
Cap did in fact meet Black Marvel and the Thunderer in Marvels #1, but we have not seen him meet Captain Terror, who debuted as the cover star of 1941’s U.S.A. Comics #2 (and whose daughter Izzy will work with the Avengers years later as the Smasher).
Cap tells his old friends that he suspects a killer is amongst them… when suddenly a killer appears, but in the form of another ally.
Hauptmann Deutschland (aka Vormund) disappears, but when Cap finds him again, he doesn’t seem to know why, and then warns Cap of a rear attack by Ekler (who used an image-protector to appear as Vormund earlier).
Soon, a very alive Cap surprises Ekler, followed by Vormund, who identifies Ekler as his former ally Zeitgeist and the killer of Blitzkreiger. When Ekler stabs Vormund, the latter uses his power to return force directed at him, and kills Ekler, which he clearly does not regret. After explaining how he survived, Cap updates Vormund on Ekler’s backstory and motivations (which apparently evolved since his introduction as a crusader against inequality).
On to Thunderstrike #23, where Eric Masterson has come under the influence of the Bloodaxe, an evil analogue of Mjolnir that originally belonged to Skourge the Executioner and last possessed Eric’s girlfriend Jackie. Now a combination of Thunderstrike and Bloodaxe, Eric is battling Seth, an Egyptian god, when the Avengers arrive, just in time to see Eric kill Seth, and they are shocked. (But they must also be a little impressed, right?)
Black Widow is hesitant to take on one of their own (although Quicksilver is far too eager), but Cap realizes it is not just Eric they now face.
After Eric defeats the rest of the Avengers, Cap stands alone against the twice-powered demigod, but remains defiant as ever, even in his weakened yet armored state.
Cap ignores Eric’s childish taunts and gives him a quick judo lesson while defending his tough tactics the many times he tried to mentor him when he first became Thor (such as in Thor #447).
Eric seems just about to defeat Cap when the cavalry arrives… perhaps looking a bit different himself, if you haven’t been keeping up with his own title the last year or so.
Our story (and the book itself) ends with the next month’s Thunderstrike #24, featuring this great battle shot…
…with a wee Captain in the upper-right corner, telling Natasha she’s just gotta let the boys work it out themselves.
While Pietro sees an opportunity for a media hit, Cap acts like Eric is already a goner.
After knocking Thor on his Asgard, the Avengers watch as Eric splits into two, with his Thunderstrike side fighting his Bloodaxe side.
I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s worth reading if you have not already. (Unfortunately it is not yet available on Marvel.com, Marvel Unlimited, or a trade collection.)
ISSUE DETAILS
Captain America (vol. 1) #442, August 1995: Mark Gruenwald (writer), Dave Hoover and Sandu Florea (pencils), Danny Bulanadi, Don Hudson, Dave Hoover, Rick Hoover, and Keith Williams (inks), George Roussos (colors), Joe Rosen (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Captain America Epic Collection: Twilight’s Last Gleaming.
Thunderstrike (vol. 1) #23, August 1995: Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz (writers), Ron Frenz (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Paul Becton (colors), Janice Chiang (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Thunderstrike (vol. 1) #24, September 1995: Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz (writers), Ron Frenz (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Chris DeFelippo and George Roussos (colors), Janice Chiang (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Not yet collected.
PREVIOUS ISSUE: Captain America #441 and Avengers #388 (July 1995)
NEXT ISSUE: Captain America #443 (September 1995)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
Leave a comment