This issue is the latest entry in the proud Avengers tradition of “putting a team together” stories, which includes issues #151, #181, #211, #221, and #329 from volume 1 (all collected in the Avengers: I Am an Avenger trade paperback, with the current issue reprinted in the sequel). It’s full of great character moments—beautifully illustrated by George Pérez, of course—as the mainstays consider their role on the team and weigh the pros and cons of both new initiates and returning friends.
(As revealed in editor Tom Brevoort’s recent Substack, the cover of this issue was originally created for an issue of Marvel Vision celebrating the “Heroes Return” titles; Pérez later gave the original art to Brevoort, which you can see here.)
There are several great action scenes in this issue, but Cap is involved in none of them. One opens the issue, and involves a large unwieldy group of Avengers tripping over each to fight Kang Ultron Whirlwind, which garners them some bad press (which the reporter below contrasts with their impressive defeat of Baron Zemo in Thunderbolts #12).
She also hints toward new government oversight in the person of Agent Duane Freeman, seen below with the original Avengers (at least as of the first issue #4). Tony tries to introduce him, but has to wait until Janet greets her old friends, noting Cap’s new shield (as of Captain America #3)…
…and flirting with the Odinson (which she was doing back when Cap was still a popsicle). Her enthusiasm is refreshing, emphasizing the close bonds between these five heroes—and Freeman, surprisingly feels the same, even going so far as to officially recognize latecomer Cap as a founding member (codified in the Avengers Charter as well).
Anticipating trouble, Cap asks Freeman for any bureaucratic hurdles they need to clear while choosing a new roster, presumably thinking of issue #181, featuring everyone’s favorite pencil-pusher, Henry Gyrich. Cap and Tony are both relieved that Freeman—sorry, Duane—is nothing like him.
They proceed to review the potential members who left by their own accord, finishing with Black Widow, who Cap says “left without explanation.” Tony apparently missed his chance to ask her to the prom, but Cap stays on point, recommending that the team should include three of the five founders. This works out well given Jan and Hank’s news, which threatens to cross into TMI terrority after Cap encourages her. (He should really know better by now.)
Cap then suggests they should offer membership to Scarlet Witch and Vision, given that the Vision’s body was destroyed while Wanda hesitated during the final battle with Morgana le Fey in the last issue, but more potential members bow out, leading to concerns about filling the roster of seven (and making Cap wonder about his sidekick from Captain America #4).
Duane’s such a fanboy. (I wonder if he ever met Phil Coulson…)
While the founders are meeting inside, let’s check in a couple other relevant characters. First, we see Cap’s friend Dennis Dunphy, aka D-Man, leaving from the back door with food for the kids in Zerotown and admiration from Jarvis (who’s seen his share of heroes in his day).
This makes me think of this Taoist passage:
The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
— Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 8
Also, Carol Danvers is searching for a new codename after losing her Binary powers, and is seeking inspiration from Jarvis’s liquor cabinet… but her prevarication after being found by Tony makes him suspicious about her actual reason for being there.
After returning to the meeting, Tony makes his doubts about Carol known, but doesn’t want to say why…
…and when the others stand up for her, he backs down. But when Cap makes a surprising suggestion, Janet quickly changes the topic.
Good question: After resenting not being included with the cool kids, Hawkeye follows Justice and Firestar when they go after Whirlwind in an attempt (mainly by Justice) to prove they’re viable members. After they catch him, Hawkeye takes advantage of the gathered press, and then pressures Cap to admit them as members…
…which Cap agrees to, but with a hitch. Offended, Firestar lashes out, showing she cares more about being an Avenger then she let on before, and Cap revises his thinking and offers a compromise.
Firestar isn’t completely satisfied, but Justice is over the moon, while Tony and Janet joke about Cap’s “surprising” change of heart (which is actually a sign of humility and good judgment).
At the subsequent press conference, Duane introduces Cap, who announces the new line-up (including Carol’s new superhero name, Warbird), but is reticent about saying those two little words.
But he eventually gives in (like his MCU counterpart finally did at the end of Avengers: Endgame).
Leave it to Clint to get the final word!
By the way, the poster promised on the cover is of the new line-up, and it’s a beaut.
ISSUE DETAILS
Avengers (vol. 3) #4, May 1998: Kurt Busiek (writer), George Pérez (pencils), Al Vey and Bob Wiacek (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richards Starkings, Dan Lanphear, and Comicraft (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Avengers Assemble Volume 1 and Avengers: I Am an Avenger II.
LAST ISSUES: Avengers #2-3 and Thunderbolts #11-12 (February-April 1998)
ALSO THIS MONTH: Captain America #5, Wolverine #124, and Marvel Team-Up #9 (May 1998)
NEXT ISSUES: Avengers #5-6 (June-July 1998)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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