These two issues of Avengers see Captain America continue his gradual and tentative return to the team what found him all those years ago. He doesn’t appear in these issues extensively, but when he does, it is great to see him drawn by Steve Epting, familiar from his incredible work (with Tom Palmer’s inks) on many classic 1990s Avengers stories as well as the upcoming fifth volume of Captain America (written by Ed Brubaker). Plus, we get half a page from Black Panther, in which Cap reacts to the latest news from Wakanda.
Our hero doesn’t show up in Avengers #36 until near the end, when the Wasp receives a distress call while leading the Avengers against Pagan and Lord Templar.
From a battlezone in the (fictional) Baltic nation of Slorenia (which Ultron devastated in issues #19–#22), Cap calls for help from the Avengers and then signs off to resume fighting, leaving Janet to consider splitting their forces before Photon agrees to scout the situation.
When she arrives seconds later, Cap gives her the sitrep about his foe, Bloodwraith…
…who is a bit larger than she expected.
By issue #37 more Avengers have joined Cap and Photon in Slorenia but they have little success against the Bloodwraith, and Cap grows increasingly concerned about civilian casualties.
Cap explains to Wanda how Sean Dolan, who currently possesses the Black Knight’s Ebony Blade, came to Slorenia to help with the devastation caused by Ultron, but was taken over by the Blade, which soaked up the souls of the dead Slorenians, and became the Bloodwraith. Because of their several links to the current slaughter, Cap feels responsible on the part of the Avengers…
…and hopes Wanda’s magic will work where science failed. When she expresses doubts about her ability to control her power, Cap gives her the only advice he can.
(I hear you out there, Yoda — shut up you should.)
While Cap commands the Avengers in Slorenia, he gets an urgent call for New York asking for Photon to return…
…and even without her, Wanda manages to save the day with some creative use of her power. Cap acknowledges she did the best she could, but he’s still not happy.
After flying to Slorenia with Hank, Janet wraps up the situation…
…and Cap can contain his frustration no longer, shouting that the Avengers are not doing the job they’re sworn to do and need to work harder and smarter if they want to protect the world. (Also, note that he’s saying “we.”)
He apologizes for losing his temper and turns toward a solution… but Janet already has several in mind, including welcoming a classic member back to the fold.
Finally, in Black Panther #27, Cap hears the news about his old friend T’Challa and the political and financial intrigue around Wakanda (which is too much to go into here—check out the trade paperback if you’re interested) and emits an “oh dear no.”
ISSUE DETAILS
Avengers (vol. 3) #36, January 2001: Kurt Busiek (writer), Steve Epting (pencils), Al Vey (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Albert Deschesne (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Avengers (vol. 3) #37, February 2001: Kurt Busiek (writer), Steve Epting (pencils), Al Vey (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Albert Deschesne (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Both collected in Avengers Assemble Volume 4.
Black Panther (vol. 3) #27 (February 2001): Christopher Priest (writer), Sal Velluto (pencils), Bob Almond (inks), Steve Oliff (colors), Paul Tutrone and Sharpefont (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
All collected in Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 2.
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Avengers #34-35 (November-December 2000)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #37 (January 2001), Maximum Security #3 (January 2001), Iron Fist/Wolverine: The Return of K’un Lun #3-4 (January-Feburary 2001), and Captain America #38 (February 2001)
NEXT ISSUES: Avengers #38-44 and Annual 2001 (March-September 2001)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
Leave a comment