This issue deals with two romantic entanglements involving Captain America as we head into the climactic final issue of this run next month. (Do not worry, Sue Storm is not one of them, despite the cover which, at least to me, seems to show our hero emerging from the shadows to sneak up on the Invisible Woman.)
We start on a lake in Idaho, a more relaxed version of Steve Rogers’ and Sam Wilson’s fishing trip from issue #25, although one of them doesn’t seem very relaxed, much to the consternation and amusement of the other.
Sam takes a chance and gets Steve worked up a bit…
…only to dump some truth on him, but it’s truth Steve does not want to hear.
Sam interestingly ties in an aspect of the superhero life (involving some sly meta commentary at the same time) to explain why Steve has found it so difficult to let his break-up with Connie Ferrari go.
Now on a roll, Sam explains why Connie felt betrayed, making the same points she made herself after she discovered the truth, and this time it seems to get through to the thickest man alive.
Sam recommends Steve settle things once and for all, suggesting that Connie’s disappearance was more about protecting herself than rejecting him, and Steve acts with his characteristic resolution.
The scene shifts to a random city in Ohio where Connie is busy raking up a very small amount of leaves…
…but apparently she was just killing time until her least favorite Avenger showed up. Steve gets another lecture about honesty and trust, but whereas Sam emphasized that she found it hard to trust him, Connie wonders if Steve ever trusted her.
Steve tries to explain how seriously he takes his double identity and the burden it places on those he shares it with, but she counters with the impossible bind that put them in, not to mention the realization that Captain America is always the priority…
…which is something Steve himself has been dealing with for the last few issues, not to mention the decades before that. But hearing Connie say it finally seems to bring it home for him.
Just in case the point wasn’t made clearly enough, she asks him a (potentially) final question…
…to which he can’t give her the answer she wanted.
Steve acknowledges the clarity this has given him while Connie wishes him well and offers him a suggestion to cure the loneliness she sees in him. (And she lets us know if anyone needs a lawyer in whatever Ohio city this is, she’s available.)
With a final hug, Connie and Steve say goodbye, and he thanks her for showing him the way…
…although he kindly waits until she closes the door to reveal the way to what (or whom).
We can guess from the cover who this is—it’s not Sue—and Cap wastes no finding tracking her down and butting into her case.
Cap respects Sharon’s skill and competence and lets her continue unaided, but not without some snide remarks…
…and despite appearances to the contrary, Sharon does have the situation in hand (or elbow), after which Cap asks for a word.
While Sharon tries to do her job and save the world or whatnot, Cap prepares to pitch some woo.
He just pushes through, arguing that they need to both admit what’s been between them for years now, on and off (the latter especially when she was believed dead for many of those years).
Sharon points out the obvious (even if she doesn’t know Cap was just in Ohio), but Cap persists, arguing that he needs to be with someone who can handle both of his identities (or even just the dominant one).
Aww!
Cap wraps up with a kiss just as Sharon’s mission is completed…
…and Sam rests happy in his assumption that his buddy is doing just fine.
ISSUE DETAILS
Captain America (vol. 3) #49, January 2002: Dan Jurgens (writer), Juan Bobillo (pencils), Marcelo Sosa (inks), Edgar Tadeo (colors), Todd Klein (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Captain America by Dan Jurgens Omnibus.
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Captain America #47-48 (November-December 2001)
ALSO THIS MONTH: Avengers #48 (January 2002)
NEXT ISSUE: Captain America #50 (February 2002)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
Leave a comment