These two issues of Avengers close out Kurt Busiek’s run, which began with the first issue of this volume. The first serves as an epilogue to the epic Kang Dynasty storyline that ended with the last issue, dealing with, among other things, Carol Danvers’ court martial hearing for killing the Master and a dedication to a fallen colleague, while the second one tells a tale of foes more frightening than the Masters of Evil… the Axis of Accountants! Captain America appears sporadically through these, as much as the other three comics featuring the Avengers we spotlight in this post.
In Avengers #55, we have the promised hearing, starting with an homage to Carol’s last court martial, as drawn by the late George Pérez in Avengers #7.
If we zoom in on Cap’s dialogue, he begins the hearing with typical solemnity and dignity…
…which Carol follows in suit, openly and honorably acknowledging what she feels she did wrong, a striking difference from her behavior in her first court martial. (Recall that she requested this hearing in the last issue.)
After other testimony is heard and the panel deliberates, Cap announces their decision, substituting the standard for a soldier during wartime for the typical Avengers code of conduct to absolve Carol of any wrongdoing.
I wonder if Tony’s thinking back to the Galactic Storm—see Avengers #347 and Captain America #401—and Cap’s extreme disapproval to his actions during what could only be described as war.
Later, the term attends a candlelight vigil for their fallen government liaison, Duane Freeman, who was killed in Kang’s attack on Washington, DC (off-panel in issue #49).
Cap tells Janet about the time Duane dressed down the God of Thunder in Avengers #27 (also drawn by Mr. Pérez), shown below:
In Avengers #56, the team faces their regular audit on behalf of the Stark Foundation, and Tony himself admires their particular brand of courage and heroism.
When they get around to Cap, he explains a parking ticket for the Quinjet…
…and has his reimbursement paperwork complete, impressing the junior member of the accountant team (who has been less than impressed with the conscientiousness of the other Avengers).
In the fourth and final issue of Tigra’s miniseries, the title character strolls by a store where she sees a fawning tribute to Captain America on TV…
…before comparing herself unfavorably to her fellow heroes and pondering her role in the world.
After helping to root out corruption while undercover in the New York Police Department, a mission begun with a little help from Cap in issue #1, Greer decides to sign up legitimately, joining a different team of heroes in service of the same mission.
Cap congratulates her, admitting that he misses his days on the force even though his current gig feels much the same, and joins her commander in praising her incredible abilities (wink wink).
In the first issue of Infinity Abyss, the latest of Jim Starlin’s space epic, Moondragon invites the Avengers it help beat up some AIM agents…
…which apparently taxes Cap so much he forgets his grammar.
If Cap heard anyone else say this, it would certainly prompt this:
He could react similarly to Deadpool’s “joke” in the final issue (#69) of his first ongoing run:
Poor taste indeed… but so very appropriate for the Merc with a Mouth.
ISSUE DETAILS
Avengers (vol. 3) #55, August 2002: Kurt Busiek (writer), Patrick Zircher (pencils), Scott Koblish (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Albert Deschesne (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Avengers (vol. 3) #56, September 2002: Kurt Busiek (writer), Yanick Paquette (pencils), Ray Snyder (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Albert Deschesne (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in Avengers Assemble Volume 5.
Tigra #4, August 2002: Christina Z (writer), Mike Deodato, Jr. (pencils and inks), Chris Sotomayor (colors), Dave Sharpe (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in Tigra: The Complete Collection.
Infinity Abyss #1, August 2002: Jim Starlin (writer and pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Christie Scheele (colors), Jack Morelli (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in Thanos: Infinity Abyss.
Deadpool (vol. 2) #69, September 2002: Gail Simone (writer), Udon Studios (art), David Sharpe (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in Deadpool Epic Collection: Agent X.
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Avengers #52-54 and Tigra #1 (May-July 2002)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #3 (August 2002) and Captain America #4 (September 2002)
NEXT ISSUES: Avengers #57-58 (October-November 2002)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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