With these two issues—the first half of the “World Trust” storyline—we see a new writer for Avengers, Geoff Johns, who soon afterwards will become a mainstay at DC Comics on titles such as Infinite Crisis, JSA, and Green Lantern. This storyline casts a welcome spotlight on Sam Wilson, but also spends a lot of time on the Scarlet Witch and the Vision, the Wasp and Giant-Man, and Jack of Hearts and Ant-Man (Scott Lang), so despite being team leader, Captain America appears about as much as you’ve come to expect in this team book. (We also get a couple panels from X-Treme X-Men #18, in which Cap and the Avengers make a guest appearance on The Pitt.)
When we first see Captain America and the Falcon in Avengers #57, we notice one is flying while the other… can not? He doesn’t seem to mind, though.
Once Cap lands, he find out why they’re working together again, and Cap asks about Sam’s retro outfit (quite different from the armor he has been sporting since issue #25 of volume 3).
After they quickly settle the issue of honesty (duh), Sam makes a snide comment about 90s superhero costumes, pays his former partner a compliment, and makes a joke about Namor, all very welcome here. (Cap repays the compliment, because of course he does.)
Turns out Sam’s co-worker’s boyfriend is Mr. Hyde, who laughs at Cap and Sam’s pretension to bring him in themselves…
…but Cap brought some more friends.
Cap leads his team, warning them of Hyde’s strength and the Avengers’ current lack of any Asgardians, and also inquires into Wanda’s health (aww).
Afterwards, Jarvis lets Cap know of the true emergency of this storyline—the disappearance of Washington, DC, soon to be followed by other nations’ capitals—and Cap appeals to Sam’s loyalty and patriotism to get him to stick around. (A bit much, but it’s OK.)
While Cap rallies the team, Jack of Hearts and Scott of Ants can’t stop fighting, so Dad has to separate them before giving them a lesson about maturity and character befitting Avengers.
After the Black Panther shows up with their old “friend,” Henry Peter Gyrich—offering help for mysterious reasons—the issue ends with even more of a twist, especially given the Avengers’ often contentious relationship with the United Nations (and government authority in general).
(This is particularly ironic after events in the new Avengers: Armageddon #1, which came out thr week I posted this.)
In issue #58, Cap, T’Challa, and She-Hulk visit the United Nations, and after greeting a starstruck soldier, Cap sets Gyrich straight on exactly how they will work together from this point on.
After Jennifer acts like the UN Charter is beyond her skills as a lawyer (huh?), she expresses admiration for Cap’s confidence and resolve as he heads in to address what remains of the United Nations General Assembly.
Gee, I have absolutely no idea what it’s like to address a half-empty classroom assembly hall.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team is responding to crises and panic around the world, and after Nick Fury asks Sam to say hi to his old war buddy, Carol asks Sam if he ever gets tired of being regarded as Cap’s sidekick, and Sam shows his compliments are not for Cap’s ears only.
(Again, a bit much—we get it, Johns, you love Cap, we all do.)
After they’re done at the UN, the three Avengers join their teammates over the ocean a mile outside New York CIty, where another “void” threatens to swallow a Navy ship.
When a pair of mysterious hands give it a nudge, Cap takes the chance to make his own snide joke…
…at the expense of another old war buddy, who adds himself to the team roster (and gives no opportunity for dissent).
This story will conclude in the next post, but before we leave let’s check in at the Madripoor emergency medical unit, where Cap, the Thing, and some other minor heroes bring some of the X-Men after they repel yet another villainous invasion.
When more X-Men show up and attract some “disapproval,” Cap smooths things over, explaining why their presence is beneficial even if some elements find them “unsettling” (while stopping short of addressing the prejudice itself).
ISSUE DETAILS
Avengers (vol. 3) #57, October 2002: Geoff Johns (writer), Kieron Dwyer (pencils), Rick Remender (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Albert Deschesne (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Avengers (vol. 3) #58, November 2002: Geoff Johns (writer), Kieron Dwyer (pencils), Rick Remender (inks), Tom Smith (colors), Richard Starkings and Albert Deschesne (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in Avengers: The Complete Collection by Geoff Johns Volume 1.
X-Treme X-Men (vol. 1) #18, November 2002: Chris Claremont Z (writer), Salvador Larroca (pencils and inks), Liquid! (colors), Tom Orzechowski (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in X-Treme X-Men by Chris Claremont Omnibus.
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Avengers #55-56 (August-September 2002)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #5 (October 2002)
NEXT ISSUES: Avengers #59-61 (December 2002-February 2003)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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