This issue sees a split (of sorts) in Captain America and the Falcon's partnership—as you may have guessed from the subtle hint on the cover—as well as Sam's new costume (also on the cover). Plus... Femme Force! We open on what is apparently a Hydra meeting, which is soon broken up by Cap and agents... Continue Reading →
Avengers #93-97 (November 1971-March 1972)
Marvel fans will recognize this run of issues as the latter part of the Kree-Skrull War, the first major galactic story featuring the Avengers (and Captain America), which began in Avengers #89 (without Cap). The story is enormously influential, often referenced in other comics, but is also convoluted, incorporating many plot threads about Mar-Vell... Continue Reading →
Captain America #143 (November 1971)
This extra-length issue brings us a story of racial tension stoked by an external force (as we see often in this early 1970s era of social relevance in comics), with Captain America and the Falcon in the middle of it. More interesting, we see their own relationship reflect some of the more general conflicts happening... Continue Reading →
Captain America #139-142 (July-October 1971)
This four-part story is light on ethically relevant material, focusing instead on Captain America's battle alongside the Falcon, Sharon Carter, and Nick Fury against the uninspiring Grey Gargoyle. (Only one shade to this fella, and it's a drab one.) However, it does start with some soul-searching on Cap's part, inspired by an intriguing offer from... Continue Reading →
Captain America #137-138 (May-June 1971)
In this two-parter, Captain America and the Falcon meet Spider-Man, but this is a not your garden-variety team-up—both Cap and Sam are dealing with things that threaten to pull this new partnership apart just several issues after it began. Issue #137 picks up when the last issue left off, with Cap and Falcon emerging from... Continue Reading →
Captain America #135-136 (March-April 1971)
This is a wild two-parter in which Captain America introduces the Falcon to some of his friends (including some folks who weren't his friends not long ago), reconnects Cap with Sharon Carter, and introduces an old Fantastic Four villain, all in the context of a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde story. First, Cap brings Sam to meet... Continue Reading →
Captain America #134 (February 1971)
This issue sees the start of the "Captain America and the Falcon" period of the first volume of Captain America, lasting until issue #222 in June 1978, and appropriately it features Cap helping Sam with a personal case in Harlem (and, in general, it befits the increasingly social aware direction of the title that began... Continue Reading →
Avengers #85 and 88, Sub-Mariner #35, Iron Man #39, and Amazing Adventures #8 (February-September 1971)
This post covers a smattering of comics containing all of Captain America's appearances with the Avengers in 1971. Most feature Cap in only several panels, with only Avengers #88 among them counting him as a main character. (The Falcon appears in two of them also, even though he would not be made a full members... Continue Reading →
Captain America #133 (January 1971)
In this issue, we learn what truly motivates MODOK's hatred of Captain America, see some welcome confirmation of Cap and Falcon's friendship and their new partnership, and get an important message about those who claim to support you in your time of need. (Thanks, MODOK!) The issue opens with MODOK's origin, which doesn't add much... Continue Reading →