These two issues of Avengers finish the storyline that introduces Rage, "guest-stars" founding member Iron Man, and leads into the landmark issue #329, in which yet another new line-up is introduced. Also, at the end we see a few panels from a Vision story in Avengers Spotlight and a Thor story in... well, Thor. (Surprise?)... Continue Reading →
Marvel Comics Presents #60 (October 1990)
More than most comics stories, this short tale from the anthology title Marvel Comics Presents is placed firmly within a particular point in history: the battle between the Sandinista party, which ruled Nicaragua throughout the 1980s, and the Contras, backed by the United States, who opposed the Sandinistas' communist ideology. (See more here.) This story... Continue Reading →
Captain America #375 (August 1990)
This issue not only continues the "Streets of Poison" storyline begun in issue #372, but it also follows up on Captain America's appearance in Daredevil #283, which took place in middle of Captain America #374. (Got it?) There, Cap and Matt had a deep conversation about the state of America in 1990, but in this... Continue Reading →
Daredevil #283 (August 1990)
This issue of Daredevil—taking place in between scenes in Captain America #374—features a very critical and outspoken Sentinel of Liberty regarding problems he sees with contemporary America (circa 1990). As we know from the current "Streets of Poison" storyline in Captain America, Cap has not been himself since the explosion in the drug warehouse at... Continue Reading →
Captain America #373-374 (July-August 1990)
These two issues pick up the "Streets of Poison" story begun in the last, which ended with Captain America caught in an explosion in a warehouse where he was investigating a new drug called Ice. We won't see much of the Black Widow, who, as one of the covers above suggests, "meets" Diamondback, but we... Continue Reading →
Captain America #372 and Amazing Spider-Man #335 (July 1990)
This issue of Captain America launches the seven-part "Streets of Poison" storyline, in which Cap tackles the drug war and considers the role that "performance-enhancing drugs" have played in his own life. As a bonus, we get a few panels from a Spider-Man story the same month, in which Peter tries to impress MJ with... Continue Reading →
Avengers #317-318, Silver Surfer Annual #3, and Black Knight #1 (May-June 1990)
These two issues of Avengers finish up the five-part story begun in issue #314 that features new Avengers Sersi and Spider-Man... although only one of them makes it out of this story as a member of the team! Plus: The Silver Surfer updates Captain America about Thanos (after he paid him a visit in Silver... Continue Reading →
Avengers #301-303 and Thor #402 (March-May 1989)
For our purposes, these three issues of Avengers are notable mainly for the conflict they show between Captain America and Reed Richards, both accustomed to leading their teams while only one presently does. As a bonus, we see the opening page from an issue of Thor that does not seem to fit where it's supposed... Continue Reading →
Captain America #341 (May 1988)
This issue follows up on the "disagreement" between Iron Man and the Captain in Iron Man #228 over Tony's ongoing campaign to reclaim or disable all of his tech in other people's hands, including the U.S. government, and by whatever means necessary. This is just one of many examples of Tony's utilitarian approach to ethical... Continue Reading →
Captain America #340 (April 1988)
This issue follows directly from Iron Man #228, in which the Captain and Iron Man fought about Tony's attempts to get his tech back from the U.S. government—specifically, breaking into the Vault, a prison for superhuman convicts, to disable the Stark-designed armor of their Guardsmen. For all his claims to be a futurist, Tony either... Continue Reading →