These two issues feature Captain America, first by himself and then with the Avengers, getting involved in Namor's business in reference to an attack on New York by the giant whale creature Giganto—an attack actually engineered by Llyra, a Lemurian mutant with limited shape-changing abilities, and Llyron, the child Llyra had with Namor's half-brother who... Continue Reading →
Avengers #382 and Marvel Double Feature #381-382 (December 1994-January 1995)
This post covers Captain America's appearances with the Avengers during these two months, with only his brief appearance in Avengers referencing the health problems that are coming to a head in his own book. (He also appears with the Avengers in Namor the Sub-Mariner #58, but that's covered in another post.) In Avengers #382, the... Continue Reading →
Captain America #434 (December 1994)
With this issue we begin the final trilogy within the "Fighting Chance" arc, tracing the final stages of Captain America's physical decline as yet another new hero is introduced, whom you see on the cover. (Don't let the mask fool you, it's not Grifter.) Our story picks up where the last issue left off, with... Continue Reading →
Captain America #433, Avengers #380, Force Works #5, and Justice: Four Balance #3 (November 1994)
This issue of Captain America completes the third trilogy in the "Fighting Chance" arc that details Captain America's deteriorating health as his super-soldier serum breaks down. Here, Cap-with-Pouches, Diamondback, and new hero Free Spirit (Cathy Webster) are fighting their way out of Baron Zemo's castle, with the last issue ending with Cap barely escaping one... Continue Reading →
Captain America #431, Avengers #378, and The Incredible Hulk #421 (September 1994)
This issue of Captain America launches a new three-part storyline under the broader "Fighting Chance" arc that began in issue #425, following the decline of Steve Rogers' health as his super-soldier serum breaks down. Here we meet a new character (seen as the cover), inspired by Captain America, who will eventually help him accommodate his... Continue Reading →
Avengers Annual #23 (1994)
In the final annual of the original run of Avengers, the team faces the dual threat of Loki and Pluto, who engage in the time-honored strategy of switching foes, with Loki taking on Hercules here while Pluto deals with the Odinson in Thor Annual #19. Captain America's failing health, consistently referenced in his appearances still... Continue Reading →
Captain America #426-427 (April-May 1994)
These two issues complete the tale of the mysterious new Super-Patriot posing as Captain America to ruin his reputation—alongside another person, Dead Ringer, who duplicates the appearance and abilities of dead villains—as well as the opening story in the longer "Fighting Chance" arc about Cap's deteriorating physical condition as the super-soldier serum in his system... Continue Reading →
Daredevil #326-332 (March-September 1994)
These seven issues comprise the "Tree of Knowledge" arc in Daredevil, which followed the better-known "Fall from Grace" arc from issues #319-325. There, we saw Elektra return to Daredevil's life just in time for his secret identity to be revealed to the world, leading him to fake Matt Murdock's death to save his loved ones... Continue Reading →
Iron Man #302-304 (March-May 1994)
These three issues of Iron Man are part of the "Crash & Burn" storyline, in which Tony Stark has to defend himself and Stark Enterprises against allegations of illegal behavior due to Stane International, which Stark absorbed as part of a bad deal with Justin Hammer (in issue #283). Over six issues, Tony faces a... Continue Reading →
Avengers #372-375, Darkhawk #37, Silver Surfer #93, War Machine #1, and Warlock and the Infinity Watch #26-28 (March-June 1994)
Like the previous Avengers post, this one is a catch-all of sorts, gathering all of Captain America's appearances with the team these four months—and the number of them is quite impressive, considering his reduced physical capabilities (explained in March's Captain America #425). We'll see in the Avengers storyline that he is even less active in... Continue Reading →