After the valiant efforts in Captain America #437 and Iron Man #314 on the part of Tony Stark and Hank Pym to save Captain America's life after his super-soldier serum finally failed him, leaving him paralyzed and in cardiac arrest, this issue introduces the infamous armored exoskeleton that restores his mobility and allows him to... Continue Reading →
Captain America #437 and Iron Man #314 (March 1995)
This issue of Captain America is the epilogue to "Fighting Chance," the arc that began a year ago in issue #425 and detailed Captain America's gradual physical decline as his super-soldier serum broke down. At the end of the last issue, he was completely paralyzed and suffered a heart attack while his fellow Avenger Hank... Continue Reading →
Captain America #436, Force Works #8, and Fantastic Force #4 (February 1995)
This issue wraps up the final trilogy in the long "Fighting Chance" arc, and in it we see Captain America finally succumb to the gradual deterioration of the super-soldier serum in his body, spelling a very uncertain future for the Sentinel of Liberty. (Don't expect a last-minute deus ex machina to restore him at the... Continue Reading →
Namor the Sub-Mariner #57-58 (December 1994-January 1995)
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 →