This is a very curious little story, not least because it is, as far as I know, the only Captain America solo story written and drawn by none other than Steve Ditko. As you see from the covers above (front and back), the main stories from these two issues were part of "Weapon X," the... Continue Reading →
Avengers #334-335 and Thor #434 (July-August 1991)
These two issues launch "The Collection Obsession," a six-part biweekly storyline (much like "The Superia Stratagem" in Captain America that started this month) that features a new threat from beyond the stars, Thane Ector (seen above), who is a large enough threat that the Watcher does that think he's not supposed to do (but often... Continue Reading →
Captain America #385 (May 1991)
This is the first part of a two-issue storyline about one of Captain America's former neighbors in Brooklyn, who now runs with a new crew, some of whom you can see on the cover—and the romantic machinations of a certain Ms. Bernie Rosenthal continue. The issue begins with the Watchdogs—the right-wing extremist group that debuted... Continue Reading →
Avengers #327-328, Avengers Spotlight #40, and Thor #427 (December 1990-January 1991)
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 Super-Heroes #3 (September 1990)
In its first volume, the title Marvel Super-Heroes introduced Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) and the Guardians of the Galaxy, and told Doctor Doom's first solo story, along with reprinting stories (which it did exclusively after it first twenty issues). In its second volume, it became a quarterly anthology title; its third issue features Captain America in... Continue Reading →
Captain America #331 (July 1987)
In this issue, the ongoing storylines about the Power Broker, D-Man, and the U.S. government all collide as they lead into the game-changing next issue (#332). Plus, we learn a little more about Sharon Ventura (for those not familiar with her from The Thing and Fantastic Four) and meet the big fella on the cover,... Continue Reading →
Captain America #328 (April 1987)
This issue is the first of four issues featuring the greatest superhero sensation of 1987, D-Man, in which he helps Captain America search for the mysterious Power Broker, and building up to the game-changing issue #332. Our story opens at the Los Angeles headquarters of the Ultimate Class Wrestling Federation, where Cap hopes to find... Continue Reading →
Captain America #323 and Marvel Fanfare #29 (November 1986)
This issue of Captain America introduces John Walker and Lemar Hoskins, albeit in a way that will be unrecognizable to readers familiar with them only from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. (However, John's career will follow the same broad trajectory, and Lemar fares much better than he does in the show!) Storywise, this issue... Continue Reading →
Marvel Fanfare #18 (January 1985)
This issue is notable for being (if I'm not mistaken) the only Captain America story pencilled by Frank Miller (who also drew the front and back covers you see above). Inspired by a story by Roger McKenzie, this comic is credited to Miller and Roger Stern—of the classic Stern/Byrne run on Captain America starting with... Continue Reading →
Captain America #270 (June 1982)
In this issue, we learn the identity of the man we saw briefly in issue #268, who actually represents a milestone in Marvel Comics history, and has a fascinating connection to Captain America. Also, we see Bernie Rosenthal being a hero in her own right (and in her own way). We begin with Steve and... Continue Reading →