Oh boy... this one's gonna take some explaining. Since the Avengers found Captain America missing and presumed dead at the end of Captain America #443, they (and the poor readers) had to endure "The Crossing," a mini-event between their own title, Force Works, Iron Man, and War Machine, that involved many interweaving events. Most important... Continue Reading →
Captain America #443 (September 1995)
This is it, the final issue of Mark Gruenwald's epic 137-issue run on Captain America, starting with issue #307 in July 1985. I'll pay tribute to Gruenwald at the end of his post, but for now, let's focus on Captain America himself, who has really been going through it lately. Cap started feeling weak in... Continue Reading →
Captain America #442 and Thunderstrike #23-24 (August-September 1995)
As Mark Gruenwald approaches the end of his long run on Captain America, he starts to revisit concepts from throughout his run (and even earlier), as well as fixing continuity glitches, as he was wont to do. Plus, the last two issues of the Thunderstrike series see Cap and the Avengers join to watch Eric... Continue Reading →
Captain America #438 (April 1995)
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 #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 →
Captain America Annual #13 (1994)
This annual contains two stories, each significant for its own reasons. The first is a Roy Thomas-penned extravaganza involving all the Captains America to date, including the two he introduced in What If? #4 to clear up the appearances of Cap and Bucky in the Golden Age comics after their early 1945 deaths (a concept ... Continue Reading →
Marvel Holiday Special 1994
This Marvel stocking stuffer not only features a very poignant short story about Captain America by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake—who collaborated on a fantastic Spectre run earlier in the decade, as well as much other amazing work by each—but also a beautiful George Pérez cover (as you see to the right or above). The... Continue Reading →
Captain America #429 and Quasar #60 (July 1994)
This issue continues the storyline in which Captain America faces off against the Americop, a man presuming to be a police officer who takes the law into his own hands (or the Punisher with a badge, real or not). At the same time, Cap is dealing with his diminishing strength and stamina as the super-soldier... 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 →