We start 1994 with a flashback issue of Captain America written by Roy Thomas—breaking Mark Gruenwald's streak begun with issue #307—telling the story of our hero's first meeting with Namor the Sub-Mariner. Fittingly, this month also sees the debut of Marvels, the landmark miniseries by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross, the first issue of which... Continue Reading →
Avengers #368-369, West Coast Avengers #101, X-Men #26, and Uncanny X-Men #307 (November-December 1993)
These five comics comprise the "Bloodties" storyline, a crossover event that commemorated the 30th anniversary of both the Avengers and the X-Men. The huge cast of this story necessarily minimizes Captain America's role (other than many impressive heroic poses), but a central theme of the Avengers aspect of the story deals with the obligations under... Continue Reading →
Captain America #421 and Nomad #19 (November 1993)
These two issues comprise a mini-crossover (that technically began in the last issues of both titles) that brings Captain America together once again with Jack Monroe, the Bucky of the 1950s who later took up Cap's former identity of Nomad, but went in a decidedly different direction with it. (Hint: the rifle.) Captain America #421... Continue Reading →
Captain America #418-419 and Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #15 (August-September 1993)
The first of these three comics focuses mainly on Dennis Dunphy's subterranean struggles and his eventual emergence into daylight, with Cap playing a lesser role—but he has a much larger one in the following two-issue crossover with Silver Sable and the Funky Bunch, which contains some fine examples of necessary moral compromise (an issue also... Continue Reading →
Avengers #364-367 and Sensational She-Hulk #55 (July-October 1993)
These four issues of Avengers continue Captain America's recent return to the team as a rank-and-file member rather than leader, although he has trouble avoiding that role entirely. (He's not even on any of the covers—only his shield is on the one you see here!) Although Cap's participation in these stories is not front-and-center, we... Continue Reading →
Invaders #1-4 (May-August 1993)
This miniseries marks the return of the Invaders in their first title since their ongoing series in the 1970s, and it picks up right where the first series left off in mid-1942. (Writer Roy Thomas was always very precise with his dates in his WWII-era comics, including both Invaders and his All-Star Squadron series at... Continue Reading →
Punisher – Captain America: Blood and Glory #3 (December 1992)
This issue concludes the miniseries that brings Captain America and the Punisher together for the first time as partners, to combat a government conspiracy involving money, drugs, guns, and fascism abroad and at home. Just as the first issue ended with Frank (unsuccessfully) assassinating Cap, the second issue ended with General Navatilas, the dictator of... Continue Reading →
Infinity War #5-6, Fantastic Four #369, Quasar #39-40, and Wonder Man #14 (October-November 1992)
With this post we wrap up the latest installment in Jim Starlin's Infinity Saga, as the Magus, Adam Warlock, Thanos (and his evil double), and a lot of celestial entities battle for the survival of the universe. Unfortunately for us, at this point Captain America and the rest of our heroes—with the exception of Quasar—have... Continue Reading →
Avengers #346 and Iron Man #279 (April 1992)
"Operation: Galactic Storm" marches on with two more installments featuring Captain America, both featuring the subset of the team (including Cap and Iron Man) that is trying to talk to the Kree leadership in hopes of defusing the conflict between them and the Shi'ar that threatens Earth's sun. In Avengers #346, Cap strikes a very... Continue Reading →
Captain America #399 (April 1992)
This issue launches the second monthly round of "Operation: Galactic Storm," a storyline that began in the last issue and, amidst all the high-stakes outer-space action, gradually reveals some ethical disagreements between Captain America and his fellow Avengers, especially Iron Man. Speaking of Tony, in our last installment, he surrendered to the Kree on behalf... Continue Reading →