"Where is Captain America?" is the question that leads off Mark Waid and Ron Garney's first run on this title, following Mark Gruenwald's 137-issue run that ended last month. The conclusion of that issue will be recapped below, so for now I'll just say that this issue is more of a tribute to Captain America,... 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 #441 and Avengers #388 (July 1995)
These issues of Captain America and Avengers complete the "Taking AIM" crossover, in which all of Captain America's friends, Avengers and otherwise, plus the Red Skull, are assembled on AIM Island to investigate Cosmic Cube-related energy blasts. Also present are Diamondback and Superia, the latter of whom gave Cap a small dose of her cure... Continue Reading →
Captain America #440 and Avengers #387 (June 1995)
These issues of Captain America and Avengers comprise the first half of the "Taking AIM" crossover, in which Captain America assembles a team of heroes to help him investigate strange energy emissions from AIM Island—which have also attracted the attentions of the Red Skull. The story begins in Captain America #440 as Cap asks his... Continue Reading →
Captain America #439, Avengers #386, and ClanDestine #8 (May 1995)
This issue of Captain America continues our hero's process of "taking care of business" in his new Stark-designed armor that grants him mobility after his body completely gave out on him due to depleted super-soldier serum. It also returns to the topic of the new Super-Patriot (who was presumed dead after disappearing in a fire... 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 →
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 →
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 →