This issue launches a new storyline, "The Extremists," as Captain America begins a new life without a secret identity while uncovering more and more secrets within SHIELD. It also incorporates a perspective on the history of America that is too seldom mentioned in the comic that includes its name, but which is essential to appreciating... Continue Reading →
These two issues, along with Thor (vol. 2) #58, comprise the "Standoff" storyline (not to be confused with 2016's "Standoff!" storyline that set the stage for the following year's "Secret Empire" event, which was thoroughly discussed in the updated edition of my book). Besides having some touching moments between Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor—not... Continue Reading →
The first two of these three issues wrap up the "World Trust" storyline begun in the last two, in which massive portals have opened popped up around the world and swallowed world capitals, while the third serves both as an epilogue to that story and a preview of the next major storyline that begins in... Continue Reading →
This issue wraps up the first arc of the fourth volume of Captain America as our hero has traveled to Dresden to investigate the source of the mysterious and advanced CATtags that have shown up on Middle Eastern terrorists and SHIELD agents alike. Once he got there, at the end of the last issue, he recalled the... Continue Reading →
This issue finds Captain America pondering the nature and purpose of modern warfare, the lengths nations go to advance in war, and the role of military technology—including himself—as the aftermath of his fatal interaction with the terrorist Faysal al Tariq in the small town of Centerville continues. At the end of the last issue, Cap... Continue Reading →
This issues wraps up the first half of the first arc of the fourth volume of Captain America, which began with our hero reacting to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, before moving several months ahead to another incident in the town of Centerville, which we learn in this issue is the location of... Continue Reading →
This issue continues the story on terrorism that began in the first issue of this fourth volume of Captain America, with our hero intervening in a hostage situation in the small American town of Centerville, which prompts some thoughtful insights about the nature of evil and war. Even though he had feet on the ground by... Continue Reading →
This issue launches the fourth volume of Captain America, this one under the Marvel Knights imprint, which by this point had already featured groundbreaking re-imaginings of Daredevil and Black Panther. The intent was to ground the stories of Captain America more firmly in the real world—and nothing was more current in the United States of... Continue Reading →
This post covers four out of the six issues of The Order, a miniseries focused on the original Defenders (Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Namor, and the Hulk) as well as other heroes associated with the team over the years. When the series begins, the Defenders Four have broken bad, claiming to be Earth's unwilling and resentful... Continue Reading →
These three issues of Avengers wrap up the Kang Dynasty storyline that began in issue #41. In issue #49, the Earth—and the Avengers, represented by the Wasp—surrendered to Kang, but the team has not finished fighting, especially after Captain America learned of the surrender at the end of issue #50. Also, we have two pages... Continue Reading →
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 