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 →
Avengers #52-54 and Tigra #1 (May-July 2002)
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 →
Captain America: Dead Men Running #1-3 (March-May 2002)
One long month since his untimely passing—as previewed in that very comic—Captain America returns to the land of the living in the Dead Men Running miniseries. These three issues deal with a group of soldiers trapped with a bunch of children in the Colombian jungle on a mysterious mission, as narrated by Sergeant Solo, who... Continue Reading →
Captain America/Nick Fury: The Otherworld War (October 2001)
This one-shot introduces Captain America to elements of the world of Doctor Strange, but with a twist: these events transpire decades before Stephen had his climactic automobile accident, giving a different spin on what could otherwise be a standard World War II-era tale of Cap and Bucky featuring Sgt. Fury and the Howlin' Commandos. The... Continue Reading →
Avengers #45-46 and Thor: Godstorm #1 (October-November 2001)
These two issues continue the "Kang Dynasty" storyline that began in issue #41, and which Cap has relatively little to do with (even compared to other Avengers tales). Part of this is explained by his first appearance in issue #45, where we see he is recovering from the injuries he sustained in issue #43 while... Continue Reading →
Captain America #47-48 (November-December 2001)
These two issues complete the storyline that began in issue #45, dealing with the Red Skull's latest attempt to defeat America by exploiting its racial tensions, all against the backdrop of Captain America's friends and allies gathering for a funeral. As issue #47 opens, it is Earth's Mightiest Heroes who assemble in honor of a... Continue Reading →
Captain America Annual 2001
This annual is a standalone story that does not occur at any particular time relative to the current run of the title (although it was released the week before issue #47). But it can be placed squarely in real time, given the identification of the U.S. president, George W. Bush, and reference to his just... Continue Reading →
Captain America #41-43 and Iron Man #42 (May-July 2001)
These three issues of Captain America primarily deal with our hero's ongoing conflict with Connie Ferrari and the long-simmering mystery surrounding her brother David, whom she believes was killed in a hazing episode in the military for being gay, but in actuality Nick Fury has found him alive and (reasonably) well. (We also get a... Continue Reading →
Captain America #26-27 and Hulk #11 (February-March 2000)
These issues complete Dan Jurgens' first story as the new writer on Captain America, alongside young but already veteran artist Andy Kubert, in which Captain America and the Falcon once again fight the vile forces of white supremacy, whose leader was revealed at the end of the last issue (and reiterated in the double splash... Continue Reading →
Avengers #25, Iron Man #25, and Ant-Man’s Big Christmas #1 (February 2000)
This issue of Avengers continues several plot threads from previous issues, especially the public protests against the team, which may have the influence of the mysterious Triune Understanding behind them, and the abduction of the Juggernaut by the powerful Exemplars at the end of the last issue, whom Captain America engages with strategy and cunning... Continue Reading →