These issues comprise the second half of Gerry Conway's short four-issue run, introducing Mr. Hyde and the Scorpion to these pages, wrapping up Captain America's brief career as a police officer, and introducing an important aspect of Cap's mighty shield. As issue #151 opens, we see who the mysterious speakers at the end of issue... Continue Reading →
Captain America #149-150 and Incredible Hulk #152 (May-June 1972)
These two issues continue the romantic intrigue of the past storyline, while reintroducing Batroc and a new Stranger (not the old Stranger whom we knew so well e still called him the Stranger). These are the first two of four issues scripted by Gerry Conway, which set the stage for Steve Englehart's legendary run starting... Continue Reading →
Captain America #145-148 and Iron Man #44 (January-April 1972)
These four issues—the last of Gary Friedrich's short run—start out with Captain America facing Hydra (for real, not the fakes of the last issue), then confront him with a classic Spider-Man villain (soon to be a legendary Daredevil villain), and back around to Cap's greatest foe (no need to be coy, he's one of the... Continue Reading →
Captain America #144 (December 1971)
This issue sees a split (of sorts) in Captain America and the Falcon's partnership—as you may have guessed from the subtle hint on the cover—as well as Sam's new costume (also on the cover). Plus... Femme Force! We open on what is apparently a Hydra meeting, which is soon broken up by Cap and agents... Continue Reading →
Captain America #143 (November 1971)
This extra-length issue brings us a story of racial tension stoked by an external force (as we see often in this early 1970s era of social relevance in comics), with Captain America and the Falcon in the middle of it. More interesting, we see their own relationship reflect some of the more general conflicts happening... Continue Reading →
Captain America #139-142 (July-October 1971)
This four-part story is light on ethically relevant material, focusing instead on Captain America's battle alongside the Falcon, Sharon Carter, and Nick Fury against the uninspiring Grey Gargoyle. (Only one shade to this fella, and it's a drab one.) However, it does start with some soul-searching on Cap's part, inspired by an intriguing offer from... Continue Reading →
Captain America #137-138 (May-June 1971)
In this two-parter, Captain America and the Falcon meet Spider-Man, but this is a not your garden-variety team-up—both Cap and Sam are dealing with things that threaten to pull this new partnership apart just several issues after it began. Issue #137 picks up when the last issue left off, with Cap and Falcon emerging from... Continue Reading →
Captain America #135-136 (March-April 1971)
This is a wild two-parter in which Captain America introduces the Falcon to some of his friends (including some folks who weren't his friends not long ago), reconnects Cap with Sharon Carter, and introduces an old Fantastic Four villain, all in the context of a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde story. First, Cap brings Sam to meet... Continue Reading →
Avengers #85 and 88, Sub-Mariner #35, Iron Man #39, and Amazing Adventures #8 (February-September 1971)
This post covers a smattering of comics containing all of Captain America's appearances with the Avengers in 1971. Most feature Cap in only several panels, with only Avengers #88 among them counting him as a main character. (The Falcon appears in two of them also, even though he would not be made a full members... Continue Reading →
Captain America #133 (January 1971)
In this issue, we learn what truly motivates MODOK's hatred of Captain America, see some welcome confirmation of Cap and Falcon's friendship and their new partnership, and get an important message about those who claim to support you in your time of need. (Thanks, MODOK!) The issue opens with MODOK's origin, which doesn't add much... Continue Reading →