This issue launches a new three-part story within the larger "Fighting Chance" arc in which Captain America endures his ongoing struggle with his health as his super-soldier serum continues to deteriorate. In this specific story, Cap confronts a new threat: the Americop, who presents in the splash page below as a Punisher-type who has, or... Continue Reading →
The Incredible Hulk #417-418 (May-June 1994)
These two issues provide a lighthearted break from Captain America's recent problems with his health, which has been especially taxed by appearing in so many books these days! Here, we use his former partner Rick Jones' nuptials to Marlo Chandler to see the way Cap interacts with his friends in a more casual—and somewhat ribald—setting.... Continue Reading →
Captain America #426-427 (April-May 1994)
These two issues complete the tale of the mysterious new Super-Patriot posing as Captain America to ruin his reputation—alongside another person, Dead Ringer, who duplicates the appearance and abilities of dead villains—as well as the opening story in the longer "Fighting Chance" arc about Cap's deteriorating physical condition as the super-soldier serum in his system... Continue Reading →
Iron Man #302-304 (March-May 1994)
These three issues of Iron Man are part of the "Crash & Burn" storyline, in which Tony Stark has to defend himself and Stark Enterprises against allegations of illegal behavior due to Stane International, which Stark absorbed as part of a bad deal with Justin Hammer (in issue #283). Over six issues, Tony faces a... Continue Reading →
Captain America #424 (February 1994)
This is the last issue of Captain America before the game-changing "Fighting Chance" storyline begins, and it sees our hero reunite with Diamondback at long last... as well as one of her former Serpent Society colleagues, in a story that reminds me of classic Spider-Man tales in which a member of his rogues gallery is... Continue Reading →
Avengers #370-371, Captain Marvel #2, Marvels #2, Thunderstrike #4, and Plasmer #3-4 (January-February 1994)
This is a catch-all post, gathering a handful of minor appearances of Captain America over these two months. We start with his very minor role in a two-part fill-in Avengers tale, followed by Monica Rambeau's second Captain Marvel comic (coincidentally, this post appearing one week after her excellent new miniseries as Photon began), the second... Continue Reading →
West Coast Avengers #102 (January 1994)
The final issue of West Coast Avengers (or Avengers West Coast, if you're so inclined) sees the team calling it a day—not entirely voluntarily, though. And as you may have guessed based on the subtle hints on the cover, this does not sit well with some of its members, most of whom immediately make plans... Continue Reading →
Captain America #422 (December 1993)
Captain America #422 is very much a "day in the life" story, touching on a number of aspects of Captain America's routine, including touching base with various members of his supporting cast (as well as tangling with the "nut job" on the cover). Most important, we start to see hints of the next big challenge... 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 →