These two issues launch "The Collection Obsession," a six-part biweekly storyline (much like "The Superia Stratagem" in Captain America that started this month) that features a new threat from beyond the stars, Thane Ector (seen above), who is a large enough threat that the Watcher does that think he's not supposed to do (but often... Continue Reading →
Captain America #385 (May 1991)
This is the first part of a two-issue storyline about one of Captain America's former neighbors in Brooklyn, who now runs with a new crew, some of whom you can see on the cover—and the romantic machinations of a certain Ms. Bernie Rosenthal continue. The issue begins with the Watchdogs—the right-wing extremist group that debuted... Continue Reading →
Avengers #330-331, West Coast Avengers #69, and Web of Spider-Man #75-76 (March-May 1991)
The two issues of Avengers covered in this post finish up the storyline introducing Rage and involving the Tetrarchs of Entropy (which would make an awesome name for a death metal band) that began in issue #327. Captain America has a more active role in the first part, stepping back to supervise in the second,... Continue Reading →
Avengers #329 (February 1991)
Since issue #16, Avengers comics that herald new line-ups have always been special, and this one is no exception. But as with most such issues, it is much more than a roll call, culminating in a continuation of the storyline begun in issue #326, focused on new character Rage as well as inter-dimensional shenanigans. The... Continue Reading →
Avengers #327-328, Avengers Spotlight #40, and Thor #427 (December 1990-January 1991)
These two issues of Avengers finish the storyline that introduces Rage, "guest-stars" founding member Iron Man, and leads into the landmark issue #329, in which yet another new line-up is introduced. Also, at the end we see a few panels from a Vision story in Avengers Spotlight and a Thor story in... well, Thor. (Surprise?)... Continue Reading →
Avengers #326 (November 1990)
This issue is the first of three that, among other things, introduce a new character named Rage who will play an important part in the title going forward. Also, these issues prominently feature Iron Man, a founding Avenger if not a currently active one, who nonetheless receives the "guest-star" treatment, with prominent cover placement. (And... Continue Reading →
Captain America #379 (November 1990)
Like last month's Avengers #325, this issue of Captain America bridges a gap, this time between the twice-monthly story, "Streets of Poison," that began in issue #372, and the three-part Diamondback-centered storyline starting in the next issue (with a preview in this issue's back-up, which is touched on at the end of this post). The... Continue Reading →
Spectacular Spider-Man #168-170 (September-November 1990)
This three part story is based on repeated cases of mistaken identity, thanks to an old Avengers foe that is often responsible for such things, and sees Spider-Man join forces with a new team that does not quite measure up to his alliances in the past (including his guest-stars). In issue #168, She-Hulk leads Spider-Man... Continue Reading →
Captain America Annual #9, West Coast Avengers Annual #5, and Avengers Annual #19 (September 1990)
These three annuals, along with the Iron Man and Thor annuals the same summer, form the five-part storyline "The Terminus Factor," featuring the return of the alien conqueror Terminus, whom we saw Captain America and the Avengers fight in Avengers #257 (although it actually wasn't him... oh, never mind). Most of Cap's relevant appearances in... Continue Reading →
Avengers #323-324 (September-October 1990)
These two issues finish "The Crossing Line," a storyline that began in issue #319, with the Avengers joining with the People's Protectorate (from Russia) and Alpha Flight (from Canada) to face terrorists who hijacked a British nuclear submarine... a situation that, as of the end of the last issue, definitely went south, as shown on... Continue Reading →