This issue mostly follows up on the protests over Namor joining the Avengers that we've seen in recent issues, and, as one of his oldest friends—one of his only friends, really—Captain America is affected personally by this. (Am I reading too much in the cover, or could it be a bit of an homage to... Continue Reading →
Captain America #317 and Marvel Fanfare #26 (May 1986)
This issue concludes Captain America's "team-up" with Hawkeye, which started in the last issue, this time focusing on some of the Avenging Archer's foes (although we see very little of them in this post). More important for Cap, we get resolution to his relationship with Bernie Rosenthal, which has been rocky for a while, and... Continue Reading →
Avengers #263 and Fantastic Four #286 (January 1986)
Fresh from their crossover in the recent Avengers and Fantastic Four annuals, the two teams meet once again in their regular titles in a story that—no surprise, given the FF cover—reintroduces Jean Grey, who seemed to perish during the "Dark Phoenix Saga," and in turn leads into the first X-Factor series, starring the reunited original... Continue Reading →
Avengers #244-245 (June-July 1984)
These two issues contain a fairly standard alien invasion story—just look at the cover to the right—one that, in terms of Captain America, serves mainly to show his growing concern over the Vision's odd behavior (which only gets worse, as we will see when Cap next appear in this title in issue #251). In issue... Continue Reading →
Avengers #235 (September 1983)
This issue once again sees the Avengers facing a foe traditionally associated with the Fantastic Four, in this case the Wizard (after dealing with Annihilus in issue #233). The underlying theme of this issue, though, is Wasp's leadership of the team, which Captain America has always supported. As we see here, though, this does not... Continue Reading →
Captain America #273-274 (September-October 1982)
This two-parter by regular fill-in writer David Anthony Kraft reunites Captain America with Nick Fury and his Howlin' Commandos from World War II to face a common enemy they assumed was dead—and in the end, they lose one of their own. Issue #273 opens with Cap meeting old friends and making new ones, all the... Continue Reading →
Avengers #150-153 and Annual #6 (August-November 1976)
These five comics are, to put it lightly, a mixed bag. The first two are partially reprinted panels and pages from throughout Avengers history, stretched out over two issues because writer Steve Englehart quit in the middle. Then an old friend returns to the fold, the team takes a trip to New Orleans, and then... Continue Reading →
Avengers #93-97 (November 1971-March 1972)
Marvel fans will recognize this run of issues as the latter part of the Kree-Skrull War, the first major galactic story featuring the Avengers (and Captain America), which began in Avengers #89 (without Cap). The story is enormously influential, often referenced in other comics, but is also convoluted, incorporating many plot threads about Mar-Vell... Continue Reading →
Captain America #127 (July 1970)
Captain America wrongly felt betrayed by Sharon Carter and Nick Fury in issue #124, due to his own impatience and misunderstanding, but after the events of this issue, his feelings are truly justified (even if Sharon doesn't seem to appreciate them). Is this the final straw for Cap's romance with Sharon (and bromance with Nick)?... Continue Reading →
Captain America #126 (June 1970)
This issue sees the return of Sam Wilson, a.k.a the Falcon, who will soon join the book as a co-title character. The story is fairly light on ethical content about Cap, but does deal with the intentional fomenting of racial tension and hatred that, like Avengers #32-33, has all-too-clear echoes today. As the issue opens...... Continue Reading →