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 →
This three-part tale is very interesting, not for the actual story, but for the fact that it features a significant disagreement amongst the Avengers regarding their role as "Earth's mightiest heroes." (Plus, we're introduced to Red Wolf and we see Red Batman Daredevil, always a welcome sight at this blog.) When we join our... Continue Reading →
In this issue, Captain America finally gets away from Nick Fury, Sharon Carter, and the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D., hopping a motorcycle (as he is wont to do from time to time), not so much to find America... as to find himself. (If you didn't "aww" at that, I'm not doing my job.) But before we... Continue Reading →
Most of this two-parter is taken up by the tale that brings the Scarlet Witch and Quicksiler back into the fold, replacing the Wasp and Yellowjacket, who are leaving on a government research trip with Bill Foster (future Goliath). Pietro, of course, makes quite an entrance—in new blue duds, which would be his standard costume... Continue Reading →
In this four-part tale, we get the return of the Red Skull and a rare example of Captain America actually using the black-and-white ethical thinking he’s so often accused of—accusations against which I defend him in The Virtues of Captain America. (You’re making me look bad, Cap!) Plus, welcome artist supreme Gil Kane to the... Continue Reading →
I’m taking these eight stories together for two reasons. First, they all take place in World War II with Bucky, so they fit thematically. Second, there’s not much of ethical interest in them, being fairly basic tales of heroism and adventure—and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it doesn’t give me much to talk about... Continue Reading →
