We start 1994 with a flashback issue of Captain America written by Roy Thomas—breaking Mark Gruenwald's streak begun with issue #307—telling the story of our hero's first meeting with Namor the Sub-Mariner. Fittingly, this month also sees the debut of Marvels, the landmark miniseries by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross, the first issue of which... Continue Reading →
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 →
This one-shot brings Captain America together with the latest Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch) for the first time (Cap having faced the O.G.R., Johnny Blaze, in Avengers #214). Although this story focuses more on the newer hero, it does provide some insights into Cap's feelings on a number of issues (as well as some incredible pencil-work... Continue Reading →
The second pair of issues of Infinity War see our heroes take the fight against the Magus to other galaxies and dimensions, led by Captain America—and we get different perspectives and additional insight from the tie-in issues, of which I've inserted coverage at the appropriate points. But first, we need to answer a question: What... Continue Reading →
This issue of Captain America serves as a coda to the "Operation: Galactic Storm" event that started in issue #398 and ended in last month's Avengers #347. It's also one of the most significant comics we've covered so far at this blog—and if you've been following along in recent posts, you can guess why. After... Continue Reading →
"Wait a minute," you say, "are you telling me he's covering a story from a holiday special as a standalone post? Not tacked on to the end of the post for this month's issue of Captain America or Avengers, but actually dedicating an entire post to it?" My friends, it's true: The seven-page story featuring... Continue Reading →
These three annuals include the beginning, middle, and end of the five-part crossover story "Subterranean Wars," in which the Deviants attack other underground races (such as the Lava Men and the Moloids), a battle that draws in the Avengers and other heroes across the Marvel Universe. Captain America's involvement in this "event" is very slight—he... Continue Reading →
This issue celebrates Captain America's 50th anniversary, based on the March 1941 cover date of Captain America Comics #1. Of course, Cap didn't appear regularly for all of those fifty years, as he acknowledges at one point in the main story—and it wasn't always Steve Rogers wielding the shield—but it's still a notable date to... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 