This issue concludes the three-part "Scourge of the Underworld" storyline, as Captain America finally comes face-to-face with the man who's been killing villains across the Marvel Universe (and in many titles) for the past year. (See the post on issue #318 for more background on the Scourge concept.) However, we open with Cap facing off... Continue Reading →
Captain America #314, Avengers #264, and Secret Wars II #8 (February 1986)
This time around we cover all three of a month's appearances of Captain America in one post: Most of Cap's action in February 1986 occurs in his own title, where he struggles with issues of duty and extradimensional jurisdiction, while he features in just one page of each of this month's Avengers and Secret Wars... Continue Reading →
Avengers #261, Secret Wars II #5, and Amazing Spider-Man #270 (November 1985)
This issue of Avengers is both the aftermath of their recent adventures with the Skrulls in issues #259-260 and the recent Avengers and Fantastic Four annuals, as well as the title's second Secret Wars II crossover, a more substantial encounter with the Beyonder than his sudden surprise appearance in the first (issue #260). This is... Continue Reading →
Captain America #311 (November 1985)
Judging from the cover, you'd think this issue centers on Captain America fighting the Thinker's Awesome Android, but that is almost an afterthought, at least as far as we're concerned. After a glimpse of a killer targeting supervillains across the Marvel Universe (no, not him), we will focus primarily on Steve Rogers' latest artistic gig:... Continue Reading →
Marvel Graphic Novel #17: Revenge of the Living Monolith (October 1985)
This fun graphic novel fleshes out the history of the Living Pharaoh, also known as the Living Monolith, a minor X-Men villain, and also introduces Apocalypse, a major X-Men villain, albeit in an anonymous appearance in one panel (only to be identified later). This graphic novel features no X-Men, but rather the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man,... Continue Reading →
Avengers #259-260 (September-October 1985)
I warn you now, this will be one of the shortest posts on this blog—even for Avengers issues in this period, there is much less Captain America than usual. Perhaps that's because of the outer space setting, which also continues into the Avengers and Fantastic Four annuals that follow it (as well as issue #261),... Continue Reading →
Captain America #309 (September 1985)
This issue sees Captain America return to New York City after his adventures in England and California the last four issues, reuniting with his fiancée Bernie Rosenthal, his crimefighting partner Nomad (aka Jack Monroe), and... his boss. Which one will he still be with by the end of the issue? Read on and see! After... Continue Reading →
Marvel Fanfare #18 (January 1985)
This issue is notable for being (if I'm not mistaken) the only Captain America story pencilled by Frank Miller (who also drew the front and back covers you see above). Inspired by a story by Roger McKenzie, this comic is credited to Miller and Roger Stern—of the classic Stern/Byrne run on Captain America starting with... Continue Reading →
Captain America #289 and Falcon #3-4 (January-February 1984)
This issue of Captain America serves as an epilogue to the Deathlok story from the last three issues, wrapping up one plot thread while leaving another until the final few pages—pages that also connect with the cover, which includes an homage to DC Comics' 1960s logo and "go-go chex," the corner image reversed, and "Bernie... Continue Reading →
Marvel Team-Up #128 (April 1983)
This issue of Spider-Man's team-up book ties into the current storyline in the Captain America title even more than usual, thanks to J.M. DeMatteis having written both. Specifically, Cap has a heart-to-heart talk with S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Gail Runciter that will be referenced in his own book, making this comic an important part of DeMatteis's run... Continue Reading →