In this installment of the current storyline (which began in issue #153), we finally learn the identity and origin of the "impostor" Captain America and Bucky. Aside from the insights we get into the other Cap's character—as well as "our" Cap's reaction to him, on which more in the next issue—this story is a classic... Continue Reading →
Captain America #151-152 (July-August 1972)
These issues comprise the second half of Gerry Conway's short four-issue run, introducing Mr. Hyde and the Scorpion to these pages, wrapping up Captain America's brief career as a police officer, and introducing an important aspect of Cap's mighty shield. As issue #151 opens, we see who the mysterious speakers at the end of issue... Continue Reading →
Captain America #145-148 and Iron Man #44 (January-April 1972)
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 →
Captain America #131 (November 1970)
Well, the cover really spoils it, doesn't it? In this issue, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes is apparently "reborn," decades before he was reborn (for real) as the Winter Soldier to the manic glee of shippers everywhere. Plus, we "learn the true identity of the Hood" (not Parker Robbins, the modern Hood), a mystery that has... Continue Reading →
Captain America #123 (March 1970)
This issue introduces a dastardly duo that will reappear in a much more important storyline later, setting up yet another villain... I really like to see how writers adapt and build off the works of their predecessors. Plus, Cap gets back to giving martial arts lessons, gives us a couple classic panels—and takes a crack... Continue Reading →
Avengers #51, 52, 56, 58, 60, and Annual #2 (April 1968-January 1969)
These six issues—the first two of which Captain America barely appears in—continue the fallow period for Cap in Avengers, especially concerning ethically interesting content. Even issue #56, which fills in some gaps in Cap and Bucky's fatal last adventure in World War II, is more curiosity than meaningful (although it does serve as an early... Continue Reading →
Avengers #7 (August 1964)
In this issue we see a Captain America not at his best, as he is rattled at a vision of his fallen partner, is duped by Zemo and his amazing friends, and once again expresses his desire for vengeance. This is a more emotional Cap then we're used to seeing, but as I explain, it's... Continue Reading →