In this post we cover the last two of Jim Steranko's three issues of Captain America, in which he crafted the first significant "Death of Captain America" story (even if it was very quickly resolved) and, in the process, restored Cap's secret identity (which Sternako thought diminished his value and stature as "the quintessential symbol... Continue Reading →
Tales of Suspense #97-99 and Captain America #100 (January-April 1968)
With this post we reach the end of Captain America's run in Tales of Suspense and the beginning of his first self-titled book (continuing the previous title's numbering while co-star Iron Man gets his own #1). And this four-part story features the first appearance of Black Panther outside the Fantastic Four book, and leads directly... Continue Reading →
Tales of Suspense #95-96 (November-December 1967)
This two-part story shows Captain America trying to solve his existential crisis of purpose and identity in an extreme way—and also proposing to Sharon Carter before learning her real name. Issue #95 opens with Cap busting two thugs named Turk (not Daredevil's Turk) and Whitey (not One Tree Hill's Whitey) looking for their boss with... Continue Reading →
Tales of Suspense #85-87 (January-March 1967)
These three issues contain self-contained Captain America stories that, while decent—issue #85 more than the other two—are frankly unremarkable from the viewpoint of ethics-based content, so I’ll move through them quickly. Issue #85 finds Cap looking for Sharon Carter and finding himself facing… This means, of course, an issue of fantastic Kirby fight choreography, and... Continue Reading →
Tales of Suspense #60, Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #13, and Tales to Astonish #62 (December 1964)
More fighting! In this story, Baron Zemo sabotages Cap’s fitness exhibition by substituting his own henchmen for the sparring partners Cap expected to face—which Cap only realizes once they really put up a fight and start firing. This gives Cap a chance to cut lose, showing off his skills (and Kirby’s at the same time).... Continue Reading →