This collection, published on the first anniversary of September 11, featured a number of new stories celebrating Captain America (and, by extension, America itself, I would assume), plus reprinting similar stories from Captain America (vol. 3) #50 (including the tale of his "death"). To be honest, they are a mixed bag, some being more parody... Continue Reading →
These two issues, along with Thor (vol. 2) #58, comprise the "Standoff" storyline (not to be confused with 2016's "Standoff!" storyline that set the stage for the following year's "Secret Empire" event, which was thoroughly discussed in the updated edition of my book). Besides having some touching moments between Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor—not... Continue Reading →
This issue launches the fourth volume of Captain America, this one under the Marvel Knights imprint, which by this point had already featured groundbreaking re-imaginings of Daredevil and Black Panther. The intent was to ground the stories of Captain America more firmly in the real world—and nothing was more current in the United States of... Continue Reading →
These five issues of Thunderbolts see Captain America assume leadership of the Redeemers, the government-sanctioned successor to the Thunderbolts, after Hawkeye cuts a deal with the government in issue #50, surrendering to federal custody to guarantee the rest of the Thunderbolts immunity for their unlawful activities. It's a long story which also involves Jack Monroe, the... Continue Reading →
This issue completes the long Protocide storyline that began behind the scenes back in issue #25 but only involved Captain America as of issue #35, which culminates in an important choice for our hero. At the end of the last issue, in a Hydra warehouse, Protocide had defeated Cap and tossed him into the energy... Continue Reading →
These issues complete Dan Jurgens' first story as the new writer on Captain America, alongside young but already veteran artist Andy Kubert, in which Captain America and the Falcon once again fight the vile forces of white supremacy, whose leader was revealed at the end of the last issue (and reiterated in the double splash... Continue Reading →
This issue serves as a stopgap between Mark Waid's run on this volume of Captain America (which began with issue #1) and Dan Jurgen's upcoming spell (lasting through the end of the volume at issue #50). It's a fun throwback to the early Tales of Suspense days, with Tom DeFalco's old-school story and Ron Frenz's Kirby-inspired... Continue Reading →
This issue of Captain America sees our hero investigate a private prison with atrocious conditions and brutal treatment of inmates, where persons who run afoul of immigration law are sent and denied any contact with relatives, legal representation, or due process. Despite obvious parallels to current events, there are important differences too (as we shall... Continue Reading →
This issue continues the story begun in the last issue, which ended with Captain America and Sharon Carter trapped under the collapsed ruins of a construction site after rushing in to save one last worker. We also learn more about the madness affecting prominent heroic American citizens—especially when it affects the title character himself. As... Continue Reading →
These issues introduce two new heroes (one of whom is prominent on the cover to issue #8 above) as well as a threat who is new to the Avengers (but well known to the X-Men, Spider-Man, and Black Panther), and see one of their own leave the team. After opening with a charming scene of... Continue Reading →
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 