These two issues close out the "Secret Empire" storyline, as all is revealed, including the identity of the evil organization's leader. This leads to a different kind of existential crisis for Captain America that culminates in the next issue and will be traced out throughout the next extended storyline. At the end of issue #173,... Continue Reading →
For the first time I am covering one month's issues of Captain America and Avengers together, because the Avengers issue has only a brief appearance of our hero, which seems to take place during the issue of Cap's own book. At the end of the last issue, Cap was in jail after being defeated by... Continue Reading →
These five issues, plus Defenders #8 and #9 and an epilogue to Avengers #115 (in which Captain America does not appear), comprise the "Avengers/Defenders War," by all accounts the first extended crossover between two different comics titles, in that the story went back and forth in each titles over four months, amounting to a biweekly... Continue Reading →
This post covers a smattering of comics containing all of Captain America's appearances with the Avengers in 1971. Most feature Cap in only several panels, with only Avengers #88 among them counting him as a main character. (The Falcon appears in two of them also, even though he would not be made a full members... Continue Reading →
In this issue, we learn what truly motivates MODOK's hatred of Captain America, see some welcome confirmation of Cap and Falcon's friendship and their new partnership, and get an important message about those who claim to support you in your time of need. (Thanks, MODOK!) The issue opens with MODOK's origin, which doesn't add much... Continue Reading →
Most of this two-parter is taken up by the tale that brings the Scarlet Witch and Quicksiler back into the fold, replacing the Wasp and Yellowjacket, who are leaving on a government research trip with Bill Foster (future Goliath). Pietro, of course, makes quite an entrance—in new blue duds, which would be his standard costume... Continue Reading →
This two-parter introducing the Swordsman highlights the internal friction among the group, as perceptions of Captain America’s grandstanding further Quicksilver’s and Hawkeye’s desires to take over as team leader. Just to give you a little heads up: most of the relevant material in these issues takes place in between the scenes with the Swordsman, so... Continue Reading →
Things are a-changin’ as the Avengers roster turns over almost completely, leaving Captain America as the only member without a criminal record. But first, we get some resolution to Cap’s “hunger for revenge” against Baron Zemo. As issue #15 begins, we see that Cap is once again having existential doubts about his meaning and purpose... Continue Reading →
