"The Arena" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
Cap and the Falcon join Diamondback on her quest to pay back Snapdragon for the cold-blooded assault on the S.S. Superia (in Captain America 388)! To that end the three heroes fly to A.I.M's Caribbean island for the group's annual weapons expo! But how can the Sentinel of Liberty and his friends survive on an island full of (minor) super-villains? By traveling incognito of course! With help from Sersi, the shield-slinger, Falcon, and Diamondback show up as Crossbones, Jack O'Lantern, and Mother Night! The trio's plan works just fine…until Batroc challenges Crossbones (aka Captain America) to a fight in A.I.M's arena of death! How much longer can Cap keep this charade going? Cameo appearances by D-Man, Nick Fury, Asp, Black Mamba, Impala, Snapdragon, and Superia.
32 pages Cover price $1.25.
"Disguise the Limit" Guest-starring Shang-Chi. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
Disguised as the super-villain Crossbones, the star-spangled avenger does his best to stay alive in the arena of death! Cap has already beaten Mad-dog and Ramrod, but next up is the massive General Wo followed by Razorfist! And then the fifth and final opponent will be the shield-slinger's long-time foe…Batroc the Leaper! Meanwhile, elsewhere within A.I.M.'s island fortress, Diamondback tracks down Snapdragon and prepares to even the score! And on the island's docks, the Falcon bumps into a strange visitor…the Master of Kung Fu! It's all-out action all over the island! Cameo appearances by D-Man, Modam, Blackbird, Iron Maiden, and Superia.
32 pages Cover price $1.25.
"Hostile Takeover!" Guest-starring Shang-Chi. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
Chaos reigns on A.I.M.'s island fortress! Cap's disguise has been revealed and now no less than 50 super-villains are trying to kill him! But the old warhorse has the bad guys…right where he wants them! After slipping past the likes of the Rhino, Shocker, and Wrecker; the Sentinel of Liberty hitches a ride out to sea on the back of Modam! Cap thinks he's on the way to rescuing Diamondback, but instead it's actually Superia in Modam's clutches! So where is Diamondback?! She's still on the island about to administer the long-awaited coup de grâce to Snapdragon! And what about the Falcon? He's teamed up with the Master of Kung Fu to stave off Killer Shrike and the Flying Tiger! Action abounds everywhere! Cameo appearances by Batroc, Blackbird, and Iron Maiden.
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Escape from A.I.M. Isle" Guest-starring Shang-Chi, Ka-Zar, and the Black Panther. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins and M.C. Wyman. Inks by Danny Bulanadi and friends. Cover by Rik Levins and Don Hudson.
After the star-spangled avenger rescues Superia at sea, the Living Legend turns around and heads back to A.I.M.'s island to finish the job! And upon arrival Cap jumps right into the free-for-all and helps Diamondback, Shang-Chi, and the Falcon fight a host of super-villains! If the shield-slinger and his friends can get past the Rhino, Scorpion Batroc, and a legion of A.I.M. robots, they'll move onto their next appointment…in Wakanda! Meanwhile in the Savage Land, Ka-Zar discovers an unauthorized mining operation going on! And he's not happy about it to say the least! Cameo appearances by Modam, Moonhunter, and Nick Fury.
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Savage Landings!" Guest-starring Ka-Zar and the Black Panther. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
Cap, T'Challa, Diamondback, and the Falcon arrive in the Savage Land! What is the foursome looking for? Vibranium! The heroes split into three groups to explore the marvelous scenery and hunt for the vital natural resource! However none of them find vibranium! Instead they find trouble! Cap and Diamondback bump into Zabu! The Falcon encounters the High Technician and Lorelei! And the Black Panther clashes with Ka-Zar! Wow, the Prince of Wakanda vs. the Lord of the Hidden Jungle! A rumble in the jungle for the ages! And nearby A.I.M. quietly watches and waits.
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Savage Land Showdown!" Guest-starring Ka-Zar and the Black Panther. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
The Savage Land is up for grabs! And a series of battles will determine who gets it! First Cap, Diamondback, and Zabu battle an army of A.I.M. henchmen! Then the action shifts to the High Technician's majestic tower! Where T'Challa and the Falcon join the shield-slinger and Diamondback to fight the High Technician, Lorelei, and the Dino-Men! If the three avengers and the former Serpent Society member triumph in the tower, the quartet will advance to their third and final battle vs. the original destroyer of the Savage Land…Terminus! The David vs. Goliath showdown looms next issue!
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Termination Day" Guest-starring Ka-Zar and the Black Panther. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
In stunning fashion the destroyer of the Savage Land has returned! After Terminus crushes the High Technician's citadel, the powerful alien creature turns his attention to the star-spangled avenger and his comrades-in-arms! It took nearly twenty avengers to defeat Terminus the last time the massive robot walked the Earth! So what chance do Cap, Diamondback, T'Challa, Ka-Zar, and the Falcon have? Just a fighting one! And that may be just enough to save the Savage Land! Cameo appearances by the High Technician and Lorelei. (Note: The Black Panther appears next in Marvel Comics Presents 148.)
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"To Have and To Have Not" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
In the caverns below Central Park, D-Man is a prisoner of the bizarre group of misfits known as the Night People. For several weeks Dennis Dunphy has been living in a virtual fog trying to regain all of his faculties (following his Arctic rescue in Captain America 400). But through the help of a young boy residing among the Night People, D-Man begins to recover his strength and sanity! However the cruel leader of the Night People prefers D-Man in a weakened state! When D-Man joins the Night People for an above-ground supply raid in Manhattan, he has an opportunity to break free…with a little help from the star-spangled avenger! Cameo appearances by Diamondback, Moonhunter, and the Falcon.
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Television Blind" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring Silver Sable. Story continues from Silver Sable & the Wild Pack 15. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
Captain America and Silver Sable are hot on the trail of the Viper! After receiving a surprise tip from her former employer…the Red Skull! Whoa, are the shield-slinger and sable working for the skull? Indirectly yes! Apparently the nihilist's latest scheme has angered the Red Skull, and he wants her stopped ASAP! But the ever resourceful Viper and her fang gang won't go down without a fight! Outside an abandoned TV station, the Living Legend, Silver Sable, and Battlestar play their own version of blind man's bluff vs. the Viper!
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Skull Sessions" Guest-starring Nick Fury. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
The star-spangled avenger and SHIELD attack the Red Skull's Rocky Mountain hideaway! Will Captain America finally corral his long-time foe after his many months on the loose? Unfortunately, no one ever really catches the former top terror operative of the Third Reich. But after the raid is over, SHIELD gives Cap a possible lead on the west coast! So the Sentinel of Liberty travels to the City of Angels! And there he finds the skull; however, it's not the Red Skull…it's the Blazing Skull! Who? No time for answers as Cap must immediately team up with the new skull to knock out the Night Shift! Brothers Grimm beware!
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Gantlet" Guest-starring Nomad. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi, Dan Day, and Jim Garvey. Cover by Rik Levins and Dan Day.
Story continues from Nomad 18. The star-spangled avenger is in South Florida and up to his neck in trouble! Nomad, Cap's former partner, has gone crazy and is trying to kill the Slug! However, the Sentinel of Liberty cannot allow his friend to commit murder! So the shield-slinger must fight Nomad in order to save the Slug (and himself)! And somewhere nearby (while the fierce struggle rages) Doctor Faustus just laughs and laughs and laughs. Story concludes in Nomad 19.
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Going Ballistic" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
Captain America has an off-beat adventure as a new super-villain debuts…Blistik! The self-styled vigilante refers to himself as the "urban avenger" and pledges to clean up the rude riff-raff in New York City! After two brief encounters with Blistik, the star-spangled avenger finally catches up to the bizarre villain atop the Brooklyn Bridge! With Fabian Stankowicz's life hanging in the balance, can the Living Legend upset the "urban avenger?"
"War Zones" Guest-starring the Sub-Mariner. Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by M.C. Wyman. Inks by Charles Barnett III.
It's a tale from Captain America's earliest days as America is debating whether or not to get involved in the burgeoning world war taking place across the Atlantic Ocean. Cap and Bucky are at the White House receiving an award from President Roosevelt when suddenly the Sub-Mariner crashes through the window! The Avenging Son is enraged! Why? And what does he want? The answers will have to wait as Prince Namor abducts FDR and takes the president to an unknown island! However, the future star-spangled avenger discovers Mr. Roosevelt's location and becomes a one-man rescue mission! Can a young Captain America defeat the mighty Sub-Mariner? And what about that German U-boat operating in the vicinity?! All hail to the chief!
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"The Last Operation" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Phil Gosier. Inks by Romeo Tanghal. Cover by Phil Gosier and Danny Bulanadi.
After her lengthy hospital stay in Wakanda, Diamondback finally returns to Avengers Mansion and Captain America! However in a surprise twist, Cap tells Rachel that he's moving out of the mansion and back to Brooklyn! But before the Sentinel of Liberty can finish packing, he receives a phone call from an old enemy…Sidewinder! Due to an unfortunate turn of events, the former leader of the Serpent Society needs help in raising money for his daughter's life-saving operation. Will the star-spangled avenger go along with Sidewinder's fundraising plan (to steal money from drug lords)? And if Cap declines, does that mean that Diamondback, Sidewinder's former friend, will too? Decisions, decisions, decisions! A heart-rending story for everyone involved.
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Graven Images" Fighting Chance Part 2 of 12. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
As Cap gets settled into his new Brooklyn Heights Headquarters, he discusses the changes in his life with Diamondback. And later in the day, Steve visits his long-time friend Sam Wilson (aka the Falcon) to devise a plan to capture the villain impersonating the Sentinel of Liberty! Meanwhile the red, white, and blue imposter (aka Super-Patriot) and his accomplice, Dead Ringer, rob an armored car on the Bronx Expressway! But to their dismay, the mutants known as the Resistants ambush the wannabe Captain America, because they think he's the genuine article! Is the Super-Patriot ready to actually live the legend? Duty calls! Cameo appearances by Bernie Rosenthal and Code: Blue.
32 pages. Cover price $1.25.
"Enemy Fire" Fighting Chance Part 3 of 12. Guest-starring Quicksilver. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Despite his growing frustration, the star-spangled avenger remains one step behind the devious villain that's been impersonating him! Every time Cap hears about an incident in progress, he can't respond fast enough to catch the Super-Patriot in the act! So the leader of Earth's Mightiest Heroes enlists the aid of his fellow avenger…Quicksilver! Meanwhile, the Super-Patriot unleashes his latest scheme by kidnapping Bernie Rosenthal on purpose and Rachel Leighton by accident! Do the bad guys realize who these women are and what they mean to a certain Sentinel of Liberty? Inside an abandoned parking garage, the disguises will be revealed as Quicksilver, Diamondback, and Captain America fight to the finish vs. the Super Patriot and Dead Ringer! Last $1.25 issue.
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"Policing the Nation" Fighting Chance Part 4 of 12. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
There's a new sheriff in town! Or rather a new cop in town! Americop! And like the Punisher, this vigilante dishes out his own brand of lethal justice! On a cool night in Kentucky, Americop runs into his first bona fide American superhero! However the Living Legend is not at full strength due to the deteriorating super-soldier serum! Can a weakened shield-slinger put the cuffs on Americop? And elsewhere Diamondback and Zack Moonhunter travel to New Orleans looking for Snapdragon. They don't find her, but they do find trouble! First appearance of Americop.
First $1.50 issue. 32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"The Beaten Path" Fighting Chance Part 5 of 12. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
All roads lead to the Crescent City! After receiving a distress call from Diamondback, the star-spangled avenger calls off his search for Americop and makes a beeline to New Orleans! And that's a very good decision because Diamondback and Moonhunter have gotten themselves into hot water down on the bayou! Cap's two friends are unwelcome guests at the mansion of Damon Dran and surrounded by Golddigger, Kono Sanada, and a host of muscle men! Auspiciously though, the Living Legend arrives at the right time! But so does Americop! Cap is there to help! Americop is there to kill! The wild three-way shootout is coming next issue!
Cover price $1.50.
"Cop Out" Fighting Chance Part 6 of 12. Guest-starring the Black Widow. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Inside Damon Dran's New Orleans mansion, the shield-slinger is down and Americop is out! Moments earlier Cap barged into the sprawling complex to rescue Diamondback and Moonhunter! While Americop busted in…to just bust heads! However both the hero and the anti-hero fell in their fight against Dran's muscle-bound goons! But during the mêlée, Diamondback slipped away and made a call for help back to Avengers Mansion! And now Cap's leading lady and the Black Widow charge into the fray to save the star-spangled avenger! Will Diamondback and the widow be able to take down Damon Dran? And also avoid Americop's line of fire? It's a wild night down on the bayou! Brief origin of Americop. (Notes: Americop returns many years later in Thunderbolts Desperate Measures 1 (published in 2007). This issue includes a one-page pin-up featuring Captain America and the Red Skull by Danta Bastiamomi and Ralph Cabrera. The pin-up promotes the upcoming release of the Streets of Poison trade paperback.)
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"The Next Generation" Fighting Chance Part 7 of 12. First appearance of Free Spirit. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
The ordeal with Americop is over, but the star-spangled avenger's muscle deterioration sadly continues. However, Cap's good friend, Fabian Stankowicz, designs special body armor and weaponry for the shield-slinger to use on his next mission! And when a distress call comes in from south of the border, the Sentinel of Liberty and his new equipment (plus Diamondback) spring into action! The place is Mexico, the problem is missing children, and the perpetrator is Baron Zemo! Will Cap and Diamondback enjoy their Mexican soirée at Baron Zemo's castle? Meanwhile in the Midwest, a young and impressionable college student named Cathy Webster agrees to undergo special medical treatment from one of her professors! However she doesn't know that her distinguished instructor is actually Superia in disguise! And following the treatment, Free Spirit is born!
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"Baron Ground" Fighting Chance Part 8 of 12. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dario Carrasco. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Somewhere in the middle of Mexico, Cap and Diamondback are in deep trouble! Baron Zemo along with his new wife, Baroness Heike, (and their twenty or so adopted children) have the star-spangled avenger and his lady on the run! After Zemo's grotesque Plastoids capture the brave duo, it looks like the Living Legend and Diamondback are headed for a permanent siesta! However unknown to all, the new heroine Free Spirit has infiltrated Zemo's castle! She's looking for Superia, but she's going to find a lot more than that! Is Free Spirit ready for her first adventure into the superhero business? Flashback cameos by Spider-Man and Silver Sable. (Notes: Baroness Heike Zemo previously appeared in the Spider-Man Fear Itself graphic novel published in 1992. This issue includes a 12-page advertising insert: "The Ultimate Trading Card" featuring current NFL quarterbacks. Art by Greg Fox.)
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"Baron Ground" Fighting Chance Part 8 of 12. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dario Carrasco. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Somewhere in the middle of Mexico, Cap and Diamondback are in deep trouble! Baron Zemo along with his new wife, Baroness Heike, (and their twenty or so adopted children) have the star-spangled avenger and his lady on the run! After Zemo's grotesque Plastoids capture the brave duo, it looks like the Living Legend and Diamondback are headed for a permanent siesta! However unknown to all, the new heroine Free Spirit has infiltrated Zemo's castle! She's looking for Superia, but she's going to find a lot more than that! Is Free Spirit ready for her first adventure into the superhero business?
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"Snake, Battle, and Toll" Fighting Chance Part 11 of 12. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Snakes are everywhere in Scottsdale! Jack Flag successfully infiltrates the Serpent Society and earns the trust of the Cobra! And once Jack gives Cap the society's secret location in Arizona, he thinks his plan to defeat the society will work! However the young superhero doesn't know…that he's getting a severely weakened shield-slinger and a novice Free Spirit as his reinforcements! And also that the Cobra has invited Mister Hyde to the party! So the sides are set in Scottsdale: Captain America, Free Spirit, and Jack Flag vs. the Cobra, Mister Hyde, Coachwhip, and a septet of serpents! Good luck to the red, white, and blue!
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
