Heroes Reunited Part 4 of 4. "Let It Be" Guest-starring the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the Hulk. Double-Sized issue. Script by Jeph Loeb. Pencils by Joe Bennett and Ed Benes. Inks by Homage Studios. Cover by Joe Bennett.
Story continues from Iron Man (1996 1st series) #12. For the third time, Doctor Doom has traveled back in time 24 hours to warn the Avengers that Galactus and his heralds are coming to Earth! Unfortunately, Victor Von Doom's two previous attempts have failed to prevent the planet's destruction! However after each failure, he gains more knowledge about how to defeat the Devourer of Worlds! And this time with help from Captain America, Dr. Doom knocks out Firelord, Plasma, Terrax, and the Air Walker in Central Park! And then a few hours later, someone new enters the equation! Someone who was not involved in the three prior battles! Rikki Barnes! Remarkably, the teenage heroine convinces Galactus' remaining herald, the Silver Surfer, to rebel against his master! And that just might make the difference between life and death for the planet Earth!
48 pages. Cover price $2.99.
Direct Edition. Cover by Ron Garney. Heroes Return. "The Return of Steve Rogers: Captain America!" Story by Mark Waid. Art by Ron Garney and Bob Wiacek.
One year ago the greatest heroes in the Marvel Universe, the Avengers and Fantastic Four, fought the mutant menace known as Onslaught and were sucked into an alternate universe. The Sentinel of Liberty has returned from the pocket universe of the Heroes Reborn just in time to face off against the cybernetic killer known as Lady Deathstrike! With Wolverine's arch nemesis at his back and a madman with his finger on the trigger of a bomb filled with poisonous gas that will murder thousands in front of him, can even Captain America prevail in this impossible situation? Of course, Cap always finds a way to wins!
Cover price $2.99.
"Blood of a Fighter" Script by Mark Gruenwald and David Wohl. Pencils by M.C. Wyman. Inks by Charles Barnett. Cover by M.C. Wyman and Charles Barnett III.
A young up-and-coming boxer in Puerto Rico learns the hard way about taking short cuts to success. Roberto Velasquez accepts an offer to undergo a special treatment by the notorious Dr. Karl Malus. Unfortunately, Roberto doesn't know what Dr. Malus is famous for! And when Roberto gets back into the ring he accidentally kills his opponent with a furious combination of strength-augmented punches! Roberto's boxing career is over. But the Bantam's crime-fighting career is just beginning! Second story: "And In This Corner, the Battling Bantam!" Script by Mark Gruenwald and David Wohl. Pencils by M.C. Wyman. Inks by Charles Barnett. After hearing rumors about steroids infiltrating the ranks of professional boxing, Captain America travels to Miami to investigate! And sure enough it doesn't take long for Cap to confirm his suspicions. The star-spangled avenger teams up with the Bantam to shut down Dr. Malus' augmentation lab! Third story: "Bantam Returns" Script by Barry Dutter. Art by Grant Miehm. The Bantam returns to Puerto Rico to start his career as a boxing instructor (with a little superhero action mixed in)! Fourth feature: Two-page pin-up of the Falcon by Don Hudson. One-page pin-up of Crossbones. One-page pin-up of Captain America and the Falcon. Two-page pin-up of Diamondback by Don Hudson. Two-page pin-up by M.C. Wyman and Charles Barnett III.
64 pages Cover price $2.95.
"An Epic Adventure" Part 1 of the Citizen Kang storyline. Guest-starring Gilgamesh. Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by Larry Alexander. Inks by Kathryn Bolinger. Cover by Dan Panosian.
Captain America visits the small town of Timely, Wisconsin in search of his fellow avenger the Vision. While investigating a local manufacturing plant, the star-spangled avenger somehow stumbles back in time! Where is Cap? Or perhaps the better question…when is Cap? Strangely enough, the Living Legend emerges around the year 2700 B.C. in the middle of the Epic of Gilgamesh! And of course bumps into…Gilgamesh himself! Is this Gilgamesh the same one that will eventually become an avenger? The shield-slinger isn't sure until he meets a young brunette girl named Sersi! Then Cap realizes that he's back in the early days of the Eternals. That's good to know, but where do Captain America and the young Sersi go from here? Story continues in Thor Annual 17. Cameo appearances by Doctor Druid, Nebula (aka Ravonna), Kang, and the Vision. Second feature: "Captain America's Top 10 Villains" Script by George Caragonne. Art by Larry Alexander. While dining together at a Manhattan restaurant, the Living Legend tells Diamondback about his greatest foes through the years. Third feature: "Captain America's Shield" Script and Art by Eliot Brown. Fourth feature: "Captain America's Jet Freedom's Flight" Script and Art by Eliot Brown. Fifth story: "Test Flight" Guest-starring the Falcon. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Plot and pencils by James Brock. Inks by Charles Barnett. After one of his young acquaintances gets into trouble with the Taskmaster, Sam Wilson gets a chance to test his new uniform and weaponry against the Taskmaster himself! Sixth story: "Birth of a Warlord" Part 1 of 4. Script by Peter Sanderson. Pencils by Rich Yanizeski. Inks by Fred Fredericks. For posterity's sake, Kang the Conqueror records his memoirs and takes a walk down memory lane. Flashback cameos by the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom, and Pharaoh Rama-Tut. (Note: Splash page art by Mark Pacella and Dan Panosian.)
64 pages Cover price $2.25.
"Twilight's Last Gleaming" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
The Black Crow visits Steve Rogers and tells him that his heart will stop in 24 hours due to the deterioration of the super-soldier serum. Cap believes him and sets out to have a productive final day. Surprisingly, the star-spangled avenger spends most of his last day conversing with two old adversaries: Crossbones and Batroc! However, eventually Cap retires to Avenges Mansion. And when Jarvis enters his room to check on him, Cap is gone! But his armor is still lying on the bed! Did the old soldier just fade away?
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"Broad Stripes and White Stars" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover and Sandu Florea. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
The Sentinel of Liberty travels to Los Angeles to hunt a mysterious killer who is murdering golden age crime fighters! And strangely enough this caper involves several German super-heroes: Blitzkreiger, Vormund, and Zeitgeist! When Cap arrives in L.A., he crashes a reception for World War II-era costumed crusaders! But in this room full of crime fighters, the killer could be any man.. .or perhaps Everyman! Meanwhile in Central Park, Free Spirit and Jack Flag encounter the crazy (and suicidal) Madcap! Final appearance of Larry Ekler. Cameo appearance by Fabian Stankowicz. (Note: The German heroes previously appeared in Captain America 393.)
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"O'er the Ramparts We Watched" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi and Scott Koblish. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Cap puts his invasion plan of A.I.M. Island on hold after receiving a strange phone call from the Falcon! Sam says that he just finished fighting the long since departed Nighthawk in Harlem! But the Sentinel of Liberty suspects something else: Dead Ringer is back! Meanwhile in Brooklyn, the Super-Patriot has captured Bernie Rosenthal again! And together with Dead Ringer, the partners in crime prepare an ambush for the star-spangled avenger! However, the Super-Patriot has had a change of heart; while Dead Ringer has had a change of disguise! When Dead Ringer mimics the costume and powers of the Death-Stalker, the life-and-death stakes go through the roof! Can the Living Legend save Bernie (much less himself) from the ghastly grip of the Death-Stalker? Origin of Dead Ringer. Final appearance of the Super-Patriot (aka Mike Farrel).
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"The Bombs Bursting in Air" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi and Scott Koblish. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Story continues from Iron Man 314. Thanks to Tony Stark's state-of-the-art exo-skeleton, the star-spangled avenger is mobile again! But Steve Rogers' life remains in serious jeopardy due to the deterioration of the super-soldier serum inside his body. And unfortunately Cap's old enemies won't give him any time off... starting with Flag-Smasher! In Washington D.C., the anarchist lays a trap for the Living Legend! However, Flag-Smasher doesn't know about Cap's new awesome armor or his new sidekicks, Free Spirit and Jack Flag! Will the red, white, and blue trio dash the smasher's dreams?
32 pages. Cover price $1.50.
"If I Should Die Before I Wake" Fighting Chance Epilogue. Guest-starring Giant-Man, Iron Man, and Force Works. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Dave Hoover. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Dave Hoover.
Inside Stark Enterprises' west coast laboratory, Hank Pym and Tony Stark work feverishly to bring their star-spangled friend back from the brink! While lying in a comatose state, the Sentinel of Liberty drifts in and out of consciousness while dreaming about his past battles vs. his archenemy, the Red Skull! Will reliving previous encounters somehow improve Cap's fragile condition? Meanwhile in Arizona, Free Spirit and Jack Flag attempt to finish off the Serpent Society one final time! Good news for the brave young duo: Force Works drops in to help! Story continues in Iron Man 314.
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.
"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.
"Storm Gathering" Operation: Galactic Storm Part 1 of 19. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Rik Levins. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Rik Levins and Danny Bulanadi.
Operation: Galactic Storm begins here! A 19-issue crossover saga that will take Earth's Mightiest Heroes across the galaxies to stop two mighty empires from destroying the Solar System and one another! Ironically though, the grandiose adventure begins with a simple dream inside the head of Rick Jones. Disturbed by his strange dream about the star-spangled avenger and the Supreme Intelligence, Rick contacts Cap to arrange a meeting. The former partners sit down together at a roadside diner in Arizona to discuss Rick's kree-based nightmare…when suddenly a giant robot and a little robot attack! The Sentinel of Liberty leaps into action against the twin terrors (of Shi'ar origin) called Warstar! After a short battle, Captain America emerges victorious; however, Rick Jones is missing in action! The Living Legend realizes he may be onto something big. But how big? Cap will find out very soon! Story continues in Avengers West Coast 80.
32 pages Cover price $1.25.
"Going to the Dogs" Part 1 of 2. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Ron Lim. Inks by Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Ron Lim and Danny Bulandi.
The Watchdogs are back on the prowl! And unbeknownst to both Steve Rogers and Bernie Rosenthal, one of their friends from Brooklyn Heights is mixed up with the extremist group! When Bernie stumbles into a donnybrook between the shield-slinger and the right-wing terrorists, the closest watchdog grabs her! With concern for his dear friend's safety, Cap stops fighting and lets the Watchdogs escape with Bernie. The dogs win for now, but the star-spangled avenger will be hot on their trail next issue! Cameo appearances by Rage and the Sandman. Second story: "Loose Ends" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Mark Bagley (breakdowns) and Dan Panosian (finishes). Diamondback, Asp, and Black Mamba breathe a sigh of relief after escaping from the Serpent Society. And now the threesome decides to start out on their own as Bad Girls, Inc.! But before the new group can become incorporated, three former serpent friends stop by for a very hostile visit!
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
"This Gun's For Hire" Part 2 of 3. Guest-starring Paladin. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Ron Lim. Inks by Danny Bulanadi.
After barely escaping from the Serpent Society, a distraught Diamondback turns to Cap for help in rescuing her two serpent friends, Black Mamba and the Asp. But the star-spangled avenger is not sure if he should get involved. However Rachel has no time to wait, so she hires Paladin instead! Can Diamondback and Paladin beat Bushmaster and King Cobra without Captain America? Back up story: "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Mark Bagley. Inks by Dan Panosian. More and more of John Walker's memories are coming back.
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
"With Friends Like These!" Part 1 of 3. Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Ron Lim. Inks by Danny Bulanadi.
Diamondback stands trial for treason against the Serpent Society! The judge is King Cobra and the jury is the likes of Anaconda, Cottonmouth, Puff Adder, Rattler, etc. Does Diamondback have a chance for acquittal? Meanwhile, Bernie Rosenthal returns to New York City and has a long visit with Steve Rogers. Back up story: "The Unremembered Past" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Pencils by Mark Bagley. Inks by Dan Panosian. The U.S. Agent is furious with the Commission after discovering that the government group altered his memories.
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
Acts of Vengeance Aftermath (Uncredited) - "House Calls" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Ron Lim and Danny Bulanadi.
Crossbones and his crew finally free the feeble Red Skull from his underground prison, but the evil mastermind is barely clinging to life. The near death Red Skull makes two final requests: first, take him to Skull House; and second, send for Captain America. It's a surreal meeting between the two long-time adversaries. (Note: The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 281,350; average paid circulation 178,800.)
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
Acts of Vengeance Aftermath (Uncredited) - "The Skeleton Crew" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Ron Lim and Danny Bulanadi.
Crossbones, Machinesmith (in the body of the fourth sleeper), Mother Night, and the Voice bust into the Hellfire Club looking for their boss, the Red Skull. The foursome does not find the Red Skull; however, they do find the Black Queen (aka Selene)! The battle in the New York sewer system becomes a three-way affair when Captain America and Diamondback join the fight! Back up story: "Out of his Skull" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Mark Bagley and Don Hudson. Still trapped in his underground prison, the emaciated Red Skull begins to hallucinate.
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
Acts of Vengeance Aftermath (Uncredited) - "Red Twilight" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Ron Lim and Danny Bulanadi.
Crossbones and Machinesmith are looking for their boss, the Red Skull, and believe that Magneto had something to do with his disappearance. Since the two henchmen cannot find the Skull, Machinesmith decides to create a Magneto-like robot and send it to the Resistants' pro-mutant rally in Washington D.C. to hopefully attract the true Master of Magnetism. The ploy instead attracts the star-spangled avenger! Cameo appearances by the Scarlet Witch and the Hellfire Club's Black Queen. Back up story: "A Clockwork Origin" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Mark Bagley and Don Hudson. The origin of Machinesmith is revealed.
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
"Acts of Vengeance" crossover with Red Skull, Magneto. "Magnetic Repulsion." Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Kieron Dwyer and Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Kieron Dwyer.
The Acts of Vengeance storyline brings together for the first time Magneto, a Holocaust survivor, and the Red Skull, the top terror operative of the Third Reich. Payback has been 45 years in the making...and the Master of Magnetism will not wait another day! Also in this issue, Captain America finishes off the Controller. Cameo appearances by Dr. Pym and the Sub-Mariner. Back up story: "The Way of the Snake" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Mark Bagley and Don Hudson. The Cobra triumphs over Mr. Hyde and with his new found confidence changes his name to...King Cobra!
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
"Bones of Contention" Part 2 of 6. Story by Mark Gruenwald and Kieron Dwyer. Art by Kieron Dwyer and Danny Bulanadi. Cover by Kieron Dwyer and Al Milgrom.
Captain America descends deep into the catacombs of Manhattan to trace an emergency signal from Diamondback! Will Cap rescue her in time and then find the first jewel of the bloodstone? Back up story: "Siege" Part 1 of the Night of the Scourge. Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Mark Bright and Don Hudson. Scourge breaks into the home of the Power Broker (aka Curtiss Jackson).
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
"Night of Sin" Part 3 of 3. Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Al Milgrom. Cover by Kieron Dwyer.
Steve Rogers dramatically returns to his full size and strength just in time to stop the Sisters of Sin from executing him! Can Captain America now defeat all the bad guys and liberate the camp? Cameo appearance by Sersi. Back up story: "The Bloodstone Hunt" Part 1 of 6. Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Kieron Dwyer and Al Milgrom. Batroc, Machete, and Zaran break into the American Museum of Natural History in New York City to steal the skeleton of Ulysses Bloodstone. Why does Baron Zemo covet the skeleton? Diamondback is snooping around trying to find out. First $1.00 issue. (Note: The Captain America series goes bi-weekly for the next eight issues.)
32 pages Cover price $1.00.
"The Sins of the Fathers!" Script by Peter Gillis. Pencils by Jerry Bingham. Inks by Alan Gordon. Cover by George Pérez and Terry Austin.
Captain America responds to a disturbance at the Foley Square Federal Building! And inside the Social Security Office on the sixth floor, Cap finds a super-powered villain named Joe. It's the same Joe that Spider-Man fought way back in Amazing Spiderman (1st series) #38. What is fueling Joe's rage? And how can the Sentinel of Liberty stop it? Cameo appearances by Kris Keating and Joshua Cooper. (Notes: Joe Smith returns years later in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #28. The graffiti on the elevated train (by cover inker Terry Austin) bears the names of many writers and artists in the comics industry.)
32 pages. Cover price $0.40.
"The Calypso Connection!" Script by Roger McKenzie. Art by Carmine Infantino (breakdowns) and Joe Rubinstein (finishes). Cover by Frank Miller and Joe Rubinstein.
Steve Rogers' new neighbor, Anna Kapplebaum, is a Holocaust survivor. And one day while walking to the butcher shop, she bumps into a man she knew from the war -- a cruel man she would like to forget. One thing leads to another...and Captain America finds himself on the hunt for a nazi war criminal in Long Island! Can the Living Legend close a painful chapter in the life of his dear friend? Cameo appearance by Jake Lockley. (Notes: This issue completes Roger McKenzie's 2-year run as the writer of the Captain America series. He authored 15 stories during his stint.)
32 pages. Cover price $0.40.
"Gang War!" Plot by Paul Kupperberg. Script by Alan Kupperberg. Art by Alan Kupperberg (breakdowns) and Don Perlin (finishes). Cover by Bud Budiansky and Bob Wiacek.
In order to help an old man save his home, Captain America gets involved in a fight against a street gang. The criminal gang is trying to force the beleaguered senior citizen out of his residence, but Cap is not going to let the happen. The final showdown between the Sentinel of Liberty and the gang leader, Big Thunder, takes place at the Coney Island Amusement Park!
32 pages. Cover price $0.40.
