The Invaders, No. 16

Written by - Roy Thomas

Pencils by - Jim Mooney

Inks by - Frank Springer

Colours by - Janice Cohen

Letters by - John Costanza

Great cover art here by Jack Kirby featured on The Invaders no. 16 from May 1977. After recently reading Marvels current 'Fear Itself' event I was (again) reminded of Nazis in comic books, to which. The Invaders came to mind; The Invaders generally features many Nazis and this one has the biggest one of all... 

Captain America and Bucky are in London and fail to stop the abduction of American Private 'Biljo White' by a group of Nazis. Biljo White is the writer and artist of fictional comic book 'Major Victory'. Captain America purchases the latest issue as it features the origin of Major Victory which strangely mirrors the Cap's own origins. It is from this story that the Nazis believe its writer, Biljo White, knows the details of the 'Super Soldier Formula'. They travel to Berchtesgaden, Hitlers armoured fortress, in Namor's airship which is stormed by Master Man. Then Hitler arrives...

Captain America and The Falcon, No. 186

Thought I'd sneak in a quick post before the month is out (just 10 mins to go looking at the time, I need to go to bed...) I think I'm going to have a little change of pace throughout April, still posting up old comics, but also some different stuff too, stay tuned! 

This issue from June 1975 again features another great cover by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. Earlier in the month I posted up issue 189, but again for the same reasons, I want to share this issue mainly down to Frank Robbins' pencil work; I really do like his stuff! This issue also marks the end of writer, Steve Englehart's, significant run on this issue from number 153.

Anyway, the basic plot behind this issue sees The Red Skull reveal to Captain America that Sam Wilson (The Falcon) was once a criminal called 'Snap Wilson' who The Red Skull created by using the 'Cosmic Cube'. Therefore The Falcon is under The Red Skull's command and is made to fight The Cap' to the finish. The Cap' is left with the decision on whether he should decapitate his friend using his shield.

Iron Man & Captain America, No. 72

Tales of Suspense number 72 is from 1965 and contains two stories featuring Iron Man and Captain America respectively; the cover art is by legend Jack Kirby (Nazi robots, nice...)

Hoorah For The Conquering Hero!

This is the first story in the comic and follows Iron Man as he returns to America from battle with Titanium Man. Tony Stark is kidnapped by the Awesome Android and taken to the Mad Thinker's lair who has in turn been hired by Countess Stephanie De La Spiroza as she seeks revenge for being spurned by Tony.

The Sleeper Shall Awake!

The second story features Captain America and appearances by Avengers; Hawkeye (a personal favourite), Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Cap thinks back to the 2nd World War and remembers when the Red Skull, on his death bed, had told Cap that 20 years after the wars end, three Nazi sleeper agents would awaken and restart the Third Reich all over again. That date is now almost upon him...

Captain America and The Falcon, No. 189

Great cover art by Gil Kane and Mike Esposito on this 1975 issue of Captain America and The Falcon. I'm a big fan of the art in general in this issue, I love the way Frank Robbins draws the human body, his poses within the panels sit very comfortably. I also like how many comics get away with using just flat colours for backgrounds within the panels... Visually pleasing or just a bit lazy?

The setup here reveals The Falcon is still comatose after discovering his memories are false implants created by The Red Skull. Captain America is told by a SHIELD psychiatrist that the best way to help him is to beat the living crap out of him! Captain America proceeds to fight a series of hallucinations including; Red Skull, Executioner, Druid, Black Knight, Enchantress, Melter, Radioactive Man and Baron Zemo. The Cap finally breaks free of the mind control and reconciles with The Falcon, it's only then they realise the psychiatrist and most of the SHIELD agents have been possessed by The Deadly Nightshade. 

This description on reading it back doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense I guess, but there is a second part to the story. In the bottom right panel on the last page of this issue it appears that Marvel are aware that the story is somewhat confusing when they say "To be continued next issue -- and maybe we'll even explain all this!".