CAPTAIN AMERICA #363 - Nov ’89. Where’s the indignant think piece devoted to lovesick Diamondback’s repeated subjugation on these covers?
Crossbones is using Diamondback as bait for his mysterious employer. Cap pursues. Another issue that’s fine as an action piece, but doesn’t truly play to Gru’s strengths.
Sneaky Wolverine cameo. And Gru paying another DC homage…to the early WONDER WOMAN comics!
CAPTAIN AMERICA #364 - Dec ’89. Cap’s foot’s really in a bear trap. Though it’s not played gruesome at all, darned Comics Code.
First time we see Crossbones really do anything. Always loved the character.
Diamondback’s facing a thug sent by Crossbones’ madam buddy. Dwyer’s facial expressions are great.
Diamondback boils her pursuer alive in a vat of hot plastic, used to make Wolverine action figures. Don’t even know if Wolverine toys existed yet. I do recall ads for these tiny, cheap PVC figurines circa ’90. Toy Biz’s line wasn’t around.
Crossbones’ employer is revealed as Red Skull, who orders him to back off Cap. Diamondback flirts with Cap some more and we’re done. This might be the longest stretch of pure action in Gru’s run. It’s enjoyable, just not very deep.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #365 - Dec ’89. Everyone knows why the cover dates are screwy in this era, right?
Marvel wanted its cover dates to only be one month ahead publication dates, instead of three.
To adjust, they “slowed” the months down by attaching two issues to one month. Hence, Dec and “mid” Dec.
Anyway, it’s “Acts of Vengeance,” the Byrne-conceived crossover that Byrne doesn’t like.
The premise is solid--heroes fight villains they’re not associated with. Byrne’s irritated so many creators did Doom stories.
As a kid I enjoyed “Acts,” tho I confess I never followed what the main story is. I know it involved Loki, but never really cared.
A running theme of Gru’s run is Cap essentially living like a monk. He actively pushes away all female attention.
The Controller is responsible for “turning” Namor. This follows an odd scene where Loki attempts to recruit Namor, unaware he’s no longer a villain. Morelli’s credited this issue, but several pages lack his distinctive lettering. Last minute rewrites, maybe?
The concern for not only continuity but the moral integrity of a character is what elevates Gru above many writers. This easily could’ve been a generic action scene, hero v. brainwashed hero, but Gru makes it work.
This page doesn’t look like Dwyer to me. Reminds me of McFarlane, of all people.
Villains are now starring in the backups. Great idea. Gru fleshes out some formerly “lame” baddies.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #366 - Jan ’90. The ‘90s have arrived. So has Ron Lim.
Lim’s Cap isn’t quite “his” yet, but overall, it’s a solid, distinctive job. Dwyer comes back for one more issue; Lim takes over from there. To many, he’s the definitive CAP artist.
The rest of the creative team stays intact. Including letter Jack Morelli. People forget the consistency letterers brought to titles.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #367 - Feb ’90. The final Kieron Dwyer issue.
“Acts of Vengeance” is an odd one, in terms of Magneto continuity.
Byrne was adamant about reverting him to villainy. Claremont, naturally, was having none of it.
Shortly before the crossover, Claremont had Magneto leave Muir Island, declaring he was going to be providing a distraction to help keep it safe.
The “distraction” would be him posing as a villain again. Byrne just ignored this in WEST COAST AVENGERS.
Magneto also appeared in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, investigating Spidey’s new powers. (Maybe he’s a new mutant!) Not particularly villainous.
Gru writes Magneto fairly consistent with Claremont. He’s determined the Red Skull must pay for his Nazi past.
The dark poetry of Claremont’s Magneto is missing, but Gru didn’t tend to write purple anyway. Doubt we’d see that salute today.
What an ending. Magneto’s best “Acts” showing.
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