Captain America #194
Published and © by Marvel, February 1976
Title: “The Trojan Horde”
Synopsis: Captain America and the Falcon go undercover as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to infiltrate the conspiracy behind the Madbomb.
Writer: Jack Kirby
Penciler: Kirby
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Review: Jack Kirby’s mid-’70s return to Marvel often seemed … a little off. While it feels right to have the King back at the helm of his most-famous character, this story reads more like a Kamandi adventure than an issue of Captain America. There are intriguing concepts with little in the way of development, and ripped-from-the-headlines plot points and historical inspirations applied without any sense of subtlety. It’s easy to see why young fans at the time struggled to warm up to Kirby. But, in hindsight, there’s a lot to appreciate in these late-career offerings from an undisputed master.
Grade: B
Cool factor: The Madbomb was a great concept that tapped into the simmering political tensions of the era. Also, the conversation between Captain America and the Falcon about slavery and the American Revolution was heady stuff for a kids’ comic circa 1976.
Not-so-cool factor: The lack of subtlety inherent to the King’s work from this era actually works for the art. But the dialogue? Not so much.
Notable: First appearance of William Taurey and General Heshin. … The “Let’s Rap With Cap” letters page includes an LoC from future Fantagraphics editor Kim Thompson.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 9p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant. … Beware, this issue contains Marvel Value Stamp (Series B) #27.
Character quotable: “That was a time when men began to turn away from injustice! It took two hundred years, Falcon … but this country’s grown up!” – Captain America, through red-white-and-blue colored classes
Editor’s note: This review was written July 1, 2026.
