Captain America #12

A chilling vision anchors the cover of this double-sized twelfth issue: a skull wearing Captain America's iconic blue cowl sits trapped within a glowing crystal ball, held aloft by a menacing armored figure flanked by monstrous creatures — a deeply unsettling image that makes the story title "Nuclear Nightmare" feel entirely earned. Writer Mark Waid and artist Andy Kubert, with inks by Jesse Delperdang, close out the "American Nightmare" arc in bold fashion, delivering a finale that promises high stakes for the Star-Spangled Avenger. If you've been following this 1998 volume, this oversized conclusion is the payoff you've been waiting for.