This is a feature called "Might Be Spoiling Me Too Much," where I spotlight instances of comic books (mostly inadvertently) spoiling other comic books (typically due to delays).
Today, we look at how USAgent joined the West Coast Avengers before he technically even made his debut!
A major storyline in Captain America during the late 1980s was when Steve Rogers quit as Captain America in Captain America #332...
He was replaced by John Walker, who was formerly the vigilante known as Super-Patriot...
Steve wasn't going to allow a disagreement with the government get in the way of him being a superhero, so he got a new Captain America-esque costume and named himself The Captain....
Eventually, The Captain and Captain America had a big battle in Captain America #350 (by Mark Gruenwald, Kieron Dwyer and Al Milgrom)....
And when all was said and done, John asked Steve to take the title back, which Steve agreed to...
Four issues later, Gruenwald, Dwyer and Milgrom brought John Walker back, now wearing the Captain costume...
He was now called USAgent...
However, Captain America #354 came out a month AFTER West Coast Avengers #44 (by John Byrne and Mike Machlan), in which the Avengers are forced to take on a new member in the wake of a disaster where the world governments kidnapped and re-programmed the Vision....
So yep, USAgent made his debut as an Avenger before actually being officially introduced!
The following issue actually calls him USAGent, and that came out the same month as Captain America #354...
Funny stuff.
I really don't know if this was an accident, bad timing or a purposeful move, but either way, it's interesting.
If anyone else has a suggestion for this feature (whether the traditional "due to delays" or more intentional examples), feel free to drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com!