War Days
Captain America's stock in the world of comics has always been relatively high. Considered a top tier character in his own right, it may surprise the casual observer (and those that just recently peeped the fantastic Captain America film by Joe Johnston) that Steve Rogers hasn't actually been Cap for quite a while now. In fact, aside from being DEAD for a while, Steve's been more of an administrative type in this, Marvel's "Heroic Age".
That changes in the new series by Ed Brubaker (considered by many as THE definitive writer for Captain America) and Steve McNiven. Not only is Steve back to being the "star-studded man with a plan", but he's wielding the shield and going up against classic villains and shadow organizations dating back to WWII.
- THE GOOD
It's also worth mentioning (if not overtly obvious) that Steve McNiven's art is excellent. He's always been an extremely solid artist with a penchant for drawing action scenes in amazing detail, but I was doubly impressed by his use of unique paneling in this first issue. There's a particularly striking image in where Dugan, Fury, and Carter are placed in circular panels above a sprinting Cap (wearing a black tuxedo) that would be awesome to have print of.
- THE BAD
Although Brubaker's new Captain America series certainly starts off with a bang, there is a sense of simplicity with the initial set-up that feels a bit incomplete. With juggling WWII flashbacks and current events, it's not at a lack for content, but other than the "bad guy is out to get Cap, BIGGER bad guy is helping", there's not a ton drawing you back for the second issue. You're going to come back because of the page-turning qualities of this FIRST issue, not because any super-compelling looks to be coming down the pike. That's not really a BAD thing by any stretch, but this intro is just a wee too basic for me. I really want a series' opening issues to rope me in.
- THE VERDICT
