As Sharon Carter rehashes the same conversation she had in Captain America #600, Bucky and Black Widow sneak aboard the H.A.M.M.E.R. Helicarrier to retrieve a device that might hold the key to Steve Rogers’ return. Once there, they encounter what appear to be a team of Cobra Vipers as well as a few other stumbling blocks in their paths. Meanwhile, Arnim Zola meets with Norman Osborn and attempts to explain the ridiculous way in which Ed Brubaker intends to bring Captain America back to life. We also get the prerequisite number of WWII flashbacks that come with any Cap comic.
I gotta give Brubaker credit for this wonky, Quantum Leap-style return story. It’s original. Bryan Hitch’s pencils look great, as usual and if you’ve read any of my other reviews, you know I love me some World War II action. Brubaker always delivers when it comes to espionage-type stories and if your memory of what’s been going on in Captain America for the past two years is decent, you’ll find that he’s finally starting to tie up all the little loose ends that he’s been leaving laying about.
Recipe for a Captain America comic: add equal parts WWII flashback and dark, moody shots of Bucky and the Black Widow crouching in a corridor as they break into the secret compound of [___insert villain’s name___]. Throw in a pinch of Sharon Carter brooding with a dash of flashback to the time she was held captive by the Red Skull. Mix and coat with lots of blue coloring to create “mood”. Top with a brief ending featuring what the villains are up to next. Serve.
Cover art to Captain America Reborn #1 by Alex Ross
Have you ever spent a week or two reading the Mary Worth comic strip in your local newspaper? They usually only get three panels per day and they go something like this: Panel One – a recap of what happened yesterday. Panel Two – a bit of conversation and small amount of story progression. Panel Three – a cliffhanger. Essentially, you’re only getting two panels. Per day. Expand this basic model to a proportionately larger scale and you’ve got every issue of Captain America.
Have you ever worked a 9 to 5 job, five days a week? Sure, there are differences each day: some days you have peanut butter and jelly while other days you have tuna fish. But for the most part, it’s all the same. Things progress, you get a raise, maybe a promotion; but ultimately its business as usual day in, day out. Sure, you like the job and you enjoy conversing with your co-workers because they’re interesting, well rounded people and a variety of new things happen to them like marriages, new cars, new children and promotions of their own. But it all comes back to the same old, same old.
World War II flashback, Sharon moping, Bucky & Widow crouching. “I can’t ever live up to Steve’s memory!” Go heavy on the inks, paint it blue and call it a comic. Blah, blah,blah.
Much like Mary Worth or the humdrum of a 9 to 5, it’s not bad by any means. But it gets boring.
(chad here)
An issue of Captain America in which Bucky and Black Widow infiltrate an enemy compound, Sharon moans and there's a World War II flashback? Gee what a surprise.
Sorry Sonyman - that was a little rude of me. But honestly take a look at my "recipe" ... it's an exaggeration, but can you honestly say it's not true? I gave the book a C, which is a passing grade and quite far from abhorrence. But I'm not going to rave about a book that doesn't deserve raves.
Boy, people don't stay dead in the comic universe, huh?
And why bother killing them off? When I saw Captain America die or when I heard that Batman was going to be killed, I said "Who cares?" Because I know they're going to bring them back.
And if that's the reaction of many comic readers, then maybe it's time that D.C. and Marvel take a different approach to hero/villain deaths.
Newseditor, I share your apathy not in his death, but rather, in this all too early resurrection. Hal Jordan was dead for a good while before they brought him back. That gave a sense of weight to his return. But really? Bringing Cap back this soon, just when Bucky's hitting his stride?
When hit the first few pages of this issue, I was kinda pissed off we were getting hit with a useless world war 2 flashback. I give kudos to Ed for turning it into the most non-flashback ever. Wouldn't it be awesome if Cap really was getting his Quantum Leap on? Putting right what once went wrong in the Marvel Universe? Norman Osborn doesn't rise to power! Dark Phoenix doesn't go blowing up planets! Spiderman doesn't make a deal with the devil!
You know, AMiSH, I kind of like where you're going with this...
It's a universe-altering event, giving Marvel their own Crisis of sorts. The twist is that the universe/multiverse is coming apart at the seams and the heroes have to band together to stop Captain America before he messes things up too much. It all ends with a big kaboom! and history is reset back to zero.
Hmmm... I guess this is why I'm not writing comic books.
No need to apologize. I find most of Captain America's stories boring and he is either to arrogant or to ignorant. Steve Rogers needs to find himself as something more than captain America. I like the new Bucky stories so keep him Cap. But make Steve Rogers his own hero, make him Punisher's partner-he could be a new microchip. Or team up with daredevil or make him Deadpools partner. Steve can get nuts and he will rub off on Wilson a little.
Hal Jordan has been dead to me as GL for a while. The Kyle Rayner GL deseves more respect then he gets . Hal Jordan should have stayed Spectre but nooooooooooooooooo he has to be GL again cause he was on the superfiends and that helps us sell comics. His role as Spectre was great.
When it comes to other deaths in comics it gets old. I am a big JLA person but lost touch for a few years so I could expand my horizons and I ended up discovering DANNY KETCH.
But I just heard MARTIAN MANHUNTER IS DEAD? This character is as important as Batman, Superman, onder Woman,etc. Can someone tell me what happend and does DC have any plans? I care more about him then I do Captain America.
No need to apologize. I find most of Captain America's stories boring and he is either to 9to (too) arrogant or to (too) ignorant. Steve Rogers needs to find himself as something more than captain America. I like the new Bucky stories so keep him Cap. But make Steve Rogers his own hero, make him Punisher's partner-he could be a new microchip. Or team up with daredevil or make him Deadpools (Deadpool’s) partner. Steve can get nuts and he will rub off on Wilson a little.
Hal Jordan has been dead to me as GL for a while. The Kyle Rayner GL deseves (deserves) more respect then he gets . Hal Jordan should have stayed (as) Spectre but nooooooooooooooooo he has to be GL again cause (because) he was on the superfiends (Superfriends) and that helps us sell comics. His role as Spectre was great.
When it comes to other deaths in comics (,) it gets old. I am a big JLA person but lost touch for a few years so I could expand my horizons and I ended up discovering DANNY KETCH.
(…) But I just heard MARTIAN MANHUNTER IS DEAD? This character is as important as Batman, Superman, onder (Wonder) Woman, etc (…) Can someone tell me what happend (happened) and does DC have any plans? I care more about him then I do Captain America.
Forget whether it's boring or not, can someone please tell me what the hell they mean by "Locked In Time?" Someone died on those steps. Who was that corpse, then?
And remember, Wolverine smelled the REAL Cap.
Well, I actually like Captain America. I wasn't bored. It was a little setup-y. Not much explained. So I am giving it a "B".
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Aboring captain America comic? Gee what a surprise.