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Come Back, Cap!

Comicscape: Come Back, Cap!
© Mania

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for another edition of Comicscape. Hopefully you enjoyed last week’s April Fools joke. This week, it’s back to business as usual: the latest news and reviews from the fabulous four-color world of superhero comics. This week I’d like to give you folks some rants and raves from beyond the grave and my thoughts concerning a certain advertisement that appeared in last weeks Marvel Comics.

Unless you’re somehow blissfully oblivious to advertisements, you noticed it. It was a full-page, all-black except for a familiar scalloped chain-mail pattern and an enormous white star in the middle accompanied by the word “July”. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out this has something to do with Captain America, but the real question is just what exactly does it mean? They don’t call these things “teasers” for no reason, and I thought I’d use this week’s Comicscape to let loose with a few of my guesses and encourage you to throw out a few of your own.

The Return of Steve Rogers

April Marvel titles teased JULY

© Marvel Entertainment

This is probably the first thing that came to everyone’s minds when they saw it. It’s been two years since Cap died, which is probably about as long as the typical superhero death lasts. He’s got a movie coming out in 2011, and a lot of people figure that the real deal oughtta be back in costume in time for his debut on the silver screen. Also, there’s that whole Dark Reign thing going on. Who better to take down Norman Osborn than the biggest Boy Scout in the world (no offense, Superman)?

Though Steve Rogers has been dead for two years in our time, comic book time moves a lot slower. The Marvel U is still dealing with the loss. Bucky has only been wearing the costume for a few months and he hasn’t even come close to establishing himself as the new Cap anyway. Bringing the original back right now would nip a great story in the bud. The whole Bucky-as-Cap-finding-redemption story still has a lot more potential and I think it would be a shame to cut it short.

Steve Rogers gunned down in Captain America #25

© Marvel Entertainment

And sure, it might make sense for Cap to return and put Norman Osborn in his place, but again – it’s way too soon. Dark Reign has only just begun and if you ask me, this is a story with legs. If handled correctly, Dark Reign has the potential to carry on for quite some time: probably not forever, but at least for two or three years. Maybe even longer. There’s absolutely no need to wrap up either one of these stories with a premature return. Let ‘em build. Let ‘em simmer for a while until they come to a boil. Then bring Steve back.

As far as the movie goes, ask the guy behind the counter of your local comic shop. He didn’t sell that many more copies of Iron Man or Batman last summer. Steve Rogers doesn’t really even need to appear in his own book when the movie comes out. I’m sure there will be plenty of one-shots and mini-series’ to pick up the slack.

So for the time being, I’m guessing “no” to the whole comeback thing. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume that he is coming back…

The Pros and Cons of Steve’s Comeback

A patriotic Iron Man armor first appeared on the cover of What If: Civil War #1

© Marvel Entertainment

If you’ve been reading Comicscape since I took over back in November, you’re probably sick of hearing me say that I’d prefer that Steve Rogers stayed dead. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, so I’ll keep it brief: I love me some Steve Rogers, but I think this story would have more impact if he didn’t come back for a few more years. Can you imagine one full decade of a Steve Rogers-less Marvel Universe? Let Bucky firmly establish himself as the new Captain America and come to be accepted by the Avengers and the citizens. Milk this story for all it’s worth and don’t blow it by bringing Rogers back too early.

But I’m not stupid and I know that’s not going to happen. The one thing that I am really looking forward to when Steve comes back is the explanation. There was an autopsy. Thor spoke to Steve’s ghost. How are they going to explain this one?

Bucky Cap faces a familiar figure in Captain America #39

© Marvel Entertainment

Obviously Ed Brubaker had an escape route planned when he wrote the story, or else they never would’ve allowed him to do it, but the only thing I can come up with is that when they tossed his body back into the cold Arctic waters, it somehow reacted with the Super-Soldier Serum in his bloodstream and gave him a second lease on life, just as it did after World War II.

But that’s lame. Are you listening, Marvel? If you do that, I will stop reading your books. That would be a terrible way to bring him back.

Let’s move on with some other explanations for that advertisement, shall we?

Dark Captain America

Restored to life, but his torso horribly mutated and disfigured, Cap could strip the A from his head and turn to the Dark Side

© Marvel Entertainment

Let’s see, we’ve got Dark Avengers, Dark X-Men… why not have a Dark Captain America? The ad was black, after all. That’s pretty dark. It seems to be Marvel’s new trend: add “dark” to the title and raise the price a dollar. Instant sales.

It does seem kind of redundant, since Norman Osborn has already assumed the identity of the Iron Patriot, but maybe he’ll twist the knife even further and bring in his own version of Captain America to his Avengers team? It’s not unrealistic to think that he could clone Steve either.

And what about that Grand Director guy? You know, the 1950’s commie-smashin’ Cap with a couple of screws loose? He’s still running around out there. Maybe he’ll hook up with Norman and become the new Cap? I can’t believe that he was left alive at the end of his story arc for no good reason. Somebody’s cookin’ something up for that character and a Dark Captain America sounds about right.

As of right now, I am officially leaning towards “Dark Cap” as probably being the most likely possibility unless something else that sounds better comes up.

Steve Rogers is a Black Lantern

All things are possible in the world of comics...

© Marvel Entertainment/DC Comics

He’s dead, it was a full black page and DC has already released some images from the Blackest Night event. Oh wait, April Fools Day was last week. At any rate, it would be one hell of a sweet crossover and totally unexpected.

Remember when Marvel and DC used to do crossovers? Spidey vs. Superman, Batman vs. Hulk, X-Men vs. Teen Titans. Those were awesome. Hell, I even liked that Amalgam stuff. But I’m getting off track here…

So it’s safe to say that Steve Rogers won’t be taking part in DC’s biggest event of 2009 and I think it’s also safe to say that this whole thing isn’t just a big prank. Yeah, the ads ran in books released on April Fools Day, but that’s an awfully expensive prank and it’s also a really good way to piss off your fans, so I’m comfortable saying this is the real deal.

Something big is going to happen to Captain America this summer, whether it’s James Buchanan Barnes, Steve Rogers, the other Steve Rogers, a clone or a dark version. I’m all out of guesses. What do you guys think?

Sequential Ink

Hey, let’s stick with the theme and show some Cap tattoos!

Check out the shield on this one

A work in progress

Secret Wars?

The best place to get a shield tattoo

And stay tuned for the Spinner Rack! Coming up next!

The Spinner Rack

By Ben Johnson and Chad Derdowski

MANIAC SPOTLIGHT ON...

Mania columnist Kurt Amacker, who used to write this here Comicscape column, and now presides over the No Fly Zone has a new book in stores. Check out Dead Souls at:

Seraphemera.org or Amazon.com: Volume 1 - Volume 2

Support your local Maniac!

ABSTRACT STUDIOS
Terry Moores Echo #11, $3.50

ASPEN ENTERTAINMENT
Soulfire New World Order Beginnings, $1.99
Soulfire Shadow Magic #5 (of 5), $2.99

AVATAR PRESS
Alan Moores Light Of Thy Countenance GN (Convention Edition), $7.99
Ben: Just as long as no one makes a movie from it.
Alan Moores Light Of Thy Countenance HC, $17.99
Anna Mercury Artbook #1 (Facundo Percio Regular Cover), $3.99
Anna Mercury Artbook #1 (Juan Jose Ryp Cover), $3.99
Anna Mercury Artbook #1 (Facundo Percio Design Sketch Incentive Cover), AR
Anna Mercury Artbook #1 (Felipe Massafera Painted Cover), $3.99
Anna Mercury Artbook #1 (Richard Ortiz Wraparound Cover), $3.99
Anna Mercury Artbook #1 (Richard Ortiz 'You Wish' Cover), $5.99
Ben: This makes me so damn angry. Is it that hard for these companies to understand they are going to put this industry into another crash?
Crossed #3 (of 9)(Auxiliary Edition), $3.99
Doktor Sleepless #12 (Ivan Rodriguez Regular Cover), $3.99
Doktor Sleepless #12 (Future Warning Sign Incentive Cover), AR
Doktor Sleepless #12 (Raulo Caceres Wraparound Cover), $3.99
Gravel #10 (Black Magic Incentive Edition), AR
Ignition City #1 (of 5), $3.99
Ignition City #1 (of 5)(Incentive Design Sketch Cover), $6.99
Ignition City #1 (of 5)(Painted Cover), $3.99
Ignition City #1 (of 5)(Wrap Cover), $3.99
No Hero #1 (of 7)(Wizard World Texas Edition), $5.99
Ben: Out of all of those books only 3 are not incentives or variants or what the hell ever. When comics crash, little companies are the ones that get hurt the most. Don’t bend the nail when you pound it into your coffin guys.

BAD KARMA PRODUCTIONS
Jesus Christ In The Name Of The Gun #1, $2.95
Ben: I have no idea WTF this is.

BOOM! STUDIOS
Hexed #4 (of 4), $3.99
Irredeemable #1 (Mark Waid Signed Incentive Cover)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), AR
Last Reign Kings Of War #5 (of 5)(Cover A), $3.99
Last Reign Kings Of War #5 (of 5)(Cover B), $3.99
Warhammer 40K Defenders Of Ultramar HC (Limited Edition), $49.99
Ben: 3 of 5 are not the standard covers. Screw this!

DARK HORSE
Amazon #2 (of 3), $3.50
BPRD Black Goddess #4 (of 5), $2.99
Cleaners #3 (of 4), $2.99
Gantz TP Vol 4, $12.95
Harvey Comics Classics TP Vol 5 Harvey Girls, $19.95
Hellboy Novel Fire Wolves, $12.95
Kickass Kuties Art Of Lisa Petrucci HC, $22.95
Trigun Maximum TP Vol 14 Mind Games, $9.95
Ben: Now look at this. A long running, well respected company and not a single variant cover. Weird.

DC COMICS
Batman Battle For The Cowl #2 (of 3)(Tony Daniel Regular Cover), $3.99
Ben: The “I won’t pay $3.99” strike continues.
Chad: Combine that with the “Batman has kind of sucked lately” strike and things aren’t lookin’ so hot in Gotham.
Batman Battle For The Cowl #2 (of 3)(Tony Daniel Variant Cover), AR
Batman Confidential #28, $2.99
Booster Gold #19, $2.99
Cartoon Network Action Pack #36, $2.50
Gen 13 #29, $2.99
Green Arrow Year One TP, $14.99
Green Lantern #39 (Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert Regular Cover)(Blackest Night Prelude)(Origins & Omens Tie-In), $2.99
Green Lantern #39 (Rodolfo Migliari Variant Cover)(Blackest Night Prelude)(Origins & Omens Tie-In), $2.99
Ben: Holy crap! Now this is a freaking collectable right here. It’s a Variant/Tie-in/Crossover issue.
Hellblazer Presents Chas The Knowledge TP, $14.99
House Of Mystery #12, $2.99
I Hate You More Than Anyone TP Vol 7, $9.99
Chad: Ben? This title was totally a cue for you to rag on me and you missed it. You feelin’ okay, buddy?
Identity Crisis #1 (Special Edition), $1.00
Ben: Trying to make up for Battle for the Cowl pricing, huh? OK, I forgive you DC.
Justice League Unlimited Heroes TP, $12.99
Northlanders #16, $2.99
Scooby Doo #143, $2.50
Secret Six #8, $2.99
Showcase Presents The Doom Patrol TP Vol 1, $16.99
Chad: Neato. I’ll check this out.
Solomon Grundy #2 (of 7), $2.99
Ben: That sh*t always comes back on a Monday.
Spirit #27, $2.99
Supergirl Cosmic Adventures In The 8th Grade #5 (of 6), $2.50
Superman World Of New Krypton #2 (of 12)(Gary Frank Regular Cover), $2.99
Ben: Where Superman works to fix the sewers of New Krypton.
Superman World Of New Krypton #2 (of 12)(Pete Woods Variant Cover), AR
Titans #12 (Deathtrap Part 1), $2.99
Trinity #45, $2.99
Venus In Love TP Vol 6, $9.99
Warlord #1, $2.99
Wonder Woman DVD Maquette (Sculpted By Jim Shoop), $89.99
Young Liars #14, $2.99

DEVILS DUE PUBLISHING
Drafted TP Vol 2, $18.99
Ben: Pretty cool, huge cliffhanger ending.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Army Of Darkness #19, $3.50
Battlestar Galactica Cylon War #3 (of 4)(Stephen Segovia Foil Cover)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), AR
Black Terror #3 (Foil Cover), AR
Black Terror #3 (High End Foil Cover), AR
Dead Irons #3 (Jae Lee Regular Cover), $3.99
Dead Irons #3 (Jae Lee Negative Art Variant Incentive Cover), AR
Dead Irons #3 (Jason Shawn Alexander Variant Cover), AR
Masquerade #2 (Alex Ross Foil Cover)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), AR
Terminator Revolution #4 (of 5), $3.50
Ben: 6 of 9. The comic Gods will cast you out of heaven for your sins.

IDW PUBLISHING
Doctor Who Forgotten TP, $19.99
Grumpy Old Monsters GN (New Printing), $7.99
Locke & Key Head Games #4 (Gabriel Rodriguez Regular Cover), $3.99
Ben: This is the best comic that has people unlocking their heads with keys they found around an old house… EVER!!! – Ben Johnson, Mania.com (P.S. This is a totally kick-ass series)
Locke & Key Head Games #4 (Gabriel Rodriguez Incentive Sketch Variant Cover), AR
Star Trek Countdown TP (Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $17.99
Star Trek Missions End #2, $3.99
Terminator Salvation Movie Prequel #4 (of 4)(Nick Runge Regular Cover), $3.99
Terminator Salvation Movie Prequel #4 (of 4)(Klaus Scherwinski Incentive Variant Cover), AR
Transformers Animated Arrival TP, $12.99
Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen Movie Prequel Defiance #4 (Cover A Alex Milne), $3.99
Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen Movie Prequel Defiance #4 (Cover B Josh Nizzi), $3.99
Transformers Spotlight Drift (Casey Coller Regular Cover), $3.99
Transformers Spotlight Drift (Guido Guidi Regular Cover), $3.99
Transformers Spotlight Drift (Casey Coller Incentive Variant Cover), AR

IMAGE COMICS
Ben: Slow week for the house of few ideas.
Infinite Horizon #4 (of 6), $2.99
Ben: Well it’s about f-ing time!
Invincible #60 (Ryan Ottley and Fco Plascencia 2nd Printing Wrap Cover), $3.99
Mice Templar Sketchbook #1, $2.99
Popgun GN Vol 3, $29.99
Sword #16, $2.99

MARVEL COMICS
Agents Of Atlas #2 (Chris Bachalo Second Printing Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $2.99
All New Savage She-Hulk #1 (of 4)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99
Ben: Good strategy! Cancel the comic and then start it again! Awesome!
Anita Blake Laughing Corpse Necromancer #1 (of 5)(Ron Lim Regular Cover, $3.99
Anita Blake Laughing Corpse Necromancer #1 (of 5)(Ron Lim 'Wolverine Vs Anita Blake' Variant Cover), AR
Black Panther 2 #2 (Ken Lashley Second Printing Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $2.99
Ben: Double negative.
Captain Britain And MI 13 #12 (Stuart Immonen Regular Cover), $2.99
Captain Britain and MI 13 #12 (Skottie Young Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Cover), AR
Daredevil Noir #1 (of 4)(Tom Coker Regular Cover), $3.99
Daredevil Noir #1 (of 4)(Dennis Calero Variant Cover), AR
Dark Reign Hawkeye #1 (of 5)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99
Dark Tower Guide To Gilead, $3.99
Dark Tower Treachery Premiere HC, $24.99
Deadpool Suicide Kings #1 (of 5), $3.99
Ben: So his own crappy comic isn’t enough?
Exiles #1 (Dave Bullock Regular Cover), $3.99
Exiles #1 (Jason Chan Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Cover), AR
Iron Man TP Legacy Of Doom (Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $14.99
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #50, $3.99
Marvel Apes Amazing Spider-Monkey #1 (One Shot), $3.99
Chad: I never thought I’d see the day that I’d be sick of monkeys… and yet, here it is. How depressing. Screw you, Marvel!
Marvel Illustrated Odyssey #8 (of 8), $3.99
Marvel Zombies 3 HC, $19.99
Marvel Zombies 4 #1 (of 4)(Greg Land Regular Cover), $3.99
Ben: Oh screw this! I give up.
Marvel Zombies 4 #1 (of 4)(Arthur Suydam Variant Cover), AR
Marvel Zombies TP Vol 2, $15.99
Moby Dick TP, $14.99
New Avengers Reunion #1 (of 4)(David Lopez Second Printing Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99
Punisher Frank Castle Max #69, $3.99
Secret Warriors #2 (Stefano Caselli Second Printing Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $2.99
Timestorm 2009 2099 #1 (of 4), $3.99
Ultimate Wolverine Vs Hulk #4 (of 6), $2.99
Ben: This should have came out last week.
Uncanny X-Men Manifest Destiny HC, $29.99
War Of Kings Ascension #1 (of 4)(Brandon Peterson Regular Cover), $3.99
War Of Kings Ascension #1 (of 4)(Paul Pelletier Variant Cover), AR
Wolverine HC Worst Day Ever, $14.99
Wolverine TP Dangerous Games (Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $19.99
Wolverine TP Logan (Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $14.99
Wolverine Weapon X #1 (Ron Garney Regular Cover), $3.99
Wolverine Weapon X #1 (Adam Kubert 50/50 Variant Cover), AR
Wolverine Weapon X #1 (Adam Kubert Sketch Variant Cover), AR
Wolverine Weapon X #1 (Olivier Coipel Variant Cover A), AR
Wolverine Weapon X #1 (Alan Davis Variant Cover B), AR
Ben: I am losing my f-ing mind this week. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful Wizard Of Oz #5 (of 8), $3.99
Ythaq No Escape #1 (of 3)(Adrien Floch Regular Cover), $5.99
Ythaq No Escape #1 (of 3)(Adrien Floch Exclusive US Variant Cover), AR

MOONSTONE
Domino Lady Sex As A Weapon HC, $48.95
Domino Lady Sex As A Weapon SC (Uwe Jarling Cover Book Market Cover), $16.95
Domino Lady Sex As A Weapon SC (Jeff Butler Cover Direct Market Cover), $16.95
Ben: Please, kill me now!

SERAPHEMERA BOOKS
Dead Souls #2 (per Haven Distributors), $3.99
Ben: “Even with Eastern European heavy-hitters Vlad Tepes, and Erzsebet Bathory as the deathless vigilantes of the title, the main character that emerges through this narrative is that of New Orleans herself—a Gothic beauty who moves to the rhythms of trad jazz, wearing her bruises and bereavements, her steamy history, and her wild voodoo nights with pride, with passion.  A fascinating debut that delivers much and promises a great deal more." – Alan Moore. From Mania.com’s own Kurt Amacker comes the second issue in his gothic epic. If you’re not reading this you better watch the hell out, Kurt is a scary guy. Seriously, if an ex-marine DJ Homeland Security Agent Goth writes a comic, you read it.

SILVER PHOENIX ENTERTAINMENT
Bane Of The Werewolf #1 (One Shot), $3.75

ULTIMATE COMICS GROUP
Metapatriot #1 (per Haven Distributors), $3.99
Stormblazer #1 (per Haven Distributors), $3.99

ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT
1001 Arabian Nights Adventures Of Sinbad #9, $2.99
Beyond Wonderland #0 (Of 6)(Eric "Ebas" Basaldua 2nd Printing Wrap Cover), $0.99
Grimm Fairy Tales #1 (April Fools Edition), $5.99
Grimm Fairy Tales #37, $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales TP Vol 5, $15.99
Salems Daughter #0, $2.99
Tales From Wonderland TP, $12.99