Captain America #38(2008).
© Marvel

Mania Grade: A
Comic Series: Captain America
Issue: 38
Authors: Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting, Mike Perkins, Frank D'Armata
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $2.99

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Comic Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA #38

In this 38^th issue of Captain America, writer Ed Brubaker continues his recasting of Bucky Barnes as the titular character.  The Star-Spangled Avenger continues his mission to stop the combined forces of the Doctor Faustus, Arnim Zola, and the Red Skull—hiding inside ex-Soviet general Aleksander Lukin.  Having brought the United States’s economy to its knees and destroyed public trust in S.H.I.E.L.D., the neo-fascists have propped up an independent presidential candidate in Senator Gordon Wright—a supposed maverick who advocates a “Third Wing” party.  At the same time, ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter—pregnant with Steve Rogers’s child—discovers a clone of Captain that the Skull intends to use against Barnes.  For good measure, the latter accompanies Sam Wilson—the Falcon—to a munitions factory used by Arnim Zola as a base of sorts.  The two blow stuff up real well, but more importantly, it cements their partnership, thus carrying on Wilson’s relationship with the deceased Rogers.

Bucky Barnes continues to slide comfortably into the role of Captain .  Ed Brubaker practically forces the reader to accept him by resurrecting the 1950s clone of Cap as a foil.  It almost says that if you don’t like Barnes, consider the alternative.  It also reminds the reader that there have been a few Captain Americas, and Barnes is just one more.  But, this issue accomplishes something that the series has direly needed for sometime now—it explains the Red Skull’s intentions beyond chaos and destruction.  Up until this point, the Skull’s agents and allies have wrought violence and horror on both superheroes and civilians.  But, it’s all been to little obvious end other than to hurt the in the name of sheer badness.  But, with the introduction of Senator Gordon Wright and his Third Wing presidential bid, it becomes clear.  The Skull has thus far created economic and civil disorder with the intention of electing a president that will do his bidding.  The cover of this issue spells it out: President Skull.  With that revelation, Brubaker has given the series an adrenaline shot.  Though it has always been enjoyable, Captain ’s combined nemeses have long operated with little pretense other than evil itself.  It serves the series well to see an end goal of sorts.

Steve Epting continues to pencil Captain America with a pleasing realism.  It does a lot for a series that often reads like Metal Gear Solid by way of Tom Clancy.  The series mixes super-heroics and bright costumes with a deadly serious techno-thriller vibe.  Whereas it could come off as silly, Epting never blinks or smirks.  He draws like he means it, and makes naysayers feel ashamed for questioning the story.  Everything looks dark and gritty, and it makes the reader accept the more outlandish qualities of the Marvel Universe as everyday occurrences.  Something more classically super-heroic—evocative of Jack Kirby or John Romita—would not serve this issue or any other as well.  Between Epting’s realistic characters and D’Armata’s muddy colors, the story gains a weight it might otherwise lack.

Captain America continues to impress, even beyond the death of Steve Rogers.  If you want to jump on, consider picking up the series from issue #34 before grabbing this one.  Nonetheless, pick this one up.

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