front page  ·  comicbook reviews  ·  interviews  ·  comics  ·  merchandise  ·  contact us  ·  newsfeed: rss xml

Captain America #9 Review posted: 05 Sept 2005 Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Michael Lark Letters: VC's Randy Gentile Colors: Frank D'Armata Publisher: Marvel Comics  3.75 out of 5 Stars Reviewed by Matt Yocum

The future of Daredevil is here. Fans of DD will sorely miss the long running team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, but for a taste of the future one only needs to look at this issue of Captain America. Following Daredevil’s current storyline (“The Murdock Papers”), Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark have been tapped to usher in the next chapter of the “Man Without Fear.” Judging by their work here, fans will not be disappointed.

In my twenty-three years of steady comic collecting, I would occasionally pick up Captain America, never entirely excited at the prospect of reading it. Even John Cassaday’s run inspired nothing more in me than to remark at the pretty pictures while quickly forgetting the story. But Brubaker’s run with regular artist Steve Epting (formerly of CrossGen’s Crux) has added Cap to my monthly must-read list.

Brubaker’s run with regular artist Steve Epting has added Cap to my monthly must-read list.

To wit: the Red Skull is dead, the man responsible one General Aleksander Lukin, who now possesses the Cosmic Cube. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Nick Fury believes Lukin’s chief operative to be the Winter Soldier, a former Cold War assassin many believe to be a myth. And most incredible — something Cap has yet to believe — Fury and Cap’s former love interest and current S.H.I.E.L.D. operative Sharon Carter are convinced the Winter Soldier is Cap’s WW II sidekick Bucky.

This is what polarizes most fans. Remarks the militant, continuity-bound, comic right, “Bucky back from the dead? Not another ‘back from the dead’ story. When is death really death?” And on the liberal, continuity-forgiving, comic left, “Bucky’s back, and as a villain? What a cool idea. We never did see his death firsthand.”

The simple fact is that fans are talking, which is a good thing. Brubaker really hasn’t answered the question of whether Bucky is indeed the Winter Soldier. For me, that’s the hook: we don’t know. Should I believe Fury? Or should I trust that Cap would know best? So much to chew on and I get the pretty pictures too.

Brubaker knows his way around a story. This issue doesn’t follow a linear time line (sort of like a Tarantino movie), yet it’s structured to build suspense, showcases some nice action, and leaves us a satisfying teaser. Brubaker’s dialogue is a slightly more paired down version of Bendis, except that not all of Brubaker’s characters sound alike (which I tend to find with Bendis). Also, check out Brubaker’s “Freedom of Speech” letters page. It actually serves a purpose and is a fun read. Lark is a great artist who is starting to get some recognition. His fill-in work here and upcoming stint on Daredevil should heighten his fan base. Incidentally, this book gets a four out of five stars with Steve Epting’s return. Michael Lark is a good artist; Epting’s even better. The star on this book is colorist Frank D’Armata. From the mountains of Mongolia to the streets of Brooklyn in this issue, the tones are just right, placing me in each setting.

One final note. I love a good novel, and as much as some hate the fact Marvel writers often “write for the trades” — indicating their serial stories are really designed to fill a trade paperback — I do like the multi-part stories. In able hands such as Brubaker’s, I enjoy watching the story lines slowly unfold. If they don’t spread them too far (Secret War) or grow the conspiracies with no end in sight (Bruce Jones’ work on Incredible Hulk), then Marvel’s tiered approach suits my love of the big story.

Besides, there’s no reason to lament the trades. It means more and more shelf space in your local bookstore is given to comics. That benefits us all.

Comments about my comments? Feel free to email me at feedback@comiccritique.com. Keep it clean and keep it comics.