Post by goldenfist on Oct 18, 2007 6:51:27 GMT -5
Here are two reviews of Captain America #31 from ign.com
The only thing more shocking than the fact that Marvel decided to kill of its own Star Spangled Avenger was the fact that Ed Brubaker's Captain America has thrived in its title character's absence. I expected a quick and untimely cancellation, not a series of issues that rivaled anything Brubaker had yet produced on the series. The only question now is whether he can avoid another Daredevil and keep what is ostensibly a new series on track in its second arc. Captain America #31 delivers that question a swift punch in the jaw.
Calling this a second arc is a bit misleading anyway. The trades may continue to divide Captain America up into neat six-issue arcs, but the flow of the story has been much more continuous and organic since Cap's death. This issue picks up exactly where issue #30 left off, with Bucky in the hands of master hypnotist Dr. Faustus, and Falcon and Black Widow reeling from Sharon Carter's latest betrayal. Things aren't exactly looking god for the heroes at the moment. Bucky must now contend with Faustus' mental tampering or risk falling into his old role as the Winter Soldier. The best part about this segment is witnessing several iconic flashbacks through a new, twisted perspective. The rest of the book's ensemble cast only appear long enough to take stock of their situation, but don't expect them to remain on the sidelines for long.
So from a quality standpoint, it sounds like nothing much has changed, right? One thing that has changed slightly is the art. Regular artist Steve Epting has collaborated with with his stylistic twin Mike Perkins for so long now it's hard to remember a time when Captain America only had one artist. I always marveled at how difficult it was to distinguish between the two in any given issue. This month Epting pencils and inks the entire 22 pages on his own. This allows for a very subtle but appreciable increase in visual quality. I particularly enjoyed a one-page spread that paid homage to Jim Starlin.
Now that we've seen Brubaker is able to maintain a consistent quality over the long run and without the series' main character, there is absolutely no reason not to be reading this book. Do it for Cap, if not for yourself.
Review score 9.0 Outstanding
Another Take
Three years ago if you'd told me that I'd be enjoying one long story for thirty-one issues (and probably more), I'd have laughed at you. If you'd told me it would be in Captain America I'd have questioned your grasp on reality. But somehow it keeps getting better, regardless of the fact that Captain America isn't in his own series, or that it's running on the strength of a bunch of of C-listers like the Falcon and Dr. Faustus.
In reality, not a whole lot happens in this issue. You could probably summarize it in one sentence and not leave much out. But the one thing that makes this book better than most other titles Marvel puts out is that an issue like this one can seem like a really big deal regardless of that fact. Brubaker is to be commended for retaining a sense of panic and momentum in Captain America. It's a rare thing in the comic industry today when a book feels like it's going somewhere and not merely coming out every month because it'll sell copies anyway. Each issue, Brubaker takes his characters and changes them just a little. This one is no different as Sharon Carter and Winter Soldier both get pushed further into Red Skull and Faustus's trap. I get a strong sense that every panel is important and it's all leading to something big, and that's a feeling I enjoy too seldom with comics today. Even Faustus's fake flashback implants in Winter Soldier's head are interesting and don't come off like some geezer babbling about his days in the war.
There's pretty much nothing wrong with this title. It's been consistent for three years now and it seems like creative team has the formula down. It doesn't matter whether you're a fan of Captain America or not, this should be in your stack.
Review score 9.0 Outstanding
Anyone agree or disagree with the reviews.
The only thing more shocking than the fact that Marvel decided to kill of its own Star Spangled Avenger was the fact that Ed Brubaker's Captain America has thrived in its title character's absence. I expected a quick and untimely cancellation, not a series of issues that rivaled anything Brubaker had yet produced on the series. The only question now is whether he can avoid another Daredevil and keep what is ostensibly a new series on track in its second arc. Captain America #31 delivers that question a swift punch in the jaw.
Calling this a second arc is a bit misleading anyway. The trades may continue to divide Captain America up into neat six-issue arcs, but the flow of the story has been much more continuous and organic since Cap's death. This issue picks up exactly where issue #30 left off, with Bucky in the hands of master hypnotist Dr. Faustus, and Falcon and Black Widow reeling from Sharon Carter's latest betrayal. Things aren't exactly looking god for the heroes at the moment. Bucky must now contend with Faustus' mental tampering or risk falling into his old role as the Winter Soldier. The best part about this segment is witnessing several iconic flashbacks through a new, twisted perspective. The rest of the book's ensemble cast only appear long enough to take stock of their situation, but don't expect them to remain on the sidelines for long.
So from a quality standpoint, it sounds like nothing much has changed, right? One thing that has changed slightly is the art. Regular artist Steve Epting has collaborated with with his stylistic twin Mike Perkins for so long now it's hard to remember a time when Captain America only had one artist. I always marveled at how difficult it was to distinguish between the two in any given issue. This month Epting pencils and inks the entire 22 pages on his own. This allows for a very subtle but appreciable increase in visual quality. I particularly enjoyed a one-page spread that paid homage to Jim Starlin.
Now that we've seen Brubaker is able to maintain a consistent quality over the long run and without the series' main character, there is absolutely no reason not to be reading this book. Do it for Cap, if not for yourself.
Review score 9.0 Outstanding
Another Take
Three years ago if you'd told me that I'd be enjoying one long story for thirty-one issues (and probably more), I'd have laughed at you. If you'd told me it would be in Captain America I'd have questioned your grasp on reality. But somehow it keeps getting better, regardless of the fact that Captain America isn't in his own series, or that it's running on the strength of a bunch of of C-listers like the Falcon and Dr. Faustus.
In reality, not a whole lot happens in this issue. You could probably summarize it in one sentence and not leave much out. But the one thing that makes this book better than most other titles Marvel puts out is that an issue like this one can seem like a really big deal regardless of that fact. Brubaker is to be commended for retaining a sense of panic and momentum in Captain America. It's a rare thing in the comic industry today when a book feels like it's going somewhere and not merely coming out every month because it'll sell copies anyway. Each issue, Brubaker takes his characters and changes them just a little. This one is no different as Sharon Carter and Winter Soldier both get pushed further into Red Skull and Faustus's trap. I get a strong sense that every panel is important and it's all leading to something big, and that's a feeling I enjoy too seldom with comics today. Even Faustus's fake flashback implants in Winter Soldier's head are interesting and don't come off like some geezer babbling about his days in the war.
There's pretty much nothing wrong with this title. It's been consistent for three years now and it seems like creative team has the formula down. It doesn't matter whether you're a fan of Captain America or not, this should be in your stack.
Review score 9.0 Outstanding
Anyone agree or disagree with the reviews.
