Post by goldenfist on Nov 27, 2008 10:29:04 GMT -5
Ign.com reviews Captain America #44.
Bucky Barnes might be firmly entrenched in the role of Captain America following the extended "Death of Captain America" epic, but Ed Brubaker is still more than eager to point out that this new Cap has a ton of baggage, and that his cloudy past remains destined to catch up with him. And thank the comic book heavens for it. Watching Bucky's time as the Winter Soldier seep into his present life is a refreshing reminder of what makes him such an interesting choice to assume Steve Rogers' mantel. Sure, we all can sympathize and relate to Bucky's hesitance and uncertainty over stepping into his mentor's shoes, but the most compelling characteristic of this new Cap is that he was once a brainwashed Soviet assassin. Let me write that again, just because it sounds so good: the new Captain America was once a brainwashed Soviet assassin.
Throughout this stellar series (and I think it's now obvious that this has always been Bucky's series), Brubaker has made brilliant use of the flashback, diving back into Barnes' shrouded past to reveal information and events that are entertaining in their own right, but also pertinent to whatever sinister plot Bru has going on in the present. That's again the case with this latest arc, as one of the Winter Soldier's assassination attempts against a Chinese scientist begins to parallel his present-day run in with Batroc the Leaper and his mysterious benefactors. Brubaker has a lot of fun with these parallels, juxtaposing a scene in which Bucky (as the Winter Soldier) mercilessly offs a number of Chinese guards with a sequence in which modern day Bucky viciously cleans the clocks of a group of mercenaries. Again, we're reminded what makes this new Cap so interesting.
Because the flashback threads and the present day scenes have only begun to intersect (this being the second installment of this arc and all), the issue is still more set-up than anything else. Other than the knowledge that there's some secret information the United Nations is keeping from Cap – and that Batroc is trying to steal for his organization – Brubaker doesn't give us much to go on. Besides the flashbacks and the scene involving Bucky and the mercenaries, we're given a throwaway action scene and another quick but fun look at the dynamic between Black Widow and Cap. (It's also worth mentioning that Brubaker includes a blonde, goatie-clad character named Ollie, which left me a little perplexed.)
On-again, off-again Cap penciller Luke Ross once again handles the art, and his work here is yet another reminder that this series' rotating team of pencillers all somehow manage to channel the same visual feel. As a result, the book maintains a strong artistic consistency, and when you add that to Brubaker ever-impressive scripting, you get one hell of a reliable source of entertainment. "The Death of Captain America" might be over, but Captain America remains one of the strongest books on the stands.
Review Score: 8.4 Impressive
Bucky Barnes might be firmly entrenched in the role of Captain America following the extended "Death of Captain America" epic, but Ed Brubaker is still more than eager to point out that this new Cap has a ton of baggage, and that his cloudy past remains destined to catch up with him. And thank the comic book heavens for it. Watching Bucky's time as the Winter Soldier seep into his present life is a refreshing reminder of what makes him such an interesting choice to assume Steve Rogers' mantel. Sure, we all can sympathize and relate to Bucky's hesitance and uncertainty over stepping into his mentor's shoes, but the most compelling characteristic of this new Cap is that he was once a brainwashed Soviet assassin. Let me write that again, just because it sounds so good: the new Captain America was once a brainwashed Soviet assassin.
Throughout this stellar series (and I think it's now obvious that this has always been Bucky's series), Brubaker has made brilliant use of the flashback, diving back into Barnes' shrouded past to reveal information and events that are entertaining in their own right, but also pertinent to whatever sinister plot Bru has going on in the present. That's again the case with this latest arc, as one of the Winter Soldier's assassination attempts against a Chinese scientist begins to parallel his present-day run in with Batroc the Leaper and his mysterious benefactors. Brubaker has a lot of fun with these parallels, juxtaposing a scene in which Bucky (as the Winter Soldier) mercilessly offs a number of Chinese guards with a sequence in which modern day Bucky viciously cleans the clocks of a group of mercenaries. Again, we're reminded what makes this new Cap so interesting.
Because the flashback threads and the present day scenes have only begun to intersect (this being the second installment of this arc and all), the issue is still more set-up than anything else. Other than the knowledge that there's some secret information the United Nations is keeping from Cap – and that Batroc is trying to steal for his organization – Brubaker doesn't give us much to go on. Besides the flashbacks and the scene involving Bucky and the mercenaries, we're given a throwaway action scene and another quick but fun look at the dynamic between Black Widow and Cap. (It's also worth mentioning that Brubaker includes a blonde, goatie-clad character named Ollie, which left me a little perplexed.)
On-again, off-again Cap penciller Luke Ross once again handles the art, and his work here is yet another reminder that this series' rotating team of pencillers all somehow manage to channel the same visual feel. As a result, the book maintains a strong artistic consistency, and when you add that to Brubaker ever-impressive scripting, you get one hell of a reliable source of entertainment. "The Death of Captain America" might be over, but Captain America remains one of the strongest books on the stands.
Review Score: 8.4 Impressive