Customer Reviews

The Death of Captain America, Vol. 1: The Death of the Dream

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This trade paperback collects issues #25-30 of Captain America (volume 5) and begins writer Ed Brubaker's epic Death of Captain America storyline. The first issue reprinted here, in which Captain America is shot and killed, captured the attention of the North American print and television media when it was first published in March 2007. The issue opens with a quick origin recap told as a flashback with accompanying black-and-white art. Brubaker's exposition is deft and skillful. This storyline is linked to Marvel's Civil War event, although one needn't necessarily be well-versed in all things Civil War to enjoy the story here. The backstory is concisely set out in a series of media clips, giving readers all they really need to know in order to understand and thoroughly enjoy the story at hand.

Captain America had opposed the Superhuman Registration Act, which was introduced within Marvel's Civil War crossover. The Registration Act entailed mandatory federal registration for anyone in the United States who possessed superpowers or abilities. Captain America resisted on the grounds that the act violated civil liberties, which led to an antiregistration resistance movement, and Civil War's conclusion saw Captain America decide to surrender rather than see innocent lives jeopardized. Following this, he was arrested and criminally charged.

I do not want to spoil things for those who have yet to read these stories, so I will simply say that while Captain America dies at roughly the midway point of the first issue, the issue's climax is genuinely shocking. The story in between is wonderfully and skillfully told. Those with whom Captain America is closest--Sharon Carter/Agent 13, Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, and Sam Wilson/The Falcon--at various points throughout the issue silently reflect upon what he means to them. These brief interludes work extremely well as exposition, giving weight and context to the current vista while also connecting what is happening to the rich history of Captain America comic books. The action is unyielding throughout. And the ultimate compliment to Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting, and Mike Perkins is that, while the action moves at breakneck speed, it always does so only in the service of story and character.

The ensuing issues deal with the events that follow Captain America's death and the action and intrigue ante continues to build with each issue, culminating in another big payoff by way of a huge climax that concludes the trade paperback and will no doubt have readers quickly seeking out the next trade in the series. Brubaker's skill as a writer of episodic monthly comic books is clearly evident, but the climax in the last issue here leads one to believe he was also framing the stories from the outset with eventual trade paperback publication firmly in the back of his mind.

With Captain America excised from the title, Brubaker makes everyone in his world seem that much more fascinating. Major villains--such as the Red Skull, Doctor Faustus, and Crossbones--are written as deadly seriously as they have ever been and to wonderful effect. In Captain America's absence, Sharon Carter becomes, for reasons you will quickly glean once you read the trade, a character that is more incredibly intriguing each time she appears. Falcon and Winter Soldier are given the spotlight to brilliant effect. And the always interesting Black Widow also makes an appearance.

Brubaker presents his stories as vignettes that focus on particular moments or characters, and this structure facilitates the whirlwind, flat-out pacing that characterizes the issues reprinted herein. The stories themselves are superb, but the way they are told is commendable and will encourage one to perhaps read more quickly than one might otherwise. The artwork throughout is incredibly solid and consistently serves the interests of story in pitch-perfect fashion.

From a historical perspective, the stories in this trade are almost required reading for obvious reasons. Beyond this, the stories included herein bespeak a fundamental respect for readers and one gets the immediate sense that the creative team behind them is at the absolute top of their game. This is a fresh, original, and risky take on the world of Captain America and the storytelling and artwork are such that it deserves to be read very widely.

This trade paperback is highly recommended not only to Captain America fans but also to those who enjoy action-adventure stories that are rife with compelling character interaction and human drama. Anyone who appreciates extremely well told stories and great dialogue will also find much to like and enjoy here.

-- Jeffery Klaehn

"Ed Brubaker's (Uncanny X-Men, Daredevil, Sleeper) run on Captain America has been loaded with espionage and action, and while it has been both a critical and commercial hit, I've never seen what's been so great about Brubaker's run on the title. Now, Brubaker's much lauded event during his run on Captain America is collected here, with The Death of Captain America. In the aftermath of Civil War, Steve "Captain America" Rogers is shot and killed by a sniper's bullet, sending ripples throughout the Marvel universe. In the wake of Cap's death, the Winter Soldier chooses a side, the Falcon searches for the truth, and Cap's S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent ex-girlfriend Sharon makes a shocker of a discovery. Whether or not hearing of Captain America's death wowed you or drew one long groan from you, you have to admit that Brubaker can weave one intriguing and interesting story here. In the aftermath of Cap's death, Brubaker manages to hold your interest, but as any longtime comic reader (or short term) will tell you, this definitely isn't the end for the star-spangled Avenger. Steve Epting's artwork is solid as usual, but other than that, The Death of Captain America is only worth checking out for die hard fans of Cap, or loyal followers of Brubaker's run on the series. "

That was my original review when this storyarc was first released in hardcover, and since then my opinion has changed in regards to Brubaker's monumental run on Captain America. Hearing all the praise laid down on his run, which I admittedly wasn't a big fan of, I have taken the time to go back over Brubaker's run from the beginning, and have discovered a newfound admiration for his run. I realize that this arc, and nearly everything before it, is Brubaker's set-up for the spectacular events to follow. No doubt that somehow, someway in the near future, Steve Rogers will return from the dead, but until then, let's enjoy how Brubaker has structured his superb run.

You mean to tell me after over 50 years of fighting in numerous wars and battling a plethora of sordid, odious, and sadistic villians one stealth villian's bullet finally kills the legendary Captain America? Well, it is written well, but not a believable tale.

I am in no way a captain america fan. In fact, I pretty much hate Steve Rogers. It sounds bad but I was almost glad when he died. Why did I give this book 4 stars then? Because the winter soldier is friggen awesome. Also, the events following the Cap's death are both action packed and intriguing.. I recommend this to Captain America and non-Captain America fans alike.

I'm probably in the minority, but I hated the whole Death of Captain America story arc, including those leading up to it like Winter Soldier and Red Skull.

The story was endlessly repetitive, with essentially a greedy corporate jerk manipulating people, the public and the media again and again, endlessly alluding to the Red Skull, who isn't even there, but is somehow in this guy's body.

The story was way too dark and "realistic." If I want to see a corrupt world where greedy capitalists screw the people and take advantage of sensationalist media coverage, then I'll just turn on the news. Reading this was dark and "yucky."

The art was not only depressing and dark, but poorly done. I couldn't tell who was who. There's one blond woman after another, one big tough guy after another. Since it's so "realistic," they are not wearing cool superhero costumes, and since the artwork is so inconsistent and tries too hard to be photo-representational but fails, no one person looks the same from frame to frame.

I don't know if it's Brubaker's or Epting's touch that made it so unsatisfying, or if it's something else, since I did enjoy the first volume of Immortal Iron Fist (which also had Brubaker's writing and a "dark" realistic art style). And I'm not afraid of "dead" comic characters, since I am really enjoying the events around the disappearance of Batman and I loved the "resurrections" in Green Lantern with Kevin Smith and Green Arrow / Hal Jordan with Geoff Johns.

Sum: grim, gritty, dark, uninspiring story, with sloppy artwork that tries too hard to be representational but fails, only adding to my miserable experience of trying to get through these stories.