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on June 2, 2013
Captain America is one of the oldest comic book superheroes around, and for good reason: he is a timeless metaphor for justice, honor and duty. Very few characters in any medium convey such a strong message of doing what's right. However, in the Winter Soldier, Book One, the question becomes: is he still relevant?
Ed Brubaker's acclaimed run on Cap starts here, weaving a tale of political intrigue, World War II flashback sequences, romance, friendships lost, and mystery. Brubaker uses the fact that Steve Rogers is steeped in history to his advantage all throughout his writing, making several references to the Sentinel of Liberty's prior exploits in conjunction with modernizing the character. His writing is superb and consistent throughout, with very few lulls in the story.
The artwork is strong, and Steve Epting's effort should be commended as highly as Brubaker's work as a writer. The two work very well in tandem to create a somewhat dark atmosphere around a much more jaded Cap than we're used to.
Speaking of which, this isn't your grand-father's red, white & blue extreme patriot Captain America. This is a man who loves his country and will do anything to protect it, but seems to be worn down from everything that's happened to both America and himself. He trudges forward almost begrudgingly, and the reveal of the Winter Soldier nearly breaks his psyche.
This is a very good book, one that really provides a new, interesting perspective of Captain America that has become the standard going forward. It's subtly intriguing, and while not world-shattering, is an extremely solid read from start to finish.
Ed Brubaker's acclaimed run on Cap starts here, weaving a tale of political intrigue, World War II flashback sequences, romance, friendships lost, and mystery. Brubaker uses the fact that Steve Rogers is steeped in history to his advantage all throughout his writing, making several references to the Sentinel of Liberty's prior exploits in conjunction with modernizing the character. His writing is superb and consistent throughout, with very few lulls in the story.
The artwork is strong, and Steve Epting's effort should be commended as highly as Brubaker's work as a writer. The two work very well in tandem to create a somewhat dark atmosphere around a much more jaded Cap than we're used to.
Speaking of which, this isn't your grand-father's red, white & blue extreme patriot Captain America. This is a man who loves his country and will do anything to protect it, but seems to be worn down from everything that's happened to both America and himself. He trudges forward almost begrudgingly, and the reveal of the Winter Soldier nearly breaks his psyche.
This is a very good book, one that really provides a new, interesting perspective of Captain America that has become the standard going forward. It's subtly intriguing, and while not world-shattering, is an extremely solid read from start to finish.
on October 25, 2015
Cap with messed up memories. A murdered red skull. Shield skullduggery. A mysterious enemy. An ex Soviet with an axe to grind. More Ed Brubaker greatness.
on May 28, 2017
Such a gritty, dark, beautiful story. As a huge cap fan, it can feel hard to find a story that is worthy of fitting the character and what he deserves, but this is by far the best cap story I've ever read.
on April 16, 2014
Anyone wanting to dive into Captain America after The Avengers And Captain America 2 films have a great jumping on point here. After the first couple issues it becomes apparent why Ed Brubaker is considered one of the finest writers in the comic medium today. Steve Epting Was also a great choice for this run on Cap. His art work sets the scene beautifully.
on August 2, 2016
One of the best damn things I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and get this
on December 4, 2013
One of the best comics I've read. Definitely a downer, but the art was good, the dialogue was good, and the story was good. I'll likely read the next volume at some point. I would definitely recommend this to comics fans or to fans of the Marvel movies.
on May 23, 2014
The writing and art in this story are excellent. I was reading Captain America for decades and was delighted by this turn. I had to buy the digital copy because my trade paperback was starting to fall apart.
on April 19, 2012
Funny thing: Ed Brubaker's all-ages comix read more mature than his "adult" work. Deprived of all his T&A and F-bombs, he's forced to concentrate on basics such as plot, dialog and character development, and he shows himself quite capable of solid thriller writing. In "Winter Soldier," Cap dives headlong into a terrorist gang war as he investigates the assassination of his archfoe, the Red Skull (formerly "Hitler's strong right hand"), a case with roots reaching back to Cap's time as an Invader in WWII. One might wish Steve Epting's art was more than simply functional, but at the same time, his people look refreshingly like people. No roided-out beefcake or pneumatic bimbos. Not every comic book character needs to be deconstructed and reinvented as edgy and psychologically tortured. Sometimes a writer just needs to play to a hero's core strengths, what made him special to begin with, and that's what Brubaker does here. It's expertly done escapism, and for some reason, that's getting rare in superhero comix these days. Up til now, my reactions to Brubaker's work have ranged from disinterest to disdain. This is the first series from him that makes me want to pick up Volume 2 and find out what happens next.
on December 8, 2006
This is a great Captian America story. As a reboot on his origin, it doesn't try to start at the very beginning. It takes almost all the current elements and lines them up for a total change of perspective. We know who the Red Skull is, we know who Bucky is, we know who Nomad is, we know who Nick Fury and SHEILD is...all of them come together in the story and are essential in changing Cap's life in many ways.
Brubaker does a great service to fans and newcomers alike, giving us a complex story that delivers all that we know with an intelligent refocus. Cap is a different person, making his political views very clear in many cases, most of which were formed during the war by all the fighting as well as the inspirational stories he experienced.
The artwork is outstanding. Cap looks real, not so much the stoic figure that stood an easy 6'5" as a vision of Patriotism. He's suffering a bit, but underneath you know he still believes in the basic principles of the Red, White and Blue, and not the political quagmire that has clouded the views of it's people.
In the story, he is called to help look into the death of a character that has been a part of his life since the war, the Red Skull. As pieces of the puzzle are found he discovers that someone is manipulating his thoughts and memories, that there is greater mystery than the death of an old enemy. He finds inconsistencies in his thoughts and recollections, so much so it affects his fighting ability and concentration.
As the terrorist aspect grows more dangerous and the plot expands, Cap comes closer to the truth, and closer to one of the most shocking revelations of his life.
Brubaker does a great service to fans and newcomers alike, giving us a complex story that delivers all that we know with an intelligent refocus. Cap is a different person, making his political views very clear in many cases, most of which were formed during the war by all the fighting as well as the inspirational stories he experienced.
The artwork is outstanding. Cap looks real, not so much the stoic figure that stood an easy 6'5" as a vision of Patriotism. He's suffering a bit, but underneath you know he still believes in the basic principles of the Red, White and Blue, and not the political quagmire that has clouded the views of it's people.
In the story, he is called to help look into the death of a character that has been a part of his life since the war, the Red Skull. As pieces of the puzzle are found he discovers that someone is manipulating his thoughts and memories, that there is greater mystery than the death of an old enemy. He finds inconsistencies in his thoughts and recollections, so much so it affects his fighting ability and concentration.
As the terrorist aspect grows more dangerous and the plot expands, Cap comes closer to the truth, and closer to one of the most shocking revelations of his life.
