Weekly Comic Book Review

By Ed Brubaker (Writer), Steve Epting (Artist), and Frank D’Armata (Colors)

Intense – that is the word to describe this issue. Given, there are only three simple storylines contained: “New Cap” fights “Bad Cap,” Red Skull and crew observe this fight, and Sharon attempts to escape. But two of these three make up one of the most suspenseful comics I have read in a while. As Cap fights Cap, James quickly deduces that despite his appearance, this newcomer is definitely not Steve, largely because he is much stronger than Steve ever was. Of course, even being able to completely let loose in the fight, James still has a tough battle as he is obviously facing his superior. Though most suspenseful of all is Sharon’s escape attempt. Still trying to force Sin into getting her out, she lets down her guard at the wrong moment and Sin is able to free herself. What results is a seeming duel to the death; to heighten the tension, neither character has the benefit of superpowers to help them.

Only to add to the greatness of this issue, Steve Epting returns! I enjoy all of his replacements’ work – they all do a terrific job mimicking his style. Nonetheless, there is only one Epting, and there is a very good reason he is called “the Captain America artist.” Here, he maintains his very cinematic way of depicting action, and his unique look of each character. I’m also not going to lie and say every time he draws Sin, I wish she wasn’t a baddie, no one draws her quite like he does.

Ed Brubaker gives yet another little tease of his master plan during the Red Skull’s scene when Faustus mentions Zola figuring out “von Doom’s device” and then says “You don’t even know if you can make it re-” before being interrupted. Right now, this seems extremely vague, but I’m sure once the entire plan is revealed, I’ll be wondering how I didn’t figure it out before. But this tease is quickly pushed aside, as we get what is, in my opinion, the most shocking comic book cliffhanger since Captain America #25! The final page literally made me jump out of my seat and scream “No!” I think I’ve mentioned in nearly every review of a Captain America issue that “Brubaker is a genius,” but he proves his worth here once again. I seriously cannot wait until this storyline is one day adapted into a movie, because it will rival anything M. Night Shyamalan has done in number of twists and turns. (Grade: A)

-M. Staples

A Second Opinion

I rarely agree 100% with Mr. Staples reviews, but he’s completely nailed the feeling I had after finishing this issue. This is, hands down, the best Captain America issue of the year and we still have five months to go!

Finally, after months of brewing, the pot is boiling and the gloves have come off. Steve Epting is a tour de force with the action he puts onto the page, and it’s all masterfully orchestrated by Ed Brubaker’s excellent pacing and (Bucky’s) narrative. Bucky Vs. 1950′s Cap? Yes! Sharon versus Sin? Finally! It’s all here, folks.

And the ending? It may not be as shocking as Captain America #25, but make no mistake – it’s up there. We’re finally hitting the end of the “Death of Captain America” epic and the story’s kicking it into overdrive. Good lord, stop reading this review and go read this issue now. (Grade: A)

- J. Montes