By Ed Brubaker (writer) Butch Guice, Luke Ross, and Steve Epting (art) Frank D’Armata (colors)
Okay, here goes: I’m officially calling for the impeachment of Bucky Barnes, the current Captain America. I charge him for being boring, self-obsessed, and physically unfit to wear the uniform. Using guns and having a bionic arm is no substitute for the resourcefulness, cunning, and raw power it takes to be Captain America. Cap should not be emo and infinitely self-reflective. He should be confident and chock full of testosterone. I’m attaching a letter I recently wrote to the new “Captain America” for you, the fans of WCBR, to read.
Dear B,
Bucky, you’re really starting to suck. In the latest issue of the series you’re stinking-up, you needed to be rescued by your girlfriend, who then lectured you on being more emotionally available to her. Give. Me. A. Break!
Dude, aren’t you supposed to save the day, rather than your girl. Aren’t you supposed to hold your own among other Superheroes– in this case Namor, rather than following behind him like his kid brother? Seriously, you’re supposed to be Captain America! Man up!
I for one, am tired of your constant droning about your past as the Winter Soldier. I got it–you killed innocent people. I understand that that makes you sad. But, you’re not a 15 year old kid, man! Put away the journal and stop writing crappy poetry as you listen to grunge music, while you grapple with how “deep” you are! Don’t you have like an international terrorist organization to raid or an ex-arch villain to find? We don’t care about your personal journey anymore.
This last issue really put the nail in your coffin. After that evil scientist from your past and his soldier, the “Man With No Face” tied you up and was trying to kill Namor, you totally groveled and begged like a little girl. I understand that you were upset because they weaponized the remains of your old bud, the original Human Torch, but don’t you think you acted a little bit un-Captain America like by being hopeless?
As always, I was impressed with the artistic depiction of the events you experienced. Butch Guice is an awesome artist and he made you look real good despite your sorry self. He really excels in capturing tones and telling a coherent story.
But the fact remains, you can put a dress on a pig and it’s still a pig. Therefore, I think you should step down as Captain America. I think you would be happier as his sidekick or roll player. It would serve you to talk to those in charge about how to bring Steve Rogers back somehow. Heck, I’ll take him back as Zombie Steve or Robo-Steve, just slap the star on his chest and give him the shield and I’m good.
I hate to do this, but as it stands now, I will no longer be along for the ride as long as you’re driving. I’ll put my 3 bucks to a more worth-while cause. I am thusly branding you with a final….
Grade: D
-Rob G
Filed under: Marvel Comics, Other, Reviews Tagged: | Black Widow, Bucky Barnes, Butch Guice, Captain America, Captain America # 48, Captain America # 48 - Review, Death of Captain America, Ed Brubaker, Frank D’Armata, Human Torch, Luke Ross, Marvel Comics, Namor, New Captain America, Steve Epting, Steve Rogers, Winter Solider
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I can see where you’re coming from and hope you find a good book to fill your Cap-shaped void (and upcoming Iron-Fist-shaped void! Argh!) but I’ve been loving this series from the beginning. I can understand your frustration with Barnes, I think I’m just too wrapped up in the story and action to be bothered with his not being Steve.
Even so… I have to admit that Clint Barton as Cap is just too good of an idea… yeah… I really like that.
Michael Van Patrick isn’t iconic enough for me; not enough history. BTW, do I get my props?
I was actually thinking the Sentry would make an awesome Cap.
JUST KIDDING!
Seriously, yeah, Barton would be good. The fact that he, and not Barnes, is now the leader of the New Avengers gives credit to this idea and also supports my claim that Barnes is too weak for the shield.
I love, and I mean LOVE, the idea that Matt Murdock being Cap, but, I know that is crazy because he is kinda a-moral.
Truth is, I’m not really sure. I guess one would have to decide if Cap should have super powers. Then, the roster would be more open.
Or, why not the Falcon?
Fair enough. I was wondering, if Bucky wasn’t the new Cap, who would you think (or want) would accept the mantle? To me, Clint Barton seems to be the next best choice because of his experience and his abilities. Or maybe MVP (props if you know who I’m referring to) if he became a more developed character.
Hey Brandon!
Thanks a lot for your comment and you opinion, as always, is 100% respected here at WCBR.
I can’t argue with you that Brubaker handles all of this thoughtfully and Barnes definitely has a hard time living up to the mantle of Cap. Totally agree with that.
My point is that this whole premise in which you articulately describe is, to me, really lame. I don’t want to read about the “feminization” or inner-voyage of Captain America. I want Cap, who ever it is, to be the baddest, most confident, guy on the block. Cap shouldn’t be a guy, he should be THE guy.
I went along, even enjoyed, in the beginning when Bucky was getting knocked down and learning on the job and all, but I’m just sick of it. I want Cap, the ultra-leader of men, back.
To be fair, I guess this second-guessing, girlfriend whipped, and basically pedestrian Cap is a more accurate symbol of America in the 2000′s, rather than what Steve exuded.
One last point: Brubaker is one of my favorite scribes and Captain America used to be my favorite series. I think Brubaker is one of the best. I just can’t stay on board with Barnes anymore, but maybe I’ll regret that decision down the road.
Way too harsh man. I have found the series to be thoroughly engaging and enjoyable and this issue is no different. The way Brubaker handles Barnes as a hero struggling to uphold the mantle of one of the greatest heroes of all time is very well done. Maintaining a legacy is no easy feat and something that I understand requires a lot of time to get used to. Again, I found the grade to be very harsh and am a little bummed out on how you feel about the series now.