By Ed Brubaker (writer), Steve McNiven (pencils), Mark Morales (inks), Justin Ponsor (colors) and VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters & production)
What’s Good: Ed Brubaker has been touting Cap #1 as a fresh start for the series almost since it was announced, and he is absolutely true to his word. This issue functions as a handy catch-up on Cap and his allies as characters, as well as some of their history together. It is also heavy on the WW II flashbacks, which will help orient any movie fans who might try the comic, as well as a treat for a Cap-in-the-40s junkie like me.
Steve McNiven lives up to the high bar that the preview pages set, and delivers a beautiful product. (There were a couple of times–especially on Cap’s shield throws–that I didn’t quite follow the action at first glance, but that’s a very small complaint when held up against his work as a whole.) While it lacks the excellent, gritty feel of the old Cap series, Justin Posnor’s bright, primary-focused colors help sell the book as what it is: a super hero tale. Coupling this with McNivin’s pencils makes for a fantastic visual experience.
What’s Not So Good: For better or worse, this issue (and the book in general, I think) is squarely aimed at Cap neophytes, and designed to bring in new readers. While I can’t really fault Marvel for this, I’ve always winced at the idea that new readers need a “jumping on” point (and I’m saying this as a relatively new reader myself.) Good stories are universal, and readers–new or loyal, young or old–will follow you if you tell good stories. I understand the temptation to adapt the comic to what the non-comic reading movie fans will be expecting should they pick up an issue…but, in my own opinion, they don’t need to be catered to. Brubaker’s Cap run was highly spoken of among fans and critics; would a moviegoer truly reject the book simply because it didn’t match up to what he/she saw on screen? As long as the story is good (and Brubaker’s was) I don’t think they would. Why try to force-fix something that isn’t broken?
Conclusion: While I may debate the necessity of this renumbered series, the fact remains that it is a very well executed introduction to Steve Rogers and his allies. The story is solid, the artwork is beautiful and its an overall excellent inaugural issue. Plus, Steve as Cap again? Hell yeah!
Grade: B
-SoldierHawk
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Conclusion