[577] Revelations: Arrival

Aussie_kid on Dec. 18, 2008

And so, the answer as to how the kids actually got into Fatum has finally been revealed. Seems like a bit of a Deus Ex Machina now, but it was always going to be something to do with the Wizard trying to make himself stronger.

Right, review time. This time I'm going to do a Marvel one. The Death of Captain America.

What got me into Captain America was the Marvel tie in TPB (Issues #22-24 plus the Winter Soldier Christmas story). I picked it up, thinking it would be interesting to see the civil war mainly from one of the leaders' perspective. It was mostly about Sharon Carter and Bucky, with the Captain only making a few appearances. It's a good thing too, because it meant the end of Steve Rodgers wasn't a big deal for me.



Now, I only have parts one and two, so I can't judge by part three. Also, to help make some sense of it all, I'm including the Civil War TPB as it's pretty much a prologue. Anyway, bear with me. The basic plot is the Red Skull has gathered Dr Faustus, Zola and Aleksander Lukin in order to take over the world. With Faustus pretending to be a SHIELD psychiatrist, he has managed to manipulate several people, including Sharon Carter. Meanwhile, Bucky is working with Nick Fury and eventually Captain America surrenders.

While being transported for his arraignment, after Red Skull pulls some strings, the baddie Crossbones aims a sniper rifle at one of Cap's guards. Steve Rodgers being Steve Rodgers, he takes the bullet. While everyone panics, Sharon Carter runs to her lover and, by Faustus' manipulation, shoots Rodgers three more times without even realising it. He's rushed to hospital, but doesn't make it.

Day in and day out, newly appointed SHIELD Director Tony Stark is hounded by the press as to who will take Captain America's place, despite saying over and over that there will not be one. However, a lawyer gives him a letter from Steve Rodgers, asking that Captain America be continued and Bucky be helped. Killing two birds with one stone, Stark designs a new Captain America outfit and Bucky takes up the mantle.

First off, the story. I think I need to pick up the Winter Soldier and Red Menace books, because they reference a few things I don't get from those stories. Personally, I hate it when writers do that, but then again I guess he is marketing to long time fans. However, if you read over it again, you can get a rough idea of what happened. Other than that, Brubaker has not done anything to disappoint me.

As for the art… I don't know, but while it works well with the WWII flashbacks it doesn't exactly seem like the sort of style I would use for this sort of comic. Well drawn, but very dark and almost brooding. Something I'd expect for the Punisher or maybe DareDevil (Need to pick up a book featuring them). Not to knock Epting and Perkins, they're good, just not what I had in mind. Oh well.

Overall, I'd say 4.8 out of five overall. Not the best book I've ever read, but it doesn't really have anything I can definitely point out that is wrong.

Have a good weekend.

Until next time
The Aussie Kid