Captain America Reborn

I’ll say this, it was really nice of Marvel to promote the latest arc of Ed Brubaker’s “Captain America” run as a major event on the level of “Secret Invasion” or “Siege.”  Yes, the return of Steve Rogers to the Marvel Universe certainly qualifies as a BIG DEAL but the series doesn’t stray far from  the noir-laden espionage style that Brubaker has brought to the series.  The stakes are much higher here as Norman Osborne and Dr. Doom get involved with the Red Skull’s plans to not only snatch Rogers from his uncertain position in the timestream, but to take over his body as well.  Standing in his way is the new Captain America, Bucky Barnes, along with Sharon Carter, the Black Widow, the Falcon and a well-used gaggle of familiar faces (that, surprisingly, doesn’t include Wolverine — seriously, can you remember the last event he wasn’t involved in… didn’t think so).  So if you’ve enjoyed Brubaker’s run so far, then buying this volume should be a no-brainer.  If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, then you’re encouraged to do so now (again).  

Really the only issue I have with this volume is the art.  It’s not that this volume is drawn badly, how could it be with Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice teaming up for the job, but that it doesn’t play to Hitch’s strengths.  Here’s the man who defined “widescreen” superhero action storytelling in “The Authority” and “The Ultimates” and, with a few exceptions here like the M.O.D.O.K. assault on D.C. isn’t really given a whole lot of opportunity to really cut loose and show us what he can do.  Then again, if he had then we’d probably still be waiting for that final issue to come out now.  So it’s an acceptable trade-off, but he’s an artist whose work is usually worth the wait.