Welcome Back Steve.

So, we’re a week late.  Looks like I’m also Out of Time, oh that was bad.  Anyway, onto the review/analysis.

 

As the book starts, we see the execution of the Red Guardian.  Much like Captain America is symbolic of his country, the Red Guardian is symbolic to him.  Back in the day, the Soviets were the main enemy or villain in just about everything.  But as times change, villains become less cut out, and Captain America’s enemies will not be as easy to point out.  Thus, the death of a Red Guardian (they have been many, they are disposable) signifies a new era for Captain America, the world is getting darker and his enemies will be harder to identify.

Who else do we meet, the Red Skull.  A personification of evil, the Skull is the opposite of Captain America.  Created to instill fear and terror, the Skull exists only to destroy.  He’s powerful, but his power comes from his mind.  And Lukin, a former Soviet that laments the fall of his country, and wants to see others fall as well.  We don’t see much of Lukin right now, as he is a new character.  These two meet, and are discussing their plans, and it is obvious neither have any love or respect for each other.  They are only there for business.  The Skull always has plans for his nemesis; we can see him observing Captain America.

As we progress, we are introduced to not Captain America, but Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter.  This helps humanize Captain America, that he has a life outside of his costume.  And it shows the nightmares that haunt him, that despite all he can do, he was never able to save Bucky.  Ah yes, Bucky.  The reason why you don’t get sidekicks, as the kid was killed in WWII.  His death is the one thing Steve was unable to prevent, and as that was his partner, he never got over it.

Keep in mind Ed Brubaker wants you to know this is a new world for Captain America, and with that thought in mind, the Red Skull is shot and killed.  And a shadowy assassin kills Captain America’s oldest foe, we realize that things are turning grey in the life of Steve Rogers.

As many will not want to believe it is the Skull who got killed (an imposter, an fake, a body double), Brubaker confirms the Skull’s death to make readers realize that the Red Skull, Johann Schmidt is dead.  We are also introduced to S.H.I.E.L.D., a taskforce created to protect the world.  However, its head is Nick Fury, who is shown to be an incorruptible figure.  For any organization as large as S.H.I.E.L.D., you have to avoid corruption, and special interest groups that would have a strong say in your actions.  Nick Fury is that man.

Next, we meet Crossbones, a deranged lunatic who follows the Red Skull.  Even though the Skull is dead, that does not mean his followers will give up.   Crossbones begins his own plans for revenge on Captain America.  Unlike the German born Red Skull, Crossbones is American born, a fact that does not please Rogers.

London and France are shown, as to show Steve’s past during WWII.  He fought to protect these cities decades ago.

We meet Jack Monroe, only to have him killed.  A man who followed in Bucky’s footsteps, and is now also dead, much like Bucky.

Lukin is now shown to be rising in power.  Already rich, he wants more power, but unlike the Skull, he wants it in different forms.  He is a corporate man, not a super-villain.  He starts his empire by taking over other companies, in this case, an energy conglomerate.  One has to wonder whose side these companies are, as Brubaker wants to make a note that these companies are not headed by loveable characters, but headed by those could care for nothing beyond money and power.

We see William Naslund and Jeff Mace, and the legacy that Steve left behind.  When he was presumed dead, he was still able to inspire others to take up the mantle of Captain America.  No matter what, the world needs Captain America.

As we move forward, we see Rogers and Fury discuss WWII.  And specifically, one impact a super soldier had on a different country.  Whereas the western front had its share, the Soviet front did not go so well.  As Karpov sees the Invaders, he realizes the USSR needs its own secret weapon.

In the present, Steve finally recalls the last moments of Bucky’s life.  Originally it was thought that Bucky held onto the drone trying to defuse it, and was too smart for his own good.  Now we realize it was a trap for Steve, one that Bucky fell into.

As Steve is shown parachuting into Philadelphia, it is a very heroic scene.  Captain America dropping out of the sky to save someone, but in reality, he’s walking right into a trap.  He was sent here to save Sharon, but also to watch the city burn.  And we find out who this mysterious assassin is.

Ah yes, Bucky Barnes.  Long considered dead, he’s shown to be alive.  And completely loyal to Lukin to boot, and revealed to be the Winter Soldier who killed both Jack Monroe and the Red Skull.  Make note that we see him for the first time in a clear shot, he’s aiming down the sight of a sniper rifle, and we can see him aimed directly at Cap’s head.  In case it’s not obvious, he has a red Star on his left arm, which is prosthetic.  He is older than he was, perhaps in his mid 20’s as opposed to being 18 at the end of WWII.  And he knows about Rogers, and feels it is a good idea to take him out, but Lukin says no, and to activate the device.  And Bucky Barnes, Steve’s best friend, and first ever partner, activates the device and kills thousands without a second thought.

Overall, this book was met with huge controversy.  Bucky was dead for more than 50 years, and why is he being brought back?  Also, the Red Skull, now who is Steve going to fight.  But Brubaker said to wait and stick around, he has just begun.  It’s a new era, and Brubaker is going to give it his best.  Having written for books such as No Man’s Land, he knows how to work with characters.  Unlike say, Jeph Loeb, he understands a character and that someone as well known and sometimes overly heroic as Captain America needs depth, which he provides.  He’s setting down the framework, and in the first arc, he’s introduced just about everyone that will be in this book.

Personally, I came across this book bored at a Borders bookstore.  I had the mindset that Captain America was a character that lacked any depth or personality, and figured I’d read it as I was bored.  I was blown away, as it shattered my opinion of the character.  Do note I am not going over the fight scenes, as Epting does an amazing job on those.  Don’t think for a minute the art is bad, as every fight flows and the characters emotions are visible on their faces.

What next?  Book 2, Winter Soldier.