Crossover
"THE NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA"
Reviewing Captain America #35 from Marvel Comics.
Copyright © 2008, Anthony Bosco
James "Bucky" Barnes is alive, Steve Rogers has been shot dead, Sharon Carter "Agent 13" pulled the trigger, and Bucky is the new "Captain America." Have I missed anything? Oh yeah, Sharon Carter is pregnant with Steve's baby, and now for the greatest shock of all, it's actually good.
What this creative team does best is to invoke what I like to call "The Holy S#!t Factor." This is measured in exactly how many times one vocalizes the aforementioned phrase while reading a particular scene, or the entire title.
With Captain America in the best tradition of the episodic story, the biggest "Holy S#!t" always comes at the end of the issue. January ends with S.H.I.E.L.D. agents opening fire on civilian protestors outside the white house. This is part of a plan engineered by the Red Skull, and made possible by his co-conspirator Dr. Faustus. It appears the nefarious doctor had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. some time ago, and in the process subjected a number of agents to his specialized care (For those of you who still need a little more background, Dr. Faustus is a classic Cap villain whose particular talents fall to brainwashing.) The classic villains include a new Serpent Society, Dr. Zola, and the return of the Red Skulls daughter Sin.
Also by means of explanation one of the agents "treated" by the mad psychiatrist is Agent 13 A.K.A. Sharon Carter. Previous to her firing the second shot, which kills Steve Rogers back in issue #25. Convinced she has no other option she has gone under the not so tender care of the enemy.
Artist Butch Guice's realistic style of artwork lends very well to these stories by writer Ed Brubaker. At times the perspectives seem a bit off. Often this is done on purpose for dramatic effect, however in some panels particularly of the Captain the effect is more than slightly absurd. The Skull, and his partner Faustus look good throughout this issue. Brubaker has been doing an impressive job writing this title.
Issue #35 does fall slightly short of January's issue 34, but the emergence of the new Captain America is indeed a hard act to follow. The political overtones make this story relevant, and timely, in a way that I haven't seen since the 1970s. In particular Captain America in the 70s. I do wonder if Ed Brubaker is actually aware of how closely he is following in the early traditions of this book.
James Barnes wears the mantle of Steve Rogers with all appropriate respect, and furthermore his status as Captain America's first partner legitimizes his claim to the role. As the Winter Soldier he frequently used firearms, and continues to carry a sidearm in the role of Captain America. I was in fact very bothered by the January covers both prominently featuring an automatic handgun in the characters right hand. Some people have claimed that old artwork from the Captains history supports this decision citing that Steve Rogers carried a firearm in his early career. This is in fact inaccurate. I've gone as far back as the 1940s checking stories and artwork. In standard continuity Steve Rogers has never used firearms except in uniform as a U.S. soldier during the Second World War. The Republic serial does feature Captain America wielding a handgun, and no shield however. It is possible that some poster art for these motion picture episodes has been mistaken for continuity.
I must note with satisfaction that so far Bucky has not used lethal force in the role of Captain. The sidearm only sees brief use in issue #34, and none in #35. The shield instead sees the most frequent use, as is appropriate for Captain America.
Brubaker's work with this title may be controversial at times, but it's good. The characters are involving. I'm really starting to like James, and worry like heck for Sharon.