Captain America: Winter Soldier

[max_payne]

I'll tell ya...I never was a fan of Cap. Though after reading Civil War...I was really impressed by his character.
I am definetly a fan of Ed Brubaker and have heard good things about his take on Steve Rogers....
I finished reading the TPB1-2 Winter Soldier arc...and WOW was I impressed!!

Anyone have any thoughts on the rest of the series?? Does it keep getting better or wear down a bit??

I'll see what feedback I get back and likely pick up the next arc!

[Dr. Chaos]

Anyone have any thoughts on the rest of the series?? Does it keep getting better or wear down a bit??
It's Ed Brubaker.

Do you really have to ask? It always gets better.

Whatever lull he usually runs into, he tends to rectify it pretty damn quickly.

[DaeJi]

This book is amazing; I mean the title character is dead and it's still amazing. I swear if they book were any better they would have to change it's name to "Sex."

[CaptainCanada]

The quality level is pretty consistent throughout, and the current story arc is up there with "Out of Time" (volume 1 of Winter Soldier).

I'd rank the trades as:

Winter Soldier volume 1 ("Out of Time")
Red Menace volume 2 ("21st Century Blitz")
Red Menace volume 1 ("Collision Course")
Winter Soldier volume 2 ("Winter Soldier")
Civil War ("The Drums of War")

The as-yet-unreleased "The Death of Captain America volume 1) would tie for first place.

[vazel]

Ed Brubaker is amazing. He's made a comic book series I never cared for(I've always felt uncomfortable reading something starring a blonde ubermensch named after a nation) into one of my must reads.

[max_payne]

HA! Well...Looks like Ill be pickin' up the next trade for sure.
Im with ya...I think brubaker could make a Sleepless in Seattle arc that would turn into a "must have"!

[Dusty.]

As I said in another thread, this series, mostly on the strength of the Winter Soldier, 21st Century Blitz, and issue #25, is the best comics published in the last 20+ years.

Ed Brubaker is the best comic writer today and Steve Epting is, likewise, the best artist in comics. The story was perfectly executed. My only complant was that Marvel did not give this series the same importance as any given series written by Mark Millar or Warren Ellis. It wasn't allowed to be late, which is why Epting didn't draw 2 of the issues in the story. Cap was only allowed to miss it's schedule when Mark Millar wouldn't allow Quesada to allow Brevoort to have a fill-in artist for Civil War when McNiven couldn't meet deadlines. Having all 12 issues drawn by Epting would have made a perfect story even more perfect.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

This is how Ed Brubaker's hot streak started. He did this, Daredevil, and then Books of Doom. He's been unstoppable ever since.

[rogerio]

Ed Brubaker is the best comic writer today and Steve Epting is, likewise, the best artist in comics. The story was perfectly executed. My only complant was that Marvel did not give this series the same importance as any given series written by Mark Millar or Warren Ellis. It wasn't allowed to be late, which is why Epting didn't draw 2 of the issues in the story. Cap was only allowed to miss it's schedule when Mark Millar wouldn't allow Quesada to allow Brevoort to have a fill-in artist for Civil War when McNiven couldn't meet deadlines. Having all 12 issues drawn by Epting would have made a perfect story even more perfect.

Steve Epting is hands down...his art is perfect for the series.
But Mike Perkins deserves some credit here. the guy is very good as well.

[Grimm]

I have to say, Captain America is my favourite book. And I'm not even American! It took me a long time to come around to the idea of trying the book because of that, but I'm glad I did.

I have tried to get a lot of my friends and acquantainces to try it out, but no joy as yet. I did try them out on Books of Doom and Sleeper which they loved, but Cap is still a huge turn off to em :( I still need to get em all to read Criminal though.. So maybe some hope yet.

[Jinxer]

I have tried to get a lot of my friends and acquantainces to try it out, but no joy as yet. I did try them out on Books of Doom and Sleeper which they loved, but Cap is still a huge turn off to em :( I still need to get em all to read Criminal though.. So maybe some hope yet.

Well just tell them Cap's a fictional character in a non-existent universe. That's how I toughed through Iron Man and I actually like it.

[Grimm]

Well just tell them Cap's a fictional character in a non-existent universe. That's how I toughed through Iron Man and I actually like it.

Yeah, it's the whole American guy draped in a flag thing. And a few of them have seen the old Cap cartoon, so it's really tough going.

"When Captain America throws his mighty shield, all those who oppose his shield must yield. If he's led to a fight and a duel is due, then the red and the white and the blue'll come through. When Captain America throws his mighty shield!"

Yeah, we all laugh about that cheesy theme tune.. so it is hard to get em to try it out. They think the shield thing is kinda fruity also.

[Don Quixote]

Yeah, it's the whole American guy draped in a flag thing.


That's what always turned me off about Captain America. I'm not really keen on over the top patriotism about my own country, so imagine how I feel about it when it's another country. Especially one which, rightly or wrongly, is viewed with much negativity.

But I was hooked pretty much from the first Brubaker issue I read. The Winter Soldier is the main draw for this series, for me. One of the best 'new' characters Marvel has produced in many years. Even the retcon to bring him back was brilliant.

I don't know if the one shot Winter Soldier: Winter Kills is in the TPBs, but if not, make sure you read that as well. It's a very touching look at Bucky trying to come to terms with where he's found himself and how the world has changed.

[Harlock]

I will give you the best advice you will get this year regarding comic books. The Captain America Omnibus Hardcover is out. BUY IT. It contains Captain America 1-25, Winter Soldier: Winter Kills, plenty of extra pages with script and commentary, rough drawings, extra art and bios and backgrounds and such. It cost me $74.99 US. At $2.99 per comic, the hardcover is cheaper than buying them all.

I just finished reading the thing last night. I was just floored. It was the best run on a Marvel title I have ever read. Having it collected in one big ass book is cool. Throw in the extras and it's icing on the cake. It was a side of Cap (and obviously Bucky in particular) I had never dreamed of. Brubaker is an astounding writer.

[CaptainCanada]

I don't know if the one shot Winter Soldier: Winter Kills is in the TPBs
It's in the Civil War: Captain America trade.

[The Shadow]

I swear if they book were any better they would have to change it's name to "Sex."

LOL :D :D

Great quote!

Accurate too!!!

IMO Cap is the best single character book (even with him dead!) on the market today.

[Liberty Belle Fan]

Ed Brubaker is an excellent writer who knows exactly what he's doing. Captain America is one of my most antipated titles each month, and there's no denying that anyone that's a fan of comics would, at the very least, be entertained by his work on the title.

[Magneto Rocks]

If God were a comic book character, he would kiss Ed Brubaker's ass and beg to cameo in "Captain America"

[smoothjokes]

Ed Brubaker is amazing. He's made a comic book series I never cared for(I've always felt uncomfortable reading something starring a blonde ubermensch named after a nation) into one of my must reads.

I fall in the exact same line as this quote. I never cared for Captain America except for The Ultimates.

[Omega Alpha]

Ed Brubaker is amazing. He's made a comic book series I never cared for(I've always felt uncomfortable reading something starring a blonde ubermensch named after a nation) into one of my must reads.

That's my situation too.

[max_payne]

Damn...As mentioned earlier I was the same way with Cap. Never was the least bit interested in the guy. Though after reading Civil War I did start to dig him. He played a hellish role in that series.
I cant judge the previous Cap arcs (never read them) but im assuming Brubakers take on him is what makes him shine...

[Dusty.]

Steve Epting is hands down...his art is perfect for the series.
But Mike Perkins deserves some credit here. the guy is very good as well.

I agree, Perkins is great on Cap. His Union Jack was strong. His recent backup stories in the X books were great. The upcoming HOM mini series thing looks like his best work yet. I especially love his covers. I think Mike Perkins is ready to have a series all his own, but being Cap's second artist and drawing the side stuff like he's been doing is still a pretty good gig for him until then.

[Capt USA]

I fall in the exact same line as this quote. I never cared for Captain America except for The Ultimates.

ouch, I love all the great quotes and love for captain america, but ultimate cap isn't remotely on par with real cap, he's cool in a way, but isn't really the same quality character that a person should strive to become. Way to fascistic for me, still cool, and all, but definately not a living embodiment of an ideal like real cap is.

[CaptainCanada]

Ultimate Cap is the cliched Cap that everyone who doesn't read his comics imagines he is: a jingoistic thug.

[Capt USA]

Ultimate Cap is the cliched Cap that everyone who doesn't read his comics imagines he is: a jingoistic thug.

I imagine the reason he is written the way he is in ultimates is that with a british writer, who after spending all day watching benny hill re-runs, participating in "football" riots and then watching the news on the royal family, that this version of captain america is what america is all about, a punch first never ask questions type of guy. At least Millar knows enough to make him the best :)

[Dr. Chaos]

You gotta love Millar, it's always funny to hear him talk on politics.

He writes the best liberal propaganda in the business.

[Capt USA]

You gotta love Millar, it's always funny to hear him talk on politics.

He writes the best liberal propaganda in the business.


I love millar, just not a fan of his inability to write the real captain america. Heck I even like captain facist, think he's cool in his own right, but he is not steve rogers.

[rogerio]

I agree, Perkins is great on Cap. His Union Jack was strong. His recent backup stories in the X books were great. The upcoming HOM mini series thing looks like his best work yet. I especially love his covers. I think Mike Perkins is ready to have a series all his own, but being Cap's second artist and drawing the side stuff like he's been doing is still a pretty good gig for him until then.
yeah...I would love see him drawing a Iron Man series someday (with Ed Brubaker, or course!):)

[Magneto Rocks]

You gotta love Millar, it's always funny to hear him talk on politics.

He writes the best liberal propaganda in the business.

That's why it's hilarious when people try to pass off Civil War as being right wing.

[Shyft]

That's why it's hilarious when people try to pass off Civil War as being right wing.

whatever else Civil War was, it wasnt Liberal Propaganda.

[Magneto Rocks]

whatever else Civil War was, it wasnt Liberal Propaganda.

ComicBloc disagrees:
http://www.comicbloc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=970&Itemid=57

"A Dose of Comic Sense: Millar's Liberal Propaganda" ;)

I think what it goes to show is that people on either side of the political spectrum percieve it to be propaganda for the OTHER side. Which, to me, is a good mark that the story is balanced in the political sense.

[Shyft]

ComicBloc disagrees:
http://www.comicbloc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=970&Itemid=57

"A Dose of Comic Sense: Millar's Liberal Propaganda" ;)

I think what it goes to show is that people on either side of the political spectrum percieve it to be propaganda for the OTHER side. Which, to me, is a good mark that the story is balanced in the political sense.

i think that either side of the political spectrum trying to use Civil War as propaganda for their own or their rivals beliefs would have to alter said beliefs radically. I dont see Liberal's using convicted murderers as cops, and i dont see Conservatives putting together a great and well funded central government run department which gives great benefits packages.