Immediately just to clarify, Operation: Rebirth is NOT in any way related to Heroes Reborn. So don't get confused. 1996's Heroes Reborn was a return of several beloved Marvel icons, including Captain America, to the 616 Universe after a very stupid (and poorly received) attempt to modernize some aging super heroes. Instead, Operation: Rebirth begins right after Steve Rogers dies in the 616.
The Super Solider Serum inside of Steve's body was deteriorating. For a brief period of time, Captain America had to operate inside a suit of armor built by Tony Stark as he had lost his super strength. Ultimately, Cap also lost his life.
The general public is aware of all this. In fact, there was a very public funeral at Arlington held for the World War II veteran. What the populace doesn't know is that the casket is empty! That's because soon after Steve Rogers died, someone stole the body!
The story opens with Steve Rogers in return to his super strong form thanks to the Red Skull! Why is the Sentenil of Liberty's greatest foe helping him to the point of fantastic resurrection? It's because someone has gotten their hands on that blasted Cosmic Cube and altered reality. AGAIN! The Third Reich is still in power in this new world, having never lost the second world war. Normally, the Red Skull would be okay with this; if he was the man in charge. Instead, the leader of these Nazis is none other that Adolph Hitler himself, the Hate Monger!
With this story taking place in 1995, that would put ol' Adolph in his late 80s. Suffering from dementia and extremely paranoid, the Hate Monger fears being deposed. Armed with nukes and ready to use them, this new reality stares down the barrel of World War III. With his arch-enemy on one side and a blast from his past on the other, Captain America must find the Cosmic Cube and change history back or it will be up to only the Watcher to prevent a global nuclear apocalypse!
This trade paperback collects issue #445-448 of Captain America. Mark Waid was the writer and he does an amazing job as usual. True, I feel like I've read this story before what with Cosmic Cube changing the world and all that. But as I said before, this book collects material from 1995 and some of those stories came AFTER this tale. So I can't fault Waid for a lack of originality. (I might accuse Nick Spencer with his Hydra Cap storyline of it...)
The artwork was my biggest complaint. Ron Garney seems to be a student of the Rob Liefeld School of Over-Exaggerated Comic Book Art. But I don't think he was an honor student as it wasn't that bad. But just enough to get on my nerves. I will admit that Garney's Red Skull is perhaps one of the most menacing versions of the villains that I've ever encountered. But I don't want to give too much praise for a Nazi...
A good story, though I've read it before. The artwork was very 90s but not my least favorite of the era.
Cap and Red Skull- a match made in hell.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment