Captain America #750 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

A team of about a dozen talents crafted this special anniversary issue to both versions of the Sentinel of Liberty: Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson.

There are 2 main stories in this oversized special. The first is an origin into how Sam obtained his own version of Cap's shield. Story #2 has Steve Rogers and his dwindling number of pals from over 80 years of crime fighting celebrating the life of a fallen ally.

The Steve Rogers story follows the recent events of 'Cold War' in which a secret organization called Outer Circle, worse than Hydra and AIM combined, is targeting the original Capt. as well as his friends and loved ones. This feature also ties into the upcoming Captain America Finale one-shot that has some fans speculating if Steve's about to be put on ice once again. (J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz are about to helm a new Captain America series later this year. Whether this series is a reboot, reset or continuation remains to be seen.)

After the two main stories, there are several shorts that examine the history of both Captains. While the Sam Wilson refresher mentions him as the Falcon helping the people of Jamaica, there is nothing about how the hero was originally a sleeper agent created by the Red Skull. Steve Rogers and his wavering faith in the American government is ignored in these tales as well. Readers catch a glimpse of Steve and Sam taking on the Hate Monger. But Steve's time as Nomad, the unaffiliated Captain persona and that time Red Skull used a cosmic cube to turn Rogers into a member of Hydra are omitted as well.

What promises to be a tribute to the spirit of Captain America really only focuses on Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson. Bucky Barnes appears. But no reference to his time as Captain America is mentioned. And to not have even a passing tribute to Isaiah Bradley, the first Captain America, who was also a black man, seems like an offense to the character and his growing legion of fans. 

Captain America #750 shows a lot of the good. But this book is not all peaches and cream. The racism Sam Wilson experienced as a member of the Avengers and from those who consider a black Captain America to 'not be their Captain' is explored. Steve's childhood as a bullied child is also explored. However, when it comes to the wrongs both characters have committed as symbols of the American Dream, this oversized issue is lacking. 

And no reference to the werewolf Captain America?! Come on, Marvel! That's a beloved segment of Captain America history! For shame...FOR SHAME!

Featuring the writings of Tochi Onyebuchi, Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly.
Artwork by R.B. Silva and Carmen Carnero.

This book was recommended by the staff at Acme Comics in Greensboro, NC and Totally Awesome Comics in Mebane, NC. 

Completing this review completes Task #38 (Recommended by a Comic Book Store) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Captain America: The Ghost Army (Family Comic Friday)

Last Summer after finishing Shuri and T'Challa: Into the Heartlands, I was treated to a preview of Captain America: The Ghost Army. Needless to say, I was excited. I just didn't know it would take almost an entire year to get to read it!

In Central Europe, Captain America and Bucky are assisting a British Unit getting swamped by Nazis. Things look dire as the nearest squadron that could help is miles and miles away. Then all of a sudden, sounds of tanks, fighter planes and a whole lot of soldiers are heard in the nearby woods. The Nazis flee and Capt. and company appear to be saved- by theatrics!

Meet the Ghost Army of the United States government. Led by Private Jim Morita, posing as a 4-star general, the Ghost Army is actually composed of inflatables, cardboard cutouts and large speakers playing the top hits of the Allied Forces. Based on a real battalion during World War II, this isn't the only Ghost Army in the book. That's because a villainous sorcerer is working on creating his own army of the undead for the Nazis!

Amazon rates this book as appropriate for readers in grades 3-7. Honestly, I am okay with that rating. But I really think that it's going to be the adults who really get a kick out of this book. There are so many classic characters that appear in the book. Ones like Dum Dum Dugan, a beloved member of the Howling Commandos, who'll later become a beloved agent of SHIELD. The average 10 year old just isn't going to appreciate Dum Dum's addition to this book. Nor will they get the numerous inside jokes and references to both mainstream and deep dive characters and story arcs like the adults will!

That all being said, writer Alan Gratz did one heck of a job on this book. But he couldn't have done it without the artwork of Brett Schoonover. Gratz might have made countless references to nearly 80 years of Marvel Comics history, but it was Schoonover who made those references come alive. The pair did such an amazing job that I am willing to overlook and forgive the anachronistic use of many of the legendary members of Marvel Horror used in a pivotal scene just because it was such a fun scene. Being a continuity purist, I consider it to be a guilty pleasure!

The Ghost Army was supposed to come out in January. Delays stretched it out to May. I had to wait until July to find a copy. But it was all worth it as that was one of the most thrilling, fun, and a little bit scary reads that I have enjoyed without complaint in a very long time. Perfect for the 4th of July or Halloween!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Freedom #4

 

The Adventures of Captain America concludes with the good captain betrayed and imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. Now it’s up to Bucky to lead a revolt and to restore Cap’s confidence in himself. The events that unfold explain why Peggy Carter is noticeably absent from this story. True in the past, she’s Agent 13 and doesn’t meet with Steve Rogers until he’s finally on the front supporting the troops. But over time, her part in the development of the Super Soldier program has evolved to include her in Rogers’ story from day one. So, I kept wondering why she’s not in this reboot of the Captain America origin. Now I know and so will you if you read this awesome miniseries.

 

In my opinion, this series in the definitive Captain America origin story of the modern age of comics. Sadly, you never hear anyone talking about this obscure series from 1991. I keep finding these four books in dollar bargain bins at comic shows and stores. It’s a steal! If you are a huge fan of Captain America like I am, you really should grab this series. Over time, I think The Adventures of Captain America is going to become a hidden gem and its value going to sky-rocket. Thus, it’s going to become even harder to find. So take advantage of the savings now. Your collection and wallet will thank me.

 

Worth Consuming!

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Freedom #3

Agents of the Red Skull and an operative known only as Agent X are dispatched to apprehend or kill any and all scientists who had anything to do with the Super Solider project. But when Cap’s CO, who happens to know some key ingredients to the formula that created Captain America is kidnapped, Steve Rogers is ordered to stand down.

Not willing to let a good man die, Rogers, Bucky, and a Peggy Carter archetype that’s caught Steve’s eye commandeer a cargo plane. Their destination will send them deep into Nazi occupied France and unless they can connect with the French Resistance, all is lost and Hitler will have all the needed information to create his own Super Soldier.

This is classic Captain America. Steve Rogers is willing to take orders. But when he feels that those orders are wrong and violates the American way of life that he’s sworn to symbolize, he won’t pussy foot around. Cap’s going to do what’s right and later, he’ll accept a court material because he did disobey orders and that action was still wrong.

That’s what I love about Captain America. 70 years later and he is still this symbol of freedom, or democracy, and of our nation. True, he has lost his faith in government and his leaders from time to time- but all Americans have from time to time. Yet no matter what happens, Steve Rogers still believes in the Red, White, and Blue and has patriotic pride.

Cap is my #1 super hero of all time with Superman a close 2^nd. Often I waiver back and forth over who I like better. I look a little like Clark Kent with a curly cue mop top and slightly horned rim glasses. I’ve cosplayed as Superman and Superboy a number of times. I’ve 4x as much Superman stuff as I have Captain America items- including the number of books I have read and collected of each.  But the way Superman has evolved over the years has gone from symbol of Truth, Justice, and the American way to a demi-god to a god to an alien citizen of not just the US but the world. Captain America has remained static. He’s an average Joe who wanted to serve his nation. That sacrifice resulted in his suspended animation and now he’s trying to live to the 1940s standard of American morals while living in a modern day waste land.

This third chapter of the Captain America origin reboot is perfect in every way. It’s written in a style that all of the great Captain America writes have emulated in the past and it stand up to the man as he’s presented today. Issue #3 is proof why Captain America is good for America and my favorite super hero.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

 

The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Freedom #2

 

 As the only Super Soldier in existence, Steve Rogers in forbidden to do anything more than raise money for war bonds. So, when he uncovers a smuggling ring operating inside Camp Lehigh, he decides to take matters in his own hands. I feel that by having Rogers don a leather jacket and ski cap during his first ever outing was a complete rip-off of Frank Miller. In his seminal Batman: Year One, Miller has Bruce Wayne first mission as a vigilante meet a less than perfect ending when the poor little rich boy discovers that to instill fear in the hearts of criminals, you must dress the part.

 

Other than that small episode of petty theft, I think the continuing reboot of the Sentinel of Liberty continued to break some new ground. The biggest impact in this issue was the reimagining of Bucky Barnes. Sure, he’s still a punk kid, but he’s got an edge and is extremely resourceful. Eventually, this new look on Bucky will morph into Ed Brubaker’s Winter Solider Bucky.

 

With Brubaker’s Bucky, the sidekick to Captain America is actually an adult who just looks young. Not wanting to put a child in actual danger but looking to answer to Hitler’s Nazi Youth movement, the government created this sidekick to inspire America’s youth and to provide some much needed back-up to Cap. The Bucky in this series is essentially still the Camp mascot who stumbles upon Steve Rogers changing into Captain America. But, he’s got some fire in his belly where the Simon and Kirby Buck did not.

Without this new take on the classic 40s sidekick, I don’t think you would have Brubaker’s Winter Soldier. There’s just no way is some snot nosed 12-year old going to be believable as the 20^th Century’s most brutal assassin. It’s just another example of how the Adventures of Captain America were influential into transforming Captain America into the patriotic media darling that he is today.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

 

 

 

 

 

All Winners Comics #1 70th Anniversary Special

 

The tribute story takes place during that brief period of time that All Winners was still published and the very end and just after WWII and contained Capt. America and Bucky as members. It explains that those heroes were replacements created by the government to prevent people from losing hope upon hearing that those symbols of freedom had “died” at the hands of the Nazis.

This is all said and good. However, when a zombie horde attacks NYC, the All-Winners are faced with a dead Capt. and Bucky. Both of which weren’t dead but in suspended animation. Did the writers and editors of this anniversary special forget that?

The reprint tale is quite good and the Simon/ Kirby art is awesome! I loved it. Not a bad issue, but there are some serious plot nits in the tribute tale.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare #5

First we’ve got Doctor Strange and Clea in a really awesome story in which a little girl comes to the Sanctum for refuge from a dark entity- only it appears the Sorceror Supreme should have been on the look out for the little girl. Part one is a Great opening act with some fantastic Ditko-like art of the magical realms.

Then, go back to the early days of Capt. America and Bucky as they fight off the latest in Hitler’s technological nightmare’s design to destroy America. Then flash forward to modern day America, where Captain America faces retribution from the son of the Nazi scientist humiliated by the first Avenger and his sidekick. A great Capt tale that I just loved. The art was fantastic. I wish that story was longer.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Captain America: The 1940s Newspaper Strip

The 1940s saw Batman and Superman living in the funny papers. Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, and even Captain Marvel (for about a second) lived there too. But, curiously absent was Captain America and his sidekick, Bucky. Rumors swirled for years that Stan Lee and Kirby & Simon were trying to adapt Capt. to the dailies, but getting drafted or fired from Timely kept that dream from becoming reality… until now.

In this book, Karl Kesel crafts a lengthy tale that has Captain America and Bucky sent to a secret Army base for testing in hopes of recreating the Super Soldier formula. But, when scientists turn up missing it’s up to the pair along with Army liaison Betsy Ross to find out who’s behind the crimes!

I liked the book very much. The art was 40’s retro and very fitting. I also enjoyed how the book was structured like an actual comic book newspaper strip in which it  had 6 mini comics and a long Sunday edition tale. However, in true 40’s funny pages fashion, Sunday’s tale would have been a different story, unrelated to the weekly feature. If Kesel was given 4 issues instead of 3, he might have had time to do that aspect right.

The 1940s Newspaper Strip was like reading a time capsule. I wish the setting was more involved with the war front in Europe, but it’s still a classic feeling tale. Fans of funnies or Captain America will delight.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.