Bucky kicks in a new era of Cap

Captain America #43 Review
It's hard to see where Brubaker is going to take his awesomely awesome series now that the Red Skull is dead and Bucky is now Captain America. This issue marks the beginning of a 3-part arc which seems almost pointless when compared to the 40+ arc readers just went through, but if there's one thing about Brubaker's story is that seeds are sown long before they are harvested.

The biggest change is the introduction of artist Luke Ross who replaces the loss of Steve Epting this issue. Ross' style is similar to Eptings in that the colors are muddled and always seem to have a blueish hue to them. That being said, it's also the problem with his art. When someone takes the helm of something big, it's best to add your own style to whatever you're presenting. That just isn't evident in this issue. It's like editor said "Find me someone who can most closely draw like Epting G#dd#mn$t!"

It'll be interesting to see where the series goes now that the biggest event in comics is over. I wonder how long Brubaker can keep it up.

4/5 stars

Captain America #42 Review

Captain America #42
It's been over a year and a half since Ed Brubaker did the impossible by killing American hero, Steve Rodgers from the regular Marvel series. Since then there was a long period in which there was no Captain America in his own book. Then readers were shocked and disappointed when James "Bucky" Barnes took up the mantle of Captain America. Issue #42 is the final chapter in a saga which will most certainly go down as monumental in the world of comics.

The book begins with the new Cap, Bucky, saving the life of presidential candidate Gordon Wright; deflecting a snipers bullet from The Red Skulls daughter, appropriately named Sin. Meanwhile, long-time friend of Steve Rodgers, Falcon and SHIELD agent, Black Widow attempt to rescue Sharon "Agent 13" Carter.

This carefully crafted epic by Brubaker has been so deliberately paced and has unfolded with a grace not seen in comics for a very long time. That being said, there is one problem with the concluding chapter. These last two chapters of the saga seem a bit rushed compared to the previous twenty issues.

This is the most apparent by the sudden and drastic change of sides by Dr. Faustus. He was at a time comparable to the evil that is The Red Skull, then he abruptly changes sides and attempts to free Sharon. There was no recognizable explanation as to the sudden shift in allegiance. I can only suspect Brubaker did this with the intention of setting up future storylines now that this story has concluded.

The art of Steve Epting is and has always been consistently well drawn. His style, while dark and muddled, brings a certain grittiness to the policical action comic.

Brubaker and Epting's run on Cap will become stuff of legends but one has to wonder where the series will go now that there is officially a new Captain America and The Red Skull, for the time being, is out of the picture. However, I'm sure Bucky and the gang will still go great places in the hands of the Nathaniel Hawthorn of comics, Ed Brubaker.

4.5/5 stars