Wednesday, December 24, 2014

I Reads You Review: ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #1

ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Rick Remender
PENCILS: Stuart Immonen
INKS: Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Marte Gracia with Eduardo Navarro
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger and Marte Gracia
VARIANT COVERS: Paul Pope; Alex Ross; Sara Pichelli with Laura Martin; Kris Anka
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

As part of its “Avenger NOW!” initiative, Marvel Comics is debuting some new titles and relaunching others.  All-New Captain America is a relaunch.  Written by Rick Remender, drawn by Stuart Immonen (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks), colored by Marte Gracia (with Eduardo Navarro), and lettered by Joe Caramagna, this Captain America title launches superhero, Sam Wilson a.k.a. The Falcon, as the new-look Captain America.

The Falcon is an African-American superhero created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan that first appeared in Captain America #117 (cover dated: September 1969).  In his new role, the Falcon gets Captain America's shield and a redesigned uniform, as well as a new version of his Falcon wings.  Sam Wilson also gets a partner, Ian Zola, the son Arnim Zola.  Ian is the new Nomad.

All-New Captain America #1 finds Captain America and Nomad, with Redwing (a highly-trained hunting falcon), infiltrating a Hydra base hidden beneath a mountain.  The new Captain America wants to show that he can be the man, but visiting mercenary, Batroc, doesn't thing agree.  Besides, Batroc isn't the only familiar face making a surprise appearance.

I have not read many comic books written by Rick Remender.  This first issue of  All-New Captain America makes me want to read more.  This story features some typical superhero action, but it has a humorous streak, and all the major characters seem to be on equal footing.  Also, the battle depicted here will not be a one-sided affair, and the winner(s) will have to earn it.  The situation is in flux for the new Captain America and that piques my interest.

Before there was All-New Captain America, there was All-New X-Men, which was guided by the art team of Stuart Immonen, Wade von Grawbadger, and Marte Gracia.  I loved the art in that flashy new, X-Men comic book, but I came to take it for granted.  Seeing their work here, however, makes me appreciate this art team all over again.  This is one pretty comic book, so I think I'll come back to All-New Captain America to see if this entire creative team can make something special of this new series and this new Captain America.  I think they can.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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