Review by Chris Partin

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artists: Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice

Colors: Paul Mounts

Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Associate Editor: Jeanine Schaefer

Editor: Tom Brevoort

Publisher: Marvel Comics

There are some comics that I look forward to despite the hype and press. At the end of the day, I want a good comic book that tells a good story with good art and strong characterization. Give me those and I don’t care who’s publishing the comic book or what characters are in it – I’ll read it. When you say Ed Brubaker is writing a Captain America comic book I’ll be there wanting my copy.

While I’d like to say this review may contain spoilers, I think the name of this book gives something away, but it doesn’t really. Readers of Captain America knew something was up with Steve Rogers and now we’re seeing all of those pieces that have been laid along the way put together. Despite if you believe this has always been the plan or not, there has been some groundwork established and I’m not going to be up in arms for the return of Steve Rogers. Again, I don’t care as long as we’re getting a strong story and Brubaker hasn’t disappointed readers yet with Captain America.

I think what Brubaker has come up with in this issue to set things up is well done. At no point does this seem forced or coming from way out of left field. I like that Brubaker is using so many characters that have some sort of tie to Steve, S.H.I.E.L.D., the Red Skull, and the Avengers. I’m curious how many more characters we’ll see as this miniseries progresses. This is a huge story and it should be treated as if it is something big within the Marvel Universe.

The art in this issue is simply awesome. I wish I had a more descriptive word for you but as a fan of Hitch and Guice’s work I immediately said “awesome” when I saw these pages. It’s the ability that these two artists have to really get into a story and make it explode into life for the reader. You don’t just read the story; you see it unfold in front of you in a very cinematic way. I think having Paul Mounts color both artists really is just icing on the cake. Mounts is one of those artists that just adds a whole new level with his colors. These guys can put together a comic book like no one else.

Captain America: Reborn is going to have its fans and its haters. People will be talking about the hows and whys, and those people will look past the craft of the writing and the art and they’ll be missing out on a great comic book.

Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness!)