Captain America #695 Columns 

Don’t Miss This: “Captain America” by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee

By | May 2nd, 2018
Posted in Columns | % Comments

There are a lot of comics out there, but some just stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we’re looking at a very personal, patriotic take on the leading Avenger in “Captain America.”

Who is this by?
Mark Waid of “Daredevil” fame has been penning issues since #695 with art from Chris Samnee, who’s collaborated not only on “Daredevil” with Waid but also “Black Widow.” However, for the most recent issue, #701, Leonardo Romero, Adam Hughes, and J.G. Jones lend their collective hands. #701 also hosts colors from Matthew Wilson, Adam Hughes, and Paul Mounts with letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna.

What’s it all about?
After defeating the twisted version of Captain America in ‘Secret Empire,’ Steve Rogers hits the backroads of America to get in touch with the American people. But a variety of villains try to get a crack at Steve, which eventually throws him and us into alternative future realities.

What makes it so great?
Regardless of whether you like ‘Secret Empire’ or Nick Spencer’s run on “Captain America,” one thing is for sure: that run was a deconstruction of the hero and his place in the Marvel universe. But Mark Waid takes the opposite approach: reinstating Steve Rogers as the ultimate paragon of American virtue and patriotism. And that’s what makes Waid’s run on “Captain America” worth your time, it’s an unironically patriotic celebration of an iconic hero.

We’re in an age where a lot of comics are breaking down heroes and seeing what makes them tick. Where writers can be criticized for not delving into the psychology of heroes and presenting them as perfect. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, Waid intentionally goes the opposite way by showing how satisfying it is to showcase a hero who’s as wholesome as a Boy Scout. There is a case to be made that this run is more reactionary against Spencer’s “What If” take than anything else, but it’s refreshing to have a hero who unapologetically stands for righteousness and virtue in an age where we bicker and tear each other apart more than ever with the rise of social media and cutthroat politics. Some may say Waid uses Captain America too much as a preachy mouthpiece, but what good is America’s centerpiece hero if he can’t speak his mind while smacking dictators in the gut?

Even the side characters and one-off villains are brimming with personality. Whether it be seemingly generic HYRDRA goons, Swordsman, or King Babbington, these guys are incredibly memorable because of their mustache-twirling dialogue and how they pose an actual threat to our protagonist. But as I mentioned, smaller characters who Steve meets along the way are given ample time to shine. One of the most notable folks is Liang, a young and strong-willed freedom fighter of the future who inspires and is inspired upon Rogers’s arrival.

Waid writes the title with such vibrancy and joy, it’s impossible not to get sucked into the swashbuckling storytelling and exquisite pacing. But even with the stellar writing, the book wouldn’t be the same without Chris Samnee and company on board. While #701 has a wonderful bevy of talented artists specifically chosen to convey different eras of time, Samnee (the most consistent illustrator) is at the nucleus of the artistic direction of the title. Samnee’s clean, dynamic art is reminiscent of the Silver Age masters like Jim Steranko, Steve Ditko, and even Jack Kirby, and this fits in perfectly, thematically speaking. His faces are filled with pathos and conviction, but his scope is brilliant in its detail and is quite literally awesome. I will admit the art in #696 is one of his least impressive efforts, but the rest of his work is inordinately impressive and more consistent than many other busy artists currently. I must also mention Eisner award winner Matthew Wilson’s smoky, vibrant colors, which bring Samnee’s art to an even higher level of beauty and effectiveness. Waid, Samnee, and Wilson working together across numerous books shows their coordination and seamless quality.

Twists and surprises abound, so you never know what you’ll get next with each issue (unless you read the solicits, but you get what I mean). One moment we’re watching Cap engage in a cat-and-mouse battle with Kraven the Hunter, and the next, Steve finds himself stranded in a miserable future with not-so subtle illusions to modern politics. This jarring pacing could come across as flimsy or mishandled, but Waid juggles everything so well, it’s clear he planned out his run exceptionally well, which is why he’s one of the industry’s most reliable authors. For instance, #701 is ultimately about the legacy of Steve Rogers and how that guides the future. But Cap only shows up in flashbacks, which is a risky move, but it works perfectly and serves not only as an impressive surprise but a fascinating, intriguing read.

How can you read it?
There are currently, at the time of writing this, seven individual issues out (#695-#701) which you can grab at your local comic book shop or through ComiXology. However, the first trade paperback collecting #695-#700 and the arcs ‘Home of the Brave’ and ‘Out of Time’ is primed for release on June 19, 2018.


//TAGS | Don't Miss This

Alex Curtis

Alex Curtis presides in Connecticut. Feel free to contact him at https://alexcurtisediting.wixsite.com/alexcurtisblog

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