Captain America Cold War Alpha 1 Featured Reviews 

“Captain America: Cold War Alpha” #1

By | April 14th, 2023
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

Captains America unite to face two villainous forces at once in “Captain America: Cold War Alpha” #1!

Cover by Patrick Gleason
Written by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Tochi Onyebuchi
Illustrated by Carlos Magno
Colored by Guru eFX
Lettered by Joe Caramagna

THE REVOLUTION STARTS HERE: COLD WAR – PART ONE!

Bucky Barnes is the Outer Circle’s New Revolution, and he has enacted his deadliest move yet — an alliance with Sam Wilson’s nemesis, the White Wolf. When Steve Rogers’ adopted son, Ian, A.K.A. Nomad, is abducted by someone Steve thought was a friend, he suspects Bucky’s hand at work and calls upon the people who know Ian best — Sam Wilson, Sharon Carter and Misty Knight — to help him get to the bottom of the attack. Has Bucky finally gone too far? Why has Nomad been taken, and what does it have to do with a portal to Dimension Z opening over a secret battleground in Alaska? The Symbol of Truth and the Sentinel of Liberty reunite for a pulse-pounding crossover event that will make them question everything they believe in…and each other.

‘Cold War’ is the first crossover between two connected books about different Captains America, who will also be referred to by their newer sobriquets on their running individual series: Steve Rogers, the original; and Sam Wilson, the successor. There have been through lines to both series, but only now are they truly colliding due to events that connect them both under the combined storytelling of all three of the writers of these two books: the dual authorship of Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly on Rogers’ trials in New York City (specifically Manhattan) in “Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty” and the singular writing of Tochi Onyebuchi on Sam Wilson’s globetrotting adventures in “Captain America: Symbol of Truth.” With many stories coming together, how do they do at starting this crossover regarding the Star-Spangled Men in “Captain America: Cold War Alpha” #1?

As it turns out, Lanzing, Kelly, and Onyebuchi do reasonably well together, probably having worked things out in their respective stories over their past respective eleven issues or so each to collaborate as a unit. While individual characters may need some prior reading to remember, from the two Captains America to their supporting casts such as Nomad, Sharon Carter, and Misty Knight, the most important parts of each character, including their relationships with one another and their personal struggles against various foes, are easily understood, providing a decent entry point for people just jumping in for the multi-part crossover event.

The overarching plots are put together in a concise, comprehensible package for readers new and old alike. The basics of the conflict with the Outer Circle is in the spotlight, enough to clarify what is happening, and others get involved based on what a certain member is doing, but it all feels natural. Meanwhile, Lanzing, Kelly, and Onyebuchi also draw attention to Dimension Z, the creation of Arnim Zola that is most famous for its part in the ten-issue arc ‘Castaway in Dimension Z’ from 2012 to 2013 in Rick Remender and John Romita Jr.’s run on “Captain America,” allowing for a wider usage of that locale in its own way.

The primary possible failing in the writing is in a seeming lopsided focus in Lanzing, Kelly, and Onyebuchi’s execution, leaning more heavily on the Revolution and the enemies of the Sentinel of Liberty over those of the Symbol of Truth. Yes, Sam Wilson’s most recent enemy is present, but his involvement relies on the Revolution (and by extension the rest of the Outer Circle), with the ultimate plan seemingly leaning far more heavily in that direction. Instead of being evenhanded, ‘Cold War’ seems to be pushed as a story for Steve Rogers, with Sam Wilson mostly there to support him. The Century Game may play a part in both tales, but it seems to more heavily focus on Steve, something that will hopefully change going forward to make a bit more of a balance between antagonists.

To minimize focusing too hard on either of the integral comic runs, the illustrations of this prelude are provided by Carlos Magno, who does not illustrate either of the other series. Magno’s illustrations on “Captain America: Cold War Alpha” #1 are intricately detailed, focusing heavily on close-ups to show emotional depth. The monstrosities of Dimension Z are all the more nauseating by how intricate the details on their forms truly are, while determination, sadness, joy, and more play across more human facial structures.

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Meanwhile, Magno is no stranger to wide open shots, creating a sense of awe or terror based on what is seen in open splash panels. Sometimes, a wider angle is placed side-by-side with a close-up of an individual character, giving the character’s impression of the larger event at the same time as showing said event occurring.

Guru-eFX truly brings the artwork and writing to another level, particularly with the darker tones and heavier shadows. The depressed, dour outlook of Steve Rogers in the face of the actions of his friend and the danger to his adopted son really hits home with how the darkness plays across his features, with similar shadows playing on an Outer Circle aircraft viewer from ground level in a way that feels like an intentional perversion of the iconic shield’s implied symbolism. The overall colors around the heroes are relatively bright to show their heroic aims, punctuated by darkness mostly for tonal reasons if not just using the natural lighting of a scene.

Overall color choices for different scenes feel similarly tonally focused for Guru-eFX. The influence of Dimension Z casts a red “filter” of violence on the story, while the blue coloration of electricity and other powers connected to some heroes acts as a calming contrast. At times, explosions enhance this feeling of red equated to violence, with blinding white light used at some points as well.

Final Verdict: 7.0– Despite some problems with balancing characters, ‘Cold War’ seems to be heating up rather nicely.


Gregory Ellner

Greg Ellner hails from New York City. He can be found on Twitter as @GregoryEllner or over on his Tumblr.

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