An Instant Classic!
Captain America had always been a great character, but the character had suffered from inconsistant direction, art, and overall quality for a long time. Along comes Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting to relaunch the character, and the hit on a perfect note that one can only hope will be the blueprint for all future Cap writers.
This issue has it all! From it's opening scenes in Russia with General Lukin and the Red Skull 5 years earlier, to the final shocking scene in the Red Skull's New York City penthouse, this issue had everything in between that Captain America should be. Ed Brubaker's portrayal of a haunted Steve Rogers confiding his emotions in his ex girlfriend,SHIELD agent #13, Sharon Carter, was a nice exchange of dialogue and character play.
The art by Steve Epting is the best looking stuff in the business. The cover is exceptional! The splash page with Cap going after the terrorists on the train was perhaps the best comic art I've ever seen. Simply stunning visuals. Frank D'Armarta adds a great series tone with his detailed coloring.
One of the strongest series debuts that I can recall.