Captain America

Marvel tried their best to keep this a secret before the issue hit the stands. I think they did a pretty good job of it. There was some speculation. I thought if it was going to happen, it would've been in Civil War #7. Maybe that's what a lot of people thought and maybe that's why Marvel didn't do that. For a few minutes, I was even thinking that maybe it was the death of Cap in the "War" that would cause Spidey to mourn his teammate and start wearing the black.

So now he's dead. I feel it was handled very well. Cap was true to form leading up to the events. He noticed that someone had a laser scope and pushed the Marshall in front of him out of the way. After he was shot numerous times, his first concern was the safety of the crowd.

But is he really dead?

Bucky (Winter Soldier) and Nick Fury had some plan. Obviously having Crossbones shoot him wasn't part of it. But what was the plan? Another thing is the news report said he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, yet Sharon and Falcon were sitting in the waiting room...waiting. It almost seemed his "death" was prematurely announced. They've tried to fool us by having Ms. Marvel (in Civil War: The Intitiative) tell Spider-Woman that he's still alive. (That's been addressed in New Avengers). But Cap does have the Super Soldier Serum in his body. The first shot wouldn't do much. The three shots at point blank to the gut is another story. The question is would it be enough? As I said, he has the serum in him and he was wearing his chain mail costume. Next issue is supposedly the Autopsy. What's to prevent Tony Stark from getting an LMD now that he's in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. to take his place. Autopsy results can be faked. Although Civil War: The Confession shows Stark kinda choked up.

Bottom line, this was a great issue even though Brubaker killed my beloved Captain America. I have complete faith in him. I trust what he's doing. We all know Death isn't permanent in comics. Heck, Brubaker even broke the cardinal rule and convincingly brought back Bucky. I cannot wait unitl the next issue.

If by some miracle you do not know what happens in this book, then I suggest you go read it before it is spoiled for you... if you're lucky enough to find a copy that is. I won't spoil it here either, but I will say that this is a major comic book event, and I don't think that is an exaggeration.

I'm not going to debate whether or not Marvel will undo what happens in this issue in a few years, and I won't debate if this was the right way to go either.

Rather I'll review just this issue. Reading it, it feels like Ed Brubaker's run so far has been leading up to this moment. The issue opens up as Captain America is transported for his arraignment hearing. His closest allies show up, and we get a few flashbacks to show what Steve Rogers means to them. Although I felt this was more for the new readers that might pick up this book for obvious reasons.

Brubaker as usual tells a great story. The situation feels real, the chaos feels urgent and the characters feel like they are in a desperate situation and don't know what to do. I know I'm being vague, but I feel like I have no choice.

Whether or not you like the character of Captain America... I think you need to have this comic book in your collection. It's one of "those" moments. Unlike other Civil War Tie Ins, this comic book totally earns the right to have "Civil War Epilogue" plastered on the front cover. The events here won't only effect Captain America, but will probably effect the entire Marvel U. Go find a copy, and good luck doing that.

There comes a time in a comic book company's history, where the dead have come back to life so many times, it's really lost all meaning. The mentioning of Doctor Faustus (died twice at least, last death was from a slit neck from a dead Red Skull), don't get me started on the Winter Soldier (Bucky, rode a flying bomb which blew), or Sharon Carter (burned to death in front of a live camera). Whoops, I forgot Falcon and Crossbones, who have never died, well at least not in this reality.

The art is excellent, nice comparison between the past and present, including the original costume and shield. The story is well told, but maybe it's because I have grown use to the old Captain, the good Captain, the book which was on the other end of the spectrum from the Punisher and Moon Knight. To see him treated like this was just too much. Heart wrenching, which is what they were going for, but the last page should not of been done with Captain America.

An interview with Joe Quesada has promised a new Captain America, which would make them the 6th or 7th Captain America. Well with nearly a dozen deaths of Steve, yes all in this reality, with the cloning of Steve, the Red Skull, Hitler a few times, and others, with the many uses of LMD (Life Decoy Models), Steve is sure to pull a "Man of Steel" and will be back soon. I mean hey, if more than half the main cast can do it in this issue, can't Steve do the same?

The big Marvel story of last year was accompanied by a stunning cover by Steve Epting. I'm a bit of an Epting agnostic. I like his art but sometimes his covers are too busy, reminding me of old movie posters (especially James Bond) or Steranko lite. However, focusing on a single dramatic image as above and his clean artwork shines through. Using a newspaper as a backdrop wasn't exactly a new idea. However, the font of both the book's title and use of subheading for 'Death of the Dream' is terrific. And deciding to lead with a simple shot of a limp handcuffed hand as opposed to, say, a full body shot, or Cap in Sharon's arms, for example is terrifically effective, as are the small circles of blood that surround the arm. Understated, dramatic and efficient.

I have ranked this cover no 209 as part of a long term project I am producing on my own blog 'marvel-ous' on blogspot.com re: my favourite marvel comic book covers. Please visit http://dmstarz.blogspot.com and check out the other covers that have made my top 250.

Since the death of superman, there has been no superheros death that a country, nay, the world will mourn greater than the death of marvels iconic hero, captain america. originally captain america didn't have any powers but then he did. but because he was fighting crime without anypowers he was living "The american dream" and now that he is dead the american dream is over as well, hence the title.  
 
Definatly worthy of a hall of fame as it shows everyone in deppression after he dies

By The Angry Comic Book Critic
      Wow....I mean Jesus this has to be the saddest comic I've ever read in my lifeand I mean that in a good way. This comic truly was the Death of the Dream to me Captain America stands for everything America should be Strong, Fair with an uncompromisable freedom that benefits all not just the few and with his death we where shown just how fragile dreams are and how they can fall apart if they are not protected. Now don't get me wrong I'm glad the old Cap is back but by bringing him back it sullies this story and reduces from it's Impact when this came out everyone was talking about it even major news networks like CNN and Captain America's Shield was given a place of honor on the set of the Colbert Report on Comedy Central. I'm not going to lie to you when I first read this comic I hated how hey killed off Cap I thought it was a death unbecoming for a hero of his caliber but now looking back this comic was the best death and the greatest send off he could have gotten. We get to see his impact on the lives of the people around him and how he planned to stand up for the rights of the people when they where being taken away from them out of fear. Time to pay my respects and review this Iconic issue.
       Steve Epting my hat goes off to you for the art work in this issue it is flat out amazing and mixes the perfect blend of light and darkness.that works perfectly with the themes of the issue Freedom, Oppression and Death. Now our story begins with a recap of Cap's origin of how he grew up during the Depression and felt compelled to serve his country in its Darkest hour by volunteering to become the world's first and only Super Soldier. The Comic then Cuts to the present discussing how Captain America is about to go on trial after surrendering in the Civil War. While being led up the courthouse steps Steve proves him self the hero for the last time by saving the U.S Marshall escorting him to the courthouse by pushing him out of the path of an oncoming sniper round which shoots him through the shoulder in the confusion Sharon Carter who had been watching him in the crowd runs up to him as more gunshots ring out and when she reaches Cap he has three more rounds put into his stomach. Meanwhile Bucky after seeing this all unfold chases down the Sniper with the aid of Falcon. The Sniper is revealed to be crossbones and after a brief fight with Bucky he is taken into custody by SHIELD Cape Killers. Cap dies en route to the hospital after telling Sharon that she "takes his breath away". Sin the daughter of the Red Skull infiltrates the hospital where Steve's Body is being kept and finds Sharon Telling her it's time to remember the issues ends showing Sharon Killing Steve. This couldn't have been better if it was a Shakespearean tragedy and is my all time favorite issue of Captain America and the perfect way to lay a legend down to rest. 
      I'm the Angry Comic Book Critic and this is just....Perfect.
 
Captain America #25
Perfect.