This post relates to: Alex Ross, Steve Epting, Ed Brubaker, Captain America
Ugh. I'm sorry. I'm not too crazy about this. Don't get me wrong. I love Captain America. I love Alex Ross and Steve Epting's work. I don't love this costume. First question, why the heck is it shiny? I mean, really? Shiny? What if he's fighting outside in the sun? I could see blinding his opponent while he's fighting, but he might blind himself. Second question, who is it? I've seen the speculation has already begun on the boards here. Smart money would say Winter Soldier (Bucky). But is that too obvious? It makes sense to me.
One, he has the shield (although it could be another Tony Stark imitaion). It's possible Stark may get the original back somehow. He tried giving it to Clint Barton (Hawkeye/Ronin). Bucky has to keep it someplace while he's out fighting the Red Skull. Maybe someone crashes one of his hidey holes.
Second, he's carrying a gun. We know Winter Soldier doesn't have a problem with guns. I don't mind Winter Soldier using a gun from time to time (which he doesn't seem to too much lately) but Cap (even though he fought in WWII) wouldn't use a gun today. The point is, he wouldn't need one. It's a joke that "Captain America" would have to carry one to give him an edge.
Third, there's a star on the shoulders. Winter Soldier has one on his cyber arm. Yes, part of Captain America's costume, since based on the American flag, has a star, but now there's more.
The only problem with the possibility of it being Bucky is it doesn't look like his chin. Stark is a big enough jerk to get some SHIELD shmoe to fill in his boots. In Stark's defense, Steve did say in his letter not to let "Captain America" die with him. It just better be someone really really deserving. I don't want some generic fill-in person. As much as I don't want a replacement, it makes sense. Deep down, we all know that Steve has to come back eventually. If Brubaker doesn't already have the "solution," someone will be able to down the line. Just like when Green Arrow was killed and Kevin Smith came up with a "reasonable" idea. As much as I love Steve as Cap, the story is just so damn good that I wouldn't want him to return just yet. It would take away the impact or importance of his death.
I'm also just not too crazy about the new design. Sorry Mr. Ross, it just doesn't feel right. What is it made out of? Why all the black? Funny but it reminds me of his designs for the Spider-Man movie costume that wasn't used. So this brings the question of does this new Cap not need the protection of chain mail? It was always part of the costume (even though I hated it when certain artists made the plates sooo big).
So now we have to wait until January. I'm just glad this is a 50/50 split on the covers.
Marvel President of Publishing Dan Buckley explained, “Captain America is one of the true iconic super heroes of our time and to design the new look for a new Cap, we had to go with the most iconic, preeminent painter of our time—Alex Ross.”
“We’re excited to have Alex Ross so heavily involved in this landmark event,” said David Gabriel, Senior Vice President of Sales & Circulation. “And we’d like to thank Dynamite Entertainment for their help in coordinating Alex’s efforts on the Captain America costume redesign and cover.”
To celebrate this landmark event, Captain America #34 will ship with two covers featuring the new Captain America—one by Ross and one by acclaimed series penciller Steve Epting! Additionally, a Captain America #34 By Alex Ross Poster will arrive in stores this January.
But just who is this new Captain America? And why did he pick this costume? The answers arrive this January in Captain America #34 featuring Alex Ross’ new costume design for Captain America and a special variant cover by the legend himself! For more about this landmark debut and comments from Alex Ross, Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting and more, visit
http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.1640
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CAPTAIN AMERICA #34
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by STEVE EPTING
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
Rated T+…$2.99
FOC—12/27/07, On-Sale—1/16/08
CAPTAIN AMERICA #34 BY ALEX ROSS POSTER
24x36 Color Poster…$7.99
FOC—12/13/07, On-Sale—1/9/08
Update: Here's the trailer Marvel is running:
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