Reviews
Captain America - Neustart: Bd. 1: Neuanfang by Robert Syska, Leinil Francis Yu, Ta-Nehisi Coates
joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
It feels like Coates is still finding his way as a graphic novel writer, but his storytelling is definitely finding its way in this format. There are a couple rough patches, but overall, this is a strong volume and an engaging start to a new run of this character.
I'll admit that I haven't closely kept up with Cap's developing storyline, so I'm jumping into the middle of some things here. In the aftermath of a crippling fight with Hydra, America and Cap are both trying to find their way back to some semblance of normal. Coates gives us a Captain America and a country in conflict with themselves at the same time that outside forces continue to unbalance the status quo.
At a time when Marvel is shying away from politics, Coates remains willing to tackle complex, contemporary issues head on. Thematically, this volume isn't about providing easy answers. Rather, it's about taking an honest look at identity, and finding a way forward after failure and pain. It's a bold volume, but it fits well with the role of Captain America as a character and strikes a balance between somber reflection and hope for the ideals of goodness that can guide the way forward.
And in the midst of these thematic questions, Coates delivers a dramatic story of conflict and the fight for the heart of a nation. The action scenes are brought to life by a strong artistic team, and the story--while grounded in its message--never loses sight of the immediate characters and conflicts driving the story. It's a dramatic adventure of a Cap forced to reckon with a broken legacy and an uncertain future. I'm excited to see what Coates continues to do with this title.
I'll admit that I haven't closely kept up with Cap's developing storyline, so I'm jumping into the middle of some things here. In the aftermath of a crippling fight with Hydra, America and Cap are both trying to find their way back to some semblance of normal. Coates gives us a Captain America and a country in conflict with themselves at the same time that outside forces continue to unbalance the status quo.
At a time when Marvel is shying away from politics, Coates remains willing to tackle complex, contemporary issues head on. Thematically, this volume isn't about providing easy answers. Rather, it's about taking an honest look at identity, and finding a way forward after failure and pain. It's a bold volume, but it fits well with the role of Captain America as a character and strikes a balance between somber reflection and hope for the ideals of goodness that can guide the way forward.
And in the midst of these thematic questions, Coates delivers a dramatic story of conflict and the fight for the heart of a nation. The action scenes are brought to life by a strong artistic team, and the story--while grounded in its message--never loses sight of the immediate characters and conflicts driving the story. It's a dramatic adventure of a Cap forced to reckon with a broken legacy and an uncertain future. I'm excited to see what Coates continues to do with this title.
remigves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
themtj's review against another edition
4.0
There are a lot of great quotes and ideas in this one as Coates takes on a classic patriotic figure but wrestles with what patriotism really looks like. He confronts false notions, establishes a healthy one, and entertains quality philosophical questions without getting bogged down in excessive writing (this was his initial error with Black Panther)
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
This is overtly political and gritty, but in the manageable fashion that Marvel comics usually are. If that is a turn-off, then pass. I will admit that I didn't read the entire Hydra-takes-over business, and that I picked this up because, as a comic book reader over the years, I've basically realized that any beginning-ish place is a good one to jump in, and this was a free library borrow. The writing is solid, and Ta-Nehisi Coates seems to have learned, since the beginning of his Black Panther run, how to trim his comic storytelling down to a manageable number of storylines and a smaller amount of text that allows the artists the freedom to communicate both parallel, complementary action.
caffeine_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was my first Captain America read and I quite enjoyed it. Loved the idea of a symbol that has lost all its meaning, and that symbol trying to find meaning again. I think its really symbolic of whats going on in America right now. Good read.
cheddyspageddy's review against another edition
3.0
I had heard online that this run was bad, and that Ta-Nehisi Coates wasn’t a good comic writer, but I’m glad to say that’s wrong. On paper, Coates is actually the perfect guy to be writing Captain America. He’s written extensively about socio-political themes, he’s written decent fiction and non-fiction, he’s written for newspapers and websites and everything in between. I just hope it all amounts to something. At the time I’m writing this review, his run is actually coming to an end with Issue #30 so we’ll see how it all shakes out as I catch up.
He starts off perfectly by mining a certain character from the greatest Captain America writer of all time, Ed Brubaker. It’s a pleasant surprise to see those elements come back, albeit differently. I also applaud Coates for acknowledging Secret Empire and choosing to build his run off of that. It would’ve been easy to just ignore it, or never mention it since many fans hated that storyline, but instead Coates chooses to ask what happens next for Cap? Americans are distrustful of him, the government, and each other, the country is divided and we’re getting to dive into what that means for Steve Rogers in modern day.
It feels very real, and despite what some people may tell you, if you’ve read a Captain America comic before, you’ll know he’s always been a political character. Sure, he can go on silly comic book adventures too, but Marvel has never been afraid of writers using Cap to comment on current geo-political events and whatever Presidential Administration we’re living in. So don’t dismiss this run altogether because there’s some references to current events sprinkled in. I caught them, and you will too, they’re not really hidden, but so far Coates has yet to say anything extreme. So far the hottest take he’s written is that America is divided, and that’s not even news to most people.
A good start I’d say, I’m hoping this leads to something truly amazing because I believe Coates has the talent. Nowhere near as bad or offensive as Reddit might have you think. Give it a shot if you like Cap comics, it’s honestly not too far off from what other writers have done for the character. You’ve got bad guys for Cap to fight, a healthy dose of spy intrigue, and a dash of current events.
He starts off perfectly by mining a certain character from the greatest Captain America writer of all time, Ed Brubaker. It’s a pleasant surprise to see those elements come back, albeit differently. I also applaud Coates for acknowledging Secret Empire and choosing to build his run off of that. It would’ve been easy to just ignore it, or never mention it since many fans hated that storyline, but instead Coates chooses to ask what happens next for Cap? Americans are distrustful of him, the government, and each other, the country is divided and we’re getting to dive into what that means for Steve Rogers in modern day.
It feels very real, and despite what some people may tell you, if you’ve read a Captain America comic before, you’ll know he’s always been a political character. Sure, he can go on silly comic book adventures too, but Marvel has never been afraid of writers using Cap to comment on current geo-political events and whatever Presidential Administration we’re living in. So don’t dismiss this run altogether because there’s some references to current events sprinkled in. I caught them, and you will too, they’re not really hidden, but so far Coates has yet to say anything extreme. So far the hottest take he’s written is that America is divided, and that’s not even news to most people.
A good start I’d say, I’m hoping this leads to something truly amazing because I believe Coates has the talent. Nowhere near as bad or offensive as Reddit might have you think. Give it a shot if you like Cap comics, it’s honestly not too far off from what other writers have done for the character. You’ve got bad guys for Cap to fight, a healthy dose of spy intrigue, and a dash of current events.
ericawrites's review against another edition
3.0
The story hasn't captured me, and I just really don't like Yu's art.