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
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
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
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
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.
standardman's review
4.0
A dark and heavy book that still uses all of Captain America’s history and even spins someone of the dodgy recent history (Hydra) into gold. Like Brubaker’s run before it, Coates’ run is concerned with both what the Captain and America stand for.
wbforeman999's review
2.0
So the problem with this book it’s a book of halfs the first half is dealing with Steve Rogers role in secret empire, a.k.a. Hydra Cap and the second half is basically setting up who is the villain is and the new spy story that Captain America is involved in I understand they have to deal with it, but I’d rather not have to think about Hydra Cap. And while the set up was potentially interesting. It didn’t lead to a hook that would keep me engaged and want to keep going. I’ve come to realize I don’t care for the single issue. That’s basically the background information dump about the villain/antagonist I would rather have it spaced out like a breadcrumb Trail that way I actually care instead of it being a mysterious woman who I have no context about and then you immediately tell me all about their background Space it out. That being said, this is done very competently the art looks good, and Ta Nehisi Coates didn’t fall into the usual traps a non comic book writer would have, but I just didn’t click with this book.
softstarrynights's review
3.0
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As I said before, I will admit to buying this because it looked cool, particularly some of the cover art, and I was a little disappointed. It's not the sort of story you can just dive on into, which I always think is off-putting for the casual reader. That being said the book had some really interesting reflections on America, and how Steve fits into the picture now that those values of the 1940s are no longer relevant. Steve lacked a bit of depth as a character but he was used in a really clever way, so a bit of a mixed bag. Keep you're eyes peeled for a full spoiler free review coming soon!
As I said before, I will admit to buying this because it looked cool, particularly some of the cover art, and I was a little disappointed. It's not the sort of story you can just dive on into, which I always think is off-putting for the casual reader. That being said the book had some really interesting reflections on America, and how Steve fits into the picture now that those values of the 1940s are no longer relevant. Steve lacked a bit of depth as a character but he was used in a really clever way, so a bit of a mixed bag. Keep you're eyes peeled for a full spoiler free review coming soon!
dchaseb's review
3.0
Was a bit out of the loop since I wasn't too familiar with the previous story arc. Entertaining though.