Captain America #11 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 11th issue of Captain America from Marvel Comics!
Victor Von Doom is dead. Latveria is in the midst of a power vacuum struggling for power. Things are at a breaking point, and the scales are tipping. But which direction are they pointed in? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Captain America #11 by Chip Zdarsky (Writer), Valerio Schiti (Artist), Romulo Fajardo Jr (Color Artist), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer), Valerio Schiti & Romulo Farjardo Jr (Cover)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
Things are barreling towards Armageddon at a dangerous pace and Chip Zdarsky is leading the charge with a brilliant story that is one of the better builds to a Marvel event I’ve read. The story is captivating and extremely compelling for all fans. If you love action? This series has it. Are you a big fan of political dramas or spy fiction? Oh this one has it covered. Is Captain America: The Winter Soldier your favorite MCU film? Then you are going to love this series!
The story picks up right where things left off in issue #10 where Captain America made the shocking discovery that Victor Von Doom is NOT dead! Okay kind of, it’s not the same Doom we all know and love/hate but rather a clone who is a child in age. If you’ve been keeping up with the story to this point than you know this the absolute last thing needed in this lit powder keg that’s ready to go off at any point.
Just to recap you’ve got Captain America, Nick Fury and a contingent of super heroes inside Latveria trying to ease the tension rising on all sides. You’ve got two sides inside of Latveria that are fighting each other for control of the country in the wake of Doom’s death. Plus there’s the various countries around the world with a vested interest in what’s going on, including the United Nations. Oh by the way you’ve also got General Ross and his team that are acting entirely of their own volition. Like I said, the powder keg is lit and it’s going to explode soon.
The story really excels in building the tension and as a lead in for Armageddon because this truly feels like a situation that won’t be resolved easily and with punches or a speech. Chip is masterfully penning a story that is about as can’t miss as it gets, and this story deserves all of the praise.
Oh, and then there’s the ending. I will absolutely not spoil what it is because you truly need to experience it for yourself. But it is probably the most stunning & shocking ending I’ve read in quite some time. I cannot wait to see what Chip has planned next, because it’s just spectacular.
The Artwork
Valerio Schiti & Romulo Fajardo Jr are in charge of the artwork for this issue and the job they’ve done with the artwork in this issue alone should win them both multiple awards. The story is wide in scope and utterly explosive, and the artwork steps up and rises to the occasion. The action sequences are some of the best I’ve seen in recent history, and there’s a number of panels that stand out as memorable moments that will be remembered for a long time.
Overall Grade: 10/10
The series is the benchmark for great storytelling in the mainline Marvel Comics universe. Chip Zdarsky is penning what might be the best lead-in story for a Marvel event in quite some time. The story is everything you would want out of a Captain America storyline. It has action, political intrigue, espionage and it all blends together in a way that comes together in a brilliant masterpiece. Together with artwork that is the best artwork you will read on the stands this week, this is an issue you CANNOT miss.
