Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 17th issue of Captain America from Marvel Comics!
The world is a lot different than it was before Steve Rodgers went into Hell. But just how much has it changed? And what does it mean for him? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics
Captain America #16 by Chip Zdarsky (Writer), Ton Lima (Artist), Rod Fernandes (Colorist & Cover), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer), Valerio Schiti (Cover)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
Chip Zdarsky really does a lot of great work in this issue that is doing some incredible set up for future stories. There’s a LOT going on in the Marvel universe right now, but this issue feels kind of like a moment to take a breath before things go back to being crazy. The story makes up for some seriously intense sequences that aren’t fight scenes, but rather a well crafted story that will leave you questioning what’s going to happen. By the end of it, you’re probably going to be as shocked as I was reading it.
The issue plays out in a couple of different perspectives, and it isn’t in a linear fashion per se. Trust me though when I say it will make sense by the end of the issue. We get to see Cap finally catch up with what’s been going on in the real world during his trip to Hell with Doom, and it’s fascinating to see him come to grips with it. It reminded me in a way of watching Cap come to grips with his time jump from the first Captain America movie into the first Avengers movie. The world is so much different than what it was not that long ago.
Watching Cap deal with these changes is so fascinating to read, and honestly gave me the same vibe I get when I rewatch The Winter Soldier which is always a big plus for me. From the interactions with Nick Fury, to the moments with Sam at the end it reads like a spy thriller story and that works so well for Captain America.
Then there is of course the ending, and oh boy I did NOT see this coming. You could’ve gone back in time to a year ago and told me this was going to happen and I wouldn’t have believed you at all. Chip Zdarsky is really giving one of the greatest Captain America runs the character has ever seen. It’s going to be very interesting to see where things go from here because I can’t help but see this causing some major issues going forward.
The Artwork
Ton Lima & Rod Fernandes are in charge of the artwork for the issue and they do a great job letting the artwork breathe and really show off their skills. I love the overall tone the colors used and the panels really stood out to me with how detailed they were. To me, it’s one of the better drawn single issues of the year. There are just so many panels that I stopped and looked at everything that was going on in such detail.
Overall Grade: 9/10
A tremendous issue that continues one of the best Captain America series of all time. Chip Zdarsky continues to take the story to new & exciting heights that will shock you and leave you wishing the next issue was out. Together with artwork that is some of the best on the shops this week, this is an issue you CANNOT miss.
