Captain America

The Avengers

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Avengers
  • IMDB: link

the-avengers-posterWell done Joss Whedon. Ensemble casts aren’t always the easiest to deal with, especially when you’ve got stars of several franchises who all need to be showcased. Not only does the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer succeed in giving each hero their own moment to shine, but he crafts what is inarguably one of the best super-hero movies of all-time. I don’t know if The Avengers is going to be the best movie of the summer, but if it’s not I can’t wait to see what could possibly top it.

One thing Whedon and the numerous special effects experts used on the film get just right is scale. From the first time we see the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier to the film’s final battle (which can only be described as epic) the size and breadth of it are awe-inspiring. I viewed the film in IMAX 3D, and while I think a regular screening will still be quite good, the IMAX certainly helped sell the larger-than-life aspects of the script (which Buffy fans should be glad to hear is peppered with classic Whedon one-liners and humorous asides).

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Captain America #9

/ / Comics

captain-america-9-coverAs Tony Stark tries to figure out a cure to turn skinny Steve Rogers back into Captain America and the Falcon searches for the villains behind the madbombs, Sharon Carter finds herself aboard the Hellacarrier in the fight for her life against Machinesmith.

Although Cap doesn’t get in on the action there’s plenty to go around. Agent 13’s battle with Machinesmith, which includes the super-villain taking over all aspects of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Hellacarrier, is a lot of fun. How Sharon manages to force Machinesmith’s cooperation not only fits into her character but opens possible new trouble for Cap and friends down the line. The Falcon’s story isn’t as compelling, but it gets the job done by moving the story arc forward.

If I have one big complaint about issue #9 it’s that the art by Alan Davis isn’t as consistent as I’d like. Although the closeups look good, many of the other panels look rushed – especially the faces of the characters in some of the action shots. Here’s hoping this is just a one-time problem. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Captain America #8

/ / Comics

captain-america-8-cover"Writer Ed Brubaker’s “Powerless” story arc continues which means we get more of skinny pre-Super-Soldier Serium Steve Rogers who finds himself at the mercy of a mob whose anger has been fueled by a Madbomb.

I haven’t been the biggest fan of this story arc, but it hasn’t turned me off the comic either. There’s a nice action sequence where Captain America and Sharon Carter get some revenge on Cobra, Eel, and Viper. We also get a glimpse at how imposing Sharon Carter can be in the interrogation room and learn the villains are working with Codename: Bravo.

I feel like I missed a page (or three) as Sharon comes to the conclusion of what villain is behind Cap’s regression back to Skinny Steve Rogers. It’s possible Cobra let this slip off-panel in Sharon’s interrogation but I just don’t see him knowing that much of the operation. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Captain America #7

/ / Comics

captain-america-7-coverMaybe I’m getting Captain America fatigue (three issues in three weeks is quite a bit of old Cap). Or maybe I’m just not quite on board with this new story arc by Ed Brubaker.

The comic opens with three pages involving a prison riot caused by Codename: Bravo. The attempt here is to create ominous foreshadowing for something down the line, but it comes off more like a waste of 10% of a comic I spent $4 for.

The main story, which feels something taken right out of a Captain America comic of the 70’s complete with mindbending bombs, riots, and the Falcon, features Steve Rogers still trying to figure out what the Serpent Squad did to him in the last issue to turn him back into puny Steve Rogers (and then punching him a couple times before… letting him go?).

The issue does have some bright spots such as focusing much of the story on a conversation between Cap and Sharon Carter. And the action, drawn by Alan Davis, looks like we want a Captain America comic to look like. Not great, but still worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Captain America #6

/ / Comics

captain-america-6-coverWe get not one but two issues of Captain America to end the year. The new story arc plays on the seeds planted in the last issue as Queen Hydra and Baron Zemo infect Captain America‘s mind with a psychological attack.

Capa’s nightmares are getting worse (now he’s even dreaming being powerless to stop D-list villains like Batroc). To help clear his head he takes Hawkeye up on an offer of patrolling together. The cracking skulls and fresh air do a world of good until they come upon a riot caused by a “Madbomb.”

The situation spirals further out of control as Cap’s nightmares are made when he’s de-powered back to his pre-Super Soldier Serum days and set up by three low level baddies that make Batroc look like a genuine threat.

I was totally on board with the comic having villains attack Cap’s mind rather than face him head on. I’m far less sure of Cap’s nightmares becoming manifest in the real world. On the plus side, the art by Alan Davis is a big improvement over the last issue. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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