Marvel Comics 2017
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Andrea Sorrentino & Rod Reis
Lettered by VC’s Travis Lanham
The handful of Heroes that remain are trying to oppose Captain America’s regime from a hidden base just outside Las Vegas. After they rescued a young man carrying crucial intel stolen by Rick Jones, Captain America retaliated, sending Hydra Warships to annihilate the city….and ordering Rick’s execution.
Well i’m still having a hard time thinking of anything that happens in these pages as being permanent. Which unfortunately makes this story almost moot, entertaining in a What If manner though. With one company wide event after another and with things as powerful as a Cosmic Cube out there able to literally rewrite history as anyone desires, and keep rewriting it time and time again without the hope it being destroyed for good leaving the world stuck as it is it’s nothing more than a very expensive fantasy tale.
Don’t get me wrong the idea that Steve’s history was rewritten so that as a child he was brought into the Hydra family and unbeknownst to all as his history played out he became the greatest symbol for American freedom the world had ever known. One that was ultimately loyal to Hydra instead. Now if this had only played out in his series or tied into Thunderbolts and been a year long story based there it might have more resonance. Personally I love the idea of rewriting his history and temporarily making him a bad guy one who can show off his unparalleled mind, tactician skills and the qualities that made him want to sign up for war in the first place.
God I’ve been a fan of Andrea’s for ages and the work he’s producing here is a prime example of why. With his signature style and penchant for attention to detail and working with Rod is just sweetening the pot. I love the style he brings to this and how he can make these iconic characters so recognisable and yet distinct at the same time. There’s something about this and the way it makes you feel that’s got a power of it’s own and quite honestly I think it’s the perfect compliment to Nick’s writing.
I love seeing Luck, Danny and Jessica trapped where they are what they are going through. The impact it has and that Dagger is their current only hope for salvation and even with her powers there are limits well it’s just exceptional writing. Oh and I may be out of touch but how long has Claire been in the comics I thought she was more a Netflix addition. Then there’s the current generation of young guns and their willingness to follow a friend into battle regardless of the consequences or if someone has to die.
There are so many factors and aspects of Nick’s story to love and enjoy. From the characterisation and not so subtle tropes reappearing again and again, Civil War for instance, the way the story unfolds is more than simply fun. Do I take as seriously, unfortunately no because there’s no real continuity or consequences to anything in comics anymore specially at Marvel.