
Marvel Comics 2016
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Jesus Saiz
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
While fighting his way through S.H.I.E.L.D.’s reality-bending small-town super prison Pleasant Hill, an aged and depowered Steve Rogers was returned to fighting form by a sentient Cosmic Cube named Kobik. It seemed that Steve was back to normal, until he was sent after Baron Zemo: a prominent Hydra member who escaped Pleasant Hill with Kobik’s handler, Dr. Erik Selvig, in tow.
Alright after all the big hooplah I decided to give this a chance and see what all the fuss was about. Thankfully Nick’s a great writer and what he’s bringing to the table is pretty awesome. I’ve never been that big of Steve’s he’s always been too straight laced and by the book for me most of the time. Now there’s a twist and it’s good and i’m interested for the time being.
So the opening got me hooked here. The Red Skull is Steve’s go to villain, though I do wish we’d see others more often than him, and his history with the Cosmic Cube is the focal point. He does have a magnificent attitude i’ll give him that, he’s so far superior to everyone else on the planet in his own mind that you can’t help but to automatically be against him and anything he’s doing. Talk about hubris.
Still this whole issue centers around him, his experiences with the cube, now after the Pleasant Hill business and all that. After Kobik was gone the remaining fragments of the cube were secreted away with Maria Hill and her scientists. We see her trying to convince Dr. Selvig to work with the Kobrik initiative. When he sees the truth of the matter he’s both afraid as all get out and completely on board. Personally this whole issue goes a long way in explaining a few things specially last issue’s ending but it also showcases why no being on Earth should have access to the cube or it’s fragments.
Jesus has a great sense of style to his work. I love the way he uses the pages and panels for the flow of the story. The use of angles, perspective and backgrounds go a long way to really get the reader involved in the bigger picture of what’s happening. They set the mood, tone and feel of each panel the characters are in. The colouring looking it’s painted and the facial expressions are a joy to see.
Now if this is the same child as in Thunderbolts i’ll have a huge issue if it’s a completely different one from different shards than i’m okay with that, though than name should’ve been changed. Otherwise i’m excited for the prospect this opening arc has. The momentum is here and it’s completely relevant to what’s been happening in the Marvel U lately. It’s also a great way to see Steve in a different light for a bit as well as setting up a big villain on villain battle between the Red Skull and Baron Zemo. Two men who think the cube is theirs.
With strong writing and great characterization and a different look than we’re used to this shows promise that finally the Boy Scout mold’s been broken and things are going to get interesting.