Marvel Comics 2016
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Jesus Saiz
Coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
In Steve’s new reality, a woman named Elisa Sinclair recruited him to the villainous organization as a young boy, and he’ll do anything for the cause--including pushing his longtime ally Jack Flag out the plane to keep him from Apprehending Kobik’s former handler and fellow Hydra agent, Dr. Erik Selvig.
I’m still a little confused if this Kobik is the same little girl that’s running around with the Thunderbolts or if this is a different version from a different fragment of the shattered cosmic cube. I wish that were a little more clear.
Otherwise I have to say that i’m enjoying the whole rewriting of his past that Nick is presenting to us. It really does take everything and turn it on its head in a way that is conceivable and interesting. Steve’s been around a very long time, in comics, and it’s hard to create new and interesting scenarios for him and this one is a natural extension of what’s been happening in the Marvel Universe. If you think about it this new reality is really all Maria Hill’s doing with her hairbrained scheme and by letting the Red Skull be in Pleasant Hill to begin with. He was just opportunistic enough to take advantage of a situation and it turned out to be this interesting turn of events.
So until Kobik puts his history back to what it should be i’m going to enjoy this one here. Though to be honest I do think what Nick is doing is pretty interesting and we are already seeing that regardless of people attempt to do to him fundamentally deep inside he’s still that Captain people love. So i’ll be waiting to see what cracks form and if rewriting his history again erases this run or not.
So the events that we saw last issue and continue on in this one take place in Bagalia. So since Crossfire and the girls have tickets to that woman I won’t mention makes sense only other frauds can appreciate one of their own! I do like that Taskmaster is the new sheriff in town and his comment about Sharon made me laugh. The characterization and dialogue here has been some of Nick’s finest stuff. It doesn’t even stop there though as we see Rick and then Steve and the Red Skull’s conversation all of this is the kind of writing that keeps us not only entertained but on the edge of our seats.
I’m fairly impressed with the work on the interiors here too. I wish Jack had his signature multi-coloured hair but okay. What really caught my attention and kept it was the hologram chat Steve had with the Red Skull that was frakkin amazing to see! While I wish there was more use of backgrounds the flow of the book through the pages and panels are nicely done.
This is like nothing I could’ve expected and if it hadn’t been for fan outcry I wouldn’t have tried this and I so glad I did. This could be one of those iconic Captain America storylines when it’s all said and done i’m finding that it’s that good.