Back
after Captain America: The Winter Soldier came out in theaters,
that comic book arc was the first non-Doctor
Who trade paperback I picked up. I
was really impressed by the story, even if I wasn’t quite ready for just how,
uh… intensely comic-book it was compared to the movie plot. Now, I’ve finally got around to picking up
the first volume of the Winter Soldier
solo series by Ed Brubaker, the same author of that Captain America storyline.
(I tried once before but was a little off the mark, not having realized
there was a new, different Winter Soldier
series out.) Premise spoilers.
The
volume begins with a bit of set-up from a Captain
America book, wherein we learn that, once again, contrary to appearances,
Bucky Barnes isn’t really dead. This
time, though, it’s according to his
plan. With the help of S.H.I.E.L.D. and
his old cohort/flame Black Widow, he’s faked his own death in order to slip
into the shadows and deal with some enemies who’ve recently resurfaced, people
he knew from his Winter Soldier days. Together, Bucky and Natasha take on a sinister
plot involving sleeper agents, technologically-augmented gorillas (yes,
really,) and a robot copy of Dr. Doom.
This is a
well-made comic, an engaging spy thriller that still feels sincere despite its
sillier elements. It’s gritty,
action-packed, and a little dark, with Bucky confronting some of the ghosts of
his past. He and Natasha work well
together in every sense of the word – their relationship was a bit of
comic-book history that I knew about and which had always intrigued me, enough
that I was disappointed when the movies didn’t even really hint at that. I enjoy seeing them here, fighting alongside
each other and getting things done in between little glimpses of something
deeper.
For me,
though, the comic falls in the realm of “solid but not a slamdunk.” Through no real fault of its own,
honestly! It’s just that, the more I’ve
gotten into different titles, the more I’ve gravitated toward a certain
style. Ms. Marvel, The Totally
Awesome Hulk, Jughead (especially
under Chip Zdarsky) – these are the series that really get me excited, an
excellent blend of humor, heart, and high-stakes moments. I’m not at all opposed to more serious comics
like this one or The Sandman, but
even as I enjoy them and objectively admire the talent of their authors and
artists, the others just grab me, engage me, a little more. I’m sure I’ll check out the rest of Winter Soldier in time – particularly
since I know it only ran four volumes total - but I have a feeling I’ll focus
on my favorites first.
Warnings
Lots of
comic book violence and thematic elements.
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