Few writers would have both the chutzpah and the talent to first kill off the title character of their comic - who happens to also be a cornerstone of the Marvel Universe - then bring back his long dead, wartime sidekick to, eventually, replace him and then, on the eve of the title's landmark 50th issue, devote an entire issue to a supporting character.But that's what Ed Brubaker has done with Captain America, and so far, aside from ruffling a few fanboy feathers along the way, he hasn't let us down.
Issue 49 of Captain America is a Sharon Carter story; Steve Rogers' former girlfriend, who - under the influence of the Red Skull - pulled the trigger on Captain America and murdered a living legend (while, unknowingly, carrying his baby).
This story is about her ongoing struggle to come to terms with murdering her lover and, ultimately, discovering the loss of their child.
Sharon's attempts to regain a normal life include visits to her aunt Peggy, in a care home. Peggy was also a past lover of Steve Rogers, but during the Second World War. I found a particular, touching resonance in the scenes between Peggy and Sharon, having my own experience of seeing an elderly loved one's memory be eaten away before my eyes.
Brubaker captured the sadness and hopelessness of this all-too-common tragedy perfectly and subtly.
Let's hope his run of quality writing continues into issue 50 and beyond.
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2 persons have something to say about this!:
actually, issue #49 is my favorite issue in the series since #25. it's almost nothing but character development, and, it seems to me, a short rest for a very long set-up.
Dave Cox? a welcome reminder of Cap's past. good to see them together, if for even a short while. if that really is Dave Cox...
also, the possible reappearance of the Cosmic Cube... or is it? very difficult for others to tell truth and reality in someone else's dreams; Sharon Carter's dreams, no less.
and that figure coming from the white light behind the Red Skull...
Bad Cap? Steve? another incarnation of the Red Skull, whom already died before? The Antichrist? nobody knows but Brevoort and Brubaker right now.
it's been a long time since Sharon Carter had the spotlight in the Cap series, and long overdue.
you know, it's funny... so many tips of the hat to the old 1967-1968 TV show "The Prisoner" in the Cap series, but nobody ever really talks about that.
writing 1/1
art 1/1
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overall 2/2
review by astronomius
Cool commentary, astronomius. Thank you for sharing your views.
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