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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