Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Super Patriot: Part 1
Written by: Robert Kirkman
Penciled by: Scot Eaton
Inked by: Drew Geraci
Colored by: Rob Schwager
Lettered by: Randy Gentile
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Assistant Editors: Andy Schmidt & Nicole Wiley
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Captain America has been one of my favorite Marvel characters since I began reading comics in the early ‘80s. Unfortunately, ever since the relaunch of Captain America under the Marvel Knights banner, I haven’t been able to stomach reading the book. I struggled through the first six issues of the Rieber/Cassaday run and I gave the book a shot for two issues when Morales and Bachalo joined forces. I’d like my money back. Seeing Cap struggle against realistic terrorists was one of the biggest comic turnoffs I’ve ever been exposed to. Thankfully that sad, miserable era seems to be over!
Robert Kirkman is utterly brilliant when it comes to writing superheroes. He gets it! It’s as simple as that. Fun, escapist, action, adventure, excitement, and great characterization have been a hallmark of his superhero fiction. The only downer about his just-begun run on Captain America is that it’s only going to last for four issues.
Just by opening the book and hitting page one Kirkman already had me hooked. Cap is involved in a slugfest with none other than Mr. Hyde. The battle is interspersed with some witty repartee and a quick finish. We are shown the majesty of Captain America and a brilliant bit where a young boy returns Cap’s shield. Then Kirkman flies forward with some excellent characterization featuring Steve Rogers’ (that’s Cap to you) choice of a movie rental, a strong scene with the long out-of-the-picture Diamondback, then Nick Fury shows up via rocketpack outside of Cap’s window.
Kirkman promised to make Captain America a superhero again, and he follows through on his promise!
It doesn’t stop there, though! Kirkman keeps the story rolling forward. Fury asks Cap and Diamondback for help freeing a senator that’s been captured by Hydra. Before Cap and Diamondback show up at Hydra’s secret base we’re presented with a hilarious exchange between two Hydra operatives discussing the pay structure with A.I.M. Brilliant!
But wait, there’s more!
The first part of the arc closes out with a cliffhanger that anyone that read the solicitations would expect, but as a lead-in this story was absolutely perfect. Robert Kirkman seems to be one of the few writers that can put two big fight sequences and ample characterization in the same comic. You get your money’s worth with this comic and no wasted space! The issue is part of a greater storyline, but unlike most comic writers today, he also gives you a story that is concluded in one issue, that features a cliffhanger that makes you want to see what will happen next.
Scot Eaton proves his creative mettle by keeping up with Kirkman’s fast paced story and actually upstaging it. Eaton, enhanced by Drew Geraci’s inks, pulls off the spectacle of this superhero extravaganza with a beauty not often seen. Marvel would be very smart to keep the Kirkman/Eaton/Geraci team together as long as they would like on Captain America. Four and out for this team would be unfair to a long-suffering fan.
