“Captain America: Civil War” (Marvel)

Writer: Ed Brubaker | Artist: Mike Perkins | Colours: Frank D’Armata

Captain America has fallen into a clash with his government and his friends, and the people close to him are paying the price. The life of Cap’s girlfriend, Agent 13, is torn apart as her superiors use her divided loyalties against her. Elsewhere, a new villain emerges; the Red Skull begins to make himself known; and the Winter Soldier again comes face-to-face with Cap. But which side will he choose?

Collects: Captain America (2004) #22-24 & Winter Soldier: Winter Kills

I read the first two volumes of Brubaker’s Captain America – Winter Soldier and Red Menace – quite a while back. However, despite really enjoying them, I decided I wanted to read the Civil War collection before diving into this third installment to the series. The main event book was a little disappointing, but this volume as a part of the Captain America series was far more satisfying.

“Captain America: Red Menace” (Marvel)

The second Brubaker-penned Captain America ultimate collection

Writer: Ed Brubaker | Artists: Mike Perkins, Javier Pulido, Marcos Martin & Steve Epting | Colours: Frank D’Armata

Six months ago, Crossbones kidnapped the Red Skull’s daughter, Sin, from a government re-education facility and disappeared into the night. Now, he and his spawn of infinite evil have come to the American Midwest to tear a new hole in A.I.M. – but none of them counted on Cap and Agent 13 stumbling into the mix.

The second volume in Brubaker’s run on Captain America picks up the story and expands on Cap’s history and the canon surrounding the character and some of his most infamous nemeses. It’s dark, gritty, action-packed and quite gripping.

“Captain America, Vol.1: Winter Soldier” (Marvel)

A superb entry point for new Captain America fans

Writer: Ed Brubaker | Artists: Steve Epting, Mike Perkins & Michael Lark | Colours: Frank D’Armata

A midnight call to duty brings Captain America aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D Heli-carrier to identify the corpse of his most feared adversary: the Red Skull. The shocking murder of Cap’s oldest enemy may not be the end of the Skull’s plans, however, because whoever shot the Skull has stolen his final project: an unfinished Cosmic Cube with the potential power to alter reality itself.

Adding to the imminent danger, a cadre of the Skull’s followers has already set in motion a plan to ignite bombs in the hearts of Paris, London and Manhattan – causing untold death and destruction. Racing against these bombs’ rapidly ticking clocks, the Star-Spangled Avenger must not only solve the mystery of his nemesis’ murder, but find the Cube before it can be used in the Red Skull’s malevolent plot against the United States!

Then, the questions plaguing Captain America’s dreams and memories have been answered in the most brutal way possible. And in the wake of this brutality, General Lukin makes his first all-out assault – tearing open old wounds and threatening to make new scars that will never heal.

I really enjoyed the new Captain America movie, and have also enjoyed a few issues of Marvel’s new Winter Soldier series (which I took a chance on largely because of Lee Bermejo’s covers, but also because I was looking for something new). I wanted to try out some Captain America graphic novels, but they all seemed a little out of my price range. So, when I saw this book in BMV in Toronto (a big discount bookstore – this was 60% off), I took it as a sign, and decided it would be a great point to start my Captain America reading. Brubaker’s take on the character was also recommended by a couple of friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I hope to catch up with the rest of Brubaker’s run on the series.*