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Captain America (2004) (Collected Editions) #11
Captain America: Reborn
Following the events of Captain America 600, Steve Rogers' closest friends and allies may have found a way to bring back the original Captain America. Or is what they found something more sinister? The Red Skull's greatest plan to destroy Captain America has been in motion and its completion is almost at hand. Will Captain America be lost forever, or will he be Reborn?
Collecting: Captain America: Reborn 1-6
Collecting: Captain America: Reborn 1-6
144 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2010
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,734 books2,754 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
August 21, 2014
*2014 review*
Alright. I just finished my re-read of this one, and I'll have to admit that maybe it's not quite the 5 star material that I originally thought it was.
But.
I'm letting my original rating stand, because...well, because the story makes me happy.
So there.
I needed to read this one after Captain America: The Death of Captain America, Vol. 1: The Death of the Dream, because it's so damn depressing for me to think of a world without Steve Rogers.
*Original review 2010*
He's baaack!
Yes!
The entire Marvel universe had a huge gaping hole in it without Steve Rogers. I understand why they killed him off in the first place (and it was genius, by the way), but I almost had a stroke!
Reborn was a good story, but I wouldn't have cared what crazy plot device they used to bring him back, honestly. They could have had a giant monkey from another dimension poop him out in the middle of the Manhattan, and
I would have loved it.
Really.
Alright. I just finished my re-read of this one, and I'll have to admit that maybe it's not quite the 5 star material that I originally thought it was.
But.
I'm letting my original rating stand, because...well, because the story makes me happy.
So there.
I needed to read this one after Captain America: The Death of Captain America, Vol. 1: The Death of the Dream, because it's so damn depressing for me to think of a world without Steve Rogers.
*Original review 2010*
He's baaack!
Yes!
The entire Marvel universe had a huge gaping hole in it without Steve Rogers. I understand why they killed him off in the first place (and it was genius, by the way), but I almost had a stroke!
Reborn was a good story, but I wouldn't have cared what crazy plot device they used to bring him back, honestly. They could have had a giant monkey from another dimension poop him out in the middle of the Manhattan, and
I would have loved it.
Really.
May 14, 2011
Listen: Captain America has come unstuck in time.
The good Captain gets over a slight case of death in this collection. While I’ve done endless bitching in other comic reviews about stunt killing characters, Ed Brubaker made this one count with a great tale of Cap’s former sidekick James “Bucky” Barnes having to fill the role of Captain America after Steve Rogers was apparently gunned down. Despite James being an exciting new twist on the Captain America legend, apparently Marvel felt it was time to get Steve Rogers back in the red, white and blue for some reason.
Why, it’s almost like there’s a big budget movie coming out in the near future…..
James and some of the other underground Avengers have figured out that the Red Skull was up to some shenanigans and that Steve’s death was part of a plot to allow the Skull to take over Roger’s body. However, complications to the scheme have left Steve a prisoner in his own past as he takes a Billy Pilgrim like tour through his own greatest triumphs and tragedies. (It’s also similar to a Lost plotline that even has a reference to Steve’s ‘Constant’.)
The story that Brubaker laid out culminates in a massive battle with cameos from major players in the Marvel universe along the way. I enjoyed James's time as Captain America and hope that he isn’t simply abandoned in future stories once Steve comes back for good, but even a cynical bastard like me had to enjoy the return of a comic icon.
The good Captain gets over a slight case of death in this collection. While I’ve done endless bitching in other comic reviews about stunt killing characters, Ed Brubaker made this one count with a great tale of Cap’s former sidekick James “Bucky” Barnes having to fill the role of Captain America after Steve Rogers was apparently gunned down. Despite James being an exciting new twist on the Captain America legend, apparently Marvel felt it was time to get Steve Rogers back in the red, white and blue for some reason.
Why, it’s almost like there’s a big budget movie coming out in the near future…..
James and some of the other underground Avengers have figured out that the Red Skull was up to some shenanigans and that Steve’s death was part of a plot to allow the Skull to take over Roger’s body. However, complications to the scheme have left Steve a prisoner in his own past as he takes a Billy Pilgrim like tour through his own greatest triumphs and tragedies. (It’s also similar to a Lost plotline that even has a reference to Steve’s ‘Constant’.)
The story that Brubaker laid out culminates in a massive battle with cameos from major players in the Marvel universe along the way. I enjoyed James's time as Captain America and hope that he isn’t simply abandoned in future stories once Steve comes back for good, but even a cynical bastard like me had to enjoy the return of a comic icon.
December 22, 2014
The original Captain America returns and none of us can totally say we're surprised since the comic book industry has been killing superheroes and then bringing them back for decades.
The Red Skull, Doctor Doom and other Marvel supervillains are involved in a dastardly plan that is detailed a bit in spoilers for those who already read it or those who need to know now. That said, it's an interesting enough idea.
How's the artwork? Explosive is the one word which comes to mind as the panels leap out at you and blend in with one another at times. Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice do an awesome job showing the awesomeness of Captain America and his allies as well as some of the more powerful supervillains.
There are a lot of characters in this tale. I shall list some of them: the original Captain America (Steve Rogers), the replacement Captain America (James “Bucky” Barnes), Sharon Carter (former lover of Steve Rogers and agent 13 of SHIELD), Red Skull, Norman Osborn, Sin (daughter of Red Skull), Crossbones, Ares, Venom, Vision (who plays a crucial role in the overall tale), Mister Fantastic, Thor and many others. My favorite sub character supervillain was the new Ant-Man (what a wussboy heh).
Historical quotes about liberty and such are sprinkled in between the chapters.
I would say this is a good to very good read for those who aren't purists about Steve Rogers returning and if you really thought he was dead for good you haven't been paying enough attention to the comic book industry.
STORY/PLOTTING: B; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B; ARTWORK PRESENTATION: A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus; WHEN READ: mid August 2012.
The Red Skull, Doctor Doom and other Marvel supervillains are involved in a dastardly plan that is detailed a bit in spoilers for those who already read it or those who need to know now. That said, it's an interesting enough idea.
How's the artwork? Explosive is the one word which comes to mind as the panels leap out at you and blend in with one another at times. Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice do an awesome job showing the awesomeness of Captain America and his allies as well as some of the more powerful supervillains.
There are a lot of characters in this tale. I shall list some of them: the original Captain America (Steve Rogers), the replacement Captain America (James “Bucky” Barnes), Sharon Carter (former lover of Steve Rogers and agent 13 of SHIELD), Red Skull, Norman Osborn, Sin (daughter of Red Skull), Crossbones, Ares, Venom, Vision (who plays a crucial role in the overall tale), Mister Fantastic, Thor and many others. My favorite sub character supervillain was the new Ant-Man (what a wussboy heh).
Historical quotes about liberty and such are sprinkled in between the chapters.
I would say this is a good to very good read for those who aren't purists about Steve Rogers returning and if you really thought he was dead for good you haven't been paying enough attention to the comic book industry.
STORY/PLOTTING: B; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B; ARTWORK PRESENTATION: A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus; WHEN READ: mid August 2012.
March 25, 2018
3.5 stars
There are not many certainties in life, but if Ed Brubaker is writing a Cap book (or Batman, X-Men, Daredevil . . . ) it will likely be good. Lots of action, some Slaughterhouse-Five references (which I thank other GR reviewers for mentioning, as it had been 20+ years since I read it), and Steve Rogers finally back fighting the good fight against Red Skull and his merry band of hangers-on.
There are not many certainties in life, but if Ed Brubaker is writing a Cap book (or Batman, X-Men, Daredevil . . . ) it will likely be good. Lots of action, some Slaughterhouse-Five references (which I thank other GR reviewers for mentioning, as it had been 20+ years since I read it), and Steve Rogers finally back fighting the good fight against Red Skull and his merry band of hangers-on.
April 28, 2014
In the first issue of Reborn, Arnim Zola says, "Listen, Steve Rogers has come unstuck in time." If that doesn't instantly bring back happy memories of reading Slaughterhouse-Five, either because you haven't read it or because it's been too long since you have, do yourself a favor and take care of that now. It's a truly wonderful book, and the best part of Reborn is how Brubaker riffs on that idea of being unstuck in time. Watching the toll it takes on Steve, who can relive memories, including terrible, painful ones, without being able to change anything, can be wrenching.
The rest of the story can be, in comparison, somewhat less than inspired. The idea of the Red Skull in Steve's body, posing as Captain America under Norman Osborn's command, could have potential, except that it isn't allowed to go very far. (Yes, this is in the middle of the Dark Reign storyline that I have no particular fondness for.) As far as resurrections go, it's decent enough. And probably a necessity, considering the movies. Honestly, this could have been terrible, a throwaway story just to get a commercially motivated plot point over with. That there's any redeeming points at all is more than I could have initially hoped for.
The rest of the story can be, in comparison, somewhat less than inspired. The idea of the Red Skull in Steve's body, posing as Captain America under Norman Osborn's command, could have potential, except that it isn't allowed to go very far. (Yes, this is in the middle of the Dark Reign storyline that I have no particular fondness for.) As far as resurrections go, it's decent enough. And probably a necessity, considering the movies. Honestly, this could have been terrible, a throwaway story just to get a commercially motivated plot point over with. That there's any redeeming points at all is more than I could have initially hoped for.
June 29, 2019
THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN AMERICA!
So you remember that amazing issue where Cap was shot in the belly by his lover, Agent 13? And then we had Bucky trying his best to be the new Cap the next 20 or so issues. It was a pretty great death. But come on, this is comics, and nothing is how it seems.
How does Cap come back you ask? Well, what if he wasn't shot with a regular pistol but a MAGIC gun! And instead of being dead...you're stuck in a loop of your best and worst memories. That's what has been happening to Cap. Just reliving his past so you get to see all the horrible things they had to go through. At that time Sharon remembers everything and wants to bring him back. So Falcon, her, and Bucky do their best to make this plan in motion.
This was...good. I didn't love it if I'm being honest. The fights are fun enough, the ending with Cap coming back is great, Bucky getting captured is a lot of fun but the rest feels a bit fluffy? Red Skull isn't all that interesting here. Overall, it was good, the art is good, and there's great moments, but overall it's just good. A 3 out of 5.
So you remember that amazing issue where Cap was shot in the belly by his lover, Agent 13? And then we had Bucky trying his best to be the new Cap the next 20 or so issues. It was a pretty great death. But come on, this is comics, and nothing is how it seems.
How does Cap come back you ask? Well, what if he wasn't shot with a regular pistol but a MAGIC gun! And instead of being dead...you're stuck in a loop of your best and worst memories. That's what has been happening to Cap. Just reliving his past so you get to see all the horrible things they had to go through. At that time Sharon remembers everything and wants to bring him back. So Falcon, her, and Bucky do their best to make this plan in motion.
This was...good. I didn't love it if I'm being honest. The fights are fun enough, the ending with Cap coming back is great, Bucky getting captured is a lot of fun but the rest feels a bit fluffy? Red Skull isn't all that interesting here. Overall, it was good, the art is good, and there's great moments, but overall it's just good. A 3 out of 5.
July 22, 2019
A solid story.
January 6, 2015
Brubaker is most definitely my favorite Cap writer. Helluva return for Cap here with some great art. After reading his Death of Captain America this is a must.
June 26, 2020
Still a wonderful story!
It's compelling, the art is gorgeous and the writing's pretty good. It goes through Cap's history in a way that doesn't feel repetitive (and believe me, a lot of Cap's books go through his history). I enjoyed seeing Steve's inner thoughts as he relived his past. I really loved seeing Sam, Bucky and Nat work together. I like the set up for what comes next.
The only downside is that this book, once again, has me asking what the hell kind of vendetta does Brubaker have against Sharon Carter? I mean, she just gets the worst of it in his run and in this book. She's not only brainwashed to kill Cap, pregnant against her will and then loses the baby, and then forced to remember what she was brainwashed to do. In this book, Red Skull takes over the body of the love of her life and then beats her up.
Like dude... why does she need to be treated that way? The rest of that stuff was (way, way) more than enough.
It's compelling, the art is gorgeous and the writing's pretty good. It goes through Cap's history in a way that doesn't feel repetitive (and believe me, a lot of Cap's books go through his history). I enjoyed seeing Steve's inner thoughts as he relived his past. I really loved seeing Sam, Bucky and Nat work together. I like the set up for what comes next.
The only downside is that this book, once again, has me asking what the hell kind of vendetta does Brubaker have against Sharon Carter? I mean, she just gets the worst of it in his run and in this book. She's not only brainwashed to kill Cap, pregnant against her will and then loses the baby, and then forced to remember what she was brainwashed to do. In this book, Red Skull takes over the body of the love of her life and then beats her up.
Like dude... why does she need to be treated that way? The rest of that stuff was (way, way) more than enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2010
With a onion-skin thin plot and mired in the unfortunate continuity of the recent "DARK REIGN" status quo of the Marvel Comics universe, CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN is Ed Brubaker's attempt to reinstate Steve Rogers back from the grave, and one would expect, back to wielding the familiar shield of Captain America. Brubaker has proven that Captain America, for so long sidelined by cliche and ham-fisted comic book scripting, can be vital and exciting. Even after his obviously short-lived death, Brubaker continued the monthly Captain America comic, without Captain America, and it was still interesting. But by bringing back the original, Cap, Brubaker seems to short sell his greatest triumph, the acceptance by the Comic World on the return of Bucky as the New Cap. Now, had CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN dealt with the Rogers/Bucky relationship at least in some way, it would have been far more interesting. Instead we get sideways sci-fi romp through Cap's life that screams with the retro-minded vibe that Brubaker often loses control of in the monthly Cap title. With rushed, and stilted art from the usually dependable and spectacular Bryan Hitch, CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN was not a story that absolutely needed to be told so soon after the world embracing the all-new Captain America. The whole project seems shoe-horned into place with no heed paid to the clearly visible gaps in quality that remain more than apparent in the final product. Given the talent involved and especially with Brubaker's immense success with Captain America, I expected far better.
December 5, 2015
"Captain America: Reborn" is the culmination of Ed Brubaker's first five years on the title. It is truly epic in feel and execution, just like a summer blockbuster movie. The script is great and Bryan Hitch's art is simply amazing, reminiscent of his "Authority" and "Ultimates" days.
As the title implies, Steve Rogers is brought back to life. While the destination was never in doubt (C'mon, show of hands: who among you *really* thought Steve Rogers would stay dead?), the journey itself is a roller-coaster ride. Steve Rogers is stuck in a time loop, jumping from one point of his life to another (a la Quantum Leap), trying to find a way to get back to the present. Meanwhile, in the present, his friends have figured out his situation and they try to get him back.
We've got Bucky Cap, the Falcon, Sharon Carter, Mr.Fantastic, the (good) Avengers, and the Black Widow squaring off against the Red Skull, Sin, Crossbones, Arnim Zola, Osborn & the Dark Avengers, and a horde of MODOKs.
Even people who have not been following this series from the beginning of Brubaker's run will enjoy this book. It is simply non-stop superhero action from start to finish. It's fast-paced, clever, and cinematic in scope. This is one for the book shelf, people. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
As the title implies, Steve Rogers is brought back to life. While the destination was never in doubt (C'mon, show of hands: who among you *really* thought Steve Rogers would stay dead?), the journey itself is a roller-coaster ride. Steve Rogers is stuck in a time loop, jumping from one point of his life to another (a la Quantum Leap), trying to find a way to get back to the present. Meanwhile, in the present, his friends have figured out his situation and they try to get him back.
We've got Bucky Cap, the Falcon, Sharon Carter, Mr.Fantastic, the (good) Avengers, and the Black Widow squaring off against the Red Skull, Sin, Crossbones, Arnim Zola, Osborn & the Dark Avengers, and a horde of MODOKs.
Even people who have not been following this series from the beginning of Brubaker's run will enjoy this book. It is simply non-stop superhero action from start to finish. It's fast-paced, clever, and cinematic in scope. This is one for the book shelf, people. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
January 14, 2016
Well this was disappointing. Rather so-so story of how Steve Rogers comes back from the dead, and not very fulfilling either, but these types of stories never are. When major super-heroes die, we know they will come back from the dead, but it's always in some silly fashion and often involves time travel and pseudo science.
Here, it's a rather drawn out affair, and once again we're plopped down in the middle of some weird Marvel Universe that I don't understand, but that's ok. It kinda sucks that Bucky never got much exposure as Captain America before Rogers returned, just about a year. I rather like Bucky as Cap, much as I really liked Dick Grayson as Batman after a similar "death" of the Caped Crusader.
Some nice appearances by Dr Doom, Mr Fantastic, and Henry Pym, but this was not all that great in my opinion. Hum drum is the term that comes to mind.
Here, it's a rather drawn out affair, and once again we're plopped down in the middle of some weird Marvel Universe that I don't understand, but that's ok. It kinda sucks that Bucky never got much exposure as Captain America before Rogers returned, just about a year. I rather like Bucky as Cap, much as I really liked Dick Grayson as Batman after a similar "death" of the Caped Crusader.
Some nice appearances by Dr Doom, Mr Fantastic, and Henry Pym, but this was not all that great in my opinion. Hum drum is the term that comes to mind.
February 29, 2024
3.5 Stars
Let me start by saying I wasn't a big fan of the whole "Captain America stuck in time" thing. It seemed like a bit of a cop out, much like when Batman died and he was doing the weird time travel thing, too. That being said, we always knew Cap was coming back, and there had to be someway he'd do it. I just didn't care for it since we had been lead to believe Cap was shot and killed, then we find out it wasn't a "regular gun", etc. But really, even with me not loving the premise, it was still very well done and a good read. Plus, like everyone else, I was happy to see Steve Rogers back.
The Brubaker run still remains one of the best Cap runs ever.
Let me start by saying I wasn't a big fan of the whole "Captain America stuck in time" thing. It seemed like a bit of a cop out, much like when Batman died and he was doing the weird time travel thing, too. That being said, we always knew Cap was coming back, and there had to be someway he'd do it. I just didn't care for it since we had been lead to believe Cap was shot and killed, then we find out it wasn't a "regular gun", etc. But really, even with me not loving the premise, it was still very well done and a good read. Plus, like everyone else, I was happy to see Steve Rogers back.
The Brubaker run still remains one of the best Cap runs ever.
April 26, 2014
Ok...Comic book rule. You kill a character....later you could bring him back. DC has done it with other characters and also with Batman at the end of their event, Final Crisis. And Marvel of course, has their own share of resurrections as well.
In this case, its Steve Rogers or better known as Captain America. I missed out on the issue where they killed him but at least a little flashback is included here for those who missed it. :)
Apparently he wasn't really dead and that his "death" was a ploy by the Red Skull and Doctor Doom. Skull, who is now a disembodied entitity inhabiting a robotic version of himself, had planned to come back in human form by hijacking the body of Steve Rogers and later animating it with him in it in order to infiltrate the Avengers themselves and undermine the Us govt and eventually take over. (ah Nazis, no surprise there)
The surprise for me was actually enjoying this compilation in spite of the dated material. By dated, I meant scenes and events of the 1940's which doesn't really appeal to me and wouldn't be the setting that I would look for in a story. But all in all, we all know that the hero, or in this case, Heroes, save the day. But the fun part is seeing how they do it and how they come out on top! :)
RE-READ -April 26, 2014
Had to read this again after loving Captain America: Winter Soldier. It all just made more sense and finally I've learned to appreciate Cap as a hero and an Avenger. He is a born leader who will never stop at fighting for and defending the right cause. And the true mark of a leader is that he is able to rally people to adhere and fight for the same cause that he truly believes in.
Initially borrowed but now I finally found my own copy a day after watching Winter Soldier for the second time.
Looks like I gotta watch it a 3rd time again and who knows, I may just get more Cap stuff!
Yeah keep em coming!
In this case, its Steve Rogers or better known as Captain America. I missed out on the issue where they killed him but at least a little flashback is included here for those who missed it. :)
Apparently he wasn't really dead and that his "death" was a ploy by the Red Skull and Doctor Doom. Skull, who is now a disembodied entitity inhabiting a robotic version of himself, had planned to come back in human form by hijacking the body of Steve Rogers and later animating it with him in it in order to infiltrate the Avengers themselves and undermine the Us govt and eventually take over. (ah Nazis, no surprise there)
The surprise for me was actually enjoying this compilation in spite of the dated material. By dated, I meant scenes and events of the 1940's which doesn't really appeal to me and wouldn't be the setting that I would look for in a story. But all in all, we all know that the hero, or in this case, Heroes, save the day. But the fun part is seeing how they do it and how they come out on top! :)
RE-READ -April 26, 2014
Had to read this again after loving Captain America: Winter Soldier. It all just made more sense and finally I've learned to appreciate Cap as a hero and an Avenger. He is a born leader who will never stop at fighting for and defending the right cause. And the true mark of a leader is that he is able to rally people to adhere and fight for the same cause that he truly believes in.
Initially borrowed but now I finally found my own copy a day after watching Winter Soldier for the second time.
Looks like I gotta watch it a 3rd time again and who knows, I may just get more Cap stuff!
Yeah keep em coming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2020
This book was so good! We pick up with the after assassination of Steve only to find that he is not really dead, that he didn't really die and then we dive into this book and follow Steve whose kind of journeying through time and living his greatest hits - gifting Red skull many times, Kree-Skrull war, being frozen in ice and meeting Namor, and the death of Bucky when fighting Zemo. That concept serves to show the legacy of CAP and in real world we have the Avengers trying to save him from Red Skull, Dr Doom and Osborn. There is a part towards the end where Skull seizes control of is body but with his ingenuity and awesomeness, he is able to fight through it and returns for real! Cap is back! This book fired on all fronts and the thing with time travel can get complicated but its really fun how he is back, and those moments and the ending with Sharon was perfect.
August 19, 2023
Comics are so funny because the way they worked out how to bring Steve Rogers back to life was so convoluted and wild. 😭
I really enjoyed this though!! It was so interesting and Cap's trip through time and his history were really interesting. His lore is so deep and I loved seeing some random ass Avengers in here too.
The army of MODOKS had me cracking though plsss. And I'm absolutely so tired of how many times the baddies have fucked Sharon over, and how many different ways the fucking Red Skull has come back. Like he eats as a villain, nazi ass bitch but omfg you got killed like five times pls just fuck off forever now dude???
The inner fight between Steve and the Red Skull was great and I loved how the action happened in front of the Lincoln Memorial as the statue was just like 👁️👄👁️ the entire time.
I totally forgot Bucky had a robot arm for a second and I got so scared when he got his hand chopped off omfg. 💀
I really enjoyed this though!! It was so interesting and Cap's trip through time and his history were really interesting. His lore is so deep and I loved seeing some random ass Avengers in here too.
The army of MODOKS had me cracking though plsss. And I'm absolutely so tired of how many times the baddies have fucked Sharon over, and how many different ways the fucking Red Skull has come back. Like he eats as a villain, nazi ass bitch but omfg you got killed like five times pls just fuck off forever now dude???
The inner fight between Steve and the Red Skull was great and I loved how the action happened in front of the Lincoln Memorial as the statue was just like 👁️👄👁️ the entire time.
I totally forgot Bucky had a robot arm for a second and I got so scared when he got his hand chopped off omfg. 💀
February 19, 2024
As every knows now - and even at the time probably - Captain America comes back! The only question is how? And is it satisfying?
The premise is that Captain America isn't dead - he's stuck in time! Living through parts of his life in random. He dips in and out of consciousness. I wonder if originally he did black out some of those moments.
I really like Bryan Hitch's artwork here. It's playful and fast and captures the epic scope perfectly.
I love that in order to retain control over his body while trapped in his brain Captain America punches Red Skull. How come every Superhero comic battle is won by someone just punching someone?
It's odd that after this book Brubaker still has Bucky operate as Captain America for some time. I think it would have been stronger to have had Captain America remain dead for longer. Maybe play out some of his experiences at the end of each issue doing a run down of Captain America's greatest hits.
The premise is that Captain America isn't dead - he's stuck in time! Living through parts of his life in random. He dips in and out of consciousness. I wonder if originally he did black out some of those moments.
I really like Bryan Hitch's artwork here. It's playful and fast and captures the epic scope perfectly.
I love that in order to retain control over his body while trapped in his brain Captain America punches Red Skull. How come every Superhero comic battle is won by someone just punching someone?
It's odd that after this book Brubaker still has Bucky operate as Captain America for some time. I think it would have been stronger to have had Captain America remain dead for longer. Maybe play out some of his experiences at the end of each issue doing a run down of Captain America's greatest hits.
August 23, 2018
The man, the myth, the legend, is back.
Captain America returns, with a decent enough story. Some really good cameos and fun, but also the seriousness that usually follows him. Good book, good art, good to see Cap back.
Captain America returns, with a decent enough story. Some really good cameos and fun, but also the seriousness that usually follows him. Good book, good art, good to see Cap back.
June 23, 2016
Listen: Steve Rogers has come unstuck in time.
What I've learned reading Marvel comics is the same lesson Billy Pilgrim learns on the planet Trafalmadore, where the flying saucers come from, that when a person dies, he only appears to die. Unless he's Captain Marvel, but I digress...
More a Kurt Vonnegut than a Captain America fan, I found much to enjoy here watching Steve Rogers' consciousness become unmoored in time, revisiting the confusing, cascading moments of his long life as a gaggle of mad scientists on both sides of the superhero/supervillain spectrum frantically try to anchor him in time and space.
But as a mere bug trapped in the amber of this moment, I would have enjoyed it a lot more if author Ed Brubaker had taken a little more of that precious and illusory commodity called time and developed some of those great moments. And there just aren't enough of them, either.
Think, if you're going to reboot one of the first, and potentially the most celebrated hero in the pantheon of the Marvel Universe, consider all the rich history, all the sorrows, all those special moments in time that Steve Rogers could have found himself reliving. Had Brubaker developed more of this, his storyline line could have been great, momentous, something to endure in the history of comic-lore; instead, it's just good, and sometimes not really even that. Instead, Brubaker just zips through some of the obligatory scenes--Steve's mother, the death of Dr. Erskine, the loss of Bucky, the time in the ice, etcetera--it's all over much too quickly, and the psychological depths of revisiting these moments or the pain that comes with reliving over and over the mistakes one has made do not get the needed attention they deserve. Rick Jones makes a cameo, yes, but there's far more for Steve Rogers to revisit and regret than taking on that jackass for a side kick...
And it's not just Rogers being unstuck in time that feels rushed; Red Skull's infusion into the form of Captain America while Rogers is trapped within some hellish recreation of a Red Skull controlled 1940s Amerikka? Those two concepts could also have been developed to a much greater effect, but we're over and done with them in a matter of a few pages.
Still, this volume is a must read for any True Believer, although it could have and should have been so much more.
What I've learned reading Marvel comics is the same lesson Billy Pilgrim learns on the planet Trafalmadore, where the flying saucers come from, that when a person dies, he only appears to die. Unless he's Captain Marvel, but I digress...
More a Kurt Vonnegut than a Captain America fan, I found much to enjoy here watching Steve Rogers' consciousness become unmoored in time, revisiting the confusing, cascading moments of his long life as a gaggle of mad scientists on both sides of the superhero/supervillain spectrum frantically try to anchor him in time and space.
But as a mere bug trapped in the amber of this moment, I would have enjoyed it a lot more if author Ed Brubaker had taken a little more of that precious and illusory commodity called time and developed some of those great moments. And there just aren't enough of them, either.
Think, if you're going to reboot one of the first, and potentially the most celebrated hero in the pantheon of the Marvel Universe, consider all the rich history, all the sorrows, all those special moments in time that Steve Rogers could have found himself reliving. Had Brubaker developed more of this, his storyline line could have been great, momentous, something to endure in the history of comic-lore; instead, it's just good, and sometimes not really even that. Instead, Brubaker just zips through some of the obligatory scenes--Steve's mother, the death of Dr. Erskine, the loss of Bucky, the time in the ice, etcetera--it's all over much too quickly, and the psychological depths of revisiting these moments or the pain that comes with reliving over and over the mistakes one has made do not get the needed attention they deserve. Rick Jones makes a cameo, yes, but there's far more for Steve Rogers to revisit and regret than taking on that jackass for a side kick...
And it's not just Rogers being unstuck in time that feels rushed; Red Skull's infusion into the form of Captain America while Rogers is trapped within some hellish recreation of a Red Skull controlled 1940s Amerikka? Those two concepts could also have been developed to a much greater effect, but we're over and done with them in a matter of a few pages.
Still, this volume is a must read for any True Believer, although it could have and should have been so much more.
September 28, 2012
Okay...so 5 stars reflects nostalgia and the fact that I've been a Captain America fan since 1964.
For me and I think (hope) for a lot of fans there's one Captain America, and that's Steve Rogers. Like Superman and the DC series that killed him and brought him back for his fans this was a very satisfying book in many ways for fans of Cap. With Cap wandering through his past and other things (which I will refrain from going into as even graphic novels can have spoiler) we get to look at Captain America and who he is.
I think that for some time before the death issue the writers were struggling with what to do with Cap. As Chris Evans in the role of Cap says in the Avengers "aren't the Stars and Stripes a little old fashioned in the world today" Cap stands for personal freedom and defending the rights of all people. That can be tough to write. The close of this book is satisfying and sets up their continuing story.
I stopped collecting comics many years ago, but still keep up on Cap 9and to a lesser extent the Avengers) by the compilations. I'm 60 years old and frankly how much time do I have left? I admit to frustration with the way things are going and the willingness of Americans to accept the loss of their freedom bit by bit in exchange for bowls of soup (who gets the reference?).
I'm glad to see Captain America still there, I hope he stays Cap at least mostly.
Enjoyable, exciting good book. The art overall is good (though there are a few missteps. In frame there's a battleax with a wooden handle that seems to be bending in a forward "U"). The story telling holds up pretty well. There are a few flaws but not enough to hurt the books appeal. Enjoy.
For me and I think (hope) for a lot of fans there's one Captain America, and that's Steve Rogers. Like Superman and the DC series that killed him and brought him back for his fans this was a very satisfying book in many ways for fans of Cap. With Cap wandering through his past and other things (which I will refrain from going into as even graphic novels can have spoiler) we get to look at Captain America and who he is.
I think that for some time before the death issue the writers were struggling with what to do with Cap. As Chris Evans in the role of Cap says in the Avengers "aren't the Stars and Stripes a little old fashioned in the world today" Cap stands for personal freedom and defending the rights of all people. That can be tough to write. The close of this book is satisfying and sets up their continuing story.
I stopped collecting comics many years ago, but still keep up on Cap 9and to a lesser extent the Avengers) by the compilations. I'm 60 years old and frankly how much time do I have left? I admit to frustration with the way things are going and the willingness of Americans to accept the loss of their freedom bit by bit in exchange for bowls of soup (who gets the reference?).
I'm glad to see Captain America still there, I hope he stays Cap at least mostly.
Enjoyable, exciting good book. The art overall is good (though there are a few missteps. In frame there's a battleax with a wooden handle that seems to be bending in a forward "U"). The story telling holds up pretty well. There are a few flaws but not enough to hurt the books appeal. Enjoy.
May 17, 2016
Another fast-paced, hold-tight-to-your-hat adventure! Cap is back mostly because it's the Marvel Universe, and the poor fellow is stuck in a hopping time loop of his life's tragedies until his friends bust him out. I enjoyed the Avengers teamwork in this one: there's lots of Bucky, Sharon, and Nat holding their own and kicking HYDRA butt. Again, the story and art (especially the art) are male power fantasy with a side of testosterone cocktail. Steve is more myth than man in Brubaker's work.
On a fannish side note, I now have even more questions about Cap's adventures. Why do the same villains just keep fighting him again and again? It's either Red Skull, Zola, Zemo, or Namor, with little mini-bosses of Crossbones or Green Skull. All of them have weird homoerotic villain-hero subtext with Cap. What is going on? Do I want to know what's going on? How many days of the week does Steve spend punching people? It's like 8 days a week of punching with this Cap. Why were there no sad memories of Peggy or dropping his favorite ice cream in the dirt? Why do I keep writing these annoying reviews insisting Steve be a human being and not just a superhero? I just want Steve Rogers, the hero of our country, to be a fleshed out character, guys. I want him to kiss his husband Bucky good morning and discover vegan muffins. This might be too much to ask.
On a fannish side note, I now have even more questions about Cap's adventures. Why do the same villains just keep fighting him again and again? It's either Red Skull, Zola, Zemo, or Namor, with little mini-bosses of Crossbones or Green Skull. All of them have weird homoerotic villain-hero subtext with Cap. What is going on? Do I want to know what's going on? How many days of the week does Steve spend punching people? It's like 8 days a week of punching with this Cap. Why were there no sad memories of Peggy or dropping his favorite ice cream in the dirt? Why do I keep writing these annoying reviews insisting Steve be a human being and not just a superhero? I just want Steve Rogers, the hero of our country, to be a fleshed out character, guys. I want him to kiss his husband Bucky good morning and discover vegan muffins. This might be too much to ask.
May 10, 2016
As expected, Captain America is brought back to life after his assassination at the end of Civil War.
Steve Rogers couldn't really stay dead for long. He is brought back to life after reversing a "time loop" sort of process began by Red Skull and his minions. Rogers ends up living his life - both his past and variants of his future by moving in and out of one reality to next without preamble. It messes up with his head and he relives his worst days over and over again. He loses his friends again and sees a future that's far more disturbing than anything he could imagine.
He fights the Red Skull from the inside as Red Skull takes over his body. Bucky fights Red Skull and it all ends well with an underwhelming tone. The ending is predictable as its already there in title but the journey seems too short to get to that point.
I guess all that matters is Steve Rogers is back.
Steve Rogers couldn't really stay dead for long. He is brought back to life after reversing a "time loop" sort of process began by Red Skull and his minions. Rogers ends up living his life - both his past and variants of his future by moving in and out of one reality to next without preamble. It messes up with his head and he relives his worst days over and over again. He loses his friends again and sees a future that's far more disturbing than anything he could imagine.
He fights the Red Skull from the inside as Red Skull takes over his body. Bucky fights Red Skull and it all ends well with an underwhelming tone. The ending is predictable as its already there in title but the journey seems too short to get to that point.
I guess all that matters is Steve Rogers is back.
July 25, 2011
So, Steve Rogers is back and alive! Ed Brubaker's done a great job with this story line, first having Cap killed and now bringing him back. And the two-minds-in-one-body angle that's been there before with the Red Skull adds an interesting aspect to the Cap's return. Great story overall. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is the artwork. It's way better than the creative overkill that was Road To Reborn with every two pages being done by someone else, but it still lacks what I got used to with volumes such as Death Of Captain America...
November 5, 2012
Having just finished Death of Captain America story arc, I wasn't sure I could jump to this without missing anything, but turns out, it was perfectly suited for such. While not quite as excellent as the Death arc, this was a good storyline, but it's just not quite as gripping. That's no knock on Brubaker's writing, which is great, and the art which is super, because this is still a solid good read. In many ways the late epilogue to the Death arc.
May 19, 2016
So...I'm really glad that Steve is alive again (although he wasn't technically dead, just temporally lost or whatever), but...something about this just wasn't satisfying. I think that it might have been too intentionally retro/homage cheesy. Plus, with all the time-jumping and explanations of who each cape character was (admittedly necessary to prevent confusion if you didn't read every Civil War issue), it felt, at times, like one of those anime recap episodes that I hate.
June 30, 2010
Some of the best traditional super hero storytelling. Ed Brubaker knows heart and soul of the characters and finds new ways for them to express the meaning of Captain America. If you read any Cap books prior to 1990, this has to resonate and make you want to cheer for the good guys. This tale is best read by those who have already enjoyed the death of Cap and the Winter Soldier story arc.
August 31, 2014
Good story, great solid art, but after reading it, I couldn't help but feel what a useless character the Red Skull has become. The way he's used in the comics, like this one, he comes across as being like Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget. Kind of an unworthy story for Captain America. But it gets the job done.
May 7, 2019
So when a superhero dies, they rarely actually die. The problem, for the writer who kills the superhero, is that the fans will always demand that character be brought back, and unless the replacement is a compelling figure (and the only one who ever fit this bill was Wally West taking the mantle of the Flash), the character will be brought back, if for nothing else to bolster book sales. The problem for the writer is that death is so...permanent, so how does one bring back someone from the dead without sealing them in a cave for three days? (this is the only resurrection story that people seem to lend any credence to...)
One of the hallmarks of Ed Brubaker's run on Captain America is that up until Reborn Brubaker had intricately plotted most of his run on Captain America vol. 5 that everything leading up to and beyond The Death of Captain America makes sense. In that volume it is revealed that Agent 13, Sharon Carter, has been brainwashed into assassinating Steve Rogers, which then leads to the Winter Soldier taking the mantle of Captain America and to Carter ruining some plan that had been hatched by the Red Skull and Arnim Zola, which leads to the Skull being trapped in an Arnim Zola-like body. While the Skull goes underground for the rest of Captain America vol. 5 and Brubaker focuses on Bucky becoming Captain America, he has actually set up Cap's return brilliantly for Reborn. After taking care of some loose ends in Road to Reborn we finally find out what the Red Skull was attempting to accomplish in The Death of Captain America with Doctor Doom's time travel technology, and while it is convoluted (it's the reason this collection only gets 4 stars) it does explain Steve Rogers "death" and "rebirth" in a way that readers will feel satisified.
I just saw Avengers: Endgame the opening weekend, and I am have no plans of spoiling it for you here. But I want to say that in the eleven years of MCU movies, my favorites have always seemed to revolve around Captain America, and it has not been a secret that the MCU Captain America films borrow heavily from Brubaker's run. But what I will hint around at is that Endgame has what I believe will be the greatest moment that will ever be in a superhero film and it just cements what I said above--Captain America will always be Steve Rogers, and even when Brubaker was killing him off, he knew he had to do it in a way that bringing him back wouldn't ruin what he had accomplished up to that point. Reborn can only be considered a success in that context.
One of the hallmarks of Ed Brubaker's run on Captain America is that up until Reborn Brubaker had intricately plotted most of his run on Captain America vol. 5 that everything leading up to and beyond The Death of Captain America makes sense. In that volume it is revealed that Agent 13, Sharon Carter, has been brainwashed into assassinating Steve Rogers, which then leads to the Winter Soldier taking the mantle of Captain America and to Carter ruining some plan that had been hatched by the Red Skull and Arnim Zola, which leads to the Skull being trapped in an Arnim Zola-like body. While the Skull goes underground for the rest of Captain America vol. 5 and Brubaker focuses on Bucky becoming Captain America, he has actually set up Cap's return brilliantly for Reborn. After taking care of some loose ends in Road to Reborn we finally find out what the Red Skull was attempting to accomplish in The Death of Captain America with Doctor Doom's time travel technology, and while it is convoluted (it's the reason this collection only gets 4 stars) it does explain Steve Rogers "death" and "rebirth" in a way that readers will feel satisified.
I just saw Avengers: Endgame the opening weekend, and I am have no plans of spoiling it for you here. But I want to say that in the eleven years of MCU movies, my favorites have always seemed to revolve around Captain America, and it has not been a secret that the MCU Captain America films borrow heavily from Brubaker's run. But what I will hint around at is that Endgame has what I believe will be the greatest moment that will ever be in a superhero film and it just cements what I said above--Captain America will always be Steve Rogers, and even when Brubaker was killing him off, he knew he had to do it in a way that bringing him back wouldn't ruin what he had accomplished up to that point. Reborn can only be considered a success in that context.
September 3, 2020
Sharon: Willingly surrenders herself over to a known supervillan knowing exactly what his super evil plan is
Also Sharon: Is surprised when she taken prisoner by multiple supervillans so they can enact their super evil plan
I really enjoyed Reborn-- the story was super engaging, primarily thanks to the parts from Steve's perspective when he is floating through time. I also enjoyed the supervillan plot. I think it was compelling and ~realistic~ enough to merit the buildup with "killing" Steve and then reverse Uno card all that after awhile. It was especially fun to see Red Skull, Zola, Dr. Doom and Norman Osborn all working together.
My only complaint is that Sharon was so. Damn. Stupid. Ohmygoddd. I liked her enough in the past, even though she has spent the past "year" moping and feeling sorry for herself, and before that, being brainwashed. What worked then was that in the intermittent parts she was a bit of a badass! In this book though she was just the worst. Not only was she mopey, but she totally gave in to the evil plan (with no contingency plan herself) and then to fight Skull she used an unfamiliar weapon and made him massive?? I guess that's what happens when all your character development leads to you just being a device to drive the plot forward...
I also wish the story was longer! I got super invested in the Death of Captain America in part because the story was like 3x longer-- I know that doesn't work for some storylines but considering Reborn kind of undos/wraps up the Death of Captain America AND it has some of the biggest supervillans in Marvel, I think that warrants a more drawn out plot.
Also Sharon: Is surprised when she taken prisoner by multiple supervillans so they can enact their super evil plan
I really enjoyed Reborn-- the story was super engaging, primarily thanks to the parts from Steve's perspective when he is floating through time. I also enjoyed the supervillan plot. I think it was compelling and ~realistic~ enough to merit the buildup with "killing" Steve and then reverse Uno card all that after awhile. It was especially fun to see Red Skull, Zola, Dr. Doom and Norman Osborn all working together.
My only complaint is that Sharon was so. Damn. Stupid. Ohmygoddd. I liked her enough in the past, even though she has spent the past "year" moping and feeling sorry for herself, and before that, being brainwashed. What worked then was that in the intermittent parts she was a bit of a badass! In this book though she was just the worst. Not only was she mopey, but she totally gave in to the evil plan (with no contingency plan herself) and then to fight Skull she used an unfamiliar weapon and made him massive?? I guess that's what happens when all your character development leads to you just being a device to drive the plot forward...
I also wish the story was longer! I got super invested in the Death of Captain America in part because the story was like 3x longer-- I know that doesn't work for some storylines but considering Reborn kind of undos/wraps up the Death of Captain America AND it has some of the biggest supervillans in Marvel, I think that warrants a more drawn out plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 14, 2022Nie można sobie wyobrazić lepszego autora do wskrzeszenia superbohatera, niż ten który samemu go uśmiercił. Ed Brubaker nie ma jednak zamiaru od razu wrzucać Steve’a w wir akcji, tak jakby nic się nie stało. Umieszczając go w odmętach powtarzających się koszmarów ma on szansę na odpowiednie wymodelowanie historii i nadanie jej należytego tempa akcji. Scenarzysta miesza tutaj przeszłość i teraźniejszość w naprawdę ciekawie zaprezentowanej mozaice wydarzeń. Serwowane przez niego fakty są zaskakujące i dość logiczne, tworząc wspólnie bardzo intrygujący komiksowy thriller (w którym nie brakuje widowiskowości). Twórca potrafi również dobrze zaprezentować pojawiających się tutaj bohaterów i towarzyszące im różnorakie emocje. Grupa herosów starających się uratować przyjaciela często działa na granicy zdrowego rozsądku, wiele ryzykując, będąc jednak gotowym ponieść konsekwencje swoich poczynań. Do samego końca nie wiadomo również jak stan, w którym znalazł się Rogers wpłynie na jego psychikę. Czy będzie on tym samym człowiekiem broniącym swoich ideałów?
Ogromne wrażenie robi tutaj nie tylko świetnie przygotowany scenariusz, ale również perfekcyjnie dobrana oprawa rysunkowa. Grafika jest genialna i potrafi na dłużej przykuć uwagę odbiorcy. Brian Hitch serwuje czytelnikowi niezwykle realistyczne prace, które doskonale oddają klimat kolejnych pokazywanych epok (w retrospekcjach). Nie zapomina on również o dynamice konkretnych scen i rysunkowej dramaturgii pewnych wydarzeń (jeszcze mocniej podbijając klimat albumu).
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/recen...
Ogromne wrażenie robi tutaj nie tylko świetnie przygotowany scenariusz, ale również perfekcyjnie dobrana oprawa rysunkowa. Grafika jest genialna i potrafi na dłużej przykuć uwagę odbiorcy. Brian Hitch serwuje czytelnikowi niezwykle realistyczne prace, które doskonale oddają klimat kolejnych pokazywanych epok (w retrospekcjach). Nie zapomina on również o dynamice konkretnych scen i rysunkowej dramaturgii pewnych wydarzeń (jeszcze mocniej podbijając klimat albumu).
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/recen...
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