Comic Book Review – Captain America #45
Context
Ed Brubaker closes out his Time’s Arrow story arc with issue #45.
Story
The advantage of not having a character around since the 40’s is that you don’t have the classic complaint about the constraints of continuity. Ed Brubaker (Daredevil, Criminal) is taking the time to “fill-in” some of Winter Soldier’s history with his Time’s Arrow arc. For the past three issues we have witnessed the connection between the past and Bucky’s current case as Cap. Although Brubaker is setting up his next big arc here, we seem to be treading water at times – perhaps until the return of regular artist Steve Epting (Avengers, Crux) next issue.
Brubaker is surrounding this Cap with an excellent group of supporting characters and enemies from Steve’s rich history. We are also introduced to a new feature for Cap’s robotic arm and the return of a foe from Bucky’s days as Winter Soldier. Much of the issue deals with hand-to-hand combat but there is a very interesting reveal at the end of the issue. I look forward to how Brubaker will play this out in coming issues.
Art
Luke Ross has provided the pencils on Time’s Arrow. The finished art is very much in keeping with the style and tone set by Steve Epting, the series’ regular artist. There is something about the combination of the book’s artistic style and Ross’ pencils that just doesn’t come together for me in this issue. All of the dark tones are there, all of the special effects (Cap’s shiny costume and blurred explosions) are there but the art looks stiff and lacks definition at times. Ross’ art looked better in past issues so perhaps this was rushed or suffered under the inker’s hand (Magyar and Pennington).
This issue in particular contained a bizarre shift in art right at the climax of the story. Butch Guice penciled and inked the last five pages of the issue from what I can tell. I am sure some production glitch made this unavoidable but it really threw the timing of the story off. The only good part about it was that the Guice art vastly improved the look of the book. We can only hope that he can fill in on future Epting absences.
What to look for
The last fives pages of the book, which contain excellent art and the possible return of an old friend.
What might put you off
You could not have picked a worse page to switch artists.
Recommendation
The Time’s Arrow arc seemed like fill-ins but Epting’s return next issue should keep this on your pull list.
Credits
| Title | Captain America |
| Issue Number | 45 |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Release Date | 1/2/2009 |
| Writer | Ed Brubaker |
| Penciler | Luke Ross and Butch Guice |
| Inker | Rick Magyar, Mark Pennington and Butch Guice |
| Colorist | Frank D’Armata |
| Letterer | VC’s Joe Caramanga |
| Production | Irene Lee |
| Assistant Editor | Jeanine Schaefer |
| Editor | Tom Brevoort |
| Editor in Chief | Joe Quesada |
| Publisher | Dan Buckley |
| Cover | Steve Epting |
| Reviewed By | Geoff Jolliff |
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- Comic Book Review – Captain America #48
- Comic Book Review – Captain America #46
- Captain America returns to original numbering with 600
- Comic Book Review – Justice Society of America #22
- CAPTAIN AMERICA #2 REVIEW
