Review- Captain America: The Trial of Captain America

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN AMERICA(Marvel, 2011; Hardcover)

Collects Captain America Nos. 611-615, 615.1 (cover dates December, 2010- May, 2011)

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artists: Jackson “Butch” Guice, Daniel Acuna (Issue 611) and Mitch Breitweiser (Issue 615.1)

Wow. What is there not to love about this title? Mystery, suspense, intrigue, action...this series has it all. I love how The Falcon and Black Widow are integral parts of the stories, and how we have Super Soldier Steve Rogers (a.k.a. the original Captain America) on board with plenty of “screen time” as well. I love the rogues gallery: Syn/Red Skull II, Master Man (I loved the neo-Nazi warehouse scene) and Dr. Faustus. Dr. Faustus' testimony in the trial of Captain America/Bucky was great. I love this title. 

Brubaker's writing is consistently great and he has every angle covered. He thinks several steps ahead, but doesn't drag his feet like some writers. He makes things happen while leading you by the hand, and then you go “Damn, he really did have all of that planned out, didn't he??”

Butch Guice's artwork is the best of both worlds. Classic feeling, yet energetic and edgy enough to give fans of modern comic book art something to chew on as well. Some of the older generation's comic book artists' work doesn't translate well with modern computer coloring, but Guice's artwork actually shines because of it.

I have no problem tearing a book apart, at least in a review (not literally tearing the book apart), and I also have no problem gushing if a book is of superior craftsmanship like this title is. I am as equally quick to condemn as I am to praise. The golden age of Captain America marches on.

The OCD zone- This is a Marvel Premiere Classic hardcover with glued binding, with all of the advantages and shortcomings that the format has to offer. Nice thick paper, too.