I already had it in my files.
Or rather, the original Captain America. After Steve Rogers was killed at the end of Civil War, his old partner in Nazi-smashing, Bucky Barnes, returned to take over the mantle in a very convoluted back-story nobody really needed. Now, Marvel is bringing the original Star-Spangled hero of their universe back from the grave.
New York, NY (June 15, 2009) -It was the shot heard ’round the world. Following the most shocking and controversial event in comic book history – the assassination of Captain America in the pages of Captain America #25 – neither the heroes of the Marvel Universe nor the rest of the world have quite come to grips with this most traumatic of losses. From the moment he was taken from us until today, one fact has proven to be true: the world still needs Captain America. And now, the time has come! At long last, the legend, the hero, is back. Steve Rogers makes his triumphant return from the grave in the publishing event of the year: Captain America Reborn, a five part series from Marvel Comics beginning this July.
-from the official press release
Of course, Marvel and editor-in-chief Joe Quesada aren’t saying how he comes back after being shot down by…just read the Marvel Database entry, and see if it makes sense to you. Seems like a lot of work to me. At any rate, the fans must be ecstatic to see Steve return, right? Not so much, actually. What I’m reading in the comments sections of Newsarama and Comic Book Resources are more along the lines of “eh, we knew Steve wasn’t going to stay dead”, “isn’t a bit soon, since it’s only been a couple years since he died”, “but Bucky’s been doing a fantastic job as Cap”, “what about Bradley, the Cap ‘test subject'”, (the less you know about that nightmare story the better), and “as long as Ed Brubaker is still writing it, I’m sure it will be fine”.
Retailers, on the other hand, are more annoyed that nobody’s reported the fact that Captain America #600, the story that begins the arc, is already available. Even the solicit simply states “..a time to look back on the things Steve did and what he stood for… or is this issue actually the beginning of the most wicked plot twist since issue 25? Yeah, actually it’s both.” No mention of Steve Rogers returning from the dead at all.
But read for yourself and make your own judgement:
- The original article at the Daily News
- Hero Complex has a preview of the “Reborn” story
- Editor Tom Brevoort interviewed at Newsarama
- Robot 6’s report and comments
- Blog@Newsarama contributor David Peopse lists the winners and losers of Steve’s return
- Joe Quesada chimes in at “Cup of Joe’s” new home at Comic Book Resources
- The Four Color Media Monitor has some thoughts (mine are in the comments section)
- Hube, of the Comics of Rhodey, has his say.
- When Words Collide takes a brief look at some past Cap moments.
- Newsarama has a handy poll for you to respond to.
616 has been officially declared dead to me, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.
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