This is it! The all-new, Spy-Fi, highflying adventures of Sam Wilson Captain America and Nomad begin here!
Hydra is growing, the terrorist band have has infiltrated the Marvel Universe completely! But what is their ultimate goal?
United by Hydra, Cap’s rogue’s gallery gathers to take down the new untested Captain America and Nomad!
The Good
Art– Stuart Immonen turns in a beautifully choreographed and exquisitely executed book in this opening salvo. From the recap page to the divine splash pages to the back flips and somersaults there was never a dull moment Stuart’s art
Cover-This is a very slick and sexy cover highlighting the All New Captain America in his amalgam costume which has classic Captain America elements, Falcon elements and even Steve Rogers director of Shield elements. It jumps out at you on the stands and is quite possibly one of my top five marvel covers of 2014!
Story– All New Captain America heads into a Hydra base to retrieve Nomad. He runs into spirited resistance while their and faces off with Batroc the Leaper. They rescue an innocent child but cant make a clean escape as they run into Baron Zemo, Taskmaster, Crossbones and others.
Dynamic Duo– All New Captain America and Nomad have interesting chemistry. Nomad has a Damien Wayne vibe circa when Dick Grayson was Batman. He’s bloodthirsty, thinks he should have the mantle and sure as hell has no problems voicing his issues that Sam is now the man in charge. I expect them to become a duo to remember in no time.
Characterization-Samuel Wilson’s back story was touch upon as the issue began and it gave new readers a way to instantly connect with the New Cap. As someone who is more spiritual and religiously neutral I had no problem with Sam essentially being touted as a preachers son who stayed on the straight and narrow. I also found that I was drawn further into his mind and character as he reflected that even as an adult in times of crisis you want the comfort and safety of your parents. As I read it I found myself reflecting on my own life. The recent burglary of my house on August 3, 2014 that when is all said and done if you had good parents and a good home it’s the safest place in your mind and your solace even in times of absolute crisis. I also enjoyed watching Samuel face off with Batroc and hold his own for the most part. Often Samuel is disregarded in a fight despite being trained by Captain America the same way as Hawkeye. Clint gets respect but Sam more often than not is the first one taken down (See Avengers X-Sanction for those morbid details) and his skill as an acrobat, flier etc are often disregarded. I was very pleased to see him finally get his props after years of people pretending he’s not at least a decent threat in a fight. I also loved how Red Wing was used to excellent effect. It was subtle but the connection that Sam has with the bird and his ability to see through it’s eyes were just a few of the charcetr centric moments in this issue that sold me on the whole, All New Captain America song and dance.
Villain-Batroc the leaper has a sexy new costume and I love it! He still has the silly mustache but it’s so much a part of his character that I can forgive it. Batroc is also tinged with nostalgia for me since he was one of the first villains during Captain America Vol.3 back when I was just getting into the character. Viva la France!
Things to come– Samuel is so far out of his depth it’s not even funny! On the last page we have Baron Zemo, Crossbones and Taskmaster among others. All of them are so far above his skill level I wonder how the hell he’s going to get out of this one.
Humor- When Sam threw the shield and had it not ricochet the way he wanted and have Nomad call him out on it? Priceless! lol
Action– High kicks, bleeding foreheads, a hail of gunfire, somersaults, back flips and explosions. Yes, this one had a little something for just about everyone. and it looked mighty fine the entire time too!
The Bad
Retcon– So Samuel is now the eldest child of his parents who grew his siblings. Out with the original back story and in with the modern day retelling it seems. As a continuity whore I must say I am disappointed utterly.
Really– So after years of being a joke character, and yes Samuel Wilson was a joke character that rarely got written even remotely to his potential. Mighty Avengers showed glimpses as did Avengers (2013). Because of this some will find it strange he can now go toe to toe with villains equal to Captain America/Steve Rogers in skill. Not everyone is going to be sold on this.
The Ugly
All New Captain America is best described as a beautiful thrill ride! Exciting from start to finish! Excellently rendered and choreographed! All New Captain America fly’s high in the all New Marvel now! Run out and buy it! we give it a-4/5
One question, Why is Sam Wilson the new Captain America? As it stated above he started out as a joke character,no super soldier serum,first to be defeated in battles and the elephant in the room…HE’S BLACK in a Marvel universe that doesn’t even want two black heroes to be married!?! “sniff,sniff” smells fishy to me! Either he’s short lived entertainment who’ll never be able to fill the shoes of the legendary blonde haired,blue eyed icon that has been the main character at marvel and of white America since WWII. Or there’s something more sinister afoot like selecting a black president! Who decided to make a lot of these white heroes over as black heroes under the guise of diversity anyway??? How many black writers and artist work steady for the big 3 again?
I have to agree with you Erik.
The thing that I have noticed about this new ‘Falconamerica’ is that he is all but Sam Wilson except by name. There is an old saying in Psychology, “An individual’s core traits are independent of their environment.” In other words, a grouch is a grouch whether he is in Alaska or Japan – a liar is a liar, even if they change clothes.
This ‘Falconamerica’ challenges Thor, commands the Hulk, punches Nick Fury, and has instant mastery of Steve’s infamous, ‘Shield-Throw’ techniques… WHILE FLYING! Hunh?!?
Did I forget to mention, he has no true physical super-powers, other than seeing through the eyes of birds which seemed to be given to him years ago when Marvel wanted to hint to the world that Sam was a latent mutant.
This Falconamerica is NOT the Sam Wilson we knew. This Falconamerica is T’Challa (The Black Panther) that we know!
Of all of the Black superheroes that could, not only, handle the physical feats required to be the new Captain America, but also have the leadership, inspiration, respect, charisma, intellect, and confidence needed to command the Hulk, order Thor, speak down on Shield, witch-slap Nick Fury, and put Tony Stark in his place on all matters financial, economic, and scientific… there is ONLY one:
The Black Panther.
Marvel chose to attempt to make Falconamerica (Sam Wilson) into the American version of the king of Wakanda. Think about it, who else is qualified to sit across the table from Nick Fury and say that Shield’s prisoner containment units are crap? Sam Wilson is a freakin’ Social Worker on his days off. He helps people in the community find jobs.
Falconamerica as Sam Wilson seems fake, or as we say in the writing world… ‘plastic’. Did he NEED the shield to gain the confidence to stand up to Nick Fury or Thor? Did he need the ‘holy’ blessing of Steve Rogers before he could talk to Iron Man (Tony Stark) as an equal? Does he ALWAYS have to mention that he’s not Steve Rogers to establish his own identity and brand?
Falcon has always been a cool character. Captain America has always been a great brand. Sam Wilson as Falconamerica will have some major challenges when it comes to selling himself to us.
-Blackmage
Truth!
Yes Sam needs to be dumbed down some, because he’s not Steve Rogers. You can’t put Woody Allen in a Black Leather jacket and he becomes James Dean!