Captain America #44 Review

Creative Team
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Luke Ross
Inkers: Pablo Laguna and Rick Magyar
Colorist: Frank D'Armata

Story - Time's Arrow: Part 2 of 3

Review
Even with "The Death of Captain America" epic over Brubaker has shown with this issue and the previous issue that there are still plenty of stories to be told with Bucky as the new Captain America. With most, if not all, writers would use the following few issues after an epic story to slow the pace down for their characters and give them room to breathe. Thankfully Brubaker shows that "The Death of Captain America" was only the start of things to come.

With this and the previous issue proves that there are still mant parts of Bucky's life left to explore. One of the things that Brubaker has been able to due throughout his run is utilize the flashback scenes of Bucky's time as Steve's patner back in WWII and his time as Winter Soldier very well with what Bucky is currently doing as Captain America. It is this mystery of a lot of Bucky's past that makes him so much more interesting as Captain America and allows for the storylines to feel new and refreshing.

And even though Bucky regrets his time as Winter Soldier it is great to see that he still has that edge he had during that time. It is clear that no matter how much Bucky may want to distance himself from his Winter Soldier life the more it he will fall back on that training to get him through when he is pushed into a corner. Also I like that even though most of the US government and heroes have accepted Bucky as the new Captain America that the UN still does not trust him and the information they are withholding from Bucky is probably something about his time as Winter Soldier.

On a side note, it looks like Brubaker has introduced Oliver Queen (aka Green Arrow) from the DC Universe into the Marvel Universe since that government official not only looks like Green Arrow, though a bit older, but is also named Ollie. It would be interesting if Brubaker introduced some other characters from the DCU characters into the Marvel Universe as just a short cameo like in this issue.

For those who love action this issue also does not lack on the action department since we see Bucky kicking some serious ass in this issue. And his rematch with Batroc was nicely choreographed.

I also got to give Brubaker even more credit for making Batroc the Jumper into a credible threat. Because really when there is a villain named "Batroc the Jumper" who has such a bright and colorful costume it is hard to take him seriously. But unlike in the last issue here he showed to be not only a match for Bucky physically but also be really smart with the trap he layed out for Bucky for their rematch. I am interested to see the who the guy in the trench coat is and how he is connected to Bucky since he was also seen in the flashback scene at the end of the issue.

It is interesting that every artist that has been on this title have been able to duplicate Eptings work and Luke Ross is no different. Ross artwork does a good job at continuing the consistent feel to this book that helps the reader not be distracted by the difference between artist. Though I will say the difference between Eptings and Ross artwork is notcible during the close up scenes of characters faces since Ross employs a much more detailed painted style similar to Alex Ross's work.

Issue Rating
Story: 8.8/10 - Brubaker continues to develop Bucky and shows that Bucky as Captain America is just as interesting, if not more, as when Steve was in the role.
Art: 8.3/10 - Luke Ross artwork is able to replicate that of Eptings work on this title to help maintain a consistent feel that most other comic book aren't able to do.
Overall: 8.55/10 - This issue is a nice change of pace from the previous "The Death of Captain America" epic which went on a slow and methodical pace while this issue is an action pact story similar to the Bourne movies.