Captain America & the Falcon

(Marvel, 2004-2005)
™ and © 2004 Marvel Characters, Inc.

It almost seems as if the more mature Marvel Knights Captain America and the mainstream Captain America & the Falcon were switched. For a mainstream Marvel series, the violence on the last few pages seems out of place. This is a minor quibble, though, in what is an otherwise outstanding return to a top-tier character for Christopher Priest. It’s all about Cap tracking down his partner, The Falcon, who’s gone rogue in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to free a detainee.

Political content is high, so fans of TV’s 24 or other politically charged action shows will find a lot to love here. At the same time, the super-hero elements aren’t left by the wayside; Cap has a conversation with Robbie Robertson at the Daily Bugle. It’s been quite a while since Robbie’s had something important to do in a story, let alone be personally involved in the plot.

Sears’ musclebound style seems to be a poor fit at first and, had he been drawing this when he started The First, it would have turned out badly. He’s progressed as an artist since then, toning down the early-Image elements in favor of clear storytelling and a cool-looking Falcon.

The final page has a surprise that makes a lot of sense in the context of the story; it’s going to take another issue, at least, before readers find out just what The Falcon is up to.

— Steve Horton

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