Editor's Note: Captain America #41 arrives in stores tomorrow, August 20.

"The Man Who Bought America: Part Five"

It's that time again when I take a look at the latest installment of Ed Brubaker's epic run on Captain America. There are rumors swirling about regarding when and how Steve Rogers will return to the land of the living, but like I've stated before, this series has delivered on such a high level of quality that as much as I miss the real Captain America, as long as this title maintains, I don't mind him remaining out of the picture temporarily. Brubaker does deliver yet another solid installment of this series. While I did feel that this issue in particular was all over the place at times, it also opens up fantastic new ideas, possibilities and room for debate regarding what is coming next.

This issue opens up with a great scene between Bucky and the Falcon. It's very well-written, and the chemistry between the characters is definitely present. I find it interesting that Brubaker writes the relationship as if Bucky were Steve. Even with the slower pacing of this series, there hasn't been a whole lot by way of relationship building beyond the Captain America/Falcon dynamic between these two characters. I do feel as though it is not completely necessary because I like the idea of an unspoken bond existing between Bucky and the Falcon. They are both long-time friends and sidekicks of Steve Rogers, and they both are so influenced by Steve that they just mesh perfectly. During this scene they are using the Grand Director as bait to find the Red Skull's base of operations.

One thing that has left me rather perplexed is trying to figure out exactly what the Red Skull has planned. In this issue, it is revealed that he and Armin Zola are constructing a device to separate Lukin and the Red Skull. I'm assuming that Sharon's body is going to be used for the Red Skull's mind, which would actually be rather interesting, but there are developments involving Dr. Faustus that complicate this plan. I think the one aspect of the Red Skull's scheme that has left me the most confused is the fact that is seems like he's trying to execute a billion different things all at once. There's the separation from Lukin, his plans for Sharon, Lukin's corporate takeover, the brainwashing of Senator Wright and his plan for the Grand Director. I think it's all supposed to be connected, but it feels a little bit disjointed to me, which could also mean I'm simply missing an otherwise obvious piece of the puzzle.

There's a lot of development during the scene between Sharon Carter and Dr. Faustus. Apparently, Faustus has grown a conscience and no longer wants to be part of the Red Skull's ultimate plan, but there is a lot more weight in what he says to Sharon. Of course, it directly relates to the Red Skull and Lukin's plot for their needs, but it also brings to mind a major missing element of this series, the Cosmic Cube. I personally believe that much of what we are seeing, i.e. Bucky, is directly related to the cube. I really believe that Faustus hints to this especially when he calls Sharon "the constant." He also reveals the truth about a few other major plot points that have been prominent throughout this arc, but I won't spoil those. But right before he calls her "the constant," Faustus tells her everything was a bad dream, as if reality had indeed been altered and the only device relevant to this series with that power is the cube. I'm sure Brubaker and Marvel will stretch this idea out beyond this storyline to explore Bucky's character a little more, but if you ask me, all the seeds have been planted.

I love the ending of this issue, where Falcon and Black Widow infiltrate Red Skull's base to save Sharon and Bucky saves Senator Wright at a Presidential debate, making his official debut as "Captain America." There's some great narration from Bucky as he enters the debate, he's explains how he feels, where he wants to be, but most of all, he calls himself "Captain America" for the first time. This issue really brings his journey full circle and allows not only the story to move on, but the character as well. He knows he'll never be Steve Rogers, but he knows what he has to be and where he has to be for the American people and for the Marvel universe. The ending is very well done, and while I hope that Bucky faces down the Red Skull, it would also make a great deal of sense and support my theory about the cube if he didn't. This ending really makes me excited to see how this epic story-arc will conclude and open the doors into the future stories involving Bucky as Cap, for however long they last.

Once again--and I know I probably sound like a broken record--but the artwork is phenomenal. Steve Epting's work is top notch. Mixed with Frank D'Armata's colors and Rick Magyar working with Epting on inks, everything comes together beautifully. Epting has proved himself to be within the upper echelon of top artists in the business these days, and this issue only helps to further support that notion. And I cannot leave out mention of the gorgeous final page of this issue. Just phenomenal work.

Yet again, Brubaker and Epting deliver a solid issue in their epic story. While this issue does offer a few new twists and offers some new plot points, it stays true to the overall story and keeps me wanting more.

---

What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!

---