Captain America: Homeland
So I did something I should not have done and bought Robert Morales' run of Captain America. Aside from a weird WTF conclusion and a dangling plotline, I consider it money well-spent.
Morales, I think, writes about American politics and history humanely and intelligently within a comic book setting very well: always a huge plus. *casts a dire eye on certain comic book creators who shall remain unnamed.* But well-written politics + thoughtful and arse-kicking depiction of favorite character? = FTW.
I'm not kidding, Steve is wonderful and utterly human. One of my favourite scenes has Steve tucking into a huge brekkie of pancakes and sausages at a diner, to the amusement of the Co-owner of the place. A girl who lives there thinks nothing of sharing his seat as they chat about her job. The people of Brooklyn aren't intimidated by Steve, or shiny-eyed by who he is: he's simply one of theirs. (actually, Steve seems to be eating every chance he gets -- which makes sense considering the amount of physical activity he does). And it's a constant trope throughout the comic: Steve sitting down for a meal, breaking bread with fellow American soldiers, Cuban soldiers, like-minded politicians. I love it
It doesn't hurt that his sort-of girlfriend here is Asian and drop-dead gorgeous
And this brotherhood, this easy comradeship in stark contrast to Steve having to deal with being used as an icon and a symbol -- whether by military and government higher-ups with their own agendas, asking Steve to serve on military tribunal for a Guantanamo prisoner so his trial can appear to be "fair," or an artist creating a deliberately monstrous effigy of Captain America covered in barb wire, to Steve's utter bewilderment. Poor Steve.
ETA: edited to correct the name of author. My sincere apologies to Rob.
Morales, I think, writes about American politics and history humanely and intelligently within a comic book setting very well: always a huge plus. *casts a dire eye on certain comic book creators who shall remain unnamed.* But well-written politics + thoughtful and arse-kicking depiction of favorite character? = FTW.
I'm not kidding, Steve is wonderful and utterly human. One of my favourite scenes has Steve tucking into a huge brekkie of pancakes and sausages at a diner, to the amusement of the Co-owner of the place. A girl who lives there thinks nothing of sharing his seat as they chat about her job. The people of Brooklyn aren't intimidated by Steve, or shiny-eyed by who he is: he's simply one of theirs. (actually, Steve seems to be eating every chance he gets -- which makes sense considering the amount of physical activity he does). And it's a constant trope throughout the comic: Steve sitting down for a meal, breaking bread with fellow American soldiers, Cuban soldiers, like-minded politicians. I love it
It doesn't hurt that his sort-of girlfriend here is Asian and drop-dead gorgeous
And this brotherhood, this easy comradeship in stark contrast to Steve having to deal with being used as an icon and a symbol -- whether by military and government higher-ups with their own agendas, asking Steve to serve on military tribunal for a Guantanamo prisoner so his trial can appear to be "fair," or an artist creating a deliberately monstrous effigy of Captain America covered in barb wire, to Steve's utter bewilderment. Poor Steve.
ETA: edited to correct the name of author. My sincere apologies to Rob.