Captain America #11 review

J. Michael Straczynski is closing in on his second story arc with Captain America this week with issue #11. The latest story arc has Steve fighting demons, Death himself, and Steve guarding doorways as a newly minted Change Agent. Yep, things have gotten weird. In Captain America #11, new truths are revealed, and Death comes closer to knocking.

Captain America #11 opens in Chicago, Illinois, where Steve is waiting to meet a key character. He’s on the phone with Sharon, and they’re super cute over the phone. Straczynski makes you believe these two lovebirds are a happy couple.

To amp up the story progression in this opening, a flashback to a recent conversation plays around with the larger themes. That includes people being at the right place at the right time, or empowered to do the wrong thing by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s a compelling concept when you consider Steve was also lucky to get the super soldier serum.

Using the word “amp” in that last paragraph may be an overstatement, though. The story is very slow and has way too much exposition. Characters talk, scenes change, and other characters talk more. There is thought-provoking stuff at work, but this is a superhero comic, not a lecture on storytelling concepts and themes.

If you’re looking for action, this issue is not it. The story moves from one conversation to another, including a flashback to another conversation. Straczynski is setting up some compelling lore, like a character who lives in a sewer, giving people their fortunes, or the idea of a Shangri-La that many can visit. I can’t say it feels like Captain America, but it does make for an interesting fairy tale story using a superhero.

The artwork by Jesus Saiz is super clean and realistic, especially the colors by Matt Hollingsworth. The coloring on the characters’ cheeks makes them come alive. There’s absolutely no action in this book, but it keeps you invested in the conversations, at least.

One reason folks might pick up this issue is part 2 in “Weapon X-Traction” by Ryan North and Javier Garron. Picking up where the story left off in Incredible Hulk #14, Deadpool and Wolverine are floating through the multiverse. Running five pages long, Deadpool takes over in this chapter as he talks at Wolverine and talks to us via captions.

Once again, North has a great handle on Deadpool’s voice and comedy. Wolverine is a total grouch and hates Deadpool. Thanks to Garron’s detailed and pleasing art, a few visual gags work great. Seeing how Deadpool envisions them in the years 2099 and beyond is a riot.

Is this story too short at five pages? You betcha, but it’s still fun, and it’s got me reading Captain America, so there’s that!

I can’t be certain if Captain America #11 really works since it’s so different than the usual Cap story. Straczynski is doing some interesting things by using magic and destiny to drive home a story that’s like a new kind of fairy tale. Throw in another excellent Wolverine and Deadpool backup, and it’s worth a look if you dig storytelling.