Steve puts aside his mission to protect Victor Von Doom’s ultimate weapon from both the U.S. and Latveria, which puts him on a dangerous collision course with RED HULK’S ALL-NEW, ALL-HULK strike team! But there are some wars not even Captain America can win… Captain America #11 delivers the sparks that feel like they really kick off the upcoming event, “Armageddon.”
With a major event that sounds like it’ll shake things up coming, I wanted to check out Captain America, one of the key series leading up to whatever’s happening. This issue sounded like it’s a key one as it focuses on whatever “ultimate weapon” Doom has left behind. Add in a confrontation between Captain America and the Red Hulk, the issue felt like it might be important. I can’t quite speak to that, but I can say it’s exciting, even if you haven’t kept up with what’s going on.
For those who grabbed Marvel’s “Comic Giveaway Day” release, you have a sense of what’s coming in “Armageddon.” Red Hulk has taken on the task to bring peace to the world and does so through tyranny, much like Doom recently did. There seems to be more to it, but we know who the villain likely is. The concept seems interesting, though also a bit of a retread of the recent “One World Under Doom.”
Written by Chip Zdarsky, Captain America #11 is part of the lead up to all of that with Captain America attempting to bring some order to the fractured Latveria but Red Hulk in this issue makes his move. The issue is packed with surprises and moments that feel like they’re tailor made for the big screen. And that’s what stands out in this comic, it feels like the moment just before all hell breaks loose and then the initial chaos of disaster.
Zdarsky does an excellent job of keeping things off kilter as Steve must figure out what to do about a clone of Doctor Doom that’s a kid and whatever mysterious package he has. Red Hulk sees a threat in this young Victor Von Doom, and we the readers are given a spin on “would you kill Hitler as a child to prevent what he does as an adult?”. But, this scenario is different as it’s a clone and not guaranteed to grow up to be the tyrant Doom was. Steve sees that while Red Hulk doesn’t showing a direct split in how they each view the world.
But, where the issue stands out is that disaster aspect. All hell breaks loose as the Red Hulk and his troops attack to bring order and take control of Latveria. It’s a moment of shock and awe with Steve doing what he can to protect the innocent and heroes coming in to do what they can to save the day. The moments stack up visually with many leaving you lingering on the page.
That’s due to the art of Valerio Schiti who gives us summer popcorn visuals. Schiti is joined by Romulo Fajardo Jr. on color and Joe Caramagna on letters. The trio come together to nail the art and give us epic moments. Red Hulk and his team descending on Latveria looks great. A certain hero coming in to save Steve nails the moment with the lettering emphasizing it all and really delivering the “fuck yeah” to a simple panel. It all looks great with a slightly ominous feel to it all but making sure to really emphasize and deliver the action.
Captain America #11 is a solid issue that’ll have you wanting to go back and check out Zdarsky’s run from the first issue. If this is what we can expect in the upcoming event, I’m here for it and where that ending leaves us, I want to find out what happens next. This is fun popcorn comics that deliver on the action, the awe, and the excitement.
Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Valerio Schiti
Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letters: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.15 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
