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Captain America (2004) (Collected Editions) #4
Captain America: Red Menace, Vol. 2
It was Wizard's book of the year for 2005; now, fan-favorite artist Steve Epting rejoins Top Ten writer Ed Brubaker for an action-packed thriller in London, as Captain America travels across the Atlantic in search of his old partner - a story that will see him fighting side-by-side with some very old friends. But Cap and the Winter Soldier aren't the only ones taking the journey abroad. Crossbones and Sin are on a path of revenge that's leading them in the exact same direction! And what of General Lukin and his "relationship" with the Red Skull?
Collecting: Captain America 18-21
Collecting: Captain America 18-21
104 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2006
1 person is currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,794 books3,017 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 18, 2015
Now that I have the ladies' attention...
Volume 2 does a fine job finishing out the Red Menace story arc. If you read the last volume, the flashback about Bucky's first love and the Red Skull's giant robot monster, might have seemed like a tacked-on issue.
Not so.
That issue turns out to be a pivotal part of this book. But I'm not gonna spoil it for you, so get to readin'!
The majority of this one take place in London, which means you get a team-up with Union Jack and Spitfire.
Brubaker does a good job with both of these characters, so they're actually pretty cool in this one.
Whodathunkit?!
The Master Race dorks are back, but (again) the writing is good enough to make them seem more like scary skinheads, instead of a punchline.
Well, not as much of a punchline, maybe?
Anyone who spouts the aryan race stuff is going to automatically sound a bit...slow.
No amount of excellent writing can fix that.
General Lukin and the parasitic Red Skull are still bickering about who's in charge, but they're starting to make progress in their relationship.
Adorable couple. Really.
Bucky is still lurking in the shadows, all guilt-ridden and angsty, but if anyone can draw him out of his shell, it's Cap. The bromance those two have can weather any storm!
At this point in the review, feel free to scroll up and take another peek at Marvel's movie hero.
You're welcome.
This is good stuff, people! Go read it!
*This review, and the above GIF is dedicated to Sesana.
Someday we'll get that unmarked white van, and go on a road trip!*
Get this review and more at:
April 29, 2016
Cap’s hunt for his former sidekick turned ex-brainwashed Soviet assassin, Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, has led him to London. Bucky’s targeting his former handler, General Aleksander Lukin, who’s Odd Couplin’ it up with Red Skull, Cap’s nemesis, in his old Ruskie coconut! Also included are more characters wearing flags, a chap with a skull mask, zeppelins, and a giant robot. Ah, superhero comics, you crazy mistress!
Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting’s Captain America run is rightly celebrated – The Winter Soldier arc alone makes it notable – but this Red Menace storyline is weaker than expected.
If you like the current Captain America movies (and who doesn’t enjoy the irresistible man-candy that is Chris Evans?) you’ll really like the Brubaker Cap comics. I’m sure the Russo brothers took Epting’s sequences as inspiration for how action in a Captain America movie should look like and the action in this book is nearly non-stop. Teaming up with Spitfire and Union Jack, Cap goes from one action set-piece to another. He’s leaping out of planes, fighting neo-Nazi thugs on boats, using his shield’s ricochet for complicated awesome trick shots, and the hand-to-hand stuff is fast and hard. Couple that with Epting’s high quality art, and the whole thing looks visually impressive and exciting to see.
Yet despite the flash bang of these scenes, the overall storylines don’t advance much. Cap doesn’t get much closer to Bucky (though they do momentarily team up like the ol’ days at the end which was cool), Red Skull and Lukin’s inner battle keeps ticking over, and other minor subplots like Crossbones/Sin’s plan to take down the London Kronas building with a plane full of bombs is completely pointless. This was 10 years ago so I’m guessing Brubaker was told to keep things bubbling away as they built up to Civil War and the fallout from that.
Red Menace is a good not great entry in Brubaker’s Captain America run, full of fine visuals but lacking the tightness of previous volumes’ plots. Brubaker/Epting have done better before (and after – check out their awesome ongoing Image series, Velvet, for more spy goodness!).
Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting’s Captain America run is rightly celebrated – The Winter Soldier arc alone makes it notable – but this Red Menace storyline is weaker than expected.
If you like the current Captain America movies (and who doesn’t enjoy the irresistible man-candy that is Chris Evans?) you’ll really like the Brubaker Cap comics. I’m sure the Russo brothers took Epting’s sequences as inspiration for how action in a Captain America movie should look like and the action in this book is nearly non-stop. Teaming up with Spitfire and Union Jack, Cap goes from one action set-piece to another. He’s leaping out of planes, fighting neo-Nazi thugs on boats, using his shield’s ricochet for complicated awesome trick shots, and the hand-to-hand stuff is fast and hard. Couple that with Epting’s high quality art, and the whole thing looks visually impressive and exciting to see.
Yet despite the flash bang of these scenes, the overall storylines don’t advance much. Cap doesn’t get much closer to Bucky (though they do momentarily team up like the ol’ days at the end which was cool), Red Skull and Lukin’s inner battle keeps ticking over, and other minor subplots like Crossbones/Sin’s plan to take down the London Kronas building with a plane full of bombs is completely pointless. This was 10 years ago so I’m guessing Brubaker was told to keep things bubbling away as they built up to Civil War and the fallout from that.
Red Menace is a good not great entry in Brubaker’s Captain America run, full of fine visuals but lacking the tightness of previous volumes’ plots. Brubaker/Epting have done better before (and after – check out their awesome ongoing Image series, Velvet, for more spy goodness!).
June 9, 2019
This is it! The reunion of Bucky and Cap we've been waiting for!
Cap and Sharon go stay in a quiet town, but it's not so quiet, as they are attacked right away. Crossbones and Sin have set a trap and the two fall right in to it. On top of that Bucky is on his own mission to take out the person who has been controlling him the whole time. While both stories seem to be far away from each other eventually they all collide and everyone is at each other's throat. By the end you get some over the top fighting as Cap and Bucky take down a giant Nazi Robot! What more can you ask for?
Brubaker continues his stellar work on building Captain America, Steve Rogers, into a true icon. Not only do we get a calmer, and few more jokes, Cap but we get some relationships building up in nice ways. Bucky is written well and you can feel both his pain and determination. The ending leaves some big moments up in the air.
I really enjoyed this volume, maybe even more than the last since it was more off the walls and fun. I really hope this run just stays this good. A 4 out of 5.
Cap and Sharon go stay in a quiet town, but it's not so quiet, as they are attacked right away. Crossbones and Sin have set a trap and the two fall right in to it. On top of that Bucky is on his own mission to take out the person who has been controlling him the whole time. While both stories seem to be far away from each other eventually they all collide and everyone is at each other's throat. By the end you get some over the top fighting as Cap and Bucky take down a giant Nazi Robot! What more can you ask for?
Brubaker continues his stellar work on building Captain America, Steve Rogers, into a true icon. Not only do we get a calmer, and few more jokes, Cap but we get some relationships building up in nice ways. Bucky is written well and you can feel both his pain and determination. The ending leaves some big moments up in the air.
I really enjoyed this volume, maybe even more than the last since it was more off the walls and fun. I really hope this run just stays this good. A 4 out of 5.
November 23, 2021
This was another good one!
This one has Steve travelling to London to team up with Union Jack and Spitfire and yeah the clues have led him to London and he is trying to find Bucky whose in turn targeting Red Skull while something with Lukin is going on and them not realizing their enemies are the same and its the usual thing London is in danger as they target Lukin and the big automaton from the last volume makes an appearance and so Steve has to stop that thing with his 'mates and save the city but the enemies get away with bigger plans and Sin and Crossbones..
Its an interesting story and takes familiar settings and heroes and gives a great team up in a foreign location and shows Steve not giving up on his friend while also showing the danger the Red skull represents and we are still not fully into his plan and its interesting the way it happens and all that. Plus the art is really good and makes for a great time reading it.
This one has Steve travelling to London to team up with Union Jack and Spitfire and yeah the clues have led him to London and he is trying to find Bucky whose in turn targeting Red Skull while something with Lukin is going on and them not realizing their enemies are the same and its the usual thing London is in danger as they target Lukin and the big automaton from the last volume makes an appearance and so Steve has to stop that thing with his 'mates and save the city but the enemies get away with bigger plans and Sin and Crossbones..
Its an interesting story and takes familiar settings and heroes and gives a great team up in a foreign location and shows Steve not giving up on his friend while also showing the danger the Red skull represents and we are still not fully into his plan and its interesting the way it happens and all that. Plus the art is really good and makes for a great time reading it.
October 18, 2015
Fandabiedozie!
August 27, 2019
Ed Brubaker's run on Cap is legendary. Cap, while always a character I enjoyed as a member of a team, never did much for me in his solo outings, despite my love for WW2 and goody two-shoe heroes. His weapon of choice isn't particularly exciting, his outfit is hokey, his powers if one can call them that, aren't flashy or cinematic and most of the people he cares about are already dead. He lends himself well as a piece of an ensemble cast.
Then Brubaker took over and added grit and realism to the story, helped very aptly by his artist. His relationships that had always been so strong with his modern friends became shaky and he wasn't sure who to trust. Then Brubaker broke an unspoken rule of Marvel Comics, he brought back one of the three who shall forever remain dead, he brought back Bucky. This is the lead up to that now-legendary story arc that inspired two MCU movies (Winter Soldier and to a lesser degree Civil War) despite being a fairly fresh storyline.
I had hoped they would have brought back Red Skull in the movies much the way Brubaker does in this arc but we all know how that turned out. Despite feeling like a fresh take on the character and resurrecting an old hero Brubaker stays true to the character and the universe and takes it to a level yet to be surpassed IMO.
Then Brubaker took over and added grit and realism to the story, helped very aptly by his artist. His relationships that had always been so strong with his modern friends became shaky and he wasn't sure who to trust. Then Brubaker broke an unspoken rule of Marvel Comics, he brought back one of the three who shall forever remain dead, he brought back Bucky. This is the lead up to that now-legendary story arc that inspired two MCU movies (Winter Soldier and to a lesser degree Civil War) despite being a fairly fresh storyline.
I had hoped they would have brought back Red Skull in the movies much the way Brubaker does in this arc but we all know how that turned out. Despite feeling like a fresh take on the character and resurrecting an old hero Brubaker stays true to the character and the universe and takes it to a level yet to be surpassed IMO.
August 3, 2013
Part 2 of the Red Menace storyline has Cap over in the UK with old allies Union Jack and Spitfire, checking up on Lukin's corporation and all its activities. Also on the scene is Bucky/Winter Soldier, with a score of his own to settle. Throw in Sin and Crossbones, the Master Men (new generation), and some other blasts from the past and the whole situation will blow up...
Great work from Brubaker in possibly his best series ever, the Captain America relaunch. I love most of what he does, but it's almost without fail always impressive, from his crime to his Cap to whatever he's done.
Recommended, start with Cap #1 though, the story actually all builds together by reading sequentially.
Great work from Brubaker in possibly his best series ever, the Captain America relaunch. I love most of what he does, but it's almost without fail always impressive, from his crime to his Cap to whatever he's done.
Recommended, start with Cap #1 though, the story actually all builds together by reading sequentially.
July 31, 2011
Ah, and now we come back to the Epting era of Brubaker's Captain America. The shading and inking, the dark moody atmosphere, and the glossy photorealism all contribute to a sense of "epic" stories that's har to pin down, but undeniable to me.
Not to mention the once-in-a-generation resurrections of some timeless, larger than life villains who (as ridiculous as their old portrayals used to be) strike rather menacing poses in their modern incarnations.
Not to mention the once-in-a-generation resurrections of some timeless, larger than life villains who (as ridiculous as their old portrayals used to be) strike rather menacing poses in their modern incarnations.
July 4, 2022
This didn't hit as hard as the first Red Menace volume BUT it was still pretty good. Cap is still searching for Bucky and that leads him to London where he teams up with local superheroes Spitfire and Union Jack. Together they uncover a terrorist plot and fight to stop it. Crossbones and Sin have also made their way across the pond, still seeking violence. All while they don't know the Red Skull isn't dead.
This design of Red Skull is so ugly oh my god why his face so ick? MCU just be hitting. I don't like knowing certain things that the characters don't, as it kept reminding me how they didn't know Red Skull is alive and inside Lukin. Like pls if they don't know I don't want to know because it just gets so frustrating for my dumbass. Also I don't get what Crossbones and Sin were even doing in here because they just came out of nowhere to kill people and then just fucked off like what was the point?
In all my Winter Soldier reads I've never made fun of his tiny ass mask before but I think now is the time: why tf he wear that tiny mask? Are they not going to be able to tell who he is like what??? That's not Bucky Barnes, it's the Winter Soldier!!! It's only for the aesthetic because that mask isn't going to protect anyone's identity, especially when dude has a damn metal arm.
Seeing Bucky and Cap working together was SO good and it was just classic how they were fighting nazis. I laughed so hard when that one guy showed up because he really was Nazi Man, the supervillain with the damn swastika logo on his shirt. I got annoyed recently when in a Daredevil comic his enemy was a bunch of nazis but Captain America? Literally made to punch nazis and I say keep going king.
Minor gripe with the art (besides the muddy colors!!) is that everyone kinda looks the same? The new woman in here, Jackie, looked exactly like Sharon and they even had almost the same hair color so I was like uhhh. And then Cap just looks like every other basic man when he isn't wearing his helmet and I'm confused???
This started setting up for the Civil War event and I'm not excited about that one.
This design of Red Skull is so ugly oh my god why his face so ick? MCU just be hitting. I don't like knowing certain things that the characters don't, as it kept reminding me how they didn't know Red Skull is alive and inside Lukin. Like pls if they don't know I don't want to know because it just gets so frustrating for my dumbass. Also I don't get what Crossbones and Sin were even doing in here because they just came out of nowhere to kill people and then just fucked off like what was the point?
In all my Winter Soldier reads I've never made fun of his tiny ass mask before but I think now is the time: why tf he wear that tiny mask? Are they not going to be able to tell who he is like what??? That's not Bucky Barnes, it's the Winter Soldier!!! It's only for the aesthetic because that mask isn't going to protect anyone's identity, especially when dude has a damn metal arm.
Seeing Bucky and Cap working together was SO good and it was just classic how they were fighting nazis. I laughed so hard when that one guy showed up because he really was Nazi Man, the supervillain with the damn swastika logo on his shirt. I got annoyed recently when in a Daredevil comic his enemy was a bunch of nazis but Captain America? Literally made to punch nazis and I say keep going king.
Minor gripe with the art (besides the muddy colors!!) is that everyone kinda looks the same? The new woman in here, Jackie, looked exactly like Sharon and they even had almost the same hair color so I was like uhhh. And then Cap just looks like every other basic man when he isn't wearing his helmet and I'm confused???
This started setting up for the Civil War event and I'm not excited about that one.
May 24, 2022
I have finally finished this story!! Thank God. I really enjoyed this entire thing as a whole, but god damn was it a pain in the ass to get through. I don’t think I’ve ever stuck with a story this long, for this many issues so I’m pretty proud of myself. (Also, if ur wondering, I read Captain America Vol. 5 completely out of order. I started reading it at issue #26, read through issue #50 and then went back and read the first 21 issues.)
My main highlights:
• Winterwidow + their first appearance
• Sharon Carter
• Bucky’s Winter Soldier backstory
• Sam Wilson & Sharon Carter friendship
• Death of Captain America (no Steve slander is aloud, I just rrly loved that run).
My main highlights:
• Winterwidow + their first appearance
• Sharon Carter
• Bucky’s Winter Soldier backstory
• Sam Wilson & Sharon Carter friendship
• Death of Captain America (no Steve slander is aloud, I just rrly loved that run).
April 12, 2025
Continuing my way through Brubaker’s Captain America run . . .
There’s a lot going on in this volume. The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes goes to London to chase down his former handler, the former Soviet Lukin (who is possessed [?] by Red Skull?). Cap also comes to London and teams up with the British heroes Spitfire and Union Jack. Meanwhile, Crossbone and Sin also come to London. The good guys end up fighting some Master Race clowns and a robot. A shipyard explodes. A zeppelin explodes. All fun stuff.
There’s a lot going on in this volume. The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes goes to London to chase down his former handler, the former Soviet Lukin (who is possessed [?] by Red Skull?). Cap also comes to London and teams up with the British heroes Spitfire and Union Jack. Meanwhile, Crossbone and Sin also come to London. The good guys end up fighting some Master Race clowns and a robot. A shipyard explodes. A zeppelin explodes. All fun stuff.
September 5, 2017
this volume is supposedly the one that the most material for the Captain America: Civil War movie was pulled from, which is sort of a stretch. here is a list of things that ended up in the movie:
1. Steve Rogers is it it
2. Sharon Carter is in it
3. Bucky Barnes is in it
4. Crossbones is in it
5. Cap gets himself in dumb situations to save Bucky
6. the scene with Bucky at a newstand
7. hardly any of it actually takes place in America
8. some planes get damaged
9. neither Cap nor Bucky get any closure
1. Steve Rogers is it it
2. Sharon Carter is in it
3. Bucky Barnes is in it
4. Crossbones is in it
5. Cap gets himself in dumb situations to save Bucky
6. the scene with Bucky at a newstand
7. hardly any of it actually takes place in America
8. some planes get damaged
9. neither Cap nor Bucky get any closure
July 27, 2015
I didnt love this story. One of the disappointing Brubaker Caps I've read.
November 14, 2023
The culmination of the lauded "Winter Soldier" arc indicated that the Red Skull lives on, but is seeded deep in the conscience of Aleksander Lukin, a former high ranking Soviet general and war criminal. Lukin acts to pull strings of geopolitical issues, which has Cap working alongside old comrades like Union Jack as much of the adventure in this arc takes place in London. Brubaker also dusts off the hokier elements of Cap's past with characters like Nazi strongman Master Man and the Sleeper, classic villains that have been given a modern polished revamp by artists Steve Epting and Mike Perkins. Crossbones and Sin continue to be an issue here, but overall this arc does center more on Cap, Agent 13 and Union Jack. Overall, "Red Menace" is a decent follow up to the "Winter Soldier" arc, though it lacks the same level of tension and paranoia that made the previous arc a fair bit stronger.
January 16, 2018
I didn't love this Vol 2 as much as I love the previous Brubaker Cap stuff. That being said, I love how the last few pages are starting to bridge into Civil War. I wanted more Bucky than I got, and I wanted some Bucky & Steve interaction. Which, I really hope happens sometime before Steve is shot in Death of Captain America. like, please don't tell me they fight a robot together, Bucky runs away (to Fury), and the next times he sees Steve is when he is shot on the court house steps. but with the craziness of Civil War about to come, maybe this doesn't happen? I need a reading order right now.
November 16, 2020
The end of this delighted me greatly, mostly because of all the "CAP!" "BUCKY!" What can I say, I am a sucker for these two idiots and their undying devotion to each other. I actually already read the volumes that follow this arc, so it was nice to have a little more idea of how the timeline fits together.
July 12, 2025
Cap and Agent 13 are headed to London baby. Lukin's operating in the background with the Red Skull trying to take over his mind. Meanwhile, Bucky's in the background watching over everyone. It's a cool teamup with Spitfire and Union Jack. Brubaker does a terrific job of the more quiet moments. Epting's on art so you know this book is looking terrific.
August 27, 2018
3.75 stars
Ah, that Epting/Perkins/D'Armata art. Shadowy, but not so much that you can't tell what's going on. Perpetually dark, but only spooky when it needs to be. Photorealistic, but not distractingly so.
Ah, that Epting/Perkins/D'Armata art. Shadowy, but not so much that you can't tell what's going on. Perpetually dark, but only spooky when it needs to be. Photorealistic, but not distractingly so.
November 25, 2023
Wow! Those 4 volumes really came together to a crazy epic climax with hints of big things yet to come (registration and that “thing” that happens to Agent 13 with Cap after Civil War). Really enjoyed this run so far. Really solid storytelling!
February 20, 2024
This series continues to overachieve. In this volume we find Cap and Sharon in London where they team up with Union Jack and Spitfire to battle a plot by Alexander Lukin...or rather, the Red Skull. Then Bucky, Crossbones and Sin show up and it turns into a real party. Great stuff.
June 27, 2018
The Red Skull sure does come up with complicated plans. Captain America is more reactive.
July 22, 2021
I don't know how to rate comics but I do know the MCU owes Bucky Barnes an apology.
May 6, 2024
This double arc ends with a bang! Fun, fast and action packed
3.75 stars
3.75 stars
May 25, 2025
Fun read and nice seeing a conclusion to the winter soldier story. I'm enjoying the series and looking forward to seeing the aftermath of civil war
November 10, 2025
Cap in London hunting down Bucky who's hunting Luskin.
I loved everything about this
London looks great
I loved everything about this
London looks great
March 9, 2025
genuinely surprised at how interested i am in a captain america story outside of my shaylas (buckynat). that being said, union jack is my sleep paralysis demon.
September 3, 2014
Captain America reunites with old friends and foes when he journeys "across the pond" in search of his old partner, Bucky. Still reeling from the revelation that Bucky is alive and until recently was a brainwashed personal assassin for ex-Soviet General Lukin, Steve has vowed to find Bucky before he can do something they may all regret. While Steve pursues Bucky, Bucky trails Lukin, also the man behind the alleged murder of the Red Skull and multiple acts of terrorism. Unbeknownst to any of them, the Red Skull's daughter Sin and Crossbones have set their sights on Lukin as well; they have their own explosive plan for avenging the Red Skull's death. What follows is another action-packed spy thriller filled with missions gone critical and explosions that light up the London nightscape.
Titled "The Twenty-first Century Blitz," this volume contains issues #18-21, otherwise known as part two of the "Red Menace" saga. This half is stronger than the previous because Sin and Crossbones monopolize most of the first half with their violent lunacy. They still have a sizable role here, but they don't overshadow Cap's transformation from patriotic super soldier to an almost-rogue special operations Avenger, willing to bend the rules and risk it all for his best friend.
While the subtitle "The Twenty-first Century Blitz" harkens back to the World War II-era blitz, it may also reference the reintroduction of Cap's old friends Union Jack and Spitfire, and the new iteration of their old enemy, Master Man. The three superheroes have the ease of old friends, albeit friends who work off-and-on with the British spy agency MI-5! When a reconnaissance mission ends in a massive explosion, Agent 13 of SHIELD shows up to legitimize their operation and whisk them away from the accusing eyes of British authorities. Brubaker even resurrects an old Red Skull robot from the war, but in his skilled hands this does not feel anachronistic, plus . Although it still retains the surrealism of a comic, Brubaker makes it all relevant for a Twenty-first Century Captain America, one who embodies the same core values of responsibility, loyalty, and courage under fire that readers will recognize, but one who also has adapted to face a new threat. This Captain America has transformed into a Twenty First Century super soldier, and the results are a treat for both Captain America fans and spy thriller fans. This part of the series doesn't top the first "Winter Soldier" arc for me, but I'm still very impressed and very much on board for more.
Speaking of returns, this volume sees the return of Steve Epting as artist, colorist, and inker. I was shocked to read that he does nearly all of his own work, and I laughed when I read that Brubaker mentioned it's hard for Epting to keep up with a monthly book because his work is so intricate. Epting didn't do the first half of the Red Menace arc, but seeing his work again here, I realized how much I missed it. The shading and color conveys the sinister and dangerous elements of Cap's mission, and it feels as though I could step right into his pages and feel the flames. I would think it's challenging to illustrate a book where nearly all of it occurs in the dark, but still the results are fantastic. Especially with all the action shots, the book has a very cinematic look. I don't think I have the words to describe it, other than to say it's great work.
Overall, this is another strong contribution to the series, and I am ready to read more--it was just too tantalizing to see Cap get so close to Bucky!
Titled "The Twenty-first Century Blitz," this volume contains issues #18-21, otherwise known as part two of the "Red Menace" saga. This half is stronger than the previous because Sin and Crossbones monopolize most of the first half with their violent lunacy. They still have a sizable role here, but they don't overshadow Cap's transformation from patriotic super soldier to an almost-rogue special operations Avenger, willing to bend the rules and risk it all for his best friend.
While the subtitle "The Twenty-first Century Blitz" harkens back to the World War II-era blitz, it may also reference the reintroduction of Cap's old friends Union Jack and Spitfire, and the new iteration of their old enemy, Master Man. The three superheroes have the ease of old friends, albeit friends who work off-and-on with the British spy agency MI-5! When a reconnaissance mission ends in a massive explosion, Agent 13 of SHIELD shows up to legitimize their operation and whisk them away from the accusing eyes of British authorities. Brubaker even resurrects an old Red Skull robot from the war, but in his skilled hands this does not feel anachronistic, plus . Although it still retains the surrealism of a comic, Brubaker makes it all relevant for a Twenty-first Century Captain America, one who embodies the same core values of responsibility, loyalty, and courage under fire that readers will recognize, but one who also has adapted to face a new threat. This Captain America has transformed into a Twenty First Century super soldier, and the results are a treat for both Captain America fans and spy thriller fans. This part of the series doesn't top the first "Winter Soldier" arc for me, but I'm still very impressed and very much on board for more.
Speaking of returns, this volume sees the return of Steve Epting as artist, colorist, and inker. I was shocked to read that he does nearly all of his own work, and I laughed when I read that Brubaker mentioned it's hard for Epting to keep up with a monthly book because his work is so intricate. Epting didn't do the first half of the Red Menace arc, but seeing his work again here, I realized how much I missed it. The shading and color conveys the sinister and dangerous elements of Cap's mission, and it feels as though I could step right into his pages and feel the flames. I would think it's challenging to illustrate a book where nearly all of it occurs in the dark, but still the results are fantastic. Especially with all the action shots, the book has a very cinematic look. I don't think I have the words to describe it, other than to say it's great work.
Overall, this is another strong contribution to the series, and I am ready to read more--it was just too tantalizing to see Cap get so close to Bucky!
December 27, 2025
Okay, another banger💥💥
Each volume is better than the last one. I’m addicted and can’t stop reading them. Again, these comics are so much better than how mcu portrayed them. Like what were they thinking. They had a whole source material in front of them and yet they still fumbled. Captain America movies would have been bangers if they used the source material right. Like I would have loved to see this comic turn into live action. Captain America in here was working hard to find his friend and at the same time so much other political things were happening and he was dealing with them. In the movies it looked like he only cared about Bucky. I am really, extremely disappointed with mcu.
Also, Sharon and Steve 🫶
Each volume is better than the last one. I’m addicted and can’t stop reading them. Again, these comics are so much better than how mcu portrayed them. Like what were they thinking. They had a whole source material in front of them and yet they still fumbled. Captain America movies would have been bangers if they used the source material right. Like I would have loved to see this comic turn into live action. Captain America in here was working hard to find his friend and at the same time so much other political things were happening and he was dealing with them. In the movies it looked like he only cared about Bucky. I am really, extremely disappointed with mcu.
Also, Sharon and Steve 🫶
June 25, 2008
These two slender volumes – comprising no more that four or five issues each – lack the realistic touch of Epting’s art in the first half. (Sorry Perkins, you’re just a poor man’s version of Epting.) But what they lack earlier on in the art department, Brubaker makes up for in the narrative and plot. Luckily, Volume 2 returns with Epting’s signature style that makes this title worth checking out -- Brubaker’s writing duties aside.
Picking up where the partially unresolved Winter Sleeper story-arc left off, this second storyline continues with the post-Cold War thriller action and espionage that makes this title one of the best mainstream comic-books out there that is worth checking out if you’re usually squeamish or picky – like me. The magic of both Brubaker’s writing and Epting’s art is that they make the impossible seem plausible. (Think a Nazi wearing a red skull mask. In other hands, that sounds downright idiotic. But in Brubaker and Epting’s hands, it comes across as dangerously frightening – if not downright ironic in this time of growing fascism and terrorism.)
Shameless plug: I gushed at the iconic animated-like style of Martin and Pullido in the 65th Anniversary Special tucked away at the end of Volume 1 – and hope you will, too. In this, Brubaker and Co. return us to a never-before revealed WWII operation in which Cap and Bucky tackle the Red Skull and defeat an early version of menace they will face in present-time. A stand-alone story that has reverberations that ripples down into the current crises in Captain America.
Picking up where the partially unresolved Winter Sleeper story-arc left off, this second storyline continues with the post-Cold War thriller action and espionage that makes this title one of the best mainstream comic-books out there that is worth checking out if you’re usually squeamish or picky – like me. The magic of both Brubaker’s writing and Epting’s art is that they make the impossible seem plausible. (Think a Nazi wearing a red skull mask. In other hands, that sounds downright idiotic. But in Brubaker and Epting’s hands, it comes across as dangerously frightening – if not downright ironic in this time of growing fascism and terrorism.)
Shameless plug: I gushed at the iconic animated-like style of Martin and Pullido in the 65th Anniversary Special tucked away at the end of Volume 1 – and hope you will, too. In this, Brubaker and Co. return us to a never-before revealed WWII operation in which Cap and Bucky tackle the Red Skull and defeat an early version of menace they will face in present-time. A stand-alone story that has reverberations that ripples down into the current crises in Captain America.
February 25, 2024
Rogers is trying to track down Winter Soldier - hopefully to take him to the good side. Bucky is after Lukin (a Russian billionaire who also has Red Skull living in his mind).
Feels a bit like Brubaker is just spinning the wheels in this volume. Action heavy and well drawn.
Feels a bit like Brubaker is just spinning the wheels in this volume. Action heavy and well drawn.
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