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Captain America: Living Legend #1-4
Captain America: Living Legend
When a top-secret orbital research station is dragged from the sky by an unknown alien force, Steve Rogers finds himself caught between two global superpowers on the brink of war! But how does it involve Volkov - a decorated Russian officer he last saw in World War II, who disappeared on an ill-fated lunar mission over forty years ago? As the Russian army mobilizes to lock down the station's remote Siberian crash site, Captain America's mission is to find the survivors and bring them back alive - or silence them forever. Impossible odds in hostile territory are all in a day's work for Cap, but even he is unprepared for the horror that awaits them all in the icy wilderness. Because something has survived. Something alien. And it is awake!
CAPTAIN LIVING LEGEND 1-4
CAPTAIN LIVING LEGEND 1-4
112 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2013
About the author
Andy Diggle
549 books176 followersAndy Diggle is a British comic book writer and former editor of 2000 AD. He is best known for his work on The Losers,Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, Adam Strange and Silent Dragon at DC Comics and for his run on Thunderbolts and Daredevil after his move to Marvel.
In 2013 Diggle left writing DC's Action Comics and began working with Dynamite Entertainment, writing a paranormal crime series Uncanny. He is also working on another crime series with his wife titled Control that is set to begin publishing in 2014.
In 2013 Diggle left writing DC's Action Comics and began working with Dynamite Entertainment, writing a paranormal crime series Uncanny. He is also working on another crime series with his wife titled Control that is set to begin publishing in 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 17, 2013
At last - a good Captain America book! Because Cap is the very definition of whitebread, has a boring shield he can only use as a magic Frisbee, and has zero personality, the flag-wearing boy scout is almost never interesting to read about by himself (and frankly not all that much fun to read in the Avengers books either). The one exception was the fantastic Winter Soldier story and now, joining that rarefied league of good Captain America books is Living Legend, the story of Cap killing a Russian cosmonaut possessed by an alien!
That might seem like an oversimplification but it’s not really – in the four issues that’s basically the story: alien craziness kicks off in Siberia, Cap goes to fight alien, Frisbee fighting ensues. It jumps around a bit in time from the end of WW2 when Cap first meets the Russian soldier Volkov, to the early 60s when the Soviets still had a space program and Volkov gets shot into space, to the present day, but it’s all easy to follow stuff and gives the necessary background on Cap and Volkov’s history to make the story more meaningful to the reader.
The cosmic monster that possesses Volkov is a mix of biological and mechanical elements and is described as an entity composed of dark matter from the dark side of the moon - if you’ve read The Authority, picture Angie the Engineer and you’ve got it. It’s actually a good enemy for Cap as it’s susceptible to the vibranium in his shield meaning Cap can defeat the villain by being himself without having to get help from the Avengers.
The series is also notable for being Adi Granov’s first comic since the awesome Iron Man: Extremis. Though he only draws the first issue, his superb artwork is as gorgeous as it’s ever been and it’s a shame he rarely draws comics besides covers. That said, Agustin Alessio draws the other three issues and his artwork is no less impressive than Granov’s, uncannily mirroring his style immaculately. Living Legend is a pretty dark book with writer Andy Diggle going for a blend of early Ridley Scott space horror to Warren Ellis’ Ultimate Galactus stories (Ellis loves writing about the forgotten dark experiments the Soviets worked upon, now abandoned and getting crazier as the years pass), and the art is well suited to the tone.
Watching the trailer to The Winter Soldier and reading Living Legend, there’s a noticeable effort on the part of Marvel to make Cap seem more superheroic than he is – specifically leaping out of planes. He jumps without a ‘chute in the trailer (incredibly cool moment but should mean certain death for him unless Hulk catches him on the way down, Avengers movie-style!) and in Living Legend he does a HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jump from 10 miles up in the atmosphere, which is practically space, without an oxygen tank! At that height, unprotected eyeballs freeze in an instant but Cap’s alright, and he even lands without a parachute! Insanely silly action hero stuff for still a very street level character but cool moments, nevertheless.
Living Legend isn’t going to be anyone’s favourite comic ever but for simply being a short, interesting Captain America action/adventure story, it succeeds across the boards. Diggle’s writing and plotting is fine, Granov and Alessio’s artwork is spectacular, and Cap comes across very heroically – the consummate soldier. It’s never boring and I enjoyed it throughout – Living Legend is definitely worth picking up to see what a good Captain America book looks like!
That might seem like an oversimplification but it’s not really – in the four issues that’s basically the story: alien craziness kicks off in Siberia, Cap goes to fight alien, Frisbee fighting ensues. It jumps around a bit in time from the end of WW2 when Cap first meets the Russian soldier Volkov, to the early 60s when the Soviets still had a space program and Volkov gets shot into space, to the present day, but it’s all easy to follow stuff and gives the necessary background on Cap and Volkov’s history to make the story more meaningful to the reader.
The cosmic monster that possesses Volkov is a mix of biological and mechanical elements and is described as an entity composed of dark matter from the dark side of the moon - if you’ve read The Authority, picture Angie the Engineer and you’ve got it. It’s actually a good enemy for Cap as it’s susceptible to the vibranium in his shield meaning Cap can defeat the villain by being himself without having to get help from the Avengers.
The series is also notable for being Adi Granov’s first comic since the awesome Iron Man: Extremis. Though he only draws the first issue, his superb artwork is as gorgeous as it’s ever been and it’s a shame he rarely draws comics besides covers. That said, Agustin Alessio draws the other three issues and his artwork is no less impressive than Granov’s, uncannily mirroring his style immaculately. Living Legend is a pretty dark book with writer Andy Diggle going for a blend of early Ridley Scott space horror to Warren Ellis’ Ultimate Galactus stories (Ellis loves writing about the forgotten dark experiments the Soviets worked upon, now abandoned and getting crazier as the years pass), and the art is well suited to the tone.
Watching the trailer to The Winter Soldier and reading Living Legend, there’s a noticeable effort on the part of Marvel to make Cap seem more superheroic than he is – specifically leaping out of planes. He jumps without a ‘chute in the trailer (incredibly cool moment but should mean certain death for him unless Hulk catches him on the way down, Avengers movie-style!) and in Living Legend he does a HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jump from 10 miles up in the atmosphere, which is practically space, without an oxygen tank! At that height, unprotected eyeballs freeze in an instant but Cap’s alright, and he even lands without a parachute! Insanely silly action hero stuff for still a very street level character but cool moments, nevertheless.
Living Legend isn’t going to be anyone’s favourite comic ever but for simply being a short, interesting Captain America action/adventure story, it succeeds across the boards. Diggle’s writing and plotting is fine, Granov and Alessio’s artwork is spectacular, and Cap comes across very heroically – the consummate soldier. It’s never boring and I enjoyed it throughout – Living Legend is definitely worth picking up to see what a good Captain America book looks like!
September 5, 2019
Nothing about this really worked for me.
Sometimes, Cap books set during war time can work for me when the focus is on Captain America and the way he views war. This book was one the comics I don’t enjoy all that much because it’s mainly just “read through this event” and doesn’t really delve in the characters. Which is fine, these types of stories really work for other people. I personally prefer to read comics that explore the characters a lot more.
I also enjoyed the art in Extremis quite a bit more.
So... yeah.
Sometimes, Cap books set during war time can work for me when the focus is on Captain America and the way he views war. This book was one the comics I don’t enjoy all that much because it’s mainly just “read through this event” and doesn’t really delve in the characters. Which is fine, these types of stories really work for other people. I personally prefer to read comics that explore the characters a lot more.
I also enjoyed the art in Extremis quite a bit more.
So... yeah.
January 29, 2018
Cap story that started out fairly strong (though the title was misleading - Living Legend vs. The Thing From Outer Space would've made more sense - with a good WWII flash-forward to 60's 'space race' prologue. However, by the fourth chapter / issue the momentum cooled a little to my disappointment. Still the artwork is appropriately frigid-looking to match the miserable setting, and there is a decent amount of star-spangled action.
Also, the character of Dr. Fox was illustrated with distracting similarities to Black Widow. Since the bulk of plot is set in the Siberian tundra with a dozen or so Russian military characters I thought there might be a twist or reveal for her, but it was not to be.
Also, the character of Dr. Fox was illustrated with distracting similarities to Black Widow. Since the bulk of plot is set in the Siberian tundra with a dozen or so Russian military characters I thought there might be a twist or reveal for her, but it was not to be.
January 5, 2014
Living Legend is a new four issue miniseries from Marvel about Captain America having to deal with shades of his past come back to plague him in present day. The series features great writing from Andy Diggle and perhaps even better, breathtaking art from Adi Granov. Each page is wonderful to behold as you turn them and you cannot help but be enthralled by what is in front of you. Exactly what you would want from any comic book.
The tale finds Cap having to deal with an extraterrestrial entity that has inhabited the body of a Russian cosmonaut in the past whom he had previously saved during the war that of course, was even earlier. There was a tiny hiccup with the story, and not through any fault of Diggle’s and company, which was the familiarity of the tale, having just read Endless Wartime recently. Both have a comparable theme and while this story had fewer Avengers and a different monster and situation, they were too similar to not contrast against the other. Certain other elements are different of course and Diggle certainly has a different style than Ellis does, but the déjà vu feeling is there and is a little distracting.
Other than that one little thing, the book is quite excellent. It is fast paced and exciting, and Granov’s pages are bold. This book proves he is one of the best in the business and if Captain America ever warrants a second ongoing title, this is the creative team that should be put in place. Well written, drawn and executed.
http://thetelltalemind.com/2013/12/20...
The tale finds Cap having to deal with an extraterrestrial entity that has inhabited the body of a Russian cosmonaut in the past whom he had previously saved during the war that of course, was even earlier. There was a tiny hiccup with the story, and not through any fault of Diggle’s and company, which was the familiarity of the tale, having just read Endless Wartime recently. Both have a comparable theme and while this story had fewer Avengers and a different monster and situation, they were too similar to not contrast against the other. Certain other elements are different of course and Diggle certainly has a different style than Ellis does, but the déjà vu feeling is there and is a little distracting.
Other than that one little thing, the book is quite excellent. It is fast paced and exciting, and Granov’s pages are bold. This book proves he is one of the best in the business and if Captain America ever warrants a second ongoing title, this is the creative team that should be put in place. Well written, drawn and executed.
http://thetelltalemind.com/2013/12/20...
May 14, 2014
I was surprised that I liked this at all because I honestly thought I would hate the art but it actually fitted quite nicely to the story. The story wasn't the best Captain America story ever, but it was interesting in some parts.
December 12, 2021
I own this book.
This is probably one of the less exciting Cap books I've read if I'm honest. Don't get me wrong. I love Captain America. I love nearly every Cap comic I've read, this one I just liked. It was fine. Basically, this book begins with an uneasy alliance between Cap and the Soviets as they raid a Nazi base and Cap ends up saving Volkov's life, 20 years or so later, we see the Russains sending Volkov into space where he becomes possessed by something and then in the present day, the same possessive spirit attacks a space station with only one survivor who Cap finds to help him get to the bottom of whatever is going on. He then comes in and saves the day because it's Cap. But overall, I just didn't feel any kind of way about this book. It was short, pretty basic throughout and the art wasn't done in a very typical comic style, it was more realistic in places and even at times looked very digitialised and smooth. I like reading comics that look like comics yknow?
This is probably one of the less exciting Cap books I've read if I'm honest. Don't get me wrong. I love Captain America. I love nearly every Cap comic I've read, this one I just liked. It was fine. Basically, this book begins with an uneasy alliance between Cap and the Soviets as they raid a Nazi base and Cap ends up saving Volkov's life, 20 years or so later, we see the Russains sending Volkov into space where he becomes possessed by something and then in the present day, the same possessive spirit attacks a space station with only one survivor who Cap finds to help him get to the bottom of whatever is going on. He then comes in and saves the day because it's Cap. But overall, I just didn't feel any kind of way about this book. It was short, pretty basic throughout and the art wasn't done in a very typical comic style, it was more realistic in places and even at times looked very digitialised and smooth. I like reading comics that look like comics yknow?
June 6, 2018
Years ago, Captain America helped a Russian soldier. Now history is repeating itself and people are dying again. This is a decent story with plenty of pathos. The idea of an early astronaut becoming dangerous is old, but it is done in an interesting way here. A good read.
January 3, 2014
I just read the 4 issue mini-series Captain America: Living Legend. First off, the art (first issue and all covers by Adi Granov; last three issues by Agustin Alessio) is a very interesting sort of photo-realistic style which was quite eye-catching. The story is quite interesting. I first thought that it was just going to be a tale of the past, but it had flashbacks to the past and then a more current storyline. Something has been found in space and is causing trouble down on Earth now. Captain America needs to save the day. Captain America saved the life of someone during WWII and that person is tied up with the problem.
June 23, 2014
3.75 out of 5. A streamlined story and one that is admittedly predictable, but is elevated due to Diggle's sparse dialogue and Granov's and Alessio's cold and uninviting art.
June 12, 2019
So the art for this was phenomenal, that's all this book has going for it. Unfortunately the art is hindered by the story as there isn't much to adapt it's mainly buildings, trees and snow for the background. The other characters have no defining qualities either not sure if that was intentional, the women looks different so that's a plus right? We get a bit of Sharon Carter but honestly she should of been a lot more involved with it, it would of worked better.
The story was clunky as well, Cap saves a soldiers life then several decades later creatures attack. Which isn't explained all to well, the amount of flashback was overwhelming there were so many in the first volume I could of got whiplash from going back and forth. It doesn't seem to know what it wants to be about either, does it want to be about Cap and the solider he saved or does it want to be about the thing type creatures attacking.
There is absolutely no tension in this what so ever, as I said the only thing good about this was the art. I was a little surprised on how well and engaging the fourth issue was but by that time it's too little to late, if they started from that then went the creature route I would have been all for it at least then it'd make a little bit more sense.
The story was clunky as well, Cap saves a soldiers life then several decades later creatures attack. Which isn't explained all to well, the amount of flashback was overwhelming there were so many in the first volume I could of got whiplash from going back and forth. It doesn't seem to know what it wants to be about either, does it want to be about Cap and the solider he saved or does it want to be about the thing type creatures attacking.
There is absolutely no tension in this what so ever, as I said the only thing good about this was the art. I was a little surprised on how well and engaging the fourth issue was but by that time it's too little to late, if they started from that then went the creature route I would have been all for it at least then it'd make a little bit more sense.
November 21, 2021
In World War II Captain America saved the life of a Russian soldier who later went on to become a cosmonaut. In the present day the crash of a secret research space station leads Cap to confront not only the man he saved but also a deadly alien entity.
There are three main elements at work in this story; Cap trying to prevent a powerful technology from falling into the wrong hands, national tensions between Russia and the US and sci-fi horror. These disparate elements actually fit together perfectly and make for one of the best self-contained Captain America stories I've read.
I've always been a sucker for science fiction stories about hostile alien lifeforms beyond our ability to understand (this book owes a debt to movies such as 'The Thing' and 'The Astronaut's Wife') and, since they were originally a product of Cold War paranoia, it is entirely appropriate that tensions between America and Russia should be the backdrop to this story. Throw in Cap and links to his adventures in WWII and you've got a winning combination.
On top of all the solid elements making up the story of this book, it's also worth noting that Granov's artwork really elevates the book too and I don't know if it would've all come together quite so well without that element.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com *
There are three main elements at work in this story; Cap trying to prevent a powerful technology from falling into the wrong hands, national tensions between Russia and the US and sci-fi horror. These disparate elements actually fit together perfectly and make for one of the best self-contained Captain America stories I've read.
I've always been a sucker for science fiction stories about hostile alien lifeforms beyond our ability to understand (this book owes a debt to movies such as 'The Thing' and 'The Astronaut's Wife') and, since they were originally a product of Cold War paranoia, it is entirely appropriate that tensions between America and Russia should be the backdrop to this story. Throw in Cap and links to his adventures in WWII and you've got a winning combination.
On top of all the solid elements making up the story of this book, it's also worth noting that Granov's artwork really elevates the book too and I don't know if it would've all come together quite so well without that element.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com *
February 26, 2018
This comic has outstanding artwork. This is compounded by a solid Cap versus sci-fi nonsense story. Diggle dips into into the "winter Soldier" cookie-jar by using Cold War history and paranoia to create a functional and engaging Cap villain. I really like how vague the decidedly Lovecraftian space gribbly bad guy is, because it makes it menacing and because I don't know enough about it, it never got stupid. Also bonus points for not having every Russian character be an asshole. Its a little short sure, but I'd like to think "short and sweet" applies more than "two pump chump". I say again though, even if the story wasn't as good as it is, the artwork makes it well worth price of admission.
April 12, 2023
This book is a strange spot in Cap history. The story is the overdone story of someone from Cap's past becomes a problem in the present. And while its been done a ton, its not poorly done here. The book is more scifi than most Cap stories which is nice however the scifi wasn't done super well. I enjoyed Diggle's take on old soldiers but his dialogue was cringy at times. Adi Gradov's art was great. Overall, a decent one off that shows Cap is who he is, a soldier.
February 13, 2017
3.5. I wasn't sold on this at first, but the concept and the art style both ended up growing on me. It had a surprisingly mature tone, and read more like a classic sci-fi/horror story than I was expecting.
February 1, 2018
This is a nice book. The story is okay but not one of Andy Diggle's best. The art is great, which make this title stand out. Though I have to scratch my head after reading this asking myself, "is that all there is for this? (Sigh)"
September 21, 2017
It's alright
That was just alright. The cover art was cool but the rest of it was just alright. The story doesn't make a lot of sense but the art helped.
That was just alright. The cover art was cool but the rest of it was just alright. The story doesn't make a lot of sense but the art helped.
July 23, 2018
A superhero tangles with a ‘monster’ from outer space.
I thought the story and artwork were good – one of the very few graphics novels I’ve read that had a coherent storyline.
I thought the story and artwork were good – one of the very few graphics novels I’ve read that had a coherent storyline.
October 12, 2020
Fine short story. A bit of WWII, a bit Soviet era Cold War/space race, & a bit of Aliens all rolled into one come back to haunt Cap.
May 7, 2024
Story is pretty mediocre but what elevates it is that art...is just amazing.
Read
November 9, 2025tf did i just read
January 29, 2024
I watched an Airwolf episode that followed almost the same exact premise—Russian and American research collides, scientific SHTF scenario occurs which causes all the Russian scientists and military guys to straight up go insane and kill each other, and the leading man (with a lovely lady scientist) arrives to save the day. Still, a great comic despite the slightly unoriginal source material. Definitely much spookier and paranormal than the show.
June 12, 2020
Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America, investigates the remote Siberian crash site of a top-secret orbital research station that was knocked out of the sky by a mysterious force. With Russia and the United States on the brink of war and Russian troops mobilizing to the crash site, Cap must find the survivors and bring them back alive if he can. As he connects the present circumstances with the mysterious disappearance of a Russian officer he’d known in World War II, Cap faces down an alien horror in the frozen wilderness.
This miniseries was a lot of fun! Not only does it blatantly use the likeness of Chris Evans and his Captain America’s costume, it also feels straight out of the M.C.U. in that interesting way comic books influence movies which go on to influence comic books. Living Legend utilizes Captain America’s World War II origins in a messy post-Cold War modernity by flashing back between the two and weaving a story where Steve Rogers’ past pulls at his present. It tells a compelling, grounded (for a Marvel comic) science fiction and espionage story, but then douses it in frigid isolation and Lovecraftian extra-terrestrial horror. Easily among the best Captain America stories I’ve read, as well as one of the most cinematic comics I’ve read. This was simply made to be a movie.
This miniseries was a lot of fun! Not only does it blatantly use the likeness of Chris Evans and his Captain America’s costume, it also feels straight out of the M.C.U. in that interesting way comic books influence movies which go on to influence comic books. Living Legend utilizes Captain America’s World War II origins in a messy post-Cold War modernity by flashing back between the two and weaving a story where Steve Rogers’ past pulls at his present. It tells a compelling, grounded (for a Marvel comic) science fiction and espionage story, but then douses it in frigid isolation and Lovecraftian extra-terrestrial horror. Easily among the best Captain America stories I’ve read, as well as one of the most cinematic comics I’ve read. This was simply made to be a movie.
June 20, 2015
Remnants of the Cold War come back to haunt Captain America in the Living Legend collection from Andy Diggle and Adi Granov. During World War II, Steve Rogers saved the life of a headstrong Russian soldier during a wintry raid. While the soldier Volkov goes on to become a Russian cosmonaut, Steve Rogers falls victim to suspended animation. Both warriros meet again when a downed space station sends Cap to Russia. Attempting to retrieve the surviving scientist and the military engine, Rogers battles a technological monstrosity that is linked to the imprisoned Volkov - still alive after all these years. Diggle attempts to use the Cold War and Space Race to set up a backdrop for a modern day conflict, only to fall into typical Russian/American tension plot. The mysterious menace that possesses Volkov is also undefined and uninteresting, serving only to try and make a connection with Rogers's WWII history. The art from Granov is hauntingly exquisite; it shines with his technological depictions but does get washed out in his facial expressions. Living Legend is not as legendary as the title insists, but offers a nifty Captain America anecdote.
Read
February 7, 2017Nice drawings, great storyline, good entity.
February 23, 2015
Kind of a ho-hum throwaway pseudo-Cthulhu story about horror from beyond this dimension, oh, and it happens to have Captain America in it... IN SPAAACE! Lucky thing his shield specifically counters the thing from beyond. It's not a bad story by any means, just nothing special. It doesn't fit in with anything much from the Captain America comics, and really doesn't have any repercussions later on. This is solid, but uninspired.
January 2, 2016
Captain America fighting aliens from the dark void. It was a plot so ridiculous that reminded me of the movie Cowboys vs Aliens. If you can get past that though, it's actually a pretty good story. And what I liked the most about it was that it was a complete story, self-contained in one book. No hanging plot lines or mysterious endings. It started, it happened, and it was done. That fact alone bumped it up to 4 stars for me.
March 15, 2016
This was a really solid story! I do not know why it had been getting low reviews since publication, as the story was fine all the way through. Sure, it's not some monumental Captain America tale, but as the plot weaves between the past and the present there is really nothing wrong at all in this story. Worth rereading too. Plus, the art by Adi Granov and Agustín Alessio is fantastic!
July 7, 2015
This was awful. The plot didnt make any sense, the illustrators were trying so hard for the illustrations to look realistic that they failed. Some aspects were unexplained. Cap was extremely underdeveloped and was just there for the plots purpose. It was lame and uncreative.
September 2, 2015
Another read from ComiXology. It tells during WW2 and when Captian America was fighting with the soldiers. It then jumps and tells of an astronaut going into space, he is one of the soldiers to whom Captian fought with. It was pretty good and the graphics were well done, solid.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews