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Captain America: Sam Wilson (Collected Editions)
Captain America: Sam Wilson, Vol. 2: Standoff
For years, across two eras, Steve Rogers wielded his red, white and blue shield against unspeakable odds. For a time when he fell, his brother in arms Bucky Barnes picked it up. And when it was time to rest for good, Steve handed it to his friend Sam Wilson. Now all three men who were and are Captain America must unite for a heroic Standoff with the evil that lurks in Pleasant Hill! It's a tale of Caps past and present, 75 years in the making! And if Sam gets out of it alive, shield still in hand, he'll face the Americops, who have their own definition of law and order! Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Plus: stories celebrating the legacy and legend of Captain America throughout history!
Collecting: Captain America: Sam Wilson 7-8, Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha, Omega
Collecting: Captain America: Sam Wilson 7-8, Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha, Omega
168 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2016
22 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Nick Spencer
1,002 books346 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 30, 2016
The second volume of Sam Wilson: The Worst Captain America is entirely filled with the even crummier Avengers Standoff event. Pleasant Hill is a seemingly-idyllic 1950s-style American small town – but something’s not right. Beneath its sunny exterior lies a dark secret – and Sam Wilson’s gonna find out what it is!
I won’t spoil what Pleasant Hill really is but it’s pretty underwhelming stuff and a really weak set-up for any story longer than three issues. It doesn’t have the most nuanced take on modern covert government operations besides saying “Secrets is BAAAD!” followed by scene after scene of the usual Marvel drivel where characters brainlessly slug it out.
About the only moment of note in this extremely dull book is that a major character undergoes a change though if you read Avengers Standoff, you’ll already know what it is. But it’s such an obvious and expected development that it doesn’t feel like anything except the Marvel machine continuing to spin its wheels. It’s also a literal Deus ex Machina so Spencer’s falling back on hack writing to make his garbage stories work.
In a book about Sam Wilson, everything of note happens to other characters besides him but that’s probably because he’s super boring. I’m done with this awful series! Alex Ross’s take on the iconic Cap-punching-Hitler-cover was great though.
I won’t spoil what Pleasant Hill really is but it’s pretty underwhelming stuff and a really weak set-up for any story longer than three issues. It doesn’t have the most nuanced take on modern covert government operations besides saying “Secrets is BAAAD!” followed by scene after scene of the usual Marvel drivel where characters brainlessly slug it out.
About the only moment of note in this extremely dull book is that a major character undergoes a change though if you read Avengers Standoff, you’ll already know what it is. But it’s such an obvious and expected development that it doesn’t feel like anything except the Marvel machine continuing to spin its wheels. It’s also a literal Deus ex Machina so Spencer’s falling back on hack writing to make his garbage stories work.
In a book about Sam Wilson, everything of note happens to other characters besides him but that’s probably because he’s super boring. I’m done with this awful series! Alex Ross’s take on the iconic Cap-punching-Hitler-cover was great though.
February 13, 2021
95% of this book is in Avengers: Standoff. I suggest getting that book instead. The only new content is 3 stand alone stories featuring Steve Rogers as Cap. They probably should have been in his new book instead.
September 18, 2017
Well I can say I enjoyed this more than the last volume...however, I didn't like the last one very much. I thought it was just WAY too silly. This volume decides to mix it up with Standoff. What's that? The big event of the summer! That's what it says. Basically there's a little girl who is the cosmic cube and she is a bit...unhinged. So when villains try to hunt for her, and heroes go after her, shit goes down! DUH!
This volume focuses mostly on Sam and his place as Captain America. On the side we have Steve here and Bucky. If you didn't know when Steve died Bucky took over the mantle. Now Sam is the one to hold it up. Together they must take down the baddies before they kidnap a little girl who can alter reality!
Good: Well watching Sam, Bucky, and Steve together is great. They are different but they have similar ideas and of course have worked together many times. They are friends afterall. I also enjoyed watching Sam come to terms with Steve after their fight. The standoff event wasn't half bad either, the little cube girl was interesting anyway, and got some good laughs with the Avengers.
Bad: The event was overly long though and by the end you feel like it's just another big brawl and the heroes win. There were no real stakes in this one. I also thought the focus was barely on Sam. For the most part this was much more about Steve. Odd choice to have him as the lead really.
Overall it was entertaining good fun. It was the dialog between the three Caps that made this a fun enough issue. However, overall, it wasn't the greatness they COULD do with Sam. Sam deserves to be in something great...GIVE IT TO HIM!
This volume focuses mostly on Sam and his place as Captain America. On the side we have Steve here and Bucky. If you didn't know when Steve died Bucky took over the mantle. Now Sam is the one to hold it up. Together they must take down the baddies before they kidnap a little girl who can alter reality!
Good: Well watching Sam, Bucky, and Steve together is great. They are different but they have similar ideas and of course have worked together many times. They are friends afterall. I also enjoyed watching Sam come to terms with Steve after their fight. The standoff event wasn't half bad either, the little cube girl was interesting anyway, and got some good laughs with the Avengers.
Bad: The event was overly long though and by the end you feel like it's just another big brawl and the heroes win. There were no real stakes in this one. I also thought the focus was barely on Sam. For the most part this was much more about Steve. Odd choice to have him as the lead really.
Overall it was entertaining good fun. It was the dialog between the three Caps that made this a fun enough issue. However, overall, it wasn't the greatness they COULD do with Sam. Sam deserves to be in something great...GIVE IT TO HIM!
September 24, 2016
[Read as single issues]
If you want to read the Avengers: Standoff storyline, then I'd recommend buying this collection rather than the oversized hardcover. That hardcover gives you all the tie-ins, but they're so superfluous for the most part that you'd be better off just reading this, which has all the essential issues in it.
These issues constitute the majority of the storyline, with the bulk of the actual story beats taking place here. The idea of Pleasant Hill is pretty solid - using a sentient Cosmic Cube in the shape of a little girl named Kobik, SHIELD have been brainwashing villains and placing them in a suburban town where they can live out their lives without murdering people. Of course, it all goes wrong when Baron Zemo recovers from his brainwashing and sets out to destroy Pleasant Hill from the inside. If you didn't read any of the tie-ins, these issues are the main ones you should bother reading. They're also the best in terms of artwork, with Daniel Acuna, Paul Renaud and Angel Unzueta drawing them all.
I think this collection doesn't include the Welcome To Pleasant Hill one-shot, which is a shame since it's really well done, but it's not exactly necessary to understand the story, so it's fine.
This volume also has the Captain America 75th Anniversary issue as part of the Standoff story, but it has some back-ups which are collected here too, which are fun if unnecessary, which is usually the way with back-up stories.
If you want to read the Avengers: Standoff storyline, then I'd recommend buying this collection rather than the oversized hardcover. That hardcover gives you all the tie-ins, but they're so superfluous for the most part that you'd be better off just reading this, which has all the essential issues in it.
These issues constitute the majority of the storyline, with the bulk of the actual story beats taking place here. The idea of Pleasant Hill is pretty solid - using a sentient Cosmic Cube in the shape of a little girl named Kobik, SHIELD have been brainwashing villains and placing them in a suburban town where they can live out their lives without murdering people. Of course, it all goes wrong when Baron Zemo recovers from his brainwashing and sets out to destroy Pleasant Hill from the inside. If you didn't read any of the tie-ins, these issues are the main ones you should bother reading. They're also the best in terms of artwork, with Daniel Acuna, Paul Renaud and Angel Unzueta drawing them all.
I think this collection doesn't include the Welcome To Pleasant Hill one-shot, which is a shame since it's really well done, but it's not exactly necessary to understand the story, so it's fine.
This volume also has the Captain America 75th Anniversary issue as part of the Standoff story, but it has some back-ups which are collected here too, which are fun if unnecessary, which is usually the way with back-up stories.
January 29, 2017
If you're looking for the spine of the Avengers: Standoff event, you don't need the Avengers: Standoff hardcover. Happily, this shorter collection has not only the beginning, the middle, and the end of the crossover, but also feels entirely coherent.
I've been surprised that the event was received with such disregard. While Standoff isn't standout, this is s still a good story (though it's more a Captain America story than anything else).
Yeah, the premise is kind of wonky. Maria Hill gets an all-powerful reality-changing weapon, and uses it to create a prison for super-villains. But, I find it kind of believable in a superhero universe (even if the actually intent is confused even more in Captain America: Steve Rogers, Volume 1: Hail Hydra, which has flashbacks in issue #2, explaining some of what went on here).
And yeah, I totally don't understand why the prison failed, which would have been something good to actually explain.
But suspend your disbelief and put those issues aside, and this is a fun four issues. There's great interaction between the three Caps (Steve, Sam, and ex-Cap Bucky) and there's some major turning points for all three of them. It's what an event should be!
My only real complaint is that the fourth issue is a little weak, because first it focuses on a big fight (which is where most of the crossovers with other comics seem to occur) and then it drops into a lot of telling, now showing, for the denouement.
But overall, this is a fun event, running at least 3.5 stars, and drifting upward from there.
I've been surprised that the event was received with such disregard. While Standoff isn't standout, this is s still a good story (though it's more a Captain America story than anything else).
Yeah, the premise is kind of wonky. Maria Hill gets an all-powerful reality-changing weapon, and uses it to create a prison for super-villains. But, I find it kind of believable in a superhero universe (even if the actually intent is confused even more in Captain America: Steve Rogers, Volume 1: Hail Hydra, which has flashbacks in issue #2, explaining some of what went on here).
And yeah, I totally don't understand why the prison failed, which would have been something good to actually explain.
But suspend your disbelief and put those issues aside, and this is a fun four issues. There's great interaction between the three Caps (Steve, Sam, and ex-Cap Bucky) and there's some major turning points for all three of them. It's what an event should be!
My only real complaint is that the fourth issue is a little weak, because first it focuses on a big fight (which is where most of the crossovers with other comics seem to occur) and then it drops into a lot of telling, now showing, for the denouement.
But overall, this is a fun event, running at least 3.5 stars, and drifting upward from there.
June 16, 2017
Almost all the stories here included were already released in Avengers: Standoff crossover, but was nice to re-read the story with young cap (scheduled) return (Acuna's artworks are great). The 3 Cap tribute stories were good but maybe this Captain: America Sam Wilson volume was just not their right place...It was like a forced fill-in.
May 20, 2024
Makes no sense without reading the full 16-issue event. Thankfully I read the whole event, which was good, if disjointed and messy. Much like this book.
May 14, 2017
What a mess!! This is an example of why so am any Marvel comics are failing. This had rushed and incomplete storytelling, a plodding pace, poor characterization, too much humor at inappropriate times that tried too hard to be funny, and worst of all non existent editing. The last point is illustrated is one panel showing the outcome of events yet Steve Rogers, you know him as the star of the show since this story is the impetus for his coming back as a Hydra agent and all around bad guy who is reshaping the Marvel Universe, as OLD again! WHAT? Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhh. If you want people to read your comics, write better stories!
April 3, 2021
Standoff the event? Garbled, not well coordinated.
The bones of the story? The parts Spencer had a direct hand in? Solid.
Best part? Used the “sentient cosmic cube amalgam” Macguffin + the 75th anniversary of Cap as the perfect time to de-age the aged-up-after-eternally-youthful Steve Rogers back into our classic Cap.
Second-best part? Kraven in a party hat.
Ready to keep plowing on.
The bones of the story? The parts Spencer had a direct hand in? Solid.
Best part? Used the “sentient cosmic cube amalgam” Macguffin + the 75th anniversary of Cap as the perfect time to de-age the aged-up-after-eternally-youthful Steve Rogers back into our classic Cap.
Second-best part? Kraven in a party hat.
Ready to keep plowing on.
October 3, 2016
All of these issues are collected in AVENGERS: STANDOFF. And they are the best parts of that book. I gave AVENGERS: STANDOFF only 3 stars. But I'm loving this series. It's only of Marvel's best current titles. If you're not reading it. You ought to give it a chance.
September 13, 2016
Why do I even bother with event comics? Ugh.
October 10, 2023
Isn’t it nice when all of the Captains America get along.
March 27, 2018
This is basically a set of tie-in issues to the events of the Standoff crossover. Short version: Maria Hill has created a "Village" like 1950s location to store America's supervillain population. There's much punching and talk about how this was completely unethical. Despite lacking all of the tie-ins, it more or less tells the entire story of the event. Sadly, it's far less interesting than Spencer's extremely politically charged material for Sam Wilson's Captain America.
We've seen this brainwashing plotline before with House of M and probably a few other times before. However, in this case, we don't spend much time actually getting to know the lives of the bad guys who have been turned into ordinary citizens and I think that's a shame. We also get Steve Rogers restored to his youth, which is a shame because it both sets up Secret Empire and Sam has barely had time to get the shield warmed up.
I'm a big fan of Sam Wilson as Captain America just because I think he brings something different to the shield: basically, Sam just being a lot ANGRIER and cynical about people in general. Bucky was much more like a spy but I think Sam is still a better choice overall. It's just I don't think anyone was willing to give him a chance and even the best scenes in this book belong to Steve Rogers.
Still, it's okay and I always welcome more Baron Zemo.
We've seen this brainwashing plotline before with House of M and probably a few other times before. However, in this case, we don't spend much time actually getting to know the lives of the bad guys who have been turned into ordinary citizens and I think that's a shame. We also get Steve Rogers restored to his youth, which is a shame because it both sets up Secret Empire and Sam has barely had time to get the shield warmed up.
I'm a big fan of Sam Wilson as Captain America just because I think he brings something different to the shield: basically, Sam just being a lot ANGRIER and cynical about people in general. Bucky was much more like a spy but I think Sam is still a better choice overall. It's just I don't think anyone was willing to give him a chance and even the best scenes in this book belong to Steve Rogers.
Still, it's okay and I always welcome more Baron Zemo.
June 29, 2017
Ooh, Maria Hill is a fantastic good/bad guy. Like Amanda Waller. Makes all the hard choices "for the greater good". We all love to hate her.
She's also hilarious, and every thing she says makes me laugh out loud.
I really enjoyed this volume, but only gave it 4 stars since I missed Sam in this one. Yes he was there, but it wasn't really about him. I totally get it, this was a tie-in issue (apparently, "Avengers: Standoff", which I didn't know) + the 75th Anniversary of Captain America (the issue of three shorts was pretty cute, but killed the flow in a tiny way). It was cool to see all three Caps together (Steve, Bucky & Sam), but I missed the character development we had in volume 1. Lots of great action though!
*Spoiler*
Saw Steve becoming young/super-soldier Cap again from a mile away (these comic-book plot-lines always reverse upon themselves). Interested in seeing what's gonna happen now with Sam being the secondary Cap.
She's also hilarious, and every thing she says makes me laugh out loud.
I really enjoyed this volume, but only gave it 4 stars since I missed Sam in this one. Yes he was there, but it wasn't really about him. I totally get it, this was a tie-in issue (apparently, "Avengers: Standoff", which I didn't know) + the 75th Anniversary of Captain America (the issue of three shorts was pretty cute, but killed the flow in a tiny way). It was cool to see all three Caps together (Steve, Bucky & Sam), but I missed the character development we had in volume 1. Lots of great action though!
*Spoiler*
Saw Steve becoming young/super-soldier Cap again from a mile away (these comic-book plot-lines always reverse upon themselves). Interested in seeing what's gonna happen now with Sam being the secondary Cap.
June 21, 2017
Whyyyyy did a Sam Wilson as Captain America book spend so much time on Steve Rogers? I was annoyed. I could tell just from the entire tone of the book that we're heading into Steve Roger and his "hail hydra" headassness and whatever stupid war Marvel is on now...especially the last 4-5 pages of the book.
Favorite part: Bucky Barnes and his corny jokes.
Least favorite part: Maria Hill being trash and expecting not to be reprimanded for her wrongdoings.
Needs more of: Misty Knight and her black girl magic.
First book had a lot of Misty Knight awesomeness, but we didn't even get a glance of her in this one. Hopefully we get more of her in the next one as well as them going back and focusing on who this series is supposed to be about: Sam Wilson.
Favorite part: Bucky Barnes and his corny jokes.
Least favorite part: Maria Hill being trash and expecting not to be reprimanded for her wrongdoings.
Needs more of: Misty Knight and her black girl magic.
First book had a lot of Misty Knight awesomeness, but we didn't even get a glance of her in this one. Hopefully we get more of her in the next one as well as them going back and focusing on who this series is supposed to be about: Sam Wilson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2018
Not surprising this volume can be bought cheap, as it is not overly good.
It is telling that the best part of this somewhat disjointed collection is a very short bonus story of Steve (not Sam!) and Natasha R. going to the ballet.
The main story, the Standoff crossover, is only partly contained in this volume. That is not too much of a problem in itself, but it is just not well-written. I tend to find Spencer's dialogue heavy-handed and way too often way too meta-referentially on the nose to consider it witty.
Also, the artwork is inconsistent and all over the place. (That said, I really like Daniel Acuña's work!)
Probably worth 2½ stars instead of 2, but nowhere near 3.
It is telling that the best part of this somewhat disjointed collection is a very short bonus story of Steve (not Sam!) and Natasha R. going to the ballet.
The main story, the Standoff crossover, is only partly contained in this volume. That is not too much of a problem in itself, but it is just not well-written. I tend to find Spencer's dialogue heavy-handed and way too often way too meta-referentially on the nose to consider it witty.
Also, the artwork is inconsistent and all over the place. (That said, I really like Daniel Acuña's work!)
Probably worth 2½ stars instead of 2, but nowhere near 3.
May 24, 2019
I like Captain America, and this collection had three different Captain Americas working together, but it was not my cuppa, so to speak. I could not get into this. The CA Anniversary issue stuck in the middle of this was a nice break from the convoluted main story, but there was nothing special about the anthology stories aside from some very (very) nice artwork. Onward and Upward.
August 23, 2016
On the 3 side of 3.5. Fun (ish) but not overly important except the aging thing and launching two new books.
June 3, 2020
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff kick off with Steve Roger investigating Pleasant Hill that Maria Hill has created using the Sentient Cosmic Cube known as Kobik! :D Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff The Volume features characters from all over the place really putting them into action as a team so literally Avengers Assemble and others! :D On the flip side the Super Villains are matching them up as well! :D
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff stories flow brilliantly from the start and the return of Steve Rogers is brilliantly handled giving a cool sense of more going on as Kobik restores him giving you a look at her vast powers and her origins and what she is developing into! :D The meeting of the Captain Americas is neatly handled and all the characters are going development throughout! :D Bucky and Kobik as well as other plot points are all set up in here as well! :D
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff art pops from the page and really works brilliantly with the script! :D At the same time the art has a cinematic quality to it that brilliantly dovetails with the script! :D Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff is full of humour as well which adds to the tone of book that is full of world building and action! :D You will want make sure you have the next one ready to go! :D
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff rocks and never let up from the beginning and will keep your up on your toes up late! :D Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff is Full of Action, Dynamism, World Building, Plot Twist, Epic Battles, Humour, Heroic, Adventure and Action! :D Brilliant Crisp High Five! :D Get it When You Can! :D
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff stories flow brilliantly from the start and the return of Steve Rogers is brilliantly handled giving a cool sense of more going on as Kobik restores him giving you a look at her vast powers and her origins and what she is developing into! :D The meeting of the Captain Americas is neatly handled and all the characters are going development throughout! :D Bucky and Kobik as well as other plot points are all set up in here as well! :D
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff art pops from the page and really works brilliantly with the script! :D At the same time the art has a cinematic quality to it that brilliantly dovetails with the script! :D Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff is full of humour as well which adds to the tone of book that is full of world building and action! :D You will want make sure you have the next one ready to go! :D
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff rocks and never let up from the beginning and will keep your up on your toes up late! :D Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff is Full of Action, Dynamism, World Building, Plot Twist, Epic Battles, Humour, Heroic, Adventure and Action! :D Brilliant Crisp High Five! :D Get it When You Can! :D
November 19, 2022
I have mixed views of Standoff. On the one hand, it was great seeing the three Captain Americas - Sam, Bucky, and Steve. Their interactions were great. I loved seeing them work together and to work through the differences that Steve and Sam had. The action was awesome and the Avengers tie-in was fun also. I like the premise also. Spencer did a good job of showing Sam's struggle too. The story was decent overall. Maria Hill's plan was ridiculous, and not surprisingly failed, but I felt that it led to a decent and interesting story.
There was a twist in this one that wasn't too surprising (a twist involving Steve), but I liked it.
However, I feel like there wasn't enough focus on Sam in this book. A lot of the focus was on Steve. While the story was fine overall - and although the mini-stories with Steve as Cap were good - there wasn't much focus on Sam even though this is a Sam Wilson book. There was way more focus on Steve and the Avengers. The final battle, while fun to see, wrapped up too quickly in my view. The antagonists were okay, though I wasn't a fan of the dialogue between them (and they were a bit bland here). There also was a lot of exposition (and it felt like an info-dump at times).
Still, it was a decent book overall. I am looking forward to the next volume.
There was a twist in this one that wasn't too surprising (a twist involving Steve), but I liked it.
However, I feel like there wasn't enough focus on Sam in this book. A lot of the focus was on Steve. While the story was fine overall - and although the mini-stories with Steve as Cap were good - there wasn't much focus on Sam even though this is a Sam Wilson book. There was way more focus on Steve and the Avengers. The final battle, while fun to see, wrapped up too quickly in my view. The antagonists were okay, though I wasn't a fan of the dialogue between them (and they were a bit bland here). There also was a lot of exposition (and it felt like an info-dump at times).
Still, it was a decent book overall. I am looking forward to the next volume.
August 16, 2024
This was better than Volume 1, but for a book titled 'Sam Wilson Captain America' he's barely in it. The art is really good and the story is well done but my biggest criticism is that Sam is completely pushed away in this book. It's like the 1st few stories in this run aren't very strong so Marvel or Nick Spencer fall back to tried and true Steve Rogers. A cosmic cube brings him back to his old self and he's suddenly Captain America again but now Sam thinks they should both be Captain America like bro there's no follow thru with passing the Shield. Sam doesn't even get his own villains. Instead this entire run we went to c grade villains Sin & Serpent Society only to fall back on Zemo and Red Skull. I love those 2 the most but damn man it's like they didn't even try to give The New Captain America a new set of challenges, they turned him into a wolf and ignored his life, friendships, family just really dropped the ball. It's like New Cap America movie is coming out but for some reason he's fighting Hulk villains. I wanted a book about The Falcon taking on a new guise as Captain America for a brand new age not the same old greatness. I love the old books but we need new stories and new villains that reflect our current lives in the 20s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2021
3.5
This was good for the most part, but in this turning into an event, it got a bit bloated, and not enough meat with all the mouths to feed. The Captain America stuff had a lot of good character-building moments, and more of what I enjoyed from Spencer in the 1st volume. The initial concept of Pleasant Hill was intriguing, and I actually think it was executed well for the first half or so. Unfortunately, by the end it felt like a usual event where there’s a bunch of villains and heroes just thrown at each other. From the beginning it depended on a macguffin, so obviously said macguffin is going to be used to fix the problem it caused, but in the meantime it can also change things that someone wanted changed (editorial, current writer, fans, etc), which feels kind of cheap. Still, it was honestly done better than I expected, and I could almost round up the rating for this, but the ending left a bland taste in my mouth.
This was good for the most part, but in this turning into an event, it got a bit bloated, and not enough meat with all the mouths to feed. The Captain America stuff had a lot of good character-building moments, and more of what I enjoyed from Spencer in the 1st volume. The initial concept of Pleasant Hill was intriguing, and I actually think it was executed well for the first half or so. Unfortunately, by the end it felt like a usual event where there’s a bunch of villains and heroes just thrown at each other. From the beginning it depended on a macguffin, so obviously said macguffin is going to be used to fix the problem it caused, but in the meantime it can also change things that someone wanted changed (editorial, current writer, fans, etc), which feels kind of cheap. Still, it was honestly done better than I expected, and I could almost round up the rating for this, but the ending left a bland taste in my mouth.
August 31, 2025
“They were a sight to behold”
“Earth’s Mightest Heroes”
“And fighting together like that you knew—you could really feel it—what really set them apart…”
“They weren’t just allies—“
“—they weren’t just a team—“
“—they were a family.”
Re-read this comic again and I have to say it’s alright. I loved the "75 years of Captain America" celebration in this collection. It featured great artists and had 3 very short stories. Each story was able to individually show what Captain America represents: as a symbol, as a person, and as an Avenger.
The main story featuring pleasant hill, Kobik, and the return of Captain America were all just fun stories, nothing too deep. Maybe I would have enjoyed this story more had I not known or used this to understand how it ties into the future, controversial arc of Captain America.
It's looking like a good setup to my eventual “Secret Empire” read. Which is the reason why I bought this comic way back in 2017.
“Earth’s Mightest Heroes”
“And fighting together like that you knew—you could really feel it—what really set them apart…”
“They weren’t just allies—“
“—they weren’t just a team—“
“—they were a family.”
Re-read this comic again and I have to say it’s alright. I loved the "75 years of Captain America" celebration in this collection. It featured great artists and had 3 very short stories. Each story was able to individually show what Captain America represents: as a symbol, as a person, and as an Avenger.
The main story featuring pleasant hill, Kobik, and the return of Captain America were all just fun stories, nothing too deep. Maybe I would have enjoyed this story more had I not known or used this to understand how it ties into the future, controversial arc of Captain America.
It's looking like a good setup to my eventual “Secret Empire” read. Which is the reason why I bought this comic way back in 2017.
December 29, 2017
Better stories than the first Captain America: Sam Wilson volume, although the title seems a little misleading. Much of this volume also features Steve Rogers, plus there's the other man who carried Cap's shield: Bucky Barnes. I like Sam, Steve and Bucky a lot, so I'm not really complaining about their involvement. It's just that it might have been nice to have a little more focus on Sam, as he continues to struggle with his role.
The "Pleasant Hill" (ha, ha--punny) scenario was thought-provoking. Maybe there were a few too many costumed villains for my taste, but it did lead to quite the throw-down.
This collection also contains some short interludes. Joss Whedon's "Presentation" is a wonderful WWII-set piece about the meaning/value of the shield. Greg Rucka's "Pas de Deux", featuring Steve and Natasha at the ballet, made me smile.
The "Pleasant Hill" (ha, ha--punny) scenario was thought-provoking. Maybe there were a few too many costumed villains for my taste, but it did lead to quite the throw-down.
This collection also contains some short interludes. Joss Whedon's "Presentation" is a wonderful WWII-set piece about the meaning/value of the shield. Greg Rucka's "Pas de Deux", featuring Steve and Natasha at the ballet, made me smile.
April 21, 2019
Made a bit of an error when I bought this as I didn't realise at the time that this was volume 2 instead of volume 1. Luckily, when it came to understanding what was going on, everything from the first volume was pretty well explained in here.
In this volume, Sam Wilson battles with the mantle of being Captain America while he, and the other two Caps, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, struggle to gain control of Pleasant Hill, a town filled to the brim with unwitting villains, who slowly start to wake up to their new reality.
There's lots to like about this collection - the discovery of the cosmic cube's new form, Steve Rogers getting a bit of a shock, and the chemistry between Bucky and Sam trying to figure out what's going on while everyone else seems to be five steps in front of them.
This was a good read while on holiday to get to grips with. 3.5 stars.
In this volume, Sam Wilson battles with the mantle of being Captain America while he, and the other two Caps, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, struggle to gain control of Pleasant Hill, a town filled to the brim with unwitting villains, who slowly start to wake up to their new reality.
There's lots to like about this collection - the discovery of the cosmic cube's new form, Steve Rogers getting a bit of a shock, and the chemistry between Bucky and Sam trying to figure out what's going on while everyone else seems to be five steps in front of them.
This was a good read while on holiday to get to grips with. 3.5 stars.
April 10, 2021
Now that I've finally read this book and how it better fleshes out some of the supporting events around the Standoff event, I have a slightly better appreciation for this. But at the same time, it feels like Standoff was really just contrived as a way to give us a younger Steve Rogers once more, which really brings into question how we're all to handle Sam Wilson moving forward. Steve insists that he no longer wants to become Captain America, but I can totally appreciate how it does feel like the more logical course of action.
The book does have a lot of great moments and quite the poignant little collection of Captain America stories right smack in the middle of things - which was an interesting way to organize this book. This particular narrative leaves us with more questions than answers, but that's all fair in these sort of things.
The book does have a lot of great moments and quite the poignant little collection of Captain America stories right smack in the middle of things - which was an interesting way to organize this book. This particular narrative leaves us with more questions than answers, but that's all fair in these sort of things.
December 24, 2022
This is by far one of the most fun and entertaining comics I’ve read. First of all, all three Captain Americas together, I loved it. They have such a fun dynamic and I loved reading about them together. Second, I absolutely loved when all the Avengers came to join the fight. Vision is my favorite character so I was thrilled he showed up, even if it was just a short cameo. Third, I though Kobic was absolutely adorable. I definitely want to read a comic starring her and Bucky, assuming there is one haha. Finally, the short Steve and Nat comic “Pas De Deux” was so fun. I love Natasha and as a ballerina I always get so excited when she dances in a comic. Plus, Steve giving her flowers at the end was so cute. Overall, this volume was so much fun and I can definitely see myself rereading in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2017
I mostly enjoyed this because of the relationship between the three Captain Americas. I actually found it rather enjoyable to see Steve Bucky and Sam all acknowledging that they've been Captain America at one time or another. But the rest of the book is kind of forgettable. Did Baron Zemo always act like this? I thought he was more of a serious egotistical megalomaniac kind of a guy? He just comes off as sort of a smart-ass spoiled brat kind of guy. The characterization just seemed way off. But maybe I don't know Baron Zemo like I think I do. Still like the series quite a bit and I'll probably keep reading it as it goes on. Especially now that Steve is back to being Captain America it's a story that's got me interested.
August 7, 2017
I just love a comic book that contains an entire story! Especially one with three wonderful main characters – old man Steve Rogers, Bucky, and Sam Wilson. I know that others have bemoaned Steve Rogers’ return to youthfulness as a deus ex machina, but for something as inevitable as Steve’s return, I felt like it was handled in a fairly logical and natural way.
Sentient cube Kobik is a really stand-out character, and I look forward to learning more about her – I’m excited to hear that she’s joined a superhero team of her own!
Sam Wilson’s run as Captain America continues to amaze me; Captain America: Sam Wilson, Volume 2: Standoff is no exception.
Read more of my reviews (plus cat pics!) on Her Little Book Review.
Sentient cube Kobik is a really stand-out character, and I look forward to learning more about her – I’m excited to hear that she’s joined a superhero team of her own!
Sam Wilson’s run as Captain America continues to amaze me; Captain America: Sam Wilson, Volume 2: Standoff is no exception.
Read more of my reviews (plus cat pics!) on Her Little Book Review.
April 23, 2018
Not much to add to what other reviewers have said about this particular collection ... if you thought the entire "Standoff on Pleasant Hill" story line was a great idea, than you'll dig this book. If you thought it was incredibly goofy (which I did ... although seeing Kraven the Hunter in a child's party hat for several pages almost makes the entire thing worthwhile), you'll lose patience in a hurry (I'm still trying to figure out how all of the super villains were able to appear in full costume and gear considering their situation). Not really much as much of a book about Sam Wilson's journey as the new Cap as it is about the trio of Captain Americas arguing with each other and punching out the bad guys. Some entertaining moments, but kind of a mess.
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