The Death of Captain America Omnibus

Captain America by Ed Brubaker Omnibus #2

by Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting (Illustrator), Mike Perkins (Illustrator)

Leaping from the final pages of Civil War, this is the story that stunned readers, sent shockwaves through the entire Marvel Universe, and made news headlines worldwide! And the death of Captain America is only the beginning! In the aftermath of the fabled hero's assassination, Agent 13, Bucky Barnes, the Falcon, Black Widow, and Iron Man come together again in a desperate attempt to keep his dream alive. But the collapse of Steve Rogers' dream was merely the first step in the wicked machinations of the Red Skull, who is determined to see the death of America follow soon after the death of the Captain. As the Skull's master plan kicks into motion, and chaos begins to take hold of the United States, only one man stands in its way - but is he up to the task? Freed from the psychosis that transformed him into the relentless mercenary known as the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes is called on to live up to the dream in ways he never imagined. Eisner Award-winning writer Ed Brubaker refuses to let up on the action, suspense, and human drama in a tale that ties together all eras of the star-spangled warrior's history!

Collecting: Captain America 25-42

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Superheroes, Collections

464 pages, Hardcover

First published December 2, 2009

About the author

Ed 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.

Reviews

[Fereshte · Rating 3 out of 5]

The happy Bucky and Natasha scene at the end is what I live for :))

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain America is dead and craziness ensues as Red Skull and Lukin create chaos in the American financial and political world.

[The Lion's Share · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I thought this would be about the death of Captain America, but it's not is it, because that happened in the previous volume.

This is about how the world, his enemies and his colleagues react in his absence.

It's about fighting on for Truth and Justice and all that cheesy stuff, but it's interesting to see how Cap influenced the people around him, and how much of a loss he really is.

In this omnibus we see Bucky take up the mantle, because Tony Stark (now head of S.H.I.E.L.D) got a letter from Cap's will asking him to continue the Captain America mantle and to look after Bucky, so it's a win win for Cap (even though he's dead), but everyone respects his wishes.

We also see the Red skull make his move, but he f***s up because of Agent 13, who I can say is the dark horse in this series, she's excellent. Some heavy shit as well when it comes to the baby being stabbed by Sin in the womb, like I said heavy shit.

Oh and i mustn't forget Faustus! Who the hell is Faustus, where has he been all my life? Awesome evil mind controlling dude. I look forward to seeing more of him, if there is more.

Bucky is made out to look a bit shit in this volume. He's good, really good, but he ain't no Cap, and then when a lookalike of Cap from the past gets brainwashed by faustus into thinking he is the real captain america, he absolutely owns Bucky, but this is about how Bucky adapts and develops, so again i'm interested to see more.

Overall it started off really slowly and lacked movement in the overall storyline, like where the fuck is this going? What is the end goal? Where is the happ ending? Will there be one? Why can sam see through birds eyes' (stupid btw)?

Next volume is Cpatain America lives. Hmmmm....

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Another amazing entry. This is the smallest omnibus of the series I believe but definitely not small on adventure. Here we get the transition of Bucky becoming Captain America. We see who came to him with the idea and the reasons why he decided to do it. Great stuff. We also see the trio of the Red Skull/Lukin, Arnim Zola and Dr. Faustus put their plan in motion. Even tho it’s Red Skull’s idea, they all play their part in making it happen. Pretty ingenious idea from Brubaker. They have infiltrated SHIELD, dug up an old relic character and have their own presidential candidate. Red Skull is really trying to take over America. There are a lot of cool intricate parts to the story that really draw you into it and will have to flying through these pages. Epting once again kills the artwork. Can’t wait to crack open vol 3!!

[˙⋆✮ Anny ✮⋆˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Okay, woah! This was really good and I totally didn't expect it!

I'm not the biggest Captain America fan (I like Steve just fine but I can't really get behind his whole patrioticness and always-doing-the-right-thing), so I was very pleasantly surprised. (Why did I read this in the first place then? Well, after reading Civil War I just wanted to know what would happen next.)

This collection isn't about Steve or even Steve's death though, it's about the aftermath. We see several characters who were close to him deal with the loss, we see how Bucky becomes the next Cap and what it means to carry the shield.
Another thing I simply loved was Bucky and his flashback scenes. (Honestly, who doesn't love Bucky?!) His scenes with Nat were also amazing, I loved the hints at their shared past (made me very emotional) and I ship these two a lot!

The writing was also very good. The storyline had a little bit of everything: superhero stuff, politics, a hint of romance. Don't forget the villains of course, there was some creepy and crazy stuff going on.
The art was great too, quite dark but I thought it was fitting.

I really enjoyed this series and it made me love Bucky even more.

[Vismund · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was very good and Epting's art is amazing.

The fact that this "omnibus" is only 18 issues is sad...plus issue #25, the first issue in this book, is also collected in the previous omnibus of Brubaker's run. This vol should have been split up between vol 1 & 3 and have a total of 4 omnis for Captain America by Ed Brubaker instead of 5.

[Iñigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brubaker dame más.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kill the main character of a book and then make it even better once he’s dead. This is probably the best part of Brubakers long and great run on Cap

[Raül · Rating 4 out of 5]

En tres extensos arcs argumentals, Crani Roig posa en marxa un pla diabòlic i meticulós per destruir pas a pas als seus enemics: el Capità Amèrica, SHIELD i el propi govern dels Estats Units. Sorprenentment, ens recordarà en mans de quins bojos està ara la direcció d’eixe país.

És sorprenent com després de tantes obres en què els superherois americans salven el seu pais-i el món, clar- dels enemics, resulta que és l'enemic interior, triat democràticament, el que realment està liderant la decadència dels Estats Units.

Brubaker desgrana una història meticulosament embastada i amb precisió mil·limètrica. També se li ha de reconèixer el mèrit d’haver rescatat a personatges del passat de les històries del Capità Amèrica per a donar-los una nova oportunitat de ser rellevants per a la història, sense contradir la continuïtat del Univers Marvel.

La confesión, de Bendis i Maleev; 5*
Enfrontament argumental entre el Capità Amèrica i Iron Man al finalitzar la Civil War. Magnífica història breu de Bendis.

La muerte del sueño, 4*
Crani Roig executa a la perfecció el seu pla per acabar amb el Capità Amèrica i de pas emportar-se per endavant SHIELD. Buckie Burns per un costat i Falcó i Sharon Carter per l'altre, investiguen el que ha succeït i s'enfronten a Crani Roig.

El Peso de los Sueños, 4*
Toni Stark, director de SHIELD, li demana a Bucki Burns que siga el nou Capità Amèrica, seguint els desitjos del desaparegut Steve Rogers. Burns i Viuda Negra intenten aturar el pla de Crani Roig per desestabilitzar els Estats Units.

El hombre que compro América, 4*
La conspiració de Crani Roig per desestabilitzar el govern dels Estats Units sembla imparable. Però el nou Capità Amèrica s’enfrontarà a aquest perill, ajudat de Falcó. Mentre, Sharon Carter, continua presonera de Crani Roig.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

They kinda ate this one up even though there was no cap in it 💀 BUCKY MY KING ILY and everyone pulled their a game in that last issue my god

[Joakim Ax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let´s get´s passed the title and talka bout this book.

Steve Rogers, is dead.

The tragic ending of Civil War with Captain America surrendering in order to stop the battle between heroes on both sides he is assassinated on the steps of the federal courthouse saving one of the very men escorting him to his trial.

This feels very real in somewhat of a jfk kind of way. The man stood for so much.

So now we follow the aftermath of the departure of Americas concience. Bucky Barnes that was left with all his memories restored by the space-cube. Now mornes his departured partner and the roles are now reversed.

Agent 13, Sharon Carter deals with her part in the conspiracy and connection to Steve Rogers death.

And the Villains takes up more space on the stage as the Red Skull´s plans goes further into fruition.

Now the question remains. Who will weild the shield?

[TJ Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Brubaker has definitely propelled himself to the top of my Favorite Comic Author list. This book was almost a picture perfect blueprint on how to do a character transition of a major comic series. After reading this, I was almost instantly saddened that the Batman death and transition to Nightwing assuming the role of the Bat was left in the spastic hands of Grant Morrisson (admittedly, I'm not a GM fan). I suppose because I know the Steve Rogers is actually dead and that Brubaker has no intention of letting him remain dead only until next summer when he magically appears from some bullshit multi-verse alternate reality.

I really thought that there was not a single modern example of an author leaving such a defining stamp on a major character until I read Bendis' run on Daredevil. It was brilliant. That being said, Brubaker's run on Captain America is like an instant ticket into a Comic Writer's Hall of Fame.

It's just THAT damn good.

[DaViD´82 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emočně chladné, kresbou umělohmotné a neživotné. A co hůře scénářem na Brubakera zkratkovité, bez náboje, nezasloužené a dějem pak tupé až to pěkné není. Což by možná až tak nevadilo, kdyby se to ovšem netvářilo tak ohromně osudově a vážně. Jediným kladem je historická vsuvka, kdy jak kresba tak šestáková stylizace sednou.

[Caleb Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to enjoy a Captain America comic much at all, let alone one that focuses almost exclusively as three of his sidekicks, but I was wrong. This was great. Perfectly paced and well balanced between the multiple plots, all without being TOO predictable. One of the best things I've read since getting Marvel Unlimited.

[Aldo Haegemans · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! I don’t remember Reading a marvel story that was that Well Played out over So many issues. Never liked the winter soldier that much. And bucky barnes was always my least favorite character! But this book made him very likeable and a very Good background story and development!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pacing to this one.

I really like the character arc here for Bucky.

Not super into the way that Agent Carter is dealt with, but mysogyny in comics is a thing.

Falcon sort of vascillates between important and third string hero in this arc. Interesting writing choice; I felt like they were building towards something... And then they didn't, at all.

Tony's kind of curiously irrelevant to this whole story, just playing damage control from a distance. Aside from being the incidental messenger of Steve Rogers from beyond the grave. I didn't mind that. Iron Man is kind of a boorish wank.

I generally stick to X-men stuffs in the MCU - a brief detour is sometimes nice. I rather liked this one, Brubaker's writing is excellent, though the length of the thing did feel a bit much at times.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The start of V2 of the Brubaker Cap omnibuses is superb, as Ed turns the comic into a real ensemble, giving everyone their due. Things slow down somewhat after Bucky becomes the New Cap, as we get a somewhat decompressed conflict with the Skull, with multiple escapes and captures, but it all comes to a very nice conclusion at the end.

Definitely, part of one of the best Cap runs ever.

[Helena Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing to see Bucky as Captain America, and working with black widow.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a BRICK. It’s pretty good, though again, not my favorite art style. It’s much less chaotic than the first collection, I read, though, so at least it was easier to tell what was happening. The villains were a little dull, but I enjoyed the for the most part.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to a book vs physically reading it is a whole other experience. I was able to follow Sharon and her stages of grief when she witnesses Steve being shot and killed. This book gives you a whirlwind of emotions. The voice acting/sound effects are displayed accurately and intensifies the story. I personally love this element because it was able to transport me to the setting of where we were in the story. From the gunshots/explosions of the assassination of Steve Rogers and the fight scenes going on between the heroes of Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, Natasha Romanoff, and Sharon Carter vs. Alexander Lukin and Red Skull. The subtle sounds (e.g. the hospital beeps and the rain) add a quiet tone to a rather high-stakes novel. There was so much going on but none of it felt underdeveloped.

Sharon, unlike the MCU’s development of her felt genuine. I could feel her struggle and relate to her between wanting to do what’s right vs. fighting to survive in unimaginable circumstances. It was devastating to not only know that she was pregnant, but to have lost that baby and didn’t get told right away. The chilling voice over was able to grasp the multiple layers of her character and how she has to grasp that she was the reason that Steve died. It’s devastating to listen to and when the actress cried to Sam, my heart broke for her. I personally like her in this novel compared to the MCU’s portrayal of her. This portrayal felt genuine and vulnerable, which was amazing to see.

One aspect that bugged me in this novel is the characterization of Tony Stark. While I like to explore the serious side of him, I felt Hama made him a little too serious. Throughout the novel, he was only one-note, with that being the new SHIELD director. There was a lack of Tony Stark charm that made the character realistic and likable. I know this takes place post Civil War, but I do wish Hama lightened up the character a little. Also, the relationship of Natasha and Tony didn’t make sense. While I was glad to see Natasha grow as a character, I do wish they weren’t a couple as in the comics Natasha and Bucky are supposed to be together.

Also, I think the novel could’ve expanded upon Steve and Bucky’s relationship pre-Civil War. The Civil War graphic novel doesn’t mention Bucky at all, so I wish we got a past showing of them (minus them fighting in the war) and how Bucky’s life has done and the affects the Registration has done on him. However, I do like that Hama did Bucky justice and bestowed him the mantle of being Captain America. It’s not often I read about Bucky becoming Captain America post Steve Rogers, so it was a nice change to see Bucky have that honor and his development into becoming that symbol felt perfect, especially since fans were upset with Bucky not being Captain America post Endgame.

This is a must-read post Civil War graphic novel and highly recommend listening to this via Audible.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first, absolutely hate that Marvel doesn't rebrand these Omnis into just "Captain America by Ed Brubaker Vol 2" and so on.

While not exactly on the level of the first omnibus, it's still so good. Brubaker isn't my favorite writer, but man do I feel like he knocks it out the park when it comes to this run. The way he writes Bucky's thoughts and feelings on paper really make you enjoy him the more time you spend with him. Steve's absence is felt throughout and I really like how everyone, especially Bucky, don't even try and pretend that anyone can live up to his shadow. Bucky spends his time battling and accepting the way things are now and becomes his own man while still struggling the new world he is in with new tragedies and opportunities. The Agent 13 stuff wasn't amazing, but I still found it enjoyable and intrigued seeing how she would escape manipulation. Hopefully, the next omnibus is better with the side character stories because Agent 13's side of things was a lot of the same until she was freed. Granted, this omni is fairly thin to have seen more progression from her side, but still.

The art is good throughout, but man there are things that bother me. I can't be the only one who dislikes when artist draw every single person the same height, right? That's my biggest criticism with the art. Why is 5'9 Bucky somehow the same height as Sam? Why is Natasha the same height as BUCKY AND SAM? And why do all 3 look like they are 6'3? I don't like that. I also don't like how Bucky's lower half of his face all of sudden looks like Steve's towards the end of this book. Just nitpick stuff, but it personally catches me by surprise and ruins the immersion for me.

For a proper rating, I'd say 4.5.
Was going to give it 4 or 4.25, but I'm seriously liking Bucky in his new role and he carries the book despite some of the small issues I had with this omnibus.

[James De Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is a bit misleading. The book really isn’t about Cap’s death. Instead, it’s about what happens immediately after his death. Cap’s death leaves an obvious empty hole that needs filling and, while we don’t exactly get a ‘battle for the shield’ here, we get to see some of the options at hand.



Bucky ends up taking the mantle and becomes the next Cap - yay! The omni continues Bucky’s redemption arc, which started in the previous omni, and gets deeper into Shanon Carter’s recovery from the events of the first omni. We also get to see more of Bucky and Black Widow’s rekindled relationship, so Bucky is definitely having a better time than he did when he was frozen.

Now, while Bucky, Shanon, Falcon, Black Widow, Tony, and Fury are trying to keep Steve’s dream alive, Red Skull continues to plot to overtake the US.

I really liked reading about this Bucky. Since my first intro to the character was in the film, it’s hard not to compare the two. This Bucky is much more vulnerable and doesn’t really have the same strength as his movie counterpart…so you can see how hard it is for him to be the new Cap. This is an interesting dynamic given how some fans critique the decision to have an underpowered Falcon be Cap in the MCU.

The book suffers a bit from the usual superhero flaws… I get the feeling Brubaker would really like to off some of the villains - I’m looking at you, Sin - and would definitely do that if he weren’t constrained by the status quo. But overall, it’s pretty solid and a worthy next step in the Brubaker run.

Overall, 8/10 for story and art.

[Sotofunkdamental · Rating 4 out of 5]

El título del libro lo dice: La Muerte del Capitán América. Una buena lectura a cargo de Ed Brubaker. Sinopsis: "Desde las páginas de Civil War, llega la mayor historia del Capitán América jamás contada. Ed Brubaker y Steve Epting desarrollan el relato que nunca creíste que llegarías a leer, un magnicidio cuyas repercusiones alcanzarán a todo el Universo Marvel. Aquí tienes, recopilada por primera vez en una edición de lujo completada con decenas de extras, la saga que sacudió a toda una generación de lectores y llegó hasta el último lugar del planeta. Aquí tienes la muerte del Capitán América".

[Desa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bien, porque es Ed Brubaker y sigue construyendo un arco muy chulo que tiene presente a Steve en todo momento incluso sin estarlo y... sabemos que va a volver. BUT. BUUUUUUUT, lo que le hacen a Sharon me sigue pareciendo lo peor, tbh... lo del bebé era tan innecesario, la forma en la que termina todo y que le hagan olvidar como recurso ‘aquí no ha pasado nada’. Si ha pasado!....en fin

[Zachary Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this series is so good. It is a shame it has taken me this many years to be interested enough to give this run a read. I have become a big fan of Bucky and this omnibus feels similar to Dick Grayson taking over the cowl of Batman (which I also loved and was too short lived). Looking forward to picking up the reprint of volume 3 this fall.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's crazy, but this comic got better with Steve Rogers dead. Really compelling story, and I really enjoyed seeing Bucky becoming the new Captain America. I'd honestly have been fine if he was for years.

[Paul Duong · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not bad. But it could be great.

[Michael Hermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally not what I expected but in a good way. If you are a Captain America fan, you really should read this.

[Sarah]

Dnf 40% not great

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went back to the source material of the Winter Soldier story lines... Comic was better than the movies