Book of Doom: Captain America #25

Welcome to this week’s Book of Doom round-table discussion. The book we chose this week is Captain America #25. When I made that decision, I had no idea what I was getting us into. For, y’see, this may be the most controversial, most talked about issue of a comic book that’s come out in the past fifteen years. Captain America’s one of the most beloved comic heroes of all time. A true American icon. And now, he’s dead. And I’m torn. I always imagined that if a hero as strong and brave as Cap were to bite the bullet, he’d be given a death appropriate for a hero of his size. He’d die on the battlefield or sacrificing himself for the greater good. Instead, he’s murdered with his hands bound behind his back, by a sniper he doesn’t even know, after being de-masked and stripped of his dignity. It’s a brutal, depressing way to take this character behind the tool shed and put a few bullets in him.

Sadly, this is the most fitting death for Captain America. He’s a hero who’s outlived his relevance. There’s no room for a man of his values and sensibilities. If he were to live for another twenty years, he’d end up playing the role of Superman in “The Dark Knight Returns.” A walking joke. His death comes at a strange time in American history, and a fitting time, as well. The story is poetic and tragic, and it’s accomplished everything it’s needed to accomplish in order to provide a fitting end for Captain America.

Here’s what the rest of the Legion thought:

JIM DOOM: I had the surprise of this issue spoiled, so I read it knowing what was going to happen with even some clues as to how it was going to happen. I wish that hadn’t been the case. But I thought, if you’re going to kill off a guy like Captain America, this is probably a good way to do it.

The comic itself was very well done – absolutely on par with what has been a great 25 issues. I like the multi-perspective historical look at the guy as well as bringing Falcon, Sharon, Bucky and Nick Fury in on the story.

When he was shot, I was actually pretty disappointed (probably since I knew it was coming). It seemed awfully anti-climactic to me, and much more concerned with moving to the coverage and the aftermath. But upon the big reveal, the arrangement of the story made much more sense, and I am thrilled that this murder is leading up to an actual story arc. I had fears that it would only lead to a bunch of water-treading “How will the world react to the loss of Captain America?” nonsense. But instead, it fits in far better with the ongoing series than it could have ever fit into Civil War.

It’s probably impossible to respond to this issue without looking at outside factors, even though nothing else changes how the words and pictures work on the page. Marvel could have easily upped the shock value of Civil War by putting this in there, but it simply isn’t part of that story. So bravo to Marvel for having the proper sense of placement for this event. It resulted in the proper climax to Civil War; it held true to the hype that Civil War would have impact in the Marvel Universe; and it rewarded fans and readers of the regular Captain America title.

Captain America had a strong farewell character arc throughout the past 25 issues of his title, the main Civil War title, and the New Avengers Civil War stories. It will be unfortunate for the legacy of this issue if Steve Rogers is Ronin or something like that, or if he just comes back in some other form in the next few years. So if it characterizes the quality of this issue any better, I can say as a fan of Captain America, I would feel comfortable as a fan if this issue is the character’s true death.

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DOOM: When the first rumors leaked months ago that Captain America was going to die as the final act of Civil War, I thought it sounded like terrible news, another Marvel book that I’d cancel from my pull list. I had really enjoyed Ed Brubaker’s run, consistently a favorite book.

When CA finally did die, it took me by surprise, and a tip of the cap for Marvel on that. They put out enough misinformation that kept it secret, which they also managed to do with Aunt May’s death. I also give them a lot of credit for allowing Cap to die in his own book, and having it done in a way that is perfectly in keeping with both the style and storyline direction that Brubaker had been plotting.

For many, many reasons, I don’t think Cap is really dead (or at least he won’t stay dead long), mostly because comic book characters never do stay dead, he’s Marvel’s Superman, the last image of him (gross and bloodied on a stretcher) is too disgusting to be the last sight we see of Steve Rogers, and there’s a Cap movie supposedly in the works (will he stay dead until then, for the glorious movie/resurrection twin bill?).

All that probably allows me to take this news with a grain of salt. I don’t feel like a favorite character died, more like he went on extended vacation. Mostly, I’m not bothered by it at all because Brubaker did what he does best: crafted a unique, tense, caring, emotional, action-packed and intriguing issue, just like all of his previous run on the title. It was understated, grave and classy, like what Superman’s death would have been if it hadn’t been turned into an extended carnival (complete with much farther advance spoiling in the mainstream media).

Brubaker also put all of the focus on the surrounding cast, as he’s done for much of his run. And so, I won’t miss the Captain too much, as long as the book continues in the direction it’s been headed. And from the solicits for #26, it looks like that’s the case.

FIN FANG DOOM: Is he dead? I’ve got two views on this issue.

A) Of course he’s not dead. He’s Captain America. They’re not going to kill off Captain America, just like they’re not going to kill off Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Wolverine, Spider-Man or the Fantastic Four. These characters are icons. Otherwise they wouldn’t make the national news. You don’t see CNN doing a story about Typeface dying in Civil War.

B) Didn’t Brubaker just do a story in Daredevil where he killed off a character only to reveal they didn’t really die? Brubaker’s not a hack, so I just don’t see him doing that again.

That said, I don’t care if he’s dead or alive.

Not that I don’t care if the character is dead or alive. I very much want him to be alive. Deep down in my heart, I don’t think he’s dead. But if it turns out that he is dead, it won’t bother me.

Because it was a good story. A great story, even.

As has been every story I’ve read thus far in Ed Brubaker’s Captain America run. Brubaker is one of those writers I have faith in to tell a great story no matter how bad a particular decision looks. I have faith that in the end, if it turns out that Cap is dead, it will have been to make a better story. And I can live with that. I’d have no problem seeing Agent 13, Winter Soldier, Falcon, Nick Fury, Dr. Faustus or the Red Skull as the stars of this book if the storytelling continues at this level.

Of course, if somehow the writing takes a huge turn for the worse, don’t be surprised to hear me go on a rant in a couple of months.