Captain America #21: Homeland

Marvel Comics
Captain America #21: Homeland
By Kevin Scott
December 30, 2003 - 16:33

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Robert Morales
Penciller(s): Chris Bachalo
Inker(s): Tim Townsend
Cover Artist(s): Dave Johnson

This is the first ever issue of Captain America I've ever read. The reason I picked it up is because Morales is a stand up guy (a JoeQ thing). I wasn't disappointed. The U.S. government taps Cap to embark on what might be his most life-changing mission ever. This new direction will culminate later next year in one of the most surprising and unexpected developments ever in the career of Captain America, and a major change for the Marvel Universe!.

Morales writing is like his character thoughtful & intelligent with an underlying strength. The way Captain America/Steve Rogers is written you can see a distinction, but it isn't a matter of solid lines. This issue was definitely a recon for the arc. You can see lines have been cast, but what are they out to catch? You are asked to think about justice in a sense of an individual's civil liberty, but is this a red herring to something more? Maybe we should ask ourselves, what, is the real threat to freedom. Is it weapons or our own fear?

Chris Bachalo is a really good penciler, but sometimes I find his work is too busy with lines, which makes it hard for me to follow what's going on. This issue though does not have that problem. Everything connects and balances off each other really well. If you look at Captain America, he seems bigger, stronger than everyone else, but even out of uniform as Steve Rogers: he still radiates that strength and dignity. The fight scenes have an energy and proficiency about them that speaks volumes of Caps ability. And, the cover, this is so poignant. The presence Cap generates, he's on the backdrop of the American Flag and just look at the way he is holding the child's hand.

Rating: A/10