Written by Mark Waid.
Art by Jorge Molina; Karl Kessel; Scott Hanna; Frank D’Amata; & VC’s Joe Sabino.
Avengers # 4 Written by Stan Lee.
Avengers # 4 Art & Cover Art by Jack Kirby.
Avengers # 4 Lettering by Art Simek.
Collection Cover Art by Bryan Hitch; Paul Neary; & Anson Mounts.
SUMMARY:
Reprinting the same-named 2010 five-issue mini-series, Marvel Comics released this 144-page trade paperback in 2011. Its other formats include hardcover and digital.
Beginning in April 1945, along with other U.S. soldiers, a low-key Steve Rogers and a youthfully cocky “Bucky” Barnes enjoy some needed downtime in Leipzig, Germany. Whisked away for a counter-espionage mission guarding an experimental spy plane, the patriotic duo soon meets a catastrophic fate high above the North Sea. Note: The original Baron Zemo’s involvement in the plane’s theft isn’t referenced – writer Mark Waid attributes it only as a Nazi scheme.
Mirroring Avengers # 4, the original Avengers (Thor; Iron Man; Wasp; and Giant-Man) incredulously find and revive Steve Rogers – the original Captain America – aboard their submarine at least a half-century later. With his rescuers suddenly neutralized by an unknown assailant, a bewildered Steve Rogers wanders present-day New York City, only to be shot by a terrified teenage girl.
Tracked down by young Rick Jones, a recuperating Captain America probes the Avengers’ fate and deduces the possibly alien threat befalling them. Having reluctantly joined the Avengers, Cap is obsessed with both saving Bucky from his grisly destiny and ultimately returning to his own appropriate point in time. Tenacious efforts to find Steve’s surviving friends (including his beloved Peggy Carter) turn up far too little.
Thor and Tony Stark’s efforts to convince a displaced Steve how to best cope with acclimating to the present-day isn’t enough for him. Subsequent orders from the current U.S. President, however, are. Unlike Stark’s glorious optimism, a reunion with Steve’s terminally ill commanding officer provides a sobering reality check on today’s world.
The Avengers’ first encounter with Kang is a disaster, as Captain America finds himself stranded in post-war 1945 – months after his disappearance. Still, along with Rick Jones, he may be their team’s only remaining chance to thwart Kang. It’s up to them to find a means of contacting the other genius hero with technology capable of traversing time itself.
Also included is an equally glossy reprint of 1964’s Avengers # 4. In the frigid North Sea, the fledging Avengers (Iron Man; Wasp; Giant-Man; & Thor) fend off an outnumbered Namor the Sub-Mariner. Fuming over his forced retreat, Namor’s rage subsequently pitches an icy totem worshipped by Eskimos into gradually warmer waters of the Gulf Stream. By chance, the Avengers rescue the frozen figure previously trapped inside this ice block for two decades. Now revived, the original Captain America is bewildered by his rescuers and his present-day predicament.
With the Avengers neutralized by an unknown adversary, it’s up to teenager Rick Jones to convince the World War II legend to forcibly intervene. Even should Steve Rogers save the Avengers, a rematch with a vengeful Namor and his Atlantean reinforcements still awaits them.
Notes: Stan Lee’s Avengers # 4 plotting curiously implies that Captain America and Namor had never met before. At the time, Lee’s creative reasoning made sense. To enhance his 1964 story’s impact, Lee deliberately ignored Captain America’s controversial post-war exploits (in favor of a seemingly mythical Steve Rogers). It wasn’t until the 1970’s that Cap & Sub-Mariner’s wartime co-existence as The Invaders was established by Roy Thomas and other writers.
As for Cap & Bucky’s dubious post-wartime era, Marvel years later devised multiple impersonators to explain their presence in these Timely Comics stories.
Lastly, 1985’s Avengers # 262 depicts a poignant private conversation between Captain America and the Sub-Mariner. Of interest is that Namor finally learns of his inadvertent role in thawing Cap out of his decades-long hibernation.
REVIEW:
In spite of some climatic time traveling conveniences, this storyline’s likable plotting presents writer Mark Waid on his game.
For instance, Waid effectively mirrors Avengers # 4 over the first two issues without replicating Stan Lee’s sillier plot machinations too much. More impressive is how Waid’s storytelling makes an idealistic, mid-twentysomething Steve Rogers seem relatable to all ages. When combined with the project’s likable artwork, the outcome surpasses any stigma of an unnecessary rehash of the Captain’s Silver Age incarnation.
Including its high-caliber production values, Captain America: Man Out Of Time makes for a welcome read for any Marvel fan. For others, though this book isn’t a must-have, perusing it at the library is certainly worthwhile.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Each full-page Hitch/Neary/Mounts cover precedes its story (as does Jack Kirby’s iconic Avengers # 4 cover). A full-page reprint of Issue # 1’s variant cover (artists: Arthur Adams & Frank D’ Amata) immediately precedes the concluding Issue # 5’s cover.
BRIAN’S OOD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
