Two things to get out of the way right off the bat.  First off this is a huge book for the price, clocking in somewhere around the 80 page mark I would imagine (I just couldn't bring myself to count 'em) and for a change there's not a reprint among them.  Secondly, yes this is yet another Cap anniversary celebration, chock full of tales about Cap's past of the kind we've seen many times over the years.  From the Red White and Blue HC from 2002ish right up to last year's Theater of War specials, I'd have to argue that none of this is groundbreaking.

Sure is kind of classy though, just the same.

The origin story is dispensed with quickly.  It's necessary, but Brubaker does it in a page, distilling it to it's essence in a manner that reminds me positively of that stunning one page summary of Superman The Movie that Chris Samnee turned out a while back.  Oh, and it's drawn by kinda talented cover artist Travis Charest to boot.

That's followed up by more Bru, this time a continuation of the monthly story, which at least demonstrates the reason behind the Russian trial story (and thankfully never sees the inside of a courtroom).  Turns out that, as hinted in the .1 issue, it's all about getting Bucky out of the way to get Steve into the uniform in time for the movie.  It's not a move I'd normally have a problem with, except that I worry that Bucky's geting short shrift and that it's a storyline that's being forced along at a pace that Brubaker's never had cause to employ before in his run.  Still, it held my interest and managed to bring in some great old Russian Marvel characters of old.  I'll never like Deodato though.

I have no reservations about the rest of the book though.  First there's a beautiful little tale about the importance of Cap.  It's a little cliched, but it's got a kind of classic vibe and some stunning Ed McGuinness art.  Then we're treated to some ace Howard Chaykin work set in the Second World War.  Those stunning period costumes, gorgeous women, that amazing sense of design and a spirit of swashbuckling derring do are all present here.  There's a thin but pretty Paul Grist story about Baron Blood, then another standout from Frank Tieri and Paul Azaceta.  It's about Cap's discovery of an escaped Hitler clone living in the present day and the dilemma over whether he should be killed, despite not knowing he is a clone of the evil leader of the Third Reich.  It's got a thriller feel that puts me in mind of The Odessa File and Marathon Man, especially with the art on display.  A creepy treat that's the closest in tone to the work that Brubaker was doing for the first couple of years on the book.  It's all rounded out by one last flashback that's certainly not bad, but perhaps the weakest of them.

It's a massive book, all of it's worth reading and some of it's even magnificent.  A worthy celebration indeed.