Captain America #44

I am one of those who would make Cap pick of the week each time it comes out, but not this time. Don't get me wrong - it was not bad. However, the art was really sub-par. I appreciate the efforts of Luke Ross to continue Steve Epting's style, but I was underwhelmed.

Several art issues distracted me from enjoying this book. First, Ross seems to struggle at drawing Bucky's face. Flip through the book - Bucky's face is thin in some panels, thick in others, and nondescript in many. In fact, there were times in the book that I could not be sure that the character I assumed to be Bucky was in fact Bucky. Second, there were several art inconsistencies. I know that it seems nit-picky, but the star in Bucky's leather jacket either moved or disappeared from scene to scene. In the scene taking place in the arms shop, I was unsure as to whether the interrogator was Bucky, and I could not determine the time in which the action took place.

The story was quite solid, but I was unable to enjoy it. I think that we are still in a hangover after the conclusion of the mega-arc of the past year-plus. Brubaker has succeeded at the hardest task of all - Bucky Barnes has become Captain America - not a substitute, but Cap himself. I only wish that the art hadn't thrown me like it did.