I've been a Cap fan for a very long time.

I mean a very long time.

 I started reading his book during the Cap Armor era, so I've trudged through quite a great deal of crap to get to this great run.

For every Waid redefining classic cap, there was a Liefeld making him EXTREME. So, while other people might say it might be too early for Steve to return or that this issue didn't have enough happening or any number of complaints, I really only have one thing to say before I continue.

Brubaker gets what makes this book good. He hasn't taken any serious misstep yet, so he's earned some faith from us for the next few issues if nothing else.

Bru truly gets these characters.

What makes them tic and what makes them interesting.

I liked this book.

I think changing artists was a good move as it gave each scene its own unique tone. Every character's scene was really great. I liked having Howard Chaykin doing the fake Steve. It felt right some how.

I really liked seeing Bernie again in the back up story. I bought the Cap for President trade about 2 years ago, and they still, mostly, hold up.

The Waid stuff wasn't too great, but wasn't too bad.

I liked the fact that they got Joe Simon to tell a story of the old days, and the reprint was pretty cool, if for no other reason, Red Skull was wearing a cap mask, just like in Old Man Logan.

Was this issue perfect? No. But it was solid, and it made me want to see where Bru is going with the book.