I’ve never read any CAPTAIN AMERICA or even really anything with Bucky Barnes (in any identity) in it, but knowing what little I do, this was a cool little book.

WINTER SOLDIER is definitely a espionage/action book, and it wears that particular uniform well: Brubaker’s a good choice for it, since the noirish narration from Bucky helps to give the story some momentum it might otherwise lack. Still, it’s a bit overwritten sometimes, and I think the art could have done the storytelling just fine.

Though speaking of…the art is close to really great, but the shadows are so heavy sometimes that it’s difficult to make out what’s happening, who’s who. The style lends a certain atmosphere to the proceedings, but like Brubaker’s writing, goes farther than it should in so doing.

That all said, this is still an entertaining story that isn’t terribly superheroic but still lives decidedly in that universe. If Marvel gives this book time to grow (but let’s face it – they won’t), it could have serious potential for awesomeness.