Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America (Classic Review)

Originally released in 2009.

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Artists: Leinil Yu, Ed McGuinness, John Romita Jr., David Finch and John Cassaday

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Collects: Fallen Son: Wolverine; New Avengers; Captain America; Spider-Man; Iron Man

"Where were you when Captain America died?" is the motivating question behind Fallen Son, as it shows the reactions of various Marvel characters in the aftermath of Cap's assassination, even if it does stray from that original concept.

It is quite appropriate for Jeph Loeb to pen this story. Not only is he personally familiar with loss, but his writing always carries a certain weight to it. And the absolute plethora of talented artists here is truly top-form; whether its David Finch's grittiness or Ed McGuinness' solid action or John Cassaday's elegant simplicity, and all of them benefit from Loeb's instant synergy with his artists.

I can think of no tribute more fitting for Cap -- a man who was perceived completely different by everyone who knew him -- than to see his friends and allies all share their image of the Sentinel of Liberty and what he meant to them, and see that maybe he was all these things and more.

A-Musing: Does Captain America Vote?

Disclaimer: This post is in no way about anything to do with real world politics, so I don't want to hear it.

A great many people often misunderstand Steve Rogers, better known to you and me as Captain America. Those who do not read his series think of him as a mindless tool of the U.S. government, spewing propaganda and slogans, and punching anything "un-American" in the face. I too was guilty of this gross misconception at one point.

But now I, and anyone who reads Captain America, know this to be untrue. Cap is first and foremost an agent of the people, not the state. He embodies American values such as freedom, justice and equality, independent of whoever happens to be in power. If the government starts singing a tune he's uncomfortable with, he's not afraid to stand apart. Or against.

Captain America represents all that's good about America, which is actually quite a lot, despite what we have allowed ourselves to believe for the sake of comedy or smugness. He is what America should be -- what America could very easily be, if everyone just gave a damn.