Review:
Writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale make an award-winning team, with a history of spectacular projects to their credit. My personal favorite was their Superman: For All Seasons series. In Marvel circles, they are better known for their Color books - Daredevil: Yellow, Spider-Man: Blue and Hulk: Grey.
In my hands, I have the deluxe hardcover edition of Captain America: White. It is filled with amazing extras, including an extended Q&A with the creators, loads of sketches and even a few examples of the creation of the gorgeous wash effect used to great artistic effect throughout.
With this wash effect, the art truly is breath-taking. Page after page is filled with stunning colors, selective over-inking, well-timed extreme close-ups in tightly cropped and stacked panels, and the wash effect giving this book a unique visual appeal. Clearly this project has been a labor of love for Tim Sale.
Jeph Loeb's work here, though, is more of a mixed bag. He has the chops and the history to pull off this project, with his experience writing TV series like Smallville and Heroes alongside his critically acclaimed other comics projects. And in these pages, he gives us a powerful exploration of Bucky's origin and of the deep bonds of friendship and mentorship between him and Cap. Their heroism, strength, leadership and trust are as beautiful to read as the images are to look at.
The plot itself, unfortunately, peters out by the end. Their early days and adventures and their occasional partnership and tense relationship with the Howling Commandoes makes for a compelling first half. But the Paris arc bogs down and, by the time we reach the climactic showdown with the Red Skull - who is more visually eye-popping than I have ever seen! - ultimately disappoints.
With the whole narrative overlaid with the melancholy and introspection and grief weighing on Cap decades later, we get a tone that is more depressing than revealing. Add to that the one-dimensional portrayal of the Howling Commandoes and Sgt. Fury, and the unsurprising twist of betrayal in Paris. Loeb has given us much stronger plotting and pacing elsewhere.
Still, on the basis of the strong visuals and the relationship deep-dive between Cap and Bucky, we still give this 3 capes out of 5.
Description:
Journey back to the Big One as Captain America recalls one of his most incredible missions. It's 1941, and the Howling Commandos are enjoying a respite from the ordeal of World War II — until Cap and his faithful partner, Bucky, lead them into the hands of the enemy! As the Nazis unleash their latest deadly soldiers, an old ally lends a hand — but an even older enemy will threaten America's greatest hero like never before. Will the Sentinel of Liberty gain his freedom in time to rescue Paris from the clutches of a monster? The Eisner Award-winning creative team of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (DAREDEVIL: YELLOW, HULK: GRAY, SPIDER-MAN: BLUE) reunites to deliver another colorful exploration of the early days of a Marvel icon!
Collects: Captain America: White #0-5
Authors: by Jeph Loeb
Artists: Tim Sale
Published By: Marvel Comics
Published When: 2016
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-0785194194
Pages: 142 pages
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