Captain America No. 1
Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, artist Leinil Francis Yu Review by Kyle Thompson, The Great Escape Louisville
BETWEEN FAMILIES being separated at the border, a government that seems to care more about social media than governing and the fact that less than a year ago Captain America was essentially a Nazi, Ta-Nehisi Coates has his work cut out for him. The character just doesnt seem necessary right now. But early on in Captain America No. 1, we see that he is, now more than ever.
Coates writing in both books and essays combine the frustration we all feel with empathy, and frames current events in the broad scope of history. Captain America would seem to be the perfect comic for him, but I was still skeptical. I just didnt want a Captain America book. I thought maybe he should just go away for a couple years and, when things are less embarrassing, he can make his triumphant return.
Coates and artist Leinil Francis Yu dissolve any skepticism immediately. This Steve Rogers is at once proud to be an emblem of the American Dream, and greatly burdened by the weight of how that dream has been bastardized. He fights a group of men with American flag face paint in this first issue (you can easily imagine them owning MAGA hats), and has to deal with the fact that his enemies also see themselves as representative of his country.
Like the best superhero stories, this is shaping up to be an epic in which Captain America cant punch his way to victory. No. 1 was released on July 4 (of course), with No. 2 coming on Aug. 1.
Catwoman No. 1
Writer and artist Joëlle Jones Review by Meredith Harris, The Great Escape Louisville
SELINA KYLE is a week out from leaving Bruce Wayne at the altar, and shes apparently spent that time gambling and suffering from insomnia. Oh yeah, and having the police come after her because Catwoman has murdered two officers. Well, kind of. Its actually a copy cat (get it?), and theyre ruining Kyles already-questionable reputation.
Its not as if the law coming after Selina is anything new; at worst shes a criminal, and, at best, an antihero. The idea of an imposter Catwoman isnt exactly unheard of, either, but Joëlle Jones, who writes and draws the book, adds in enough new twists and details that the story remains fresh and engaging. There are a handful of plot threads woven throughout the issue that are obviously meant to set up for the long-term, and we also meet a number of supporting characters who will clearly remain important in the future.
The fact that Jones is writing and drawing the book means there are twice as many things for me to praise her for, and Im happy to do it. She does so much with body language and facial expressions, and with her doing both writing and art, she can add details that are usually lost between a writer and an artist.
I hate the idea of people skipping over this issue because theyre upset about the events of Batman No. 50, because Catwoman No. 1 is phenomenal and it deserves a fair shake. Its setting up not only a fun story arc but a fun series in general, and Jones work, as always, deserves your attention. Issue No. 1 came out July 4 with issue No. 2 following on Aug. 2
This article appears in July 18, 2018.