Captain America Epic Collection: Man Without A Country (Captain America (1968-1996))

The latest Captain America Epic release is Volume 22, with material from 1995 and 1996. As such it covers the entirety of the run by writer Mark Waid and artist Ron Garney. It's an interesting period, considering as the book opens, the good Captain is considered dead. The first issue, with the other Avengers facing up to a mission without him and in the process celebrating everything that makes the character great, sets the tone for the rest of the book.Over the course of the book, it will come as no surprise that we discover Steve to be very much alive and well. Without spoiling overmuch, Cap teams up with his greatest nemesis, finds someone he considered long lost, and is accused of treason by the country he loves. Wonderfully written and with art that is detailed and kinetic without being fussy or caricatured, it's a great run that was sadly cut far too short by the Heroes Reborn event (this volume ends just before that storyline takes Cap to an alternate universe), and so it's great to have it all collected here.There is a dip in quality towards the middle, with lacklustre crossover First Sign managing to make the reunion of Cap, Thor and Iron Man fairly dull and uninspired. For the most part, though, the stories are great, and it seems fitting that the collection ends with celebration Captain America: The Legend and a vintage Simon and Kirby Cap story, as it feels like a capstone (no pun intended) for everything that has gone before.Extras include interviews and pin-ups, but the draw here is another chance to experience a brief but brilliant run by some talented creators. Highly recommended.

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