Captain America: Man Out of Time

WARNING: This review contains what some may construe as spoilers!This graphic novel is a really nice product; from the sturdy hardcover to the thick, glossy pages inside. But it's those pages that contain one of the best Captain America stories I've ever read. It's also one of the best 'hero trying to discover who is and what is place in the world is' stories I've ever read as well. That is really the main theme of this book. That and the values of this county as a whole, and the accomplishments we've achieved.There is a fair amount of American history covered here. Mainly focusing on the achievements we, as country, have made. There are, however, some instances of our failures as well; such as the Vietnam War. But the achievements are contributed, in many ways, to the inspiration that the country got from Captain America before his body went missing and became frozen, only to be thawed out in the 21st Century. What the book is really saying(the message) though, is not that the character was the inspiration for our country's greatest moments; but that what he stands for(truth, justice, perseverance, freedom, etc.) and the real-life individuals, such as Martin Luther King, who embodied these ideals are the true heroes who have made our country the great nation that it is. As I stated earlier though, this book also lives up to its aptly named title of being a true 'man out of time' story. It's the whole 'fish out of water' thing. And how he deals with this is handled in an emotional and compelling fashion. Waid is one of the best at telling stories that resonate on a deeper level. This story is really more of a drama that has some action in it, as opposed to an action story with some drama thrown in. When the action is displayed, it is for the most part successful in terms of entertainment(particularly the final battle). The artwork here by Molina, Kesel, Hanna, D'Armata and Sabino is spot-on. The thick, bold linework and inking is beautiful to behold. And the colors are really rich and compelling. Both the subtleties(such as the expressions on Cap's face when he reacts to things that he hears concerning the pivotal moments in history that he missed) and the action sequences(such as the scene in the last chapter where Cap throws his shield, Thor throws his hammer, then Iron Man sends a blast from his palms at Kang one right after the other - nearly at the same time, displaying how effective the Avengers are when they work as a team) are handled with near perfection. And the very end(where Cap extrapolates the main thing he has learned since being thawed out) is executed with just the right sentiment. This is a wonderful graphic novel. I don't think you have to be a superhero fan to enjoy it. You just have to be a fan of great storytelling.The only reason I didn't give it the full 5 stars is for the same minor flaw the other reviewer here pointed out. The length of this story is just not quite what it should be. It's a good 144 pages. BUT, this includes the reprint of the classic Avengers issue #4 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. And though the story works on almost every level(as I stated above, it is nearly perfect), I feel it would have been even greater as a 200 page story. Or even something closer in length to his awesome "Superman: Birthright" graphic novel. The length of this story just caused for some of the more emotional moments to become a little rushed. I still had an emotional response. I just think that that response would have been even greater had Waid delved a little deeper and lingered a little longer on those more serious scenes. This is just a minor thing however, and only warrants a 1/2 star reduction in my opinion.Another great Waid graphic novel. Get this book. Take the emotional journey. It's worth your time and money.

I've been looking to get into Captain America for a while now, so I figured why not a story about Cap written by my favorite comic book writer, Mark Waid.This story starts off fantastic in showing Steve and Bucky during WWII. Bucky being the real energetic guy, enjoying the limelight. Steve, on the other hand, is a solemn soldier. He just wants to do his duty for his country. The attention he's gained is unwanted by him, to the point that he semi disrespects the idea of Captain America in front of soldiers that idolize Cap.This is a story about how Captain America goes from a time when he is most useful/needed, to a time when there's almost no need for him at all. This is a story about Cap's unfreezing, his wake into the 21st century. Everything has changed, and this story shows how he deals with the change.There are some really, really heartfelt moments, heartbreaking at some points. References to historical events were perfect, so were Steve's reaction to finding out about them.If I had one complaint, it's that the plot felt a little rushed with the points of conflict. If this story was longer, say Sueprman: Birthright length, I believe Waid would have done a flawless (as near flawless as it already is) story. But that's a minor issue because it's more of a Man vs. Self plot than Man vs. Man.Overall, this story, to me, represents what Captain America is about. Self sacrifice, good natured, and the U.S.'s history and good values.

At first I only bought this because I never read a Captain America story and just wanted to see what he was all about. I LOVED this story, it's a great intro for anyone unfamiliar with the character and had just the right amount of action as well. Also loved the early Avengers comic at the end, definitely check this book out!

If you're a Bucky Barnes fan then you need to read this story. It's pretty much a time travel story with Steve Rogers coming to terms with the past and the future, and his realisation that it's his friends who matter most to him.Platonic or otherwise, this is a tribute to Bucky's importance in Cap's lifw. The art and colouring is gorgeous too.

A deeply heartfelt depiction of Captain America that echoes "All Star Superman" by distilling Steve Rogers down to his essential essence and incorporating the story in the present, rather than the 1960's. Waid fully feels the complexities of Rogers' idealism and dutifulness, draws on both full to tell a great story.

Nice retelling of Cap's emergence to a modern world. Like the examination of change in society, and comparing to the films, I like this slightly more brash Captain America.

Great

awesome

A great book about my favourite Marvel character. It looks into how he deals with the strain of waking up in the present day, and this narrative thread is nicely handled by the writer.Cap in this is portrayed as confused in a fair part of the story which sends him into soldier mode to protect himself from everything around him. When I was a kid I avoided Cap comics like the plague because I thought he looked the ultimate dullard. It's strange as now I'd say he is Marvel's most interesting character by far being surprisingly complex. The world that Cap inhabits also seems to offer unlimited scope for plots and story threads.Very recommended

ive read a fair few CA comics now, and this one is a must have for your collection!! it shows him properly coming into his own in the 21st century, and accepting various changes around him. the comparison between the two decades was spot on. it makes you wonder if steve, was always a man out of his time, but he just didnt know it.

From the very first page of this superb publication, it's clear that this graphic novel is going to try to dig a little deeper into the eponymous character's psyche. This re-visitation of the end of Cap's WWII and his subsequent rediscovery by the Avengers in the modern age is sympathetically done and the journey we take with Captain Rodgers as he struggles to accept his situation and eventually decides to thrive in it is truly compelling.

Love it. Mark writes Cap perfectly.

In fairness, I need to re - read this to truly appreciate what Mark Waid has written, but it was touted by Newsarama as the best Captain America story in the last few years and I would beg to differ. I think "The Winter Soldier" storyline is verifiably the best Cap story in the last decade or longer.