The Top 10 comic books for 2017
By Alex Widen
Image by Marvel Comics
3. Captain America #695-696
Another Mark Waid written series? Yes, and this time from the “house of ideas!” Coming off of Secret Empire, a story where it seemed like Cap became a Nazi, Marvel needed a feel-good vibe fast. What better way than to reunite the star-spangled Avenger with the writer whose last run within in the 90s was marred by Onslaught? In addition, this is at a time when Waid, and his frequent collaborator Chris Samnee are coming off of an Eisner win for Daredevil.
We’re only two issues in, yet they’ve easily been the best two issues of Captain America since Ed Brubaker left. Cap has gone from being a Nazi to punching them out. He’s gone from being a villain to stopping them from blowing up dams. And he’s returned to a simple philosophy of helping who and when he can, because he can. At times Cap is more of an icon than a character, yet sometimes that’s hardly a bad thing, especially in comic books.
Waid has struggled on some of his recent Marvel works. His Avengers run has been dull, and it’s bogged down Champions. His last collaboration with Samnee, Black Widow, was good but nowhere near Daredevil’s league. At a time when our nation needs inspiration in its ideals more than ever, there is no better time for a great Captain America run. Here’s hoping these first two issues were no fluke.