Review: ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA: FEAR HIM

ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA FEAR HIM Review

 

ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA: FEAR HIM (Marvel Comics, June 2015) Dennis Hopeless with Rick Remender, writers. Szymon Kudranski, art.  Trade paperback, 136 pages. Reprints Captain America: Fear Him #1-4, Captain America #280, Avengers #64.  ISBN # 0785 192581 / 9780785192589  

 

Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

A hungry villain has returned to feed on the city's fear! It's up to the All-New Captain America and Nomad to curb the Scarecrow's appetite...a task that might be easier if the dysfunctional duo weren't always at each other's throats! 

 

While the Scarecrow and his army of terror crows do their worst, Cap and Nomad find themselves separated, one step behind the villain's fearsome plans. But when the Scarecrow's terror pheromone takes Captain America's mind, it's Nomad's last stand! 

 

What does it take to scare a man who grew up in a dimension of boogeymen? And can he bring Cap back to his senses before his mind is lost to fear forever? Plus: classic tales of terror starring the Scarecrow and Sam Wilson!

 

 

My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

     This was a fun read, but far from essential in the overall Captain America canon. A good bargain bin read if you can find a copy. I picked mine up on a closeout sale at Books-A-Million.

 

     I was reminded throughout of the similarities to a Batman book.

Sam Wilson/former Falcon/now Captain America (Batman/Bruce Wayne) has taken over the shield and puts a new spin on Captain America, now a hero with wings and the ability to communicate with birds (but not bats). He patrols the city with computer/technical assistance from the former Captain America (Steve Rogers), who's aged since the super-serum that kept him youthful has worn off, and gives him fatherly advice (like Alfred). Falcon is partnered with the adopted son of Cap, Nomad, in what is best described as a dysfunctional/argumentative relationship (Robin/Damien). The villain is Scarecrow . . . What? That's a Batman villain! I realize there is no copyright on the name of Scarecrow, but a villain that uses a fear pheromone to disorient opponents feels a lot like the DC Scarecrow. I wonder which version came first? The Marvel version has a pesky cadre of crows under his command to help out with the fighting. 

 

     The story is what you might expect: Captain America is under the influence of the fear pheromone and has to be rescued by his partner, with the aid of some NYC sewer-dwelling homeless kids. They sure dress well, look well-fed, and super-smart for homeless kids. Ah, well - it’s just a comic book. 

 

     The story by Dennis Hopeless has some fun interplay between new Cap, old Cap, and Nomad. The villain is kind of one-dimensional. The art by Szymon Kudranski is effective but not flashy. I wish the story didn't include so many large textural sound effects that hide some of the art. I found myself enjoying the story in spite of it all.

 

     Two back-up stories feature reprints of classic Scarecrow appearances. The Captain America story from 1968 has a plot element involving a nationalist political group with hidden motives (America As It Once Was, America As It Could Be Again) trying to capitalize on a phony association with Captain America. It brought back unpleasant memories of POTUS giving a phony hug to the American flag. The Scarecrow is working to expose them, so I'm kind of on his side in this one -- except his methods are cruel. The story suffers from an excess of dialogue and is a little too much on the preachy side.

 

     The Falcon's first encounter with The Scarecrow in 1998 is a much better read, and a stand-alone tale during Geoff Johns' brief run as an Avengers writer. It may be the best Avengers story he has written in what turned out to be a pretty unremarkable run on the title.