Captain America #1 (Nov 2004); Written by Ed Brubaker with art by Steve Epting and Michael Lark
Sideliners and wait-watchers of the mental stability of comicbook characters have started their clocks and betting rounds to see when, not if, Steve Rogers will go insane. Experiencing headaches and throbbing whoppers the size of melon-balled melon balls, Captain America recently emerged once again on the scene with a new number one.
The old World War II hero, and all round good guy, has seen his adventures rebooted numerous times within the last decade. Heroes Reborn, Heroes Return, Marvel Knights and back again into the fold of the regular Marvel Universe, each with a new shepherd and flock and each with ever louder bells from the number one crowd. The latest reincarnation, handled by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve Epting, marks the second time alone for 2004.
Recent mental spasms in the pages of
Captain America and the Falcon (with Priest, Joe Bennett and inker Jack Jadson)—in which not only is Cap rejected by the Scarlet Witch after a night that might not have happened but sees hallucinatory images of his dead, dead sidekick, Bucky Barnes, questions are raised on how much more the Star-spangled boy scout can take.
Possibly showing signs of the spreading endemic, fellow Avengers team-mate Tony Stark/Ironman (with the team of Warren Ellis and Adi Granov)—having undergone just as many relaunches—is noted as being rather soulless and withdrawn of late, hollow as the suit of armour he adorns.
Whether or not these two icons of Marvel will stay sane is on for long odds. Hopes are high that the Sentinel of Liberty will soon find himself rocking back and forth in the feotal position of a nearby corner muttering, "too many ones, too many ones..."
