Some things are incredibly iconic in comics yet are seriously untapped for their potential, which includes Capwolf. Capwolf & the Howling Commandos is a four-issue series aimed to give us new adventures with Captain America turned into a werewolf, and this week, the trade paperback is out in comic shops. The question is, can it hold up to expectations and be as a B-horror movie as possible? The answer is definitively yes.
Set in 1944, Capwolf & the Howling Commandos sees Captain America and the Howling Commandos deep in Nazi territory. The opening extra-sized issue sets up the frosty welcome Captain America gets from Dum Dum Dugan while establishing a witch who is helping the Nazis. By the end of the first issue, Captain America is entirely Capwolf but soon learns he can speak and think independently.
So begins an adventure not unlike something you’d see in Indiana Jones. There are Nazi werewolves, and a Nazi werewolf serum to boot, along with plenty of action. Stephanie Phillips writes a good grungy story with twists and turns and a background on the witch who kicked up the werewolf problem.
The beast can talk!
Credit: Marvel
Exposition-heavy moments slow things down a bit, but you can’t deny the utter fun of the story from beginning to end. This is an action comic with a tinge of horror, and that’s a rare thing in superhero comics up until now. This summer’s Blood Hunt will continue the trend, and it’s popular.
Art by Carlos Magno is exceptional, leaning into big dramatic closeups and rendering the fur on every wolf with great attention to detail. The story is steeped in shadows, and Captain America’s torn costume is the brightest on most pages. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Magno drawing a big Marvel event sometime soon. Espen Grundetjern colors the book well, giving the moonlit scenes a nice macabre feel.
Capwolf & the Howling Commandos is a heck of a lot of fun, especially if you like grindhouse-style B-movies. The story can feel a little one-note, but who can deny the awesome action, great art, and werewolf chaos?
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