J. Michael Straczynski is delivering a series of one-shot team-up stories this year paired with some of comics best artists. Next up is Captain America & Volstagg #1, out today, featuring Bernard Chang. While Rocket Raccoon and Doctor Doom teaming up was a pretty surprising team up, I think I can speak for all Marvel fans when Volstagg teaming up with Cap was not on my radar. As it turns out, it wasn’t for Cap either!
If you were to sum up this one-shot in one word, it’d be heartwarming. Straczynski uses this one-shot to give us a new flavor of Volstagg, who is typically the comic relief. He’s the overweight, chummy, overeating member of the Warriors Three, but this story reveals he’s far more of a hero than one might expect. Straczynski also delves into his accent, a fun wrinkle that adds to the character’s complexity.
The story opens with Captain America chasing down a perp on his motorcycle. Soon, he’s teleported to Asgard, where his motorcycle smashes into bits. Lady Sif has transported him at Volstagg’s request. After a bit of clever teleportation work to wrap up Cap’s chase, the story opens up by revealing heroic deeds Volstagg has told no one about.
Nice threads, dude.
Credit: Marvel
Ultimately, this is a story of how we don’t really know someone, or we assume we do. Volstagg is not only a grand hero in another world, but he’s also a bit of a lover. He’s at least loved, even though he has a wife and kids. That wrinkle is a bit peculiar, but it’s played off as a complex relationship of care.
Chang does a great job from beginning to end. The opening chase sequence is intense, and the comedy relief of the teleportation resolution is sound. He also gets to give Cap a new Asgard costume, which is pretty nifty. Volstagg’s tales are also well done, with aptly drawn flashbacks. For a character who is usually a joke, Chang makes you believe he’s a great warrior of merit.
If I had a gripe with this issue, it’s that Cap is largely a side character. This is less a team up and more of a spotlight on Volstagg. Cap plays a big part in the climax, but again, he’s only aiding Volstagg rather than taking the lead. It’s a bit surprising, given this is one of multiple team-up one-shots, and it might disappoint Captain America fans who pick this up for him.
Overall, the issue succeeds in reinventing a typically comedic character into a surprisingly heroic figure through strong storytelling and vibrant artwork, though its skewed focus may leave traditional Captain America fans wanting more.
You must be logged in to post a comment.