Sunday, June 10, 2007

Fallen Son - Captain America


Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America is an upcoming comic book limited series dealing with various superheroes' reactions to death of Captain America in the Marvel comics universe. The five-issue series is written by Jeph Loeb, with Leinil Yu, Ed McGuinness, John Romita Jr., David Finch, and John Cassaday each illustrating one of the issues.
Official Tagline

Where Were You When Captain America Died? The Superhuman Civil War has ended - but a final gunshot took the life of the super-soldier known as Captain America. Now a stunned world asks: Can you kill a legend? And how will men and women with amazing and destructive powers react to the death of their beloved ally?

Background

According to Loeb, each issue deals with the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The title comes from Loeb's own experience of having lost his son Sam Loeb. Denial deals with Wolverine, Anger deals with the two Avengers teams (Mighty Avengers & New Avengers), Captain America himself is dealt with in Bargaining, Spider-Man is the focus of Depression and Iron Man comes under the spotlight in Acceptance.[1]
Plot

Issue #1 - Denial

"Wolverine confronts Winter Soldier about the improbability of Captain America dying from the gunshot wounds suffered at the court house. They argue over what actually happened that day (Including Wolverine bringing up the fact that Captain America and Winter Soldier, the former Bucky, have both been thought to be dead at one time yet survived to current times). Unable to get Winter Soldier to agree on a trip to S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters to see with their own eyes that Captain America is indeed dead, Wolverine goes to find the only other man who could help him find the truth; Daredevil. Using some enchantments created by Doctor Strange, the duo make their way into the main S.H.I.E.L.D Hellicarrier and to the holding cell of Crossbones, the man who made the first shot on Captain America.

After some interrogation by Daredevil and Wolverine (including Wolverine using his own "brand" of interrogation.) Wolverine makes his way to where S.H.I.E.L.D is keeping Captain America's body. Iron Man shows up to tell Wolverine that Captain America is indeed dead. Wolverine notes that Captain America's shield is not in the coffin and that Iron Man is probably looking to replace Captain America even though Steve Rogers is dead. Instead of arresting Wolverine, Iron Man lets him go for the simple reason that Wolverine can tell the others that it is indeed true: Steve Rogers, Captain America, is dead. As he leaves; Wolverine warns Iron Man that if he learns that Stark had anything to do with Captain America's death, then he would kill him.

Issue #2 - Anger

The Thing joins a poker game organised by the New Avengers at the Sanctum Sanctorum. They argue about Cap's death and recent events caused by the Civil War. Each member has his or hers own opinion which sometimes causes conflicts, but always end up resolved. Wolverine returns from his quest aboard the SHIELD Helicarrier and informs the other Avengers Cap is really dead, much to the disliking of a furious Spider-Man. Spidey angrily leaves home and Wolverine shadows him to make sure the webslinger gets home safe.

In between, the distraught Young Avengers Patriot and Hawkeye leave the New Avengers home to hunt down some bad guys. Meanwhile, the Mighty Avengers have to prevent the super-villain Tiger Shark from destroying the world. Tiger Shark has stolen the so-called "Horn of Gabriel", which can summon terrible sea monsters to his side. The Avengers fight the monsters and with the aid of Sub-Mariner, Tiger Shark ends up defeated. However, Namor angrily reveals he learned there are missiles hidden in the coastline of Maine, and if they are directed at Atlantis he promises to fight back. He leaves, taking the horn and the monsters with him.

Issue #3 - Bargaining

Clint Barton seeks and finds Tony Stark at the deserted old Avengers' Mansion. Barton confronts Stark over the death of Steve Rogers. Stark then takes Barton into custody at the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier to confirm that he is, in fact, Clint Barton - back from the grave. Upon confirmation of his identity, Stark then reveals Captain America's real shield and Barton has the chance to take the shield for a spin (literally) on the helicarrier deck. There, Stark makes Barton an incredible offer: to restore Captain America to the people of the United States (and to Stark, which apparently is even more important). Stark takes Barton out on patrol and they discover Elijah Bradley and the new Hawkeye, Kate Bishop, defeating Firebrand. Stark confronts the duo about their violation of the Superhuman Registration Act.

Hawkeye has a little something for Iron Man from the Black Panther and they flee, only to be confronted by Barton as Captain America; shield and star spangled uniform included. Barton confronts Kate Bishop about her assumption of the Hawkeye mantle and makes a profound discovery that he cannot become the new Captain America. He allows Patriot and Hawkeye to escape and returns the Cap's shield to Stark. Stark vows to pursue Barton if he sides with the New Avengers."

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