Marvel Masterworks: Captain America, Vol. 7

Marvel Masterworks #204

by Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart, Sal Buscema (Illustrator)

A new era begins for the Sentinel of Liberty in this must have Marvel Masterworks volume. It's a Captain America extravaganza including shocking revelati ons, the debut of seminal Cap scribe Steve Englehart, and acti on, action, action a'plenty! Our hero's battles begin with Batroc the Leaper, the Stranger, the Scorpion and Mr. Hyde, but it's all prelude to Cap facing off against S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Nick Fury. Meanwhile, the Falcon has a surprise encounter with two familiar-and anything but friendly-faces that will change Captain America's life forever. It's the shock of the year as Cap discovers that while he was frozen in the Arctic, there was second Captain America and Bucky. Now they're back and fighting mad! COLLECTING: CAPTAIN AMERICA (1968) 149-159

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

232 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Gerard Francis Conway (Gerard F. Conway) is an American writer of comic books and television shows. He is known for co-creating the Marvel Comics' vigilante the Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man. At DC Comics, he is known for co-creating the superhero Firestorm and others, and for writing the Justice League of America for eight years. Conway wrote the first major, modern-day intercompany crossover, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book encapsulates the end of Gerry Conway’s run on Cap and the beginning of Steve Englehart’s. While I love Conway’s work on Spidey, his work with Mr. Rogers wasn’t quite as good. Englehart, on the other hand, produced some truly great CA stories and you get the first few issues of that here.

Significant entries in Cap’s history included in this book are the revelation about the 1950s Captain America and Bucky (one of the few very necessary retcons, in my opinion) and the introduction of Steve getting superhuman strength. Now, I’m not a huge fan of Cap having super-strength; I think he needs it about as much as Batman does; but as a temporary storyline it works quite well.

All of this is masterfully illustrated by Solid Sal Buscema, so the artwork’s good throughout.

Story:
Conway issues: 3 stars
Englehart issues: 4 stars
Artwork: 4 stars
Overall: 3.75 stars rounded up to 4

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If one Cap is great how awesome can 2 be? This volume collects one of my favorite story arcs about Captain America and was an impressive "fix-it" by Marvel to explain the 1050's Captain America stories when we all know Cap was frozen in the artic ice. Very nice art. Very recommended

[Ross Kitson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In what feels like a real step up from the uneven and often drawn out last compilation, the final issues of Conway’s run move into Steve Englehart’s tenure on Cap and the Falcon.
The final 4 for Conway include Batroc (always fun), the Stranger, then Mr Hyde and the Scorpion. All good stories and Sal Buscema has great motion and composition to his art, although not loved by all.
The story really ramps up with the appearance of the 1950s Captain America and Bucky. This was really good, very gripping, well written and with a satisfying conclusion. The origin story was a clever way of explaining the activity of Cap whilst frozen in an ice block.
We finish with a deadly foe in Viper (first one, not Madam Hydra one) and his toxins, the reappearance of Eel, Porcupine, Plantman (who worked together in original Xmen for Neffaria) and the Cowled Commander, which was a slight anti climax.
All over, a solid set of stories less bogged down in racial politics and actually consistent characters!

[Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

far from perfect but it's a lot of fun! much more of an exciting supporting cast than i was expecting though i do wish they'd give sharon more to do. fun action some fun plots but nothing blowing me away so far. excited to keep reading

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally! Gerry Conway and Steve Englehart arrive and the stories and dialogue improve so much! These aren't great comics, but compared to what came before, they're an immense improvement.

[Jack Stubblefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

70’s Cap

The language is dated at times, and a lot of melodrama, but Cap and Falcon kick a**! Classic stuff, Maynard.

[Brian Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite thig about this series is the 1950's Cap storyline.

[Nicolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more of transitional set of issues, so it's hard to judge. I was not interested in the Captain America from the 50s arc and am very far over the Peggy Carter relationship.

This set is notable for Steve Englehart taking over the writing duties and I'm looking forward to the changes he'll bring with it.

I interviewed the author on a special episode of The All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/in...