Broken Frontier

Where is he exactly?

In this episode, Steve Rogers travels through time, Reed Richards finds something in Sharon Carter’s bloodstream, and Bucky and Black Widow get an ultimatum.

In Captain America Reborn #2, we flash back to 1944 and a battle between Steve Rogers and Master Man.  Cap. Rogers believes this is a dream, or that he may be under the control of Red Skull.  He considers ending the fight faster since he remembers each step in this battle from his past, but appears to wake up before he has a chance. 

Meanwhile, Bucky and Black Widow are attempting to steal a device from Norman Osborn, and have to deal with some of the Dark Avengers as well as two dozen H.A.M.M.E.R. guards. At the Baxter Building, Reed Richards and Hank Pym attempt to analyze Carter’s blood.  Richards finds something unsettling in Carter’s bloodstream, but cannot lock on to what it is.

In his second flashback, Rogers finds himself moments before drinking the super soldier serum, in the office of Dr. Erskine.  A much scrawnier Rogers asks a question to the doctor regarding time travel and the effects of changing the course of history, which leads readers to assume Rodgers is experiencing a type of uncontrollable time travel.  Rogers struggles with the fact that he must let events in his past transpire regardless of the pain it may cause.  Back on the helicarrier, Bucky and the Black Widow have been captured by Osborn’s Avengers and are asked to help Osborn capture those that may be able to get Steve Rogers back; namely Sharon Carter.

Ed Brubaker writes a compelling story here, expertly weaving three stories at once.  Each page recovers a new element to complete the puzzle of Steve Rogers' disappearance.  As usual, Brubaker combines quality dialogue with intelligent storytelling to produce a comic that is exciting and fascinating.

The pencils and inks of Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice respectively are also quality works by seasoned professionals.  There are similarities between the Hitch’s pencils of Captain America and his past depictions to entice the fanboy in everyone.  Guice’s ink work completes the vision of Hitch very well.  The chiaroscuro techniques imposed by Guice are appealing and create a sense of drama.

In the end, Reborn #2 leaves the reader wanting more.  The questions that are brought up in these first two issues should take off soon, offering a more compelling story for readers.