This four-issue mini-series is about Jeff Mace, the third Captain America in revised Marvel continuity, one of my favorite subjects. In the original Golden Age stories, the Patriot didn’t have much of an origin. The character debuted as a text feature in Human Torch, and his first illustrated adventure (his second ever as the Patriot) appeared later in that same issue. Issue #1 tells precisely the kind of “retcon” (in the original sense of the term) that I like to read: one that expounds upon the details of the original stories yet does not contradict anything which came before. The first issue fleshes out the details of the Patriot’s Golden Age origin and how he came to be the second replacement Captain America (as originally revealed in What If…? #4), and I am very much looking forward to issue two and the rest of this mini.
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I'm happy about this book, too. Hopefully it won't show him in his original outfit. I liked his Liberty Legion one better.
In his Liberty Legion appearances, the Patriot was always negatively comparing himself to Captain America. Roy Thomas would repeat this in All-Star Squadron with Johnny Quick being incredibly cocky until the Flash is mentioned. Johnny never had the solo book or the JSA membership but he lasted three years longer than Jay Garrick!
My habit these days is to wait until Saturday morning to read the week’s new comics, but occasionally an issue will demand to be read immediately. Captain America: Patriot #2 is one such issue. There is a sequence of the Golden Age Captain America Comics, #59-74, which I am extremely interested in reading, yet none of those issues has ever been reprinted and only one of those issues (#59) have I read. The climatic event of Patriot #2 is taken from the Golden Age Captain America #66. (No “spoilers: here… read it!) I know what’s going to happen next… and I can hardly wait to see it given a modern day spin!
Captain America: Patriot is extremely mindful of continuity, even 60 year old continuity few (including myself) have read, but don’t let that put you off if you’re not a continuity geek. This series also tells a good story with themes which resonate with today’s audience.
Whenever we talk about or favorite series, I always try to think of my favorite ongoing series, but the truth is my favorite at any given time is likely to be a limited series. The series that draws that distinction at the present time is Captain America: Patriot hands down.
Jeff of Earth-J said:
I know what’s going to happen next…
Yeah, I knew what was going to happen next but I didn’t know how they were going to handle it. I certainly didn’t expect them to deal with it only on the cover! But you know what? It works. The rest of the issue deals with the immediate aftermath. For those of you unfamiliar with the events concerned (understandable since the original stories have never been reprinted), Captain America’s (Jeff Mace) partner Bucky (Fred Davis) was shot by the female gangster Lavender, and Betsy Ross takes his place as the Golden Girl. This series reveals un-guessed behind-the-scenes details and makes me more eager than ever to read a reprint of Captain America #66 (1948).
The art and coloring by Mitch and Bettie Breitweiser (respectively) are phenomenal.
Captain America: Patriot #4 ties up the adventures of the third man to assume the role (retroactively) in a way the original Golden Age series never did. In addition, writer Karl Kesel throws longtime fanboys a couple of bones by establishing in continuity that the Hulk’s longtime nemesis General Ross is, in fact, Betsy Ross Mace’s nephew. What’s more, young Thad used to play with his aunt and uncle’s neighbor’s boy, Franklin Storm, while visiting them in Glendale, Long Island.
Replies
In his Liberty Legion appearances, the Patriot was always negatively comparing himself to Captain America. Roy Thomas would repeat this in All-Star Squadron with Johnny Quick being incredibly cocky until the Flash is mentioned. Johnny never had the solo book or the JSA membership but he lasted three years longer than Jay Garrick!
Captain America: Patriot is extremely mindful of continuity, even 60 year old continuity few (including myself) have read, but don’t let that put you off if you’re not a continuity geek. This series also tells a good story with themes which resonate with today’s audience.
Jeff of Earth-J said:
Yeah, I knew what was going to happen next but I didn’t know how they were going to handle it. I certainly didn’t expect them to deal with it only on the cover! But you know what? It works. The rest of the issue deals with the immediate aftermath. For those of you unfamiliar with the events concerned (understandable since the original stories have never been reprinted), Captain America’s (Jeff Mace) partner Bucky (Fred Davis) was shot by the female gangster Lavender, and Betsy Ross takes his place as the Golden Girl. This series reveals un-guessed behind-the-scenes details and makes me more eager than ever to read a reprint of Captain America #66 (1948).
The art and coloring by Mitch and Bettie Breitweiser (respectively) are phenomenal.