CAPTAIN AMERICA IS STILL DEAD: TALKING TO ED BRUBAKER ABOUT CAP #30

[MattBrady]

Five issues down, and still, Captain America is dead.

Although, this week’s #30 held some very interesting developments.

As with each issue since Captain America’s death, it’s time for a spoiler-laden check in on the status of the cast and the storyline.

Newsarama: First off Ed, let’s ballpark things here - while you're working in a subset of a larger universe that's moving along with its own events, how long has it been, would you say, since Cap was killed in #25?

Ed Brubaker: I'd say in my book about a month has passed.

NRAMA: And just to then clear up any further rumblings, Tony turning into the Ultron chick and World War Hulk happen when, exactly?

EB: Well, if you read closely you'll notice time passing between issues and sometimes between scenes. A week passed between issues #25 and #26, then more time between that and Tony announcing the Cap Memorial at Washington. Then some time after that and when Bucky stole Cap's shield. So, there's plenty of places for the rest of the Marvel U events to occur. I mean, all of Mighty Avengers first arc is like one or two days, right? World War Hulk... uh, that's a little harder. I'm just gonna say it happened between issues somewhere and duck.

NRAMA: Fair enough. So – back to the office fight. Just out of curiosity, in that opening fight - first off, how much choreographing did you do there, compared to what Steve did? Did you block out the fight for Steve, or just say, "They fight" and call out specific moments?

EB: I tend to block it all out in the panel descriptions, but fairly loosely, and Steve knows if he has a better idea, he's free to go with that instead. As long as the same basic idea gets across. When you've worked with someone this long though, you tend to write fight scenes to their strengths. And Steve is one of the best, for sure. He manages to make stuff look both realistic and heroic at the same time.

NRAMA: Let's go into Bucky's head. Was he ever really "freed" of the Winter Soldier programming?

EB: Sure. When Cap gave him back his memories with the Cube in issue #14, he became his own man again. But Cap didn't erase all the damage the Soviets had done in his head. He just told him to remember who he really was, not to forget or erase who else he'd been. That's the basic tragedy of the Winter Soldier character, that he remembers it all.

NRAMA: So his choice not to kill Crossbones...that's fairly significant in his development, as well as a slight dig at his "Marvel badass" rep, right? That is, he may have been the Winter Soldier, but he was “Bucky” first?

EB: Well, as we showed before, Bucky, in the war, never had a big problem killing the enemy. He didn't enjoy it or anything, but he was willing to. I think that moment had more to do with the Skull standing there taunting him with Steve Rogers name. That's a weight he's been carrying ever since he came back, that he somehow let Steve down. Even though he must know it's not true on most levels, some part of him still feels that.

NRAMA: And Bucky's shutdown code? No one ever used the word Sputnik around him? Even when Sputnik was going up and the subject of discussions? Nothing like, "So anyway Mr. Stalin, you're pogroms are going along nicely, progress on Sputnik continues apace and...hey - why'd that guy just faint?"

EB: I was imagining that the code was implanted in his head in the ‘70s, after he disappeared and they tracked him down. When they found him, he fought like hell. I figured, if they could memory wipe him and implant new missions and ideas, they'd probably put in a safe-word.

NRAMA: Is there more than one? Is there more of the Winter Soldier programming buried in his head?

EB: That's something I can't answer right now, but clearly, as we see in the issue, all the word did was shut him down, when he woke up, he was still Bucky. He hadn't turned back into the Winter Soldier, or they wouldn't need Dr. Faustus to work on him, right?

NRAMA: Sharon's bathroom discovery - damn, man - you dodged that last time, didn't you? Not looking for the full monty in reveals here, but how much of the pregnancy is planned out in your storyline?

EB: I did dodge it, what was I going to say? The pregnancy is planned out and has been since issue #24, when we last saw the two of them get together. But people are throwing around a lot of theories about it, and I'm sorry to say, no one has even come close to what's actually coming up for Sharon. She's on a major character arc that I hope will redefine her as a character in a lot of ways.

NRAMA: We’ll hold off the jokes about soldiers without their helmets on for later, then. You mention it in this issue, and, as a weakness, it seems rather apt, and almost poignant - Tony can map out the future, but he almost has a weakness (not an actual physical or mental deficiency) at seeing what's in front of him, a la Reed Richards occasionally acting like a total ass to Sue?

EB: Right. That seems pretty clear from Civil War, and from his history, in general. Tony does a lot to make the world better, but he doesn't always see the world around him too closely. Still, as he says, why would anyone have ever even suspected Sharon Carter? Certainly no one who knew her. And she slapped Tony and quit SHIELD the next day, which seem like the actions of an outraged lover, not a killer.

NRAMA: Speaking of Sharon, Faust got back in touch with her this issue - how is Faustus communicating with Sharon? She sees him, but these aren't all post-hypnotic suggestions, are they?

EB: He's in her head, basically. Some part of his mind-control is in there, buried, and it comes on when she tries to do anything she's forbidden to, basically. That's when she sees him. Like a few issues back when she wanted to kill herself because she's mentally blocked from telling anyone what she did and it's driving her crazy. He's not really there, it's a delusion on her part.

NRAMA: The SHIELD agents treated by Faustus - Alberto Gonzales was a SHIELD agent?

EB: I blame Mike Perkins for that. But, of course, now his testimony before Congress makes sense doesn't it? He's being controlled by the red beard of evil.

NRAMA: Damn the red beard. Speaking of Faustus and Skull – at this point in the arc, this is all pretty Empire Strikes Back, isn't it? We've yet to see the bad guys really break a sweat, and it all seems to be going according to their plan, even to the point of Bucky's ill-fated "invasion..."

EB: Yeah... that's true, but to be fair, they have a big advantage. They have all the money in the world, basically, and the heroes have been fighting with each other for a while, instead of them. They're in hiding for now, too, so it's easy for them to not break a sweat. Things are going to get ugly with the Skull's plans soon, though. And Lukin's corporation can make gasoline ten dollars a gallon anytime it wants to. What would that do to the streets of the US?

NRAMA: And in this issue, as you said last time, we finally get to see Steve's letter. He clearly had some worries about Bucky - why?

EB: Ever since the end of issue #14, Steve had been trying to find Bucky and bring him back to the fold, to make sure he wasn't going to self-destruct because of everything he's been through. The fact that Bucky didn't want to be found probably worried him a lot, I figure. He saw it as one of his prime missions, to find Bucky and help him back into the world. To save him from himself, if need be. And since Tony was one of three or four people who knew Bucky was the Winter Soldier, and someone with the resources to handle the job, Steve gave him the task of finishing that job if he fell. In a way, you can say that letter is Steve understanding Tony better than Tony understood himself. He knew Tony would take it all to heart.

NRAMA: That said, and given that Steve says he wants "Captain America" to continue, will Tony now do it? You've shown that he's had opportunities prior to getting this letter, so is a posthumous letter from Steve enough to get him to change his mind?

EB: I guess we'll just have to see. Maybe, maybe not.

NRAMA: Steve mentioned the two points individually, but why not put them together? "Keep an eye on Bucky, and help him step into the role..."?

EB: I don't think Steve would assume that the two were the same, really. Finding and saving Bucky from the burden of the Winter Soldier history is a big thing to him. But he has no idea what shape Bucky is in. He's seen him once since issue #14. Why would he assume he'd be ready or willing to do that? He hasn't been reading the comics, after all. He's in them.

NRAMA: True, true. Bigger picture, we're on part 6 of “Death of a Dream,” and the next issue begins the next arc. Are we still on your initial plan of stories that you envisioned for the book after the Death? How much did you plan for initially compared to how much/how long the story is going on now?

EB: We've moved way beyond my initial planned outline, though I'm still following it. It's just the story kept getting bigger and needing more room. There are just so many characters to balance, and so much story to tell.

NRAMA: Sum up "Death of the Dream" in terms of the big picture - what were you looking to do with that arc?

EB: “Death of the Dream” was meant to be the repercussions and reaction arc. It was meant to sort of slow down here and there and give the characters time to reflect on the loss of Cap, really, and sow the seeds for what's coming next. I was, more than anything, trying to show what Cap's absence meant to these characters and the book, to create a mood and show the larger world around them reacting, even in little ways. It was about impact, I guess. And I wanted to make sure Steve's death had that.

NRAMA: And the next arc? Same thing - big picture, what questions will this coming storyline address?

EB: The next arc is called “The Burden of Dreams,” and I think that kind of says it all.

NRAMA: And the fact that you're headed towards 10 issues (solicited) without a title character. We talked about it last time, but in your mind - is there a feeling of a need to bring Steve or "a" Cap back?

EB: Not yet, no. I'm loving this book, although I do miss Steve. Right now this book is about what happens to a series that has its heart ripped out, though, and I'm really into that.

NRAMA: So - hit us with the teases, as if the cliffhangers at the end of #30 aren't enough...

EB: The next arc... what happens to Sharon now that everyone knows what she did? Will Bucky be turned against his own people again? What will Tony do about Steve's last wishes? And... I guess that's enough. Oh wait, what is the Red Skull's plan? That's revealed, finally.

[McNasty]

I love this story so far.

[steven_eks]

this is one of those books that is so good that you forget who has written and drawn it--you get caught up in the material...to me, that's the mark of a story of the highest caliber.

the momentum on this book is amazing--and this issue just really drives home that the idea of Captain America is larger than Steve Rogers...I love it.

EKs

[Supreme Convoy]

I love every time there's an interview with Brubaker, he states Captain America is still dead

[Vlad]

Nothing that hasn't been said already, great issue.

Brubaker should take over Iron Man when the Knaufs are done.

[Marvel Man]

i saw a thread earlier today questioning whether brubaker is overrated. i enjoy everything he's touched so far.

[Disco Cookie]

Come on, we all know Cap is going to stay dead...for at least a year. :-) Or until his movie comes out in 2009.

Brubaker is a superb writer - I love how he's exploring what you do in a book when its lead character is gone - as he points out literally the heart of the book has been ripped out. Makes for interesting reading.

[ZEBULON]

I called the pregnancy since cap died, which didnt take much of a precog. It was just obvious what with an entire issue about them knocking boots right before civil war, and then her being focused on right after his death so much. Bring on American dream I say.

[jaredgood1]

This and Punisher MAX never fail to make me happy I read comics...

[Chief Jon]

5 months.

No Cap.

Still Awesome

[Skatonic10]

As an aspiring writer, this book makes me cry. It makes me want to cry just a little.

Thanks a lot Ed. Oh, and keep up the good work.

[shieldboy]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Brubaker should take over Iron Man when the Knaufs are done.

great idea...I would like to see Ed Brubaker writing a S.H.I.E.L.D. book someday

[nega_bands]

get the omnibus i saw its on sale at my shop and i hope its at everyone elses, ihavent seen or read a book so compelling on the stands that measures up to cap, how can adolescent fantasy feel so real, so polemic of any attempt at the hegemony attempted by a state a society seeking absolute control over a people ( the heroes and villains of the marvel u) outside of iron man this is the most humanizing look at tony ive seen since he was boozed up. i cant express how much a fan i am of brubakers work here and on iron fist ( gotta love that hypnofist) it seems like comics are the only media out right now thats expressing the repurcussions of living in the world that we live in, definitely food for my english thesis.

[Gladiator X]

Originally Posted by Supreme Convoy

I love every time there's an interview with Brubaker, he states Captain America is still dead

See, that's kinda starting to annoy the crap outta me.

I like Brubakers writing and the story has been rather interesting but as someone that's collect Steve Rogers adventures for 3 decades, it kinda pisses me off a little.

[Gladiator X]

Originally Posted by Chief Jon

5 months.

No Cap.

Still Awesome

Yeah, 5 months and the character that I buy the book for still hasn't returned.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this all plays out but it's starting to wear a bit thin with me. I can still enjoy this for a few more months but if this goes on much longer I won't care about how good the story is.
I read and collect Captain America for y'know..Captain America.

[OM]

Originally Posted by Supreme Convoy

I love every time there's an interview with Brubaker, he states Captain America is still dead

[chevy_chase]
"...This word just in: Captain America is *still* dead!"
[/chevy_chase]

[Harmful]

C'mon, seriously, there's been plenty of Cap appearances in the book, and frankly BETTER appearances than we've seen in decades! The flashbacks to his WW2 adventures with Bucky have been outstanding. More than enough to sate any need I have to actually see the red white and blue uniform. The story, regardless of the cast is incredible, and thats what counts.

Dont buckle to the pressure to bring Cap back for the "I want it now" generation who will just jump off that bandwagon onto the "Cap should have stayed dead" bandwagon when it fires up. Let the story play out no matter how long it takes, because its just that good.

[CaptainCanad]

This series continues to be non-stop awesome. May it continue for many issues hence.

[NedPepper]

Best superhero book on the stands. Period.


It's not a question now of WILL Cap be back, but HOW? I think Bru's going to pull the rug out from under us. I think the Cap that comes back isn't going to be exactly the same Cap we've known. At least not in the begininng.

Man, I love this series.

[orionben666]

Brubaker is great at laying story foundations. With every layer you peel back reading, Bru leaves plenty of options for the characters actions. You can feel Sharon's torment, Bucky's rage and even the Skull's delicious evil coming through the page. By far he has portrayed Tony more even handed during this time than most other Marvel writers IMO.

Epting was the reason I started collecting Avengers during the 90's. He does realistic fight sequences and caricatures better than a lot of artists at the major companies right now. I for one would love to see them write Cap for years to come whether the title character comes back or not....(but we all know this is inevitable in time)

[coldwarmyth]

Gods, I love this book. Thank you Ed in so many ways, I have not read any story in the various mediums this well written, entertaining and addictive in I don't know how long.

This book is my crack. And I need my fix now.

--

LOL at the Newsarama Gonzalez catch and Ed's brilliant "the red beard of evil" quip. I think this may have to become a signature for me. In fact, darn it, I'm off to email Mike about doing a commission with Faustus & Bucky. Talk about under the influence!

I hope Mike Perkins stays on the book past this issue. He is such a great match with Steve and I adore all the details he throws in. This team...perfect. It is so nice to have the same creative bunch on a book longer than 6-12 issues and I hope they stick around.

At any rate, this interview was the best done so far and I'm really looking forward to what you ask Mr. Brubaker along the way. This book is amazing without Cap, but it's cool that Ed misses him too.

[RedRonin]

Am I the only want that wants this book to somehow ship twice a month?

I need more Captain America. Which is weird seeing as I never cared for the character before Brubaker took over.

[buff1040]

Originally Posted by NedPepper

Best superhero book on the stands. Period.


It's not a question now of WILL Cap be back, but HOW? I think Bru's going to pull the rug out from under us. I think the Cap that comes back isn't going to be exactly the same Cap we've known. At least not in the begininng.

Man, I love this series.

Amen to this being the best superhero book on the stands. I love Steve Rogers, but this book is just as good now as it was before he was killed. For the record, I think he comes back just before the movie thanks to Bucky and a cosmic cube. Just a hunch.

[johnstumbo]

I like the story but don't believe for a minute that Cap is going to stay dead. He will be back and I would bet sooner than later. Maybe they will have the Captain America from the Invaders stay here in our time when they visit. That would put Cap back to being a man out of time and really make for some interesting stories in it self.

[CaptainCanad]

Originally Posted by johnstumbo

Maybe they will have the Captain America from the Invaders stay here in our time when they visit. That would put Cap back to being a man out of time and really make for some interesting stories in it self.

He can't stay. He has to go back, or else he'll never get frozen in ice.

Anyway, since that series wasn't a part of Brubaker's plan, I doubt it.