Before I read this, I explored a site listing the worst comic covers in history. Know why? A mess. The story is not terrible, but that feels like what I have measured this by lately. Not a mess. These are painful - no connection to stories - just jumping around from place to place. The story isn't bad - it just feels so rushed - and unconnected. It is working hard at decompressing the story over multiple issues, but doesn't tell much of a story. I would prefer much more content - even over issues... Instead. we see a three page story stretched over an issue. With this little dialogue, it feels like a fail.
Great talks.
I love the reiteration of the theme in the story. The book works hard to convey over and over again the theme of freedom of speech - and especially during this era - I guess I perceived it as much more backward - to continually push forward the rights of free speech - especially when that speech is disliked by others - powerful stuff. Now the Serpent is a terrible villain - or I guess group of villains - but I like the message behind. I loved the attempts to brainwash Cap, too. And the 'switch' at the end with someone else in Cap's costume... Well, I didn't like the jump at first - and it probably could have been conveyed better... But the overwhelming move of the comic toward a better social consciousness - great. It helps me forget the worse parts.