Winter Soldier

Winter Soldier #12

/ / Comics

winter-soldier-12-coverWith the Black Widow‘s life on the line Bucky has no choice but to agree to let himself be reprogrammed by Novokov’s scientist and once again become the mindless killer known only as the Winter Soldier.

As Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists attempt to decipher the programming and objective Novokov has implanted into Bucky’s head, Wolverine and Hawkeye are called in to stop him before he can complete his mission. As they soon discover, that’s easier said than done.

Presented mostly from Wolverine’s perspective hunting down a former friend who’s even more dangerous than he remembers, the comic works fairly well. Why Cap isn’t in the field helping them isn’t made clear, and because of the structure we get little of Natasha as well. (However, what we do get seems to foreshadow how this arc will end.)

The choice to send Bucky after Daredevil seems an odd one from the Soviet sleeper-soldier’s point of view, but it should provide plenty of action for the next issue. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Winter Soldier #11

/ / Comics

winter-soldier-11-coverThe Winter Soldier and Hawkeye continue to track down Leo Novokov and the brainwashed Black Widow but they’re always one-step behind finding the bread crumbs Novokov has left for them. He’s all the more dangerous now that the Soviet sleeper agent has his own weapons maker in Marvin Martin and a all the armaments he recently cleared out of an old Soviet munitions depot.

The issue ends with an unusual ultimatium for Bucky if he wants to save the woman he loves, but doesn’t get us any closer to a confrontation with Novokov or the brainwashed Black Widow. I like Hawkeye’s inclusion (although I’m confused as to what happened to the rest of the team who was supposed to be helping out in the search), but I hate his current costume which is a mix of the Ultimate and movie versions of the character.

Brubaker is managing to drag out the story in a way that still makes it compelling, and hinting at Novokov’s deeper plans involving his new weapons and Natalia, but I have mixed feelings about the art of Butch Guice as several panels appear rushed. For fans.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Winter Soldier #10

/ / Comics

winter-soldier-10-coverWith the Black Widow still under the control of Soviet sleeper agent Leo Novokov, the Winter Soldier‘s world implodes as he sees the damage his lover does to S.H.I.E.L.D., including nearly killing Nick Fury.

To help track down the Black Widow, who still believes she’s a Soviet spy who has been working undercover for years, Captain America shows up with a pair of Avengers in Wolverine and Hawkeye (meaning the “secret” of Bucky’s survival lasted less than a year).

It’s unlikely the Black Widow will stay lost for long and, yes, there will be some guilt over her actions and the death of Jasper but no real lingering effects to the overall Marvel Universe. The only way this story has any lasting meaning is if the Black Widow had killed Nick Fury (which didn’t happen, and I don’t see any reason a character with the savvy of Fury would have put himself in position for her to try) or if Bucky is forced to kill Natasha (which won’t happen either). Still, it’s well told and worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Winter Soldier #9

/ / Comics

winter-soldier-9-coverBucky searches frantically for the Black Widow who has been kidnapped and reprogrammed by Soviet sleeper agent Leo Novokov into her former role as Russian assassin/classically trained ballerina. Of course all this leads to a big fight in the middle of a ballet performance between Bucky and Natasha, much to Novokov’s glee.

I’m not fully on board with the story arc that turns Natasha back into a brainwashed killer simply because it doesn’t go anywhere new and any fallout (such as the predictable bloody twist at the end) can be swept under the rug because Natasha isn’t responsible for any of her actions.

That said, even if I have problems with the concept, Brubaker’s execution is still well done. The comic does have a couple nice moments, my favorite being Bucky’s internal monologue as he squares off against Natasha and realizes how much she’s been holding back during their sparring sessions. Does a brainwashed Black Widow make for a dangerous adversary? Sure, but with the character currently involved in other Marvel titles I don’t see this arc having any immediate impact. For fans.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Winter Soldier #8

/ / Comics

winter-soldier-8-coverWhile Bucky and Jasper search frantically for Leo Novokov, the third Soviet sleeper agent trained by Bucky and now loose in the world, the pair keep coming up empty. And now that Novokov has the Black Widow he can put his plan into action.

And his master plan is to turn Natalia back into… a ballerina? Sorry? I know, I know, Novokov uses Professor Rodchenko and his brainwashing techniques to return the Black Widow to the Soviet assassin she once was, I just think it’s funny (and a little stupid) that the one instance we see of Natalia’s old self is dancing around on stage.

Meanwhile Bucky and Jasper are able to find and trace the helicopter Novokov used to make off with Natalia, but they don’t know that they are far too late because Natalia has now fallen to the dark side and is… dancing. Great idea for a story, but Brubaker’s choice of the final reveal makes the comic read far more humorous than ominous. Still, worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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