Here’s the issue that I’ll go out on a limb and say: it will outsell all other titles released this week, and be difficult to find as early as tomorrow. Captain America 34 features the debut of Bucky (or Winter Soldier) in the new Captain America duds.

The costume looks better drawn by Steve Epting than it did by Alex Ross (and it’s not often you’ll hear that from me, as I love Ross’ artwork) — and the gun is explained well. It’s really almost an afterthought.

Bucky is taking up the mantle in honor of Steve Rogers – not to replace him. And that’s how it should be. This is a legacy move in the usually-legacy-shy Marvel Universe that could, if they were wishing it so, stick for a long time.

Probably about as long as Ed Brubaker writes the book, anyway. Which is fine with me, as my man-love for Brubaker is well documented on this site.

Also, something that I’ve noticed, and it is subtle. The past few weeks have done a lot to rehabilitate Tony Stark. How he has been represented has subtly changed to where he’s not a total douchebag (note: not total. He’s still Stark and as such has an aura of douchebaggery that can never go away else he lose his Stark-ness).  Rehab for the movie, yes — but it’s nice to see Iron Man start to get a little of the taint of Civil War brushed off.