It would be easy to dismiss Marvel“s latest Infinity Wars and the subsequent Infinity Warps series as just another hallow event comic trying to benefit from the momentum of one of the biggest movies of all time. When you add in the gimmick of randomly combing characters it does read on paper as a cautionary tale of comics gone wrong. Truth is when it comes to execution of storytelling it is living up to its namesake lineage by telling an exciting story full of enormous stakes and wondrous imagination. Â Infinity Wars: Soldier Supreme #1 continues that success by enhancing the overarching story but also creating a world within itself allowing it to stand on its own.
Soldier Supreme #1  tells the origin of Stephen Rogers an army private who signs up for a secret government program to become a new super soldier. A familiar story with a slight twist as  this Stephen Rogers gets his newfound powers not through science but rather the power of magic. With this new-found power Rogers seeks to be the Allies ultimate weapon that will finally bring an end to the second World War.
Combining the likes of Captain America and Doctor Strange was an inspired choice. Obviously they are both heroic but approach their jobs as superheroes very differently. Captain America is a man of stern principles that he stays true to even in the direst of times. Strange on the other hand has more of a selfish streak. It is not that he is amoral more so he is dealing with creatures and beings on an entirely different level that get to create their own rules. If you are going to defeat someone like Dormammu sometimes some tough choices need to be made. His arrogance and insecurity leads him to make selfish choices for the right reason. He would rather act and ask for forgiveness later than fail due to not wanting to take a risk. Â
Those conflicting traits playout in some of the issues best moments. When you are the Soldier Supreme the men around you will rely on your for more reasons than just your ability to be a leader. Where the major quandary lies is where does the Soldier end and the Sorcerer Supreme begin? When you have the literal power to move mountains does your duty extend beyond the norm, and if it does will it lead you to go too far to protect your friends? Many of those questions are touched upon in some way and hopefully the second issue will dive deeper into what defines this character. For now the issue was mostly dedicated to getting us firm foundation of this character and the world he lives in.
For those not familiar with Adam Kubert“s art style it may take some time to get use to his more loose approach. His art works well to fit the setting especially with the colors of Matthew Wilson. The occasional slight tints if yellow and green contrast nicely against the patriotic wardrobe of the Soldier Supreme. Muting the colors also gives the book an aged look as if we are witnessing a history long-lived.
Final Thoughts:
Writer Gerry Duggan takes the creative fun of the What If? format and adds in some event level stakes. For those following the current Infinity Wars story line this will operate as an enriching adventure while those coming in fresh will be just as welcomed as no additional context is needed to enjoy this issue. Soldier Supreme #1 is like hearing one of your favorite jokes reinvented by a new comedian. Many of the beats may be familiar but the differing perspective adds in new layers to an already well-tested formula. 4/5 RatingÂ
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written By: Gerry Duggan
Art By: Adam Kubert
Colors By: Matthew Wilson
Letters By:Â VC’s Clayton Cowles
Published By: Marvel Comics
Author Profile
- A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.
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