I’m not the biggest fan of Captain America but there’s something you just have to love about his mythology. In a lot of ways he’s a perfect trope for a comic book hero, like an old time professional wrestler. To carry that analogy, his character is further enriched when he’s teamed up with a good stable.

The first page of Forever Allies #4 (Roger Stern, writer) does something I really like with comics, it sums up any back story that’s vital to this issue. It’s sort of like “previously on [insert TV show here]….” I don’t read any comics regularly so my spotty history with a title means this is important. In this book, that summary takes the form of a classified dossier on James Buchanan Barnes (aka Bucky, Winter Soldier, Captain America). Further, it introduces the flashback scenes that form one of the two stories.

The plot is very self-contained in this book, though it’s clear it is part of a larger series that could be very fun. Basically, Bucky and his WWII allies square off with Lady Lotus who had recently gained control of a power gem that enhanced her powers. Alongside that flashback is the story of Bucky, now bearing the shield and title of Captain America after the death of Steve Rogers, hunting Lotus in the modern times by himself, though he’s trying to get assistance from his new allies (Black Widow, Falcon, et al).

I really enjoyed the parallel stories set in different times. The older story has the same campiness and dated dialogue you would expect in an issue you really rescued from the 1940s; while the modern story is much more introspective and edgy, in line with current comic trends. The juxtaposition continues in the art as well. Nick Dragotta, Marco Santucci and Patrick Piazzalunga all share art credits. At first I was surprised to see so many artists tied to one book, but then it was obvious. The WWII-era story has a very retro look that works well with the story, characters and dialogue. At the same time, the modern story has cleaner, brighter lines with deeper facial features and defined bodies.

The color palette and backgrounds are also different. The older story in the desert has a warmer, more subtle tone with lots of vague sunset backgrounds. Opposite that is the brighter, cooler, modern tale set in a jet cockpit, the Andes mountains and an ancient temple.

The story is a little predictable, but it should be. The payoff is the great ending shot and an apt quote from Yeats. Thematically, Captain America is a great hero, but he’s greatest when leading a good team. It’s probably an allegory about the country he represents and it can certainly be enjoyed on that level, but it doesn’t have to be.

I’ve decided I don’t like the X out of 5 star ranking for most things, especially comics. Instead, if you fit one of these two descriptions you’ll know if I recommend it for you or not: If you enjoy simple, fun stories that are self-contained and a variety of good art then I recommend you read this book. If you’re more into deep involved stories that utilize years of continuity and make you want to add a book to your monthly hold, then go ahead and skip this one. If you’re somewhere in between, then you can risk a few bucks on it or not as you see fit. It’s fun and entertaining for people like me, but I don’t represent all comics readers in any way.