Comic Review- Falcon & Winter Soldier #1

Coming soon- Issue #2

Falcon & Winter Soldier #1 was written by Derek Landy, with art by Federico Vicentini. The colours are by Matt Milla, and letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna

What do you need to have read?

As this is the first in a brand-new series, I don’t think that there is anything that you HAVE to have read. I will take this opportunity to recommend Winter Soldier: Second Chances if you’re interested in Bucky because it’s a great little series. It is available to buy as a trade paperback right now, or you can read my series of reviews.

What do you need to know?

I don’t know anything about comic book Falcon, so I cannot help you there. However, if you want the lowdown on Bucky then I’m a decent source. At this point, both Bucky and Sam have done their time as Captain America but are now doing their own thing. The book does give you a couple of sentences to catch you up.

We may as well begin by stating the obvious; I bought this book just for Bucky. As a result, I did not really have very high hopes for the series, but I was definitely proven very wrong because I ended up loving this issue.

In terms of character arcs, I love that this series picks up the same Bucky we left in Winter Soldier: Second Chances. He’s living his best life in Indiana and his cat, Alpine, who also makes an appearance much to my excitement. I can’t say the same for the same because I don’t typically read Falcon stories, I think the most I’ve read of him is in The Death of Captain America. We also get to see that touch of darkness that surrounds Bucky, in contrast to Sam especially, which is something that is so crucial to his character so I’m glad that my favourite is being properly depicted as he should be.

From the title of the series we already know that this is going to be their series. That won’t be news to anyone, but the big question is how are these characters going to work together? The biggest thing they have in common is Captain America, but as that’s not really a part of their lives at the moment, as neither of them currently own the shield, it makes you wonder if that’s really all they have in common. Personally, I love their relationship in the MCU so I want something similar and already I do feel like they’re going to get there. The two of them have some lovely banter between them that I will look forward to being developed as the series continues. What’s great about their relationship is that they are very different people. Even in one issue the team really gets that across to the reader, which results in the aforementioned banter.

In terms of the plot, it kicks off with a great sequence of a SWAT-like team attacking Bucky in his home which is very reminiscent of Captain America: Civil War, so that immediately sold me on the story. We’re introduced to a villainous character, though it’s unclear how much he will be included in the series. Hopefully, we will see more of him because I really want to compare him to another character that is in Winter Soldier: Second Chances.

While this book can’t accomplish much more than set-up, as it the burden of all first issues, I do feel as though it already has some forward momentum which is very exciting. It also heightens my anticipation for the following issue, which is good news for everyone.

Falcon & Winter Soldier #1 is available from Comixology, Forbidden Planet, or your local comic book store.

Coming Soon… Falcon & Winter Soldier #2

In the meantime, why not check out… Winter Soldier: Second Chances

Please note that all Forbidden Planet links are affiliate links.

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