WOW.

That was my gut reaction to this comic: an awe tinged with an excitement for more. While Ed Brubaker is lauded for bringing thrilling political intrigue to his Captain America comics, his Cap run seems to me more of aiming the overly muscular super soldier at a more realistic target. Captain America doesn't struggle personally the way a human does: instead he acts more like a testosterone-high symbol going through the motions of mystery.

I bring all this up, because Ta-Nehisi Coates absolutely frickin' nails everything Brubaker was trying to do. HERE is a political thriller comic. HERE is the story of a man weighed down to the breaking point. HERE is some fantastic art, both with visuals and storytelling. There's a lot less punching and a lot more talking, which I think throws some readers off, but I found the pacing perfect. And, just in case that wasn't enough, there's avenging warrior lesbians. I am signed up for this series, and I'm reading Book 2 today.