Credits

• Writer: Ed Brubaker
• Artist: Steve Epting and Michael Lark
• Colorist: Frank D'Armata
• Letterer: VC's Randy Gentile
• Assistant Editors: Wiley and Lazar Schmidt
• Editor: Tom Brevoort

Quick Summary

The Red Skull was, five years ago, negotiating the sale of technology from a secret Russian storage facility from General Lukin. After witnessing the death of the current Red Guardian, the Red Skull sees some kind of android/cyborg, and asks Lukin what its' price is - and is refused (unless the Red Skull will trade the Cosmic Cube for it).

Five years later, the Red Skull is in New York City, about to launch another of his plans. At midnight, Paris, London, and Manhattan will burn, and the deaths will somehow be transformed to energy, with which he'll recharge the almost-useless shell of the Cosmic Cube.

The Red Skull is in Manhattan so that he can watch Captain America amidst this new crisis. The Red Skull's spies have been active, keeping Cap under watch, for months, though the Avengers Disassembled catastrophe, the death of Hawkeye, etc.

Sharon is watching Steve work out, and explaining that she is now his S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison, and that she volunteered. She's worried about Steve, and that his actions have seemed rougher, more violent, after Avengers Disassembled, citing (through flashback) the ways in which he stopped terrorists who'd hijacked a train. He reveals that he's been more and more haunted by the horrors of World War II. He and Sharon continue to talk, and he goes home - watched by the Red Skull in disguise.

Later, the Red Skull is on the phone with General Lukin, who again asks the Red Skull about the Cosmic Cube. After turning Lukin down again, a sniper assassinates the Red Skull, and takes the Cosmic Cube for the General.

Commentary

Well, its almost too much to comment about - this is the beginning of a multi-issue arc, and is, in essence, the "fish hook".

• The art was spectacular for two reasons - one, its done in that photo-realistic style which happens to be my personal favorite, and two - there is a lot of content per page, none of this one- and two- panel "cinematic" crap!.
• General Lukin is new, although we've seen the "Restore the glory of Mother Russia!" types before. Still, he seems smart enough, and commanding enough resources, to plan and execute - pun not intended - the Red Skull
• Sure. We all know that the Red Skull won't stay dead - he has that whole clone/mind transfer thing with Arnim Zola, if for no other reason. Still, its nice to see the assassination attempt apparently succeed - and if Lukin is even better prepared than we thought, he might have destroyed Arnim Zola's bases as well.
• I've always loved the Red Guardian!

All in all, an excellent beginning - this has the promise of being everything the Marvel Knights should have been - and wasn't.