Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Art: Carlos Magno, Espen Grundetjern, VC’s Travis Lanham, and Ryan Brown
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: October 11th, 2023
When Captain America is transformed into a werewolf on the front lines of World War II, he’ll need the help of the Howling Commandos to take down a band of Nazi cultists who intend to use supernatural forces to turn the tide of battle as Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1 by Stephanie Phillips kicks off. But can Cap control the skeptical, jaded Commandos when he can barely control himself?
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1 Review.
THE DISPATCH
Look, Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1 is exactly what you’d expect. Readers aren’t getting a ton of twists and turns with this cerebral story that’s incredibly transformative. You’re picking up this comic because you want to see how and why Captain America turns into a werewolf. Well, rest assured the plot makes sense, puts the puzzle pieces together, and will give you exactly what you’re looking for by the end of the issue. It fits the spirit of the Halloween Season well and provides this aura of 1950s monster films meets WWII crossover that’s sure to make the much older comic fan reminiscent of a childhood long forgotten.
Additionally, Phillips does an excellent job sharing out the fanfare for the Howling Commandos and even distributes attention across the board with a quick and easy setup that makes sense. Partnered with this strategically simple setup comes the introduction of Captain America into their fold. Phillips utilizes Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1 as a tool to establish a meaningful reason for the Commandos and Cap to even be together in the first place. Plus, she absolutely clutters the issue with nonstop action and adventure to hook the reader in this fast-paced melee.
ART
Carlos Magno draws Cap and this era masterfully. Do you remember the most recent Invaders book? Take a look at that as an example. He provides fans with an eye for this time period well and always makes Captain America pop! Plus, his realism is always on point. Moreover, his facial features of the characters are all different. No one looks the same… but with different hair. That’s what many artists do. The Commandos have different eye structures, jawlines, and expressions. Additionally, his Cap is strong and always comes across as massive, takes charge, and dominates the page well. Sure, you may have been interested in the Howling Commandos but you came for the Red, White, and Blue Boy! You’ll get one of the best renderings of him we’ve seen in quite some time in Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1 fortifies the plot, establishes the perfect reasoning to get everyone together, hits the time period well, provides massive amounts of action, and gives fans exactly what they came for… a werewolf Captain America! Will we get a ton of Capwolf in issue one? No. But Phillips gets you there with three issues left to focus on exactly what you want. Technically, this is a period piece using Cap, the Commandos, and Nazis that will certainly give fans a reasonable Halloween vibe to set the mood of the season with three weeks to go.
My only wish is that they pumped this out weekly starting in the last week of September. Who wants to be reading about Capwolf & The Howling Commandos come January? A story like this would be a perfect bombardment to help fortify the season well. I’d definitely give Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1 a look if you’re looking for something different, action-packed, and love the 1950s monster mash motif. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!