Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #3 Review

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Art: Carlos Magno, Espen Grundetjern, VC’s Travis Lanham, and Ryan Brown

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: December 20th, 2023

With Capwolf at the helm, the Howling Commandos are ready to take down their foes at Wolfsschanze. But the Nazis have a secret weapon up their sleeves — and if she can’t win Steve’s allegience, she’ll happily settle for his head! Let’s dive into Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #3 by Stephanie Phillips and see how tihis issue shakes out.

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THE DISPATCH

Again, Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #3 doesn’t disappoint. No, we don’t get some type of layered, cerebral story with clever twists and turns. But, we do get action, monsters, melee, and wild excitement from a furry Captain America with fangs! Look, this series isn’t deep but it’s a straightforward, entertaining ride that paints Cap in a light we’ve never seen before.

The biggest knock I will give Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #3 is that it feels like Phillips has drastically painted the Commandos in a corner that they “shouldn’t” be able to escape. Of course, they will but we leave our crew surrounded by at least 12 werewolves. Now, if you can’t take on one how are you going to take on twelve? And if bullets can’t stop them, how is a grenade? My point is that we better get some kind of drastic reveal that makes sense in order for the Commandos to escape this feral pound of monstrosity.

ART

This is mainly a small nitpick but one I need to mention. I get that Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #3 is taking place at night. I get that it’s going to be dark. However, the colors are so dark that it’s difficult to see everything that’s going on, especially involving the werewolves. The darker colors blend the background and the werewolves together at times making the page seem almost fuzzy or blurry. Again, I understand the intent. And it makes sense. However, it did hinder the experience at multiple moments when the action got busy and fierce.

FINAL THOUGHTS

With Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #3 being the penultimate issue, one would expect our heroes to be placed in a corner with little hope. It’s the writing trope of all writing tropes. Nevertheless, with no hope of escape for the Commandos and no hope to change Cap back, I find it difficult to see how this will all wrap in one issue that makes sense even if it’s an oversized issue. Nevertheless, readers are more than likely buying this series strictly for entertainment purposes and nothing too deep. And ultimately, that’s what you’re going to get.

Please understand that oftentimes that’s not a bad thing. What we get is basically a “What If Cap became a Werewolf” story. It doesn’t need to make total sense, especially if he retreats back to normal. And thus, as long as it’s entertaining, Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #3 did its job. And this week, with the action and suspense revved up, it does just that. Let me know what you think, have a great week, Merry Christmas, and God Bless!