Schrodinger's CapWolf: Finally, CapWolf!

Captain America #405
“Man and Wolf, Part 4 of 6: Dances with Werewolves”
Writer: Mark Gruenwald
Penciller: Rik Levins
Inker: Steve Alexandrov
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Gina Going
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

In the words of Phil Collins: “I've been waiting for this moment for all of my life.”

OK, that's overstating it a bit. But I have been curious about Captain America going werewolf for darn near 30 years.

I had to wait until the second page, as the issue opens with Nightshade's dialogue and a similar layout to the last panel of the previous installment. But on pages 2 and 3 we get a classic monster transformation sequence before CapWolf breaks free on the title page.

Apparently, Nightshade didn't take into account the possible side effects of mixing her werewolf formula with Cap's super-soldier serum. Turns out these include Steve Rogers transforming into a wolfman with a certain golden retriever-esque quality and a Hulk-like interior monologue.

CapWolf bursts out of his basement prison and into the streets of Starkesboro, completely oblivious to the revelation of Dredmund's face. It turns out he's... some... guy?

Nightshade's improved formula keeps Cap wolfed out in the daylight, and a wave of Dredmund's hand magically transforms the townsfolk into their lupine forms to pursue him into the woods.

Meanwhile, we see what Dr. Druid has been up to – surreptitiously investigating the town while Cap's battle with Wolverine distracted everyone, a plan he didn't exactly share with Cap. Hard to believe this guy didn't get along with his fellow Avengers, isn't it?

Druid finds “druidic artifacts” set up in the church where Dredmund was hanging out and soon runs afoul of the villain himself, who dons a mask revealing him to be... some guy... in a weird mask? Then, they engage in what amounts to a magical staring contest (Druid actually thinks, “First one of us who blinks … loses”).

Winner gets Conan O'Brien.

In a testament to Cap's character even in a feral form, he struggles to avoid fighting the townsfolk-turned-werewolves and even tries to avoid coming to blows with a still-mind-controlled Wolverine. That changes when Logan draws first blood. Fortunately Wolverine has that handy healing factor.

Cap figures he needs to get back to town and get Nightshade to change him back. Moonhunter tries to stop him but winds up getting dragged along by his silver-lined lasso, looking more like movie Boba Fett than in his successful bouts last issue.

Dredmund defeats Dr. Druid, declaring himself the “one supreme druid.” Cap comes face to face with Nightshade, who tells him to play nice if he wants to be returned to human form, while trying to gain control over him using pheromones and, like, science.

I like that, beyond the title, the issue is played straight. While self-aware stories that wink at their own absurdities can be entertaining, this one's not ashamed to be what it is, a crazy story you could only get in comics (at that point anyway).

I'm having some fun with the recap, but I think the issue is meant to be fun, while still having a serious in-story tone. My only complaint is the pacing seems a little off, with the recap on page 1 and the rather sudden ending.

But so far, CapWolf has not disappointed.

Part 5