Review by Frank Plowright

Living Legend begins in the dying days of World War II, but develops into a present day story over an intriguing first chapter co-plotted by Andy Diggle and artist Adi Granov. An idealogical Soviet officer named Volkov is intent on attacking a Nazi bunker when Captain America arrives and makes the job a little easier. However, it still doesn’t go as planned. In the present day a space station is infiltrated, transformed and steered down to Siberia.

Granov’s art is known quality, polished painting with effective panel composition a priority, so it’s a shame he bails after the opening chapter, although continues as co-plotter. Agustin Alessio isn’t as well known, but he’s also extremely good, with the caveat that his people are a little stiffer. Much of Living Legend takes place in snowy conditions, and just as in real life, it’s rare comic story that doesn’t look better for a coating of snow. The story calls for somewhat abstract threats, and Alessio really nails them, creating something inhuman.

Diggle and Granov jump frequently from present to past, disclosing their backstory in brief segments. These reveal Living Legend to be more a horror story than a superhero outing, with other themes being the hubris of lusting power irrespective of possible consequences, and fools believing orders can suppress truth. It all combines to deliver an effectively cultivated mood of emotional dread.

The thought of Captain America servicing a horror story may seem very much against the grain, but it works. There are good reasons for his presence at the centre of things, and Diggle and Granov underline his heroism in the face of impossible odds in what becomes quite the human tragedy. Living Legend is intelligent and impressive.