Most people are likely familiar with the story of Steve Rogers. The MCU was largely faithful in adapting his origins from the classic comics. However, that history has been retconned repeatedly over time, with the date when Steve was pulled from the ice after WWII pushed back further and further. The latest Captain America monthly comic series offers another retcon of the story, with Steve Rogers reenlisting and taking on a mission to stop the next Hitler before they start.
The first issue opens one week after Rogers was found by the Avengers. While Earth’s Mightiest Heroes offered him a place among their ranks, Cap is still coping with culture shock. This leads him to seek out the comfort of military service; the one thing about his past that still exists.
After stopping an attack on the United Nations and being debriefed, Captain America is given a new mission. Rogers is told of a rogue leader, recently risen to power, who has imprisoned American diplomats. This sets up a historical battle between Captain America and the self-proclaimed monarch of Latveria, Doctor Doom.
New Captain America comic is a perfect intro to Steve Rogers
It is safe to presume that most of the world is familiar with Steve Rogers thanks to the movies. However, Chip Zdarsky does not take this fact for granted. His script acts as a perfect introduction to Steve Rogers’ character, confirming him as a moral man and an idealist. He also establishes that Rogers is no dumb grunt and avoids conflict when he can.
This is showcased in a thrilling action sequence, in which Cap moves to stop a terrorist attack but tries to talk a man with a bomb down after recognizing him as an American soldier based on his body language and tactics. This first issue is also an introduction to the Marvel Universe at large, showcasing Steve’s first encounters with the Fantastic Four and General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.
The artwork by Valerio Schiti and Frank Martin is simply stunning. There is a certain sense of sketchy grit to the pencils, which is contrasted by the vivid colors and heavy inks. This creates an appropriate visual symbol of the conflict between Rogers’ idealism and the darker modern world.
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All in all, this new volume of Captain America is off to a solid start. It looks good, boasting an aesthetic that one wouldn’t ordinarily equate to the Sentinel of Liberty. The story is also easily accessible to new readers, but offers a new spin on the mythology sure to intrigue established fans.
Grade: 9/10
Captain America #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on July 2, 2025.
