A man out of his era again, The patriotic captain must fight for his country in a way he’s never ought!
Creative Staff:
Writer: Mark Waid, Chris Samnee
Art: Matthew Wilson
Color: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
What They Say:
THE STORYLINE LEADING TO THE MASSIVE ISSUE #700 KICKS OFF! Steve Rogers awakens to find himself in a strange new future — and it’s his worst nightmare! Can he assemble a new band of Howling Commandos to help him battle for freedom?
Content:(warning, spoilers)
Captain America’s fight with Rampart ended in victory. When he was confronted by Kraven the Hunter, Cap fell into the ocean and Rampart returned to put the living legend back where he was found back in the day-On ice. When Cap wakes up, he finds the United States is absolutely nothing like he remembers it. After an initial burst of confusion, Cap realizes that this shell of a place he’s found himself in is truly the US, but not his time. He’s found himself in the future, and not a good one. The US turned nuclear missiles on their own populace. Those that survived were split into two groups: The Wealthy Elite, who lived in “America” and used a frozen Cap as their monument; and the Rebel Survivors, who live in the destroyed and bombed out areas. The elite have turned the country into a Nazi Germany like place, with the wealthy sporting “A” symbols like Captain America, while they brand those they consider lesser with”Y”s and”Z”s. Cap has found himself in a similar situation to the one he fought through back in the 40’s. He’s a man out of time, but a seemingly familiar time. Learning that all this has befallen his country and that he’s been awoken in a year far from the one he left!
Leaving the rebels, we cut to an area termed “The Castle”, where a soldier, presumably serving Rampart and their king, must deliver the news that he failed to recapture a frozen Captain America. This is where we find that “America” basically works like a Communist or Fascist state. This is symbolic, in that Captain America has found himself in a future where his worst fear is a reality. America has fallen, and in it’s place is a dark shadow more akin to Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany. This is shown in how the King blatantly kills the soldier that failed him, and just has him executed. Cap shows that he’s still got the good fight in him, however, and is joining the rebels in fighting off their oppressors. Captain America may be in a horrid future, and there may not be any other heroes, but his mission has always been to his country – and he’ll stop at nothing to set things right!
In Summary:
This issue was actually really good. It’s a return to form, of sorts, for the good Captain. Back in the day, he fought Nazis and Communists, and now here he is in the future, fighting what appears to be the same threat! The Elite sought to use him as a symbol of their superiority, but Steve Rogers won’t take that lying down, and is about to bring the Elite a fight. As the central figure of the issue, most of our time is spent with Captain America, and he’s as well written and true to form as he’s ever been. All the dialogue he speaks and the actions he performs are unmistakably him. The other big character this issue is the leader of the rebel group, Liang. She shows herself to be an assertive but caring individual who wants to take the country back from those who have enslaved it. Hopefully, she’ll get more development as issues go on, because she’s one of the best parts of the book. The writing and art is great, with pretty noticeable obvious symbolism involved, but it’s not shoved in the reader’s face. Dialogue all seems to work with the characters who are speaking, and the art feels like a mix between modern and calling back to the classic book. If you’re a Marvel fan or a Captain America fan, you really should pick this up! Cap is back in form, and he’s doing what he’s always done-fighting for freedom and to save his country. Next issue seems to show us that at least a few heroes survived what happened to America, but they don’t look friendly. What will happen when Cap comes face to face with The Hulk and the Thing? Next issue will answer that question!
Grade: B+
Age Rating: T+
Released By: Marvel Comics
Release Date: February 28, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
