By [ad_1]
As Steve Rogers questions his role as Captain America, he loses his iconic weapon just in time for his legacy to hit a new snag.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The United States of Captain America #1, by Christopher Cantwell, Dale Eaglesham, Matt Milla and VC’s Joe Caramagna, on sale now.
Widely and rightfully regarded as a living legend and the personification of the American Dream, it’s certainly not easy to be Captain America. Symbolizing the United States’ hopes and policies since before the country even entered World War II, Steve Rogers has borne this burden for decades as part of his solemn, ongoing duty. And as Steve contemplates his own legacy and perception of the American Dream, he finds himself at an existential crossroads just as his trusty vibranium shield is stolen by a burglar dressed up in the usual stars and stripes.
Steve thinks back on when he was pressed by a high ranking Army general to fall in line rather than investigate the debut of the patriotically themed antihero Nuke after he attacked Hell’s Kitchen and confronted Daredevil. At the time, Steve maintained his loyalty to the American Dream above all else but now, years later, Steve ponders what the Dream truly is. Instead of being an excuse for entitlement under the auspices of exceptionalism, Steve feels the true Dream is the shared drive to be greater, working together towards that potential that has brought countless of dreamers of all races, creeds and backgrounds under that red, white and blue sky while staying wary and vigilant against the dangers of rampant jingoism.
Steve has clashed for the sake of this Dream against those that would subvert it many times over the course of his superhero career. One of the most notable instances of this was, after learning the supervillain Hate-Monger and his crime syndicate Secret Empire had been elected to a prominent position in the federal government — heavily implied to be that of President of the United States — Steve was shaken to his core and ditched the mantle of Captain America and created the alter ego Nomad to travel the country and rediscover how he saw America. Steve eventually reclaimed the mantle of Captain America, realizing he embodied American ideals, not the government itself.
This stance would come under fire following the incident with Nuke when the military ordered Captain America to fall in line under orders straight from military brass. Disagreeing with this mandate and seeing himself as more than just a military asset, Steve resigned from the position of Captain America and created the mantle of the Captain for a time before reclaiming his classic superhero mantle, making it clear that while he would work alongside the military and intelligence community, he was not directly beholden to it or the American government as his own superhero free agent in service to American ideals as he saw them.
As Steve and Sam Wilson search for the shield and the Star-Spangled burglar, they face a new wave of characters that have been inspired by their example to fashion their own unique takes on the Captain America mantle as Steve confronts the impact of his legacy head-on.
As Steve and Sam team up with these new Captains America, Steve’s reflections about what he and the American Dream represent will likely face greater scrutiny through the prisms of the different characters wearing the mantle that they encounter over the course of their adventure, with Steve Rogers’ soul searching made literal by the bold, new characters.
About The Author
[ad_2]
