Deron Generally
Deron Generally
Captain America #2
Marvel Comics
Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Art by Leinil Francis Yu
Inks by Gerry Alanguilan and Yu
Colors by Sunny Gho
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Steve Rogers is still dealing with the fallout of Secret Empire in this issue and his anger over being co-opted as a symbol of tyranny continues to weigh on him. Unfortunately, he can see a contrast in both his desire to serve and the new generation of Nuke soldiers being used to commit acts of terrorism. When the Nuke soldiers attack a meeting of US mayors, Steve leaps into action to stop them. While his efforts are thanked by Sharon and General Ross, his presence is becoming a problem for the administration. He asked to do something that Steve Rogers will find more difficult to do than anything else; stand down.
Steve finds himself dealing with the repercussions of his life in service and how his story never really ended, even when he went missing. People still continued to try and recreate Steve Rogers and he needs to come to grips with his hand in the continued super soldier experiments that have been happening since he was created. It’s a pretty cathartic realization of his place in the conflict and it takes Sharon to give him some perspective. Steve also finds himself teaming with someone unexpected to take down the Nuke soldiers once and for all.
Coates has done a great job of keeping Steve Rogers the man that he is and the hero he strives to be. In any other man, the reflections Steve has in this issue would be somber self-reflection. Coates is writing a Captain America who reflects on his place and becomes more determined to do something about it. There are some great moments in this issue that could be used to erode Steve’s resolve, but the character is written with the kind of inner strength and conviction that have allowed the character of Captain America to endure.
The art by Leinil Francis Yu is great. I love the use of sharp angles on the characters faces to show determination. It’s a really nice touch in the close up images. There’s not a lot of action in this issue past the first few pages, but Yu does a great job of keeping the pacing of the story moving with the visuals. The complement each other well and seem to be working in tandem to tell an increasingly complex story.
Captain America #2
