Captain America #2 Review

Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates / Artist: Leinil Francis Yu / Marvel Comics Captain America #1 introduced us to a new world, fresh off of the aftermath of a Hydra incursion. Captain America #2 introduces us to a Steve Rogers forced to find his place in that world. The issue starts with an internal monologue from Steve as he looks back on his past and his motivations to rise above everyone’s expectations and become a hero. Unfortunately, as many of these stories have shown us, the universe requires balance. When you take the time to create a super soldier devoted to all that is good, there will inevitably be one devoted to chaos. Or, in this case, hundreds. Steve Rogers was the beacon of hope for an entire country full of people who trusted him with no restraint. Unfortunately, his likeness was used to irreversibly damage that same trust. What effect does that have on him? How is he viewed by the public? The government? The people closest to him? Issue #2 of Captain America explores all of these themes and takes us into Steve Rogers mind as he carries the guilt of crimes he both did and didn’t commit. While there’s still some great action shots in this issue with Steve taking on an army of Nukes, some of the most striking moments come in the dialogue between Steve as he feels out the people around him.

Based solely on the two issues we’ve gotten so far, Ta-Nehisi Coates and Leinil Francis Yu are a fantastic pairing. The profound writing of one of the most prolific writers of this er…