Captain America? You did Nazi that coming.
Last week Marvel released Captain America: Steve Rogers #1. The first issue of the All New, All Different Cap line sees him restored to his former youth and power after recently spending some years as a powerless old man due to the super soldier serum being siphoned out of his blood by Iron Nail (comics!). He has a pretty fancy new shield that comes with a laser cutter (current Captain America Sam Wilson has the classic one) and a couple of young patriotic ass kicker teammates in the shape of Free Spirit and Jack Flag.
There was something else…what was it?
Oh yes. Captain America. Steve Rogers. Has been a Hydra Agent from the very beginning.
The story itself shows quite a different Hydra than one perhaps seen in previous iterations, following a young man who is recruited into the modern day organisation in a sequence that shines a light on today’s ever present issues; unemployed and disenfranchised youth falling prey to extremism, xenophobia and panic over immigration as well as rhetoric concerning “taking back countries” and “making them great again” and so forth. The present day portion of the story is framed by a flashback that tells the tale of how Steve Rogers’ mother, Sarah, came to be invited to attend a meeting of Hydra back in the 1920s with little Steve at her side.
Now. This has come as something of a surprise to the world, as one might imagine. That Captain America, famous for championing freedom, justice, star-spangled awesomeness and for punching Hitler in the face has never really been on the side of good (or, you know…America). In fact, some people are not only surprised but pretty furious. The heart aching hashtag #sayitaintso has been doing the rounds all week while writer Nick Spencer has received thousands of hate tweets (including the now obligatory death threats). It has gone as far as being suggested that, since being an Agent of Hydra ostensibly makes him a Nazi by association, the story is an insult to the character’s Jewish creators. One chap in particular tweeted a video of him setting fire to his copy…
@nickspencer never picking up one of your comics again. Good job. pic.twitter.com/Qkj4IiFYJ8
— A F G (@TGKAFG) May 27, 2016
I’ll leave you to feast on that delicious slice of irony.
In an interview following reports all over the mainstream news of the controversial reveal, Spencer alluded to the fact that the story had been planned in its entirety as far back as 2014. Sixteen months ago to be exact. He also promises that the concluded arc will have long reaching consequences for the Marvel universe, which will of course never be the same again! You might also have reasonably assumed that Captain America’s actual death would have carried the same weight when that happened, but here we are.
I don’t know who these fans are that seem to be strangers to the idea of an outlandish and/or downright ridiculous story idea in superhero comic books, but newsflash – it has been known to happen from time to time. The only thing that really springs to my mind are people who’s vision of their beloved Cap comes primarily from Chris Evans’ portrayal in Marvel’s mind punchingly successful cinematic universe (in fact, I’m fairly certain he was the originator of the aforementioned hashtag). Certainly, it cannot be discounted that this story comes on the heels of Cap and chums’ latest outing Captain America: Civil War. With close to another billion dollars in the coffers and all eyes on the brand and the character, what better time to make headlines?
With that in mind, it won’t be too long until Captain America and his silver screen Avengers are called upon to defend the galaxy from the MCU’s version of Thanos in the upcoming two part Infinity War. I am willing to bet that when that time comes, comic book Steve Rogers is not going to be working full time as a face puncher for Red Skull or Baron Zemo. While Nick Spencer promises that there will be no, in his words, “ridiculous comic booky explanation” for the twist (he assures us that there is no cloning, mind control or anything like that – that is Steve Rogers) it must be plainly obvious to anyone that has been a comic book fan for longer than fifteen minutes that some form of status quo simply must be restored.
I’m sure they are going to have some fun with all the implications that this is in any way a canon shattering, permanent and irreversible change to the 75 year legacy of Captain America, but within one or maybe a couple of story arcs it’s just going to be a bad memory. Or y’know, a good one. Until we can look back on the entire thing it’s a little premature to throw in the red white and blue towel. Honestly, this has the potential for some crazy fun and on the strength of that first issue, I’m happy to be in for the ride.
Also, another publisher ‘coincidentally’ released a comic on the same day last week. DC’s Rebirth Special heralds the relaunch and streamlining of their entire superhero output, returning the DCU to pre-Flashpoint form whilst retaining some facets of their polarizing New 52 continuity.
But who’s talking about that? Cap is a fuckin’ Nazi!!
