Preamble
When I reviewed Captain America #25 I had to admit I was a little lost since between defeating Iron Nail and naming a new Captain America some stuff happened. This included a new Zola attack and the return of Sharon Rogers. Now with Captain America: The Tomorrow Soldier by Rick Remender my questions are answered, reunions are witnessed and complications are clarified.
Situation Report
An aged Steve Rogers lays in his bedroom in the Avengers Mansion. Steve has won the day but lost so many he cares about in stopping a third World War. But Rogers cannot rest as Arnim Zola’s mutates attack from Dimension Z. Zola working with the Red Skull looks to further break and humiliate Captain America while reclaiming his daughter Jet Black. With the Avengers battling Zola’s Unvengers, a bizzaro version of the classic team, Falcon and Jet Black attempt to bring the battle to Zola and uncover his greater plan. Meanwhile, a Dimension Z warrior stalks Steve Rogers with a single-minded focus. Sacrifices are made as the Avengers must stop Zola from releasing a bomb in New York City.
From Captain America #25 (Comic File)
With the world safe, it is clear to Steve Rodgers is that he can no longer carry the mantle of Captain America at his now unsupercharged advanced age (yeah made that word up). At the biggest Avengers house party ever, Steve Rodgers introduces his new role, to lead from behind. And he debuts the new Captain America, a hero that Marvel Cinematic Universe fans are very familiar with. In the Epilogue, the Unknown Council gathers to discuss the new Captain America. Among the members of the Unknown Council is an Avenger, whom appears to be prepared to betray his heroic teammates.
Level Seven Analysis
Rick Remender in the Marvel NOW! run of Captain America has run Steve Rogers through the emotional ringer. And even in his retirement it continues! Rogers despite the fact that he cannot punch suffers several emotional ups and downs as he regains loved ones like Sharon and loses others. Probably the most emotionally charged moment of the book is Falcon’s sacrifice, during which he tells Rogers to finally settle down, marry his girl and have some time for himself. As a reader who has watched this story for several volumes I do feel like Cap has earned a break! And the volume ends with Rogers enjoying the rewards of a good life.
It is interesting to watch the Avengers in denial. They are looking for ways to un-age Steve Rogers. You feel the stress in their voice at having their friend suffer, with him being free of the Super Soldier Serum. Tony Stark and Bruce Banner want to save him, but they do not have that solution yet. Of course they make it clear that it cannot be done. But I am guessing before a future movie release it will be done!
Ian Rogers does make a reappearance. And I was as shocked as Steve to find out that Ian had someone he labeled his mother! But honestly it was about perfect. Seriously, for beating up these characters so badly in this series, Remender really does provide them satisfying conclusions.
Updated from Captain America #25 (Comic File)
Issue #25 starts out by reminding us that Sam Wilson, the Falcon, was a selfless human being. He sacrificed for others and gave all he had in his non-powered body. And with this collection it is impactful immediately since you saw Sam make a sacrifice as the key to defeating the latest invasion against Earth. Rogers says of the apparently dead Wilson, “Everything he did was for somebody else.” The thing this of course makes us all think is wow Falcon is a lot like Steve Rogers! And that is intentional. Another intentional move was to make Falcon so prominent in the battle against Zola’s forces since he would be taking the mantle of Captain America. Falcon is even more like us than Steve Rogers since we can all put on the wings, Rogers at least had super-soldier serum! Both heroes are united by moral compass to protect and serve others. Not that it is important to the story or anything
“Once an Avenger, always an Avenger,” declares Captain America. Sure most men his age and physical condition would consider retirement. But not Steve Rogers! He not only plans to retain his Avengers’ membership but he will continue leading the super-team. And no one is questioning this fact. Rogers still leads even if from behind. And now he protects his team in an entirely new way, with his trusty much younger girlfriend at his side. Maybe being good all those years did pay off
Hawkeye steals the show at the Captain America reveal party. Sure Rogers has gone through a lot of tragedy lately. And yes his body is now properly aged. But Hawkeye does not lay off mocking Steve Rogers at all. I honestly liked it. If anything it showed Barton sees Rogers as his friend and understands he is transitioning. But he does not take pity him, he treats Rogers like he always has. It is a true sign of respect and ignores the fact that Rogers is now a senior citizen. And that could help heal them all.
I am missing somebody. I know for a fact I have not captured every Avenger in attendance. Literally every Avenger shows up to the party, leading Sunfire to note that he is not sure who everyone is. It is epic, and it shows the respect that Captain America has amongst the Avengers. Could anyone else have gotten this guest list to show up to the mansion?
If there is one twist I questioned in the next step of Jet Black’s story. It initially seemed a little soap operaish to me, and not the direction I wanted Remender to go with his character. I just hope we get to see more of her soon and this is not the final word in her tale. And now knowing that Jet had a romantic relationship with the new Captain America and a family relationship with his sidekick Nomad makes me believe we have not seen the last of Jet Black.
Who is the Avenger’s traitor? No one but Rick Remender knows! Okay, he may have told some folks. The fun part is I have already started making guesses with the few clues that we have so far. Hey, they were at the house party, but who wasn’t (well Agents Coulson and Fury were not there so we are safe there…and the traitor is not Deadpool either).
Conclusion
When I reviewed issued #25 I declared, “Hey look at that, I made it the whole file without specifically saying who Captain America was!” I guess I let the cat of the bag now. In many ways Captain America” The Tomorrow Soldier does feel like a fitting end for Steve Rogers and a new start for Sam Wilson. And hopefully I will enjoy Captain Falcon. But let’s be real…Rogers someday will be back! And with Secret Wars coming it could be sooner than later!
S.H.I.E.L.D. Roster
Agent Sharon Carter, Sam Wilson/Falcon, Bruce Banner/Hulk, Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman, Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Brian Braddock/Captain Britain, Agent Fury Jr., Agent Hill
S.H.I.E.L.D. Associates
Steve Rodgers/Captain America, Tony Stark/Iron Man, Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Jet Black, Thor Odinson/Thor, Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Hercules, Vision, Izzy Dare/Smasher, Marcus Milton/Hyperion, Kenneth Connell/Starbrand, Nightmask, Shiro Yoshida/Sunfire, Anna Marie/Rogue, Alex Summers/Havok, Marc Spector/Moon Knight, Danny Rand/Iron Fist, Hank McCoy/Beast, Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange, Janet van Dyne/Wasp, Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk, Bobbi Morse/Mockingbird, T’Challa/Black Panther, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver, Luke Cage/Power Man, Simon Williams/Wonder Man, Angelo Del Toro/White Tiger, Ian Rogers/Nomad
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