Captain America, Vol. 2: Trying to Come Home

Captain America (2023)

by J. Michael Straczynski, Jesus Saiz (Artist), Carlos Magno (Artist)

J. Michael Straczynski continues to redefine Captain America's heroic legacy!

In a hidden corner of New York City lurks the Front Door Cabaret, a fantastical show protected by a mysterious woman named Lyra — and now, also, Captain America! As Steve learns of the powerful forces vying for control of this haven for misfits, he finds a cause worth fighting for. But is it a cause worth dying for? And even if Steve puts everything on the line for his newfound wards, will it be enough to protect them from the tsunami of evil coming their way? Tasked with assembling six "change agents" before they can be found by those who want them eradicated, Steve must start fast. His first recruit is already in danger, and Cap’s only lead seems to be… a misplaced penguin?

COLLECTING: Captain America (2023) #7-12.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics

120 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

Joseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very confusing book. It is action packed, the story is a bit all over the place for me. I am not sure if Steve Rogers is the right character to be the focus of the spirit world.

After his victory over a Lord of Hell, Steve Rogers has caught the attention of an immortal brother and sister at war. What role will Steve play in this war?

I would have given this book 2 stars for the story, but the fights put it over to 3 stars. I am sure of the direction of the story, I think Steve is better facing street level to nation and international threats leave the spirit world alone. The book finishes with a thumbnail varient covers gallery.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

a weird story of Capt. America in a world he doesn't usually stray into....magic.. different worlds...a stoic penguin...and a lot of nonsensical dialogue that's intended to be deep.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

ummm.... what?
This was a Captain America book? This kind of stuff is usually reserved for Wanda or Strange. I get the linking via neighborhood bond, but gathering mystical mutants with odd powers to combat against Death? This one was very much a stretch for Steve and for me.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6 stars.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comics are expensive enough as is, an with the industry abuzz about what'll happen to prices come January and the proposed tariffs, I'm just looking for an excuse to drop books. The first volume of Straczynski's CAPTAIN AMERICA was unusual, but held my interest. This one is just too weird for me to accept as a Cap story, so I'll be bowing out and skipping the last chapter of this series.

[Frédéric · Rating 1 out of 5]

JMS seems to have confused Steve Rogers with Stephen Strange. I wasn’t too fond of the first volume with demons already and here we go into mystics with Life and Death.
Not my Captain America.

[Alex Sarll]

Well, at least Steve is now also asking why he makes sense as the lead in a cosmic story – and one whose cosmology I'm increasingly unsure even coheres with itself, never mind the various pre-existing Marvel characters already occupying these niches. JMS' weakness for gnomic lines which sometimes flop into platitudes doesn't help, either, especially when the bastion of the forces of life turns out to be what looks like a fairly mediocre cabaret. On the plus side, Cap riding through the Atacama with a penguin on the back of his motorbike!

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally really like J. Michael's writing but this run is a little high concept for my tastes. More consistent art would help, as well.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suspect the reasons I didn't enjoy this volume aren't the same reasons bigoted fanboys didn't enjoy this volume. This felt like a galactic/magic story from the scrapped ideas pile was shoehorned into a Captain America book. It felt too large for a story where Steve has 0 help from other Avengers. Sam is here on one page and in a voicemail, and that's it. Even Sharon is here in 1 page and then never again.

There's threads of something I found incredibly fascinating. Steve finding a fondness for a theatre where social outcasts put on performances is a really cool idea. That they're mostly mutant was a clear metaphor for the fact that some were definitely queer. That the performance we seem to get the most of was a white girl raging at the concept of a nuclear family felt straight out of the 90s - meaning it seemed like the only story allowed because someone being more overt about queerness would've pissed off someone at Marvel HQ. Oh well, I'm appreciating this aspect in a story where we also got a scene of Steve spending time with the man referred to has sharing half a soul with him. We need more Sam/Steve interactions.

The characters included here (minus Sam and Sharon of course) are not characters I've ever heard of before. There are multiple scenes that take place in another dimension and it just reiterates the feeling that this story didn't belong in this Captain America comic. There are tons of mutant characters that would've been better suited for it. The (tired) metaphor of mutants as a stand in for marginalized identities is a bit more understandable when the MC is a mutant. ("When did you know you were - that you were a mutant?" Bro, c'mon. We really hammered this metaphor in years prior and as a Black bisexual woman, it was tiring then. Especially considering how doubly terrible mutants of color are treated - by other mutants.

Anyway, as a glass half full kinda person, there were some threads here that could've made a great story, but ultimately it just read a bit like a mess. The art was not my favorite either.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a weird one, and at first I didn't dig it at all, but it grew on me.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was different. After seeing Cap deal with Nazis and a demon in the first volume, Straczynski cuts the Nazis in this second volume, so it's all weird stuff, all the time. The angelic embodiment of life tasks Cap with bringing together hidden heroes from around the world to prepare for a big battle with the demonic embodiment of evil. In true Straczynski fashion, it's wildly overtold (so much text) and bafflingly philosophical. I mean, a big portion of the book takes place in a cosmic cabaret? Weird weird weird.

The artwork doesn't help matters with its plastic sheen. This is probably a good storyline for, say, Doctor Strange, not Captain America. Elements are appealing (it's always fun to put together a super-team), but I can't say I cared one way or another whether life or death won in the end.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first volume was phenomenal but then it became weird, idk I wasn't a big fan of this one and yeah it puts Cap in a magic world called Front Door Carbaret, led by some woman named Lyra whose life herself and we don't get much about her, but we see the performances which was cool and then the big battle in a Pale city vs Death demon and his forces, so its like Life vs Death and Steve in the middle of it which is like metaphor becoming literal lol.

The fight is delayed and that leads to Steve trying to recruit different change agents aka a team to fight this death but omg some characters are cool but their powers aren't and its not explained why they are so crucial but Carlos and Becca you get some story with them, but with others like Malik and all its confusing but oh well, he seems to be the crucial one as he can sense the future and I am guessing he will become a pivotal part in the final battle..?

Umm yeah. And they're tryna get back to NY or something and death himself has manifested and he has his army so Steve and team fight against them.. umm yeah.. could have used a little more time like maybe in another volume have the big fight and rather explore all these characters more and make this death demon more dangerous but still his whole philosophy of humans killing humans and the horrific things they have done.. yeah that was wild and hits at real world stuff and a powerful commentary there.

Also, the whole thing with Lyra telling Steve how he has never been a man out of time but a man trying to come home, thats an interesting change of pace and makes me wonder if they will retire Steve or something and yeah the way this is feeling feels like it will be kinda like Remender and sort of retire Steve or something maybe.. we will see but as far as this volume goes, its alright, it introduces a bunch of characters and sets the stage for the fight vs death and for the future of humanity!

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wherein the first volume had Steve fighting a supernatural agent (Asmoday) and showcasing that early part of his life, this volume steps WAY past that into metaphysical/supernatural forces and their impact on humanity.

They might have jumped the shark with this one.

The Front Door Cabaret is a place where the...creatives(?) go and it's supposed to be this place for all the hopes and dreams of humanity to be nurtured and to inspire others. Led by Lyra, a being of pure light, she's asking Cap to help her protect humanity from her brother...yet another personification of Death?. Lots of mystical things that REALLY push this series into weird corners.

If you're thinking this could go to Angel Punisher with his god bullets levels, then you're not wrong. This is just a LOT for a 'punching bad guys' hero to get into. Is this Cap Wolf? Maybe Franken-Punisher?

=====
Bonus: Mystical forces have made Cap's shield into a translucent super shield in the spirit realm?
Bonus Bonus: This is starting to feel like 'Midnight Nation' by Straczynski...

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those 'it's a good story, but is it a good story for this character?' type of trades.

Captain America gets enlisted by Life herself to rescue a group of people that will be able to stand against Death (not the lady skeleton, another Death. Don't ask). Steve goes on a mission around the world to collect these people and bring them back to the nightclub that Life owns. It's a decent concept, I can't argue with it, but it does feel like an odd one to put Captain America in.

It's clear Straczynski understands Steve's character, as there are a few shining moments for him, but I couldn't escape the nagging feeling that he should be Doctor Strange or Scarlet Witch or something. I'm all for putting characters in weird situations, but this is one of those where I don't think it works quite as well as I'd like.

Oh, there's also an evil penguin at one point. That's definitely a thing that happens.

[José · Rating 3 out of 5]

70/100.

Leído en números individuales de Panini España.

Esta es una historia en la que lo espiritual cobra más importancia y es, posiblemente, la herida de muerte de la colección de JMS, lo que me parece una pena. A mí no me ha disgustado cómo se han desarrollado estos números.

Un ser de vida, Lyra, pide a Steve Rogers que encuentre a aquellos que podrán salvar el mundo de su hermano, una personificación de la Muerte. Es verdad que las batallas tardan en llegar y, posiblemente, esto gustó menos en general. Los secundarios tampoco son especialmente memorables, aunque a mí alguno que otro me gustaría verlo de vuelta.

Es un volumen extraño, en el que se nota la bajada de calidad desde el primer arco. Aun así a mí me sigue pareciendo que JMS sabe cómo escribir al Capitán América y me ha gustado que arriesgara, aunque no haya salido del todo bien.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting Dr. Strange story, filled with magic beings, supernatural spookery, tons of vague prophecy, and no shortage of nameless demon baddies to slay. The trouble is that Dr. Strange isn’t actually in it, and all this supernatural vagary is dealt with by Captain America. The reason for this is epically flimsy, and an excuse for JMS to write an urban fantasy story for some reason. I enjoyed it well enough, but it sure didn’t feel like a Cap story, that’s for sure.

[Robby · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the previous arc did have Cap fighting a demon, much of it was relatively grounded for a story in the Marvel Universe. This story goes all-in on the mysticism, starting with Cap being summoned by an incarnation of Life itself to a whimsical cabaret. This story seems an odd fit both for the character and Stracynski, even pushing on the boundaries of the Marvel Universe itself, but I am certainly interested to see where it goes.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve has been asked to protect a magical theater and its occupants, all of whom may be the next change agent, from a bitter Death who wants the world to restart and be better. It's a fascinating story, and I enjoyed the bits with Lyra and Steve on his quest. I'm really curious what Lyra is hiding and how it will shake out.

[Jordan Crump · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a slow start, in my opinion. This story didn’t click with me the same way as the arc from the first 6 issues did, primarily because I was frustrated with pacing and the slow character development. But it’s still Cap being Cap, trying to make the right choices—and at the end of the day that will keep me coming back for the rest of the story!

[Wolle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Der zweite Band ist deutlich schwächer als der erste Band.
Dieser Band fühlte sich eher wie Standard Marvel Stuff an, während der erste gut in die Tiefe ging.
Die Coming of Age Story wird nicht fortgeführt, sondern wir sind mal wieder im Kampf Gut gegen Böse dabei.
tja.. mal sehen was Band 3 bringt.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if I have ever had this thought before: this comic storyline was excellent, but it would've been better as a novel. They visuals were quite secondary to the plot; characters thoughts would improve it and seeing the action really didn't. I kept expecting other cameos to appear, but it was just Cap and those he joined forces with along the way (and that worked well).

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good! A very different Captain America story. It's far less straightforward and investigative than the usual CA story and I kinda like it. I get the argument of "Why Cap?" but I think it's a cool duality to have someone so grounded deal with these far-out scenarios.
Looking forward to reading volume 3.

[Jason Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure this is what I'm looking for in a Captain America book, but it's got my attention. It's weird, in a good way, and I want to know what's next.

5 stars might be overselling it, but for me, it's 4 stars +

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cap has always been my favorite character, but I'm just not feeling this one. The storyline seems really stretched and bizarre. It's cool to see the connection to the X-Men/mutants, but this one wasn't for me.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve Rogers defeated a demon of hell in the first volume and is now being recruited by the incarnation of life itself to help tack down and protect mutants who are "change agents" to help shape the course of history for the better in the big battle of good and evil that will come.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as individual comics, ratings below:
#7= 2.5 stars
#8= 3 stars
#9= 3 stars
#10= 2.5 stars
#11= 3 stars
#12= 4 stars
Overall rating of 3 stars

[Mateusz Nowowiejski · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm oddly compelled by this, despite the bad art and weird plot. Maybe that's mainly because Steve actually has a personality, even if they unforgivably changed his date of birth.

[_Liebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like seeing the sense8 co-writer in this, even though its a little whatever despite the cosmic stuff

[Jordan Myers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yawn.. boringg

Needlessly complicated, uninspired, and just too weird to be believable as a Captain America story. Not sure if I’ll read the rest.