What do you think?
Rate this book
Captain America: Steve Rogers (Collected Editions)
Captain America: Steve Rogers, Vol. 2: The Trial of Maria Hill
With the Marvel Universe at war, Steve Rogers fights for peace. Guest starring Captain Marvel! Plus, the Red Skull marches across Europe and S.H.I.E.L.D. comes apart at the seams! Meanwhile, Cap opens a door and the secret behind it will shake the Marvel Universe to its core! Collecting Captain America: Steve Rogers #7-11.
136 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2017
25 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Nick Spencer
998 books345 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
September 24, 2017
It's not a bad story, but I just kind of want it to be over now.
Some of it is so very political that I just kind of roll my eyes and sigh. You have Red Skull (doing his Hitler impersonation) giving some very Trumpesque speeches to disenfranchised people about how he's going to make things great again, and using the old us against them yarn. And I just...ugh.
I'm not taking sides, but I do wonder if this is helping. A little more genuine listening would heal my country a lot faster than snide comments and finger pointing, I think.
Then again, what do I know?
As far as the rest of the story goes, I still think the flashbacks are well done and surprisingly interesting. It's the same Steve Rogers we know...but not. It does a good job showing what may have happened to someone with such a loyal personality and unwavering moral compass if they were raised to believe in a different version of right and wrong.
As far as the alien invasion/Captain Marvel stuff? Well, it was kind of too brief for me to form much of an opinion. Plus, I'm not super familiar with the old Quasar and from the little I've read of the new one, I'm not sure if I care enough to find out more about her. Maybe that will change, though...
The Maria Hill storyline is...ok. The only thing I really found interesting about her trial was that the prosecutor was Everett K. Ross, and the only reason I found that interesting was because I'm slowly working my way through Priest's Black Panther run right now.
The end result made me wonder if Hill was channeling Nick Fury or if this was just a rite of passage for every S.H.I.E.L.D. commander?
Overall, it's not hard to read, the art is nice, and there are enough interesting plot threads to keep me coming back. I just hope it all comes together in the end, so this doesn't end up being another smelly turd.
Some of it is so very political that I just kind of roll my eyes and sigh. You have Red Skull (doing his Hitler impersonation) giving some very Trumpesque speeches to disenfranchised people about how he's going to make things great again, and using the old us against them yarn. And I just...ugh.
I'm not taking sides, but I do wonder if this is helping. A little more genuine listening would heal my country a lot faster than snide comments and finger pointing, I think.
Then again, what do I know?
As far as the rest of the story goes, I still think the flashbacks are well done and surprisingly interesting. It's the same Steve Rogers we know...but not. It does a good job showing what may have happened to someone with such a loyal personality and unwavering moral compass if they were raised to believe in a different version of right and wrong.
As far as the alien invasion/Captain Marvel stuff? Well, it was kind of too brief for me to form much of an opinion. Plus, I'm not super familiar with the old Quasar and from the little I've read of the new one, I'm not sure if I care enough to find out more about her. Maybe that will change, though...
The Maria Hill storyline is...ok. The only thing I really found interesting about her trial was that the prosecutor was Everett K. Ross, and the only reason I found that interesting was because I'm slowly working my way through Priest's Black Panther run right now.
The end result made me wonder if Hill was channeling Nick Fury or if this was just a rite of passage for every S.H.I.E.L.D. commander?
Overall, it's not hard to read, the art is nice, and there are enough interesting plot threads to keep me coming back. I just hope it all comes together in the end, so this doesn't end up being another smelly turd.
November 28, 2017
I thought I was emotionally mature enough to handle this,
but I'm not. Seeing Steve Rogers completely changed in an ongoing series is just distasteful. Even knowing how the series ends I can't continue because it just bothers me. I don't know why anyone would want an ongoing what if Captain America was a Hydra agent series.
but I'm not. Seeing Steve Rogers completely changed in an ongoing series is just distasteful. Even knowing how the series ends I can't continue because it just bothers me. I don't know why anyone would want an ongoing what if Captain America was a Hydra agent series.
August 26, 2017
I'm still not loving this whole Cap-as-Hydra-spy storyline, to be honest. The book's saving grace is the fantastic artwork.
May 3, 2017
Damn this volume really stepped it up for me. The first volume felt a bit off balance. Trying to find it's way. Volume 2 plunges out favorite patriotic hero deeper into the abyss.
I love schemes. I love watching political thrillers and honestly that's what this is. Reading through how Cap, who by the way is my third favorite marvel hero of all time (Sorry Spidy and Daredevil get my number 1 and 2 spot) dismantle everything is just amazing. See Cap is strong, he's fast, but he's also real smart. Another thing he is? Very loyal.
So what happens when the reality is warped and Cap is secretly a Hydra agent. In the last volume we began to get clues on how he became who he is. However, we just saw the start of his mission. This volume we go further into Hydra. Not to get it mixed up with Nazi's like Red Skull. The original Hydra before that nonsense. However they used Red Skull/Nazi to expand. Now that's almost done with and they're ready to strike. Cap is planning to not only destroy the avengers and heroes but take out Red Skull too. However, he doesn't just go out and do this. He'd lose. So he plans, and schemes, and one by one builds into something horrifying.
See I love watching different takes, different motives, than what I'm used to. This story is building on themes of betrayal, of patriotism, of loss, and of fake symbolism. On the surface level you might cry and scream because this isn't the cap you grew up with. Sure, you can have that view point. I grew up with many takes on our hero (my favorite being Ed's run) and I LOVE this new take. It's fresh, it's interesting, and this day and age of so much backstabbing bullshit in our political day and age this is some scary truthful shit.
So I got to say, thanks Nick, for creating Cap in a new image and giving us something new. I will be picking up every volume from here on out.
I love schemes. I love watching political thrillers and honestly that's what this is. Reading through how Cap, who by the way is my third favorite marvel hero of all time (Sorry Spidy and Daredevil get my number 1 and 2 spot) dismantle everything is just amazing. See Cap is strong, he's fast, but he's also real smart. Another thing he is? Very loyal.
So what happens when the reality is warped and Cap is secretly a Hydra agent. In the last volume we began to get clues on how he became who he is. However, we just saw the start of his mission. This volume we go further into Hydra. Not to get it mixed up with Nazi's like Red Skull. The original Hydra before that nonsense. However they used Red Skull/Nazi to expand. Now that's almost done with and they're ready to strike. Cap is planning to not only destroy the avengers and heroes but take out Red Skull too. However, he doesn't just go out and do this. He'd lose. So he plans, and schemes, and one by one builds into something horrifying.
See I love watching different takes, different motives, than what I'm used to. This story is building on themes of betrayal, of patriotism, of loss, and of fake symbolism. On the surface level you might cry and scream because this isn't the cap you grew up with. Sure, you can have that view point. I grew up with many takes on our hero (my favorite being Ed's run) and I LOVE this new take. It's fresh, it's interesting, and this day and age of so much backstabbing bullshit in our political day and age this is some scary truthful shit.
So I got to say, thanks Nick, for creating Cap in a new image and giving us something new. I will be picking up every volume from here on out.
November 14, 2017
Jebus, this thing just plods along. Reading this is like reading the trek to Mt. Doom in Return of the King. It's so bleak and dreary, with Red Skull stepping in for Trump. Bring on Secret Empire just so I can get my Cap back. This is just asinine and doesn't make a lot of sense. Oh, how I'm growing to hate you Nick Spencer. The only good thing about it is Jesus Saiz's art.
August 21, 2019
Still don't like Steve as Hydra, but I like how you can see the 'real' Steve poking through this 'facade' he has up.
June 1, 2017
Whoa-ho. There is SO MUCH DIALOGUE in this book that there's barely room for art in the panels. The dialogue is pretty alright. It just...it feels a little decompressed. I'm all for a thriller that spools out the story slowly over time.
Wait, no I'm not. I hate that.
I wish this was moving a little faster. Captain America being a Hyrda-er ("Being Hydra?" Hydra-ing? Being a Hydrometer?) is a story and a half, but between this volume and the last, we've got more than a story and a half. Maybe two stories. Check my math.
Also, I'm not totally sure why I care about Maria Hill being ousted (or not) as the leader of SHIELD and being replaced with Sharon Carter.
Wait, yes I do. Because everyone wants to do a court scene.
Objection! Overruled! 5th Amendment! Leading the witness!
Everyone wants to do a court scene, but let's face it, the court scene has been done amazingly well in so many different ways as to be unnecessary. You could just put in "A great court scene happened. Use your imagination" and we totally could.
After these court scenes another one has never been necessary:
-Omar on The Wire
-"Now, I may by just a simple country Hyper-Chicken, but I know when we're finger licked." from Futurama.
And we're good.
I'm still curious to see how this all ends, but as stories go, the more the goodness of the story comes to hinge on the satisfactory resolution of an arc, and the more that arc starts to appear impossible to resolve in a satisfactory way, the more hope tends to dwindle. It's like a TV show that ends. When a TV show strings you out such that the ending is super important (Lost) the quality of that ending can really hurt the legacy of the show. Likewise, if the show's ending doesn't really matter (Sopranos, arguably), then the same ending can be arguably good or bad, but the people who like it like the whole series, and the people who hate it still say, "Great show, except that ending."
With this, we might be slowly sliding into territory where the ending is uber important, and when an ending is imbued with such importance, it's nearly impossible to create something satisfactory.
The only thing that's got that much build up and tends to deliver is...sex? Sex is probably built up for most people, and it tends to deliver. Not the first time, but eventually. At some point. If you're living life the right way, it eventually comes to deliver pretty nicely.
The rest of life is like Chinese Democracy (the album by GnR, not the concept). After that much build up, even a totally competent, maybe even very good album just won't suffice.
Wait, no I'm not. I hate that.
I wish this was moving a little faster. Captain America being a Hyrda-er ("Being Hydra?" Hydra-ing? Being a Hydrometer?) is a story and a half, but between this volume and the last, we've got more than a story and a half. Maybe two stories. Check my math.
Also, I'm not totally sure why I care about Maria Hill being ousted (or not) as the leader of SHIELD and being replaced with Sharon Carter.
Wait, yes I do. Because everyone wants to do a court scene.
Objection! Overruled! 5th Amendment! Leading the witness!
Everyone wants to do a court scene, but let's face it, the court scene has been done amazingly well in so many different ways as to be unnecessary. You could just put in "A great court scene happened. Use your imagination" and we totally could.
After these court scenes another one has never been necessary:
-Omar on The Wire
-"Now, I may by just a simple country Hyper-Chicken, but I know when we're finger licked." from Futurama.
And we're good.
I'm still curious to see how this all ends, but as stories go, the more the goodness of the story comes to hinge on the satisfactory resolution of an arc, and the more that arc starts to appear impossible to resolve in a satisfactory way, the more hope tends to dwindle. It's like a TV show that ends. When a TV show strings you out such that the ending is super important (Lost) the quality of that ending can really hurt the legacy of the show. Likewise, if the show's ending doesn't really matter (Sopranos, arguably), then the same ending can be arguably good or bad, but the people who like it like the whole series, and the people who hate it still say, "Great show, except that ending."
With this, we might be slowly sliding into territory where the ending is uber important, and when an ending is imbued with such importance, it's nearly impossible to create something satisfactory.
The only thing that's got that much build up and tends to deliver is...sex? Sex is probably built up for most people, and it tends to deliver. Not the first time, but eventually. At some point. If you're living life the right way, it eventually comes to deliver pretty nicely.
The rest of life is like Chinese Democracy (the album by GnR, not the concept). After that much build up, even a totally competent, maybe even very good album just won't suffice.
April 8, 2017
[Read as single issues]
Phew, Marvel are pumping out issues of this series like crazy. You'd think there was a Captain America based event on the wa-oh right, Secret Empire.
It's difficult to remember what happened in these issues since there's been so many in such a short space of time. The Trial of Maria Hill itself is only an issue or so, and Maria's getting the raw end of the stick as usual. It's fun to watch Hydra!Cap weasel his way around everyone involved and convince them that he's right, even when his ulterior motives prove otherwise.
The flashbacks are the most fun, setting up Steve's shared history with Baron Zemo and the Red Skull, as well as Elisa Sinclair who is a character to watch, I guarantee. There's a threat that this series is literally just prelude for Secret Empire, but it's very interesting to read regardless.
The artwork is split usually between Jesus Saiz and Javier Pina, who've proven that they're an able tag-team already (as well as on Swamp Thing before on my favourite Swamp Thing run). There's also some helping hands from Ted Brandt and Kevin Libranda (who I've never heard of), but they're few and far between.
Oh, apparently this trade also features Civil War II: The Oath, which is a flip of the epilogue issue of the first Civil War with Cap monologuing instead of Iron Man. This issue feels like it's written by a completely different artist, as Cap talks a LOT and doesn't seem to say anything. It's really peculiar. There's also not a lot that artist Rod Reis gets to play with, so it's mostly just shots of Cap talking which aren't great to look at. You can easily skip this one without worrying about the rest of the series.
Phew, Marvel are pumping out issues of this series like crazy. You'd think there was a Captain America based event on the wa-oh right, Secret Empire.
It's difficult to remember what happened in these issues since there's been so many in such a short space of time. The Trial of Maria Hill itself is only an issue or so, and Maria's getting the raw end of the stick as usual. It's fun to watch Hydra!Cap weasel his way around everyone involved and convince them that he's right, even when his ulterior motives prove otherwise.
The flashbacks are the most fun, setting up Steve's shared history with Baron Zemo and the Red Skull, as well as Elisa Sinclair who is a character to watch, I guarantee. There's a threat that this series is literally just prelude for Secret Empire, but it's very interesting to read regardless.
The artwork is split usually between Jesus Saiz and Javier Pina, who've proven that they're an able tag-team already (as well as on Swamp Thing before on my favourite Swamp Thing run). There's also some helping hands from Ted Brandt and Kevin Libranda (who I've never heard of), but they're few and far between.
Oh, apparently this trade also features Civil War II: The Oath, which is a flip of the epilogue issue of the first Civil War with Cap monologuing instead of Iron Man. This issue feels like it's written by a completely different artist, as Cap talks a LOT and doesn't seem to say anything. It's really peculiar. There's also not a lot that artist Rod Reis gets to play with, so it's mostly just shots of Cap talking which aren't great to look at. You can easily skip this one without worrying about the rest of the series.
August 25, 2017
I'm trying to give the series a chance after a lackluster volume 1, but I just can't get into this story-line. (The deliberate pace - or lack of action, really - in volume 2 also sticks a fork in it.) Maria and Captain Marvel do have some snarky / snappy lines of dialogue, however.
March 27, 2018
The disappointing origin of Captain Hydra that pretends Steve Rogers wasn't just brainwashed into believing he's a Nazi by the Cosmic Cube/Red Skull. In this version, Steve Rogers is sent from his working-class background to a posh Hydra-run boarding school.
It's kind of bizarre to see runt Steve working his way up through the ranks with his best friend Helmut Zemo (who wasn't a child during WW2 as he wasn't born until decades later but this is all fake so why should we care?). We also get the sign of Hydra allying with the Nazis, albeit reluctantly in Steve's memories, because he thinks they really are the "Peace through Power" group he's been brainwashed into believing they are.
Really, the problem with this whole thing is no one really WANTS a softened Hydra. Whether they're Nazis or "just" a generic terrorist organization out to take over the world, there's no need for apologia to make them more palatable. They're a bunch of scumbags and seeing it from the perspective of Steve doesn't make them any less worse. Weirdly, it feels like the entire comic is "Steve Rogers goes to Hogwarts and gets sorted into Slytherin."
The actual Trial of Maria Hill is disappointingly short because I really wanted to see her get her comeuppance after all the terrible stuff she's done from Civil War to Camp Pleasant Hill. The fact she would have gotten away with it without Captain America deliberately rigging the jury is also a tragic fact that makes me feel for the Marvel universe. I know they're a bunch of mutant hating bigots but really, they deserve better than this.
I'll stick to Captain America: Sam Wilson.
4/10
It's kind of bizarre to see runt Steve working his way up through the ranks with his best friend Helmut Zemo (who wasn't a child during WW2 as he wasn't born until decades later but this is all fake so why should we care?). We also get the sign of Hydra allying with the Nazis, albeit reluctantly in Steve's memories, because he thinks they really are the "Peace through Power" group he's been brainwashed into believing they are.
Really, the problem with this whole thing is no one really WANTS a softened Hydra. Whether they're Nazis or "just" a generic terrorist organization out to take over the world, there's no need for apologia to make them more palatable. They're a bunch of scumbags and seeing it from the perspective of Steve doesn't make them any less worse. Weirdly, it feels like the entire comic is "Steve Rogers goes to Hogwarts and gets sorted into Slytherin."
The actual Trial of Maria Hill is disappointingly short because I really wanted to see her get her comeuppance after all the terrible stuff she's done from Civil War to Camp Pleasant Hill. The fact she would have gotten away with it without Captain America deliberately rigging the jury is also a tragic fact that makes me feel for the Marvel universe. I know they're a bunch of mutant hating bigots but really, they deserve better than this.
I'll stick to Captain America: Sam Wilson.
4/10
November 5, 2017
3,5*
The plot unfolds. Slowly but it does.
The "Now" Cap moves his pawns through the board and tries to double-cross the Red Skull while History is rewritten with the "Then" Steve Rogers.
There are very contemporary political issues involved in the plot, which makes for long dialogues and slow pacing. This run is clearly not an action-packed one. We're more building than running towards Secret Empire.
The trial of Maria Hill (the bitch you love to hate) is a misnomer for the TPB since it hardly takes 2 issues. I don't think this subplot is really well handled. The way Hill acts in front of her judges doesn't feel very credible considering what she's accused of. Her lines are fun though.
I'll admit I find seeing this Captain America weaseling out of problems and threats as to his ultimate plan as perversely enjoyable.
The "Then" parts are the best. They slowly (again) build up the uchronic past that lead to current events and I do think Spencer does a really good job with them.
Artwise Jésus Saiz delivers when the rest of the tag team don't perform so well. Luckily, all the past sequences are his.
The plot unfolds. Slowly but it does.
The "Now" Cap moves his pawns through the board and tries to double-cross the Red Skull while History is rewritten with the "Then" Steve Rogers.
There are very contemporary political issues involved in the plot, which makes for long dialogues and slow pacing. This run is clearly not an action-packed one. We're more building than running towards Secret Empire.
The trial of Maria Hill (the bitch you love to hate) is a misnomer for the TPB since it hardly takes 2 issues. I don't think this subplot is really well handled. The way Hill acts in front of her judges doesn't feel very credible considering what she's accused of. Her lines are fun though.
I'll admit I find seeing this Captain America weaseling out of problems and threats as to his ultimate plan as perversely enjoyable.
The "Then" parts are the best. They slowly (again) build up the uchronic past that lead to current events and I do think Spencer does a really good job with them.
Artwise Jésus Saiz delivers when the rest of the tag team don't perform so well. Luckily, all the past sequences are his.
July 23, 2021
What a monumental snorefest.
March 4, 2021
What a nutty story.
I know that Red Skull used the cosmic cube to rewrite Steve’s past, but I can’t tell if all history has been rewritten, or if it’s just his memories. Either way, seeing Cap raised as a Hydra agent alongside him maneuvering in the present undercover... it’s a trip. Upsetting, but also intriguing. I look forward to seeing what transpires.
I know that Red Skull used the cosmic cube to rewrite Steve’s past, but I can’t tell if all history has been rewritten, or if it’s just his memories. Either way, seeing Cap raised as a Hydra agent alongside him maneuvering in the present undercover... it’s a trip. Upsetting, but also intriguing. I look forward to seeing what transpires.
May 23, 2017
By all accounts Nick Spencer and artists Pina & Saiz have created one of my favorite scenes in comics this year. Those panels with Zemo & Cap are priceless. Zemo just did what any good villain would do in his situation. He has exploited Cap's turn to the dark side. This has been one of the most interesting runs for Captain America in years. Despite all the controversy and negativity their is really a great story being told here. We should be use to hero gone bad stories by now. Usually it is either mind control, brainwashing, or body snatching. Spencer has chosen to use reality warping for his Cap gone bad story. This volume has all the trappings of what Marvel does best. Pulling ideas from today's headlines and reminding us why the purity of our heroes is so important. I love how Spencer uses the past we know about Cap and tweaks it enough to add an extra layer of unpredictability and keep up the suspense. The artwork is good as well and gives the story a good emotional weight. This book just oozes with interesting plot progression and you can not help but wait to see how Captain America's turn is going to shake up the Marvel universe. We know eventually Cap will be a hero again but its going to be one heck of a rollercoaster watching his journey as the villain of the story.
August 9, 2018
(review for vols. 1-3) When I heard the concept I thought it could never be written in a believable way, but Spencer does a great job keeping Cap true to his personality while being a baddie at the same time. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I'm looking forward to getting into Secret Empire!
April 10, 2017
As far as I am concerned, this blasphemous farce has gone on long enough, and Nick Spencer and all the executives at MARVEL should be taken out back, tared, feathered, and ridden out of town on a rail.
June 13, 2017
I don't know why I am still pushing myself to read these. I really hate the whole "hydra Cap" thing and just keep secretly hoping that Bucky will show up and knock some sense into the guy. Really that is why I keep reading. I just really want to see him get back to being our Cap!
May 10, 2017
There is an awful lot of plot and not much at all in the way of action. The pace was plodding. I am very interested in seeing where and how the whole story plays out.
August 4, 2023
There's definitely good stuff here. There's also tons of expositional filler. There's grandstanding and speeches and posturing and big setpieces. This conflict of style and substance comes off a bit at odds. The two concepts never seem to gel entirely.
The fact is, the two separate elements work fine apart. Seeing the big picture implications is fun. Then it scales back to some interesting nuance. I can say I'm entertained. It just doesn't perfect the marriage of the two.
So overall I like what I'm reading, but I'm also left to feel a bit shortchanged on what could have been.
The fact is, the two separate elements work fine apart. Seeing the big picture implications is fun. Then it scales back to some interesting nuance. I can say I'm entertained. It just doesn't perfect the marriage of the two.
So overall I like what I'm reading, but I'm also left to feel a bit shortchanged on what could have been.
November 7, 2017
This volume impresses! While the first volume struggled to establish a whole lot of new (controversial) canon, with that groundwork done, this one really takes off. The secondary twist (Steve's vendetta against Red Skull) is a totally captivating take on their relationship, and Steve's new history is a great storytelling device. I love that Zemo comes front and center in this volume, and while devoid of Spencer's trademark humor, a lot of his long term storytelling ability is shining with this Cap book. He elevates minor characters with every book he takes on, and this is no exception. I'm actually stoked to see what happens with Taskmaster. Also, the titular trial of Maria Hill was very well written and solid drama. It's not perfect, and we know this leads into the mixed-bag of Secret Empire, but I'm glad I swung back around for volume 2.
September 24, 2017
Damn! Who would have thought that a storyline about Cap being a member of HYDRA could be politically and socially relevant! This is slowly becoming one of the biggest surprises Marvel has had to offer in the last couple of years. Can't wait for SECRET EMPIRE!
January 2, 2020
Continues to be interesting
I know this seems to have been a multi-issue "What If" story, but is getting pretty good. A complex storyline indeed. May have to breakdown and read Secret Empire. Onto vol 3 of Captain America/Steve Rogers!
I know this seems to have been a multi-issue "What If" story, but is getting pretty good. A complex storyline indeed. May have to breakdown and read Secret Empire. Onto vol 3 of Captain America/Steve Rogers!
April 27, 2018
More of Cap’s secret (and completely false and Cosmic Cube implanted) Hydra history is revealed as he tried to rally more allies to his cause while simultaneously trying to outmaneuver both SHIELD and the Red Skull. But he has legit killed some people and I don’t know how he comes back from that. Also, Maria Hill is of course found guilty and she of course escapes custody and Captain Marvel of course helps her because nobody makes good decisions anymore.
November 23, 2017
Still not great, but definitely readable.
April 1, 2018
Despite the title, this central character is neither Steve Rogers nor Captain America. Awful plot that contorts characters to suit it, not the other way around.
August 2, 2017
In the words of Charles Barkley, 'Turribull.'
June 18, 2017
Oh Captain America... it's actually kind of crazy that the best story about you (at least for me who didn't read much Cap over time) is one where you are a traitor.... can't wait to see how "Secret Empire" unfolds...
In this Volume (a perfect continuation of Vol 1), we see again the past and present Steve, with intertwining stories to set up reveals. In the past, Steve is undergoing his early Hydra training and makes a great friend of Helmut Zemo, both boys helping each other and coming to grips with Steve's future role in Hydra Leadership. Eventually, we see how Steve returns home to the US and begins his origins to become a Super Soldier, this timeline being under Armin Zola running the program.
In the present day, Cap is being pulled in many different directions:
- partnering with Dr. Erik Selvig to help overthrow the Red Skull
- helping Captain Marvel repel invading swarms of Chitauri
- helping to stop a cult in the Scottish highlands from keeping The Darkhold
- testifying at the trial of Maria Hill, where despite her efforts to bribe her way out with the development of a planetary shield, she is found guilty, and replaced by Steve as the head of SHIELD
- attending the funeral of his friend Jack Flag, which he assisted in murdering
- pleading with his old "friend" Baron Zemo for his help in taking down Red Skull
Captain America (at least for me) is a strong book right now. I'm sure that Marvel will not leave him as Hydra for much longer because of their long history with the character, but I'm enjoying the ride so far. Let's see how this all pans out... Kobik, where are you?
High recommend.
In this Volume (a perfect continuation of Vol 1), we see again the past and present Steve, with intertwining stories to set up reveals. In the past, Steve is undergoing his early Hydra training and makes a great friend of Helmut Zemo, both boys helping each other and coming to grips with Steve's future role in Hydra Leadership. Eventually, we see how Steve returns home to the US and begins his origins to become a Super Soldier, this timeline being under Armin Zola running the program.
In the present day, Cap is being pulled in many different directions:
- partnering with Dr. Erik Selvig to help overthrow the Red Skull
- helping Captain Marvel repel invading swarms of Chitauri
- helping to stop a cult in the Scottish highlands from keeping The Darkhold
- testifying at the trial of Maria Hill, where despite her efforts to bribe her way out with the development of a planetary shield, she is found guilty, and replaced by Steve as the head of SHIELD
- attending the funeral of his friend Jack Flag, which he assisted in murdering
- pleading with his old "friend" Baron Zemo for his help in taking down Red Skull
Captain America (at least for me) is a strong book right now. I'm sure that Marvel will not leave him as Hydra for much longer because of their long history with the character, but I'm enjoying the ride so far. Let's see how this all pans out... Kobik, where are you?
High recommend.
May 20, 2022
Captain America's secret agenda gets kicked into overdrive, as we see him trying to while at the same time trying to fight something inside himself. And that something is the old version of Captain America/Steve Rogers.
As we have learned so far, reality has been rewritten so that Cap has But we start seeing in this volume that the old Cap is still in there somewhere, and this new Cap remembers and knows him almost as a separate person. During the oath, he references his old persona multiple times, which tells us, the reader, that he knows full well there has been a shift somewhere down the line. Nick Spencer does a good job of making this story even creepier by adding that detail.
I also really liked the flashback sequences which slowly reveal the new rewritten history of Cap. The art by Jesus Saiz is especially good during these sequences, as it is highlighted by the coloring during these segments. I think the art team is doing a great job on this book, as it has a certain look and feel to it that works well with the tone.
Nick Spencer's revision of Cap is interesting, if not controversial. So far, he is doing some interesting things with it, so I'm on board to see where it goes from here.
As we have learned so far, reality has been rewritten so that Cap has But we start seeing in this volume that the old Cap is still in there somewhere, and this new Cap remembers and knows him almost as a separate person. During the oath, he references his old persona multiple times, which tells us, the reader, that he knows full well there has been a shift somewhere down the line. Nick Spencer does a good job of making this story even creepier by adding that detail.
I also really liked the flashback sequences which slowly reveal the new rewritten history of Cap. The art by Jesus Saiz is especially good during these sequences, as it is highlighted by the coloring during these segments. I think the art team is doing a great job on this book, as it has a certain look and feel to it that works well with the tone.
Nick Spencer's revision of Cap is interesting, if not controversial. So far, he is doing some interesting things with it, so I'm on board to see where it goes from here.
May 10, 2021
This took me like a month to read.
It's not that I didn't like it. Part of it is that I was focusing more on games than books for the past few weeks.
But another part of it is honestly investment.
The art is seriously great. All of the black-and-white/grayscale flashback scenes look sooo good, man. I'm definitely more of a fan of color generally, but the lineart and shading really stands out in those parts.
I'm interested in seeing where this arc goes, but I think I would feel more invested in this if I had been reading more Cap comics/Marvel in general over the years. I don't feel the outrage over Cap being Hydra because it's not "real" (Kobik happened, after all) and because, while I've been familiar with the character for years (movies and just knowing the character in a general way), I've not been READING Cap stories for years of my life and building more of a rapport with the character. I also just don't have a whole lot of background knowledge to draw from for a lot of the side characters. It's not totally necessary, but it makes me care less about a number of them.
The last issue of this volume was pretty solid. Several big events back to back, so things are really ramping up.
It's not that I didn't like it. Part of it is that I was focusing more on games than books for the past few weeks.
But another part of it is honestly investment.
The art is seriously great. All of the black-and-white/grayscale flashback scenes look sooo good, man. I'm definitely more of a fan of color generally, but the lineart and shading really stands out in those parts.
I'm interested in seeing where this arc goes, but I think I would feel more invested in this if I had been reading more Cap comics/Marvel in general over the years. I don't feel the outrage over Cap being Hydra because it's not "real" (Kobik happened, after all) and because, while I've been familiar with the character for years (movies and just knowing the character in a general way), I've not been READING Cap stories for years of my life and building more of a rapport with the character. I also just don't have a whole lot of background knowledge to draw from for a lot of the side characters. It's not totally necessary, but it makes me care less about a number of them.
The last issue of this volume was pretty solid. Several big events back to back, so things are really ramping up.
May 6, 2021
3.5
Now that the core problems I have with the overall plot are already in place from Vol. 1 (the idea of Kobik is dumb, Hydra Steve is a stretch), it’s handled pretty well. The writing is solid, though may feel unnecessarily wordy at times, but I do like the government/political stuff to be treated seriously/in detail. The dialogue is good, and I like how Steve’s personality is how it has always been. He still talks like a hero and just as passionately believes in doing the right thing, just his foundation and perspective of right and wrong has been perverted. It’s like a What If? story, but in much deeper detail.
The art is consistent and good, and while the ideas still feel like a stretch on paper, Spencer has spun it into a fascinating story. Even after the initial shocking reveal, Steve’s actions aren’t that of a mindless villain. His actions and betrayals have much more weight that way (especially with Jack Flag...smh), and gives the story a needed complexity.
Surprisingly interested, I hope Spencer sticks the landing.
Now that the core problems I have with the overall plot are already in place from Vol. 1 (the idea of Kobik is dumb, Hydra Steve is a stretch), it’s handled pretty well. The writing is solid, though may feel unnecessarily wordy at times, but I do like the government/political stuff to be treated seriously/in detail. The dialogue is good, and I like how Steve’s personality is how it has always been. He still talks like a hero and just as passionately believes in doing the right thing, just his foundation and perspective of right and wrong has been perverted. It’s like a What If? story, but in much deeper detail.
The art is consistent and good, and while the ideas still feel like a stretch on paper, Spencer has spun it into a fascinating story. Even after the initial shocking reveal, Steve’s actions aren’t that of a mindless villain. His actions and betrayals have much more weight that way (especially with Jack Flag...smh), and gives the story a needed complexity.
Surprisingly interested, I hope Spencer sticks the landing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews