Captain America: Symbol of Truth, Vol. 1: Homeland

Captain America: Symbol of Truth

by Tochi Onyebuchi, R.B. Silva (Artist), Zé Carlos (Artist)

Captain America soars again in a new era for truth and liberty! Sam Wilson picks up the shield once more — and enters a world of trouble! Following a lead from Misty Knight, Sam intercepts a mysterious group hijacking what appears to be an empty train. But as Sam digs deeper, he discovers that this plot may be connected to a crucial piece of Captain America history…and, surprisingly, to the nation of Wakanda! The world is finally ready for two Captain Americas — but is Sam Wilson prepared for what comes next? Acclaimed writer Tochi Onyebuchi (BLACK PANTHER LEGENDS, Riot Baby) teams with Stormbreaker artist R.B. Silva (POWERS OF X, INFERNO, FANTASTIC FOUR) to open a thrilling new chapter of Captain America’s story!

COLLECTING: Captain America: Symbol of Truth (2022) 1-6

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2022

About the author

Tochi Onyebuchi is the author of Beasts Made of Night, its sequel Crown of Thunder, War Girls, and Riot Baby, published by Tor.com in January 2020. He has graduated from Yale University, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Columbia Law School, and L’institut d’études politiques with a Masters degree in Global Business Law.

His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction, Omenana, Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America, and elsewhere. His non-fiction has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Nowhere Magazine, Tor.com and the Harvard Journal of African-American Public Policy. He is the winner of the Ilube Nommo Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel by an African and has appeared in Locus Magazine's Recommended Reading list.

Born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut, Tochi is a consummate New Englander, preferring the way the tree leaves turn the color of fire on I-84 to mosquitoes and being able to boil eggs on pavement. He has worked in criminal justice, the tech industry, and immigration law, and prays every day for a new album from System of a Down.

Reviews

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up because Sam has had some really bad writing in the past and this book writes him the best I’ve seen since probably Brubaker’s 2004 run.

The first issue is fantastic! It’s action packed with Sam at the heart of it. Great art, great set up for the discussion about Wakanda and we see Sam’s personal life (something the Falcon & Winter Soldier series failed to give). Best of all, it explains Sam’s reason for taking up the shield again in the first place: he wants to make America a place safe for its people. He wants to improve things here instead of just leaving it to someone else.

The Wakandan debate is an interesting one and I think the author handled it somewhat well. The film did the best as summarizing the view some African Americans have of Wakanda. A paradise that, by luck of the draw, benefited from amazing resources and lack of colonization. They prospered and never tried to help the black people that suffered around the world. It does not make Wakanda look benevolent. Sam’s speech to T’Challa about the contrast between what happened to his family and T’Challa’s was great! As much as I question why the series chose to put T’Challa against Sam, I thought that scene was really good.

I question why Shuri and the Prime Minister of Wakanda were pretty much made to look unreasonable here. I get them not wanting Sam investigating in Wakanda. However, their decision to punish the American immigrants in retaliation was petty and incredibly unfair. I didn’t think of Shuri as being that way.

The Deadpool appearance felt forced. Reminded me of when Rocket was shoved into Shuri’s series. I can’t imagine the writer planned for that because Wade’s appearance felt out of place.

I’m interested in where this story with Joaquin’s family is going. I’m also interested in White Wolf’s goals. Overall, it’s an interesting start. Certainly one of the better comics I’ve read this year. The political discussions are interesting without leaning into ignorance and I think it’s something I haven’t seen from a Cap series since Coates’. I’m into it!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting way to engage with Big Ideas such as exploitation of undocumented migrants and the implications of a hypothetical movement among blacks in the U.S. to emigrate to Wakanda.

Also, this version of Sam Wilson definitely takes his cues from Anthony Mackie's portrayal on film and streaming so, needless to say, charming A-F.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty dope. Sam Cap gets a tip that something is being smuggled on a train in the American southwest. Him and Torres Falcon go there but don’t find this smuggled item. But they find some refugees hidden on the train and get attacked by someone trying to hijack the train. From here, Sam and Torres start their investigation that leads them all the way to Wakanda. Loved the espionage action in here and enjoyed seeing by Cap and Falcon do their thing. Also dug R.B. Silva’s art and all the cameos. Looking forward to volume 2.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a decent start but dwindled in the end and had one of the worst fights.

Basically White Wolf is using Crossbones to exact his revenge on Wakanda while making Sam look bad as Captain America. It's a good idea, that could work well. But instead of focusing on that we eventually get it jumbled up with people appearing out of nowhere on the other side of the world just because of plot and a fight between Sam (Not super powered) verse Black Panther (One of the strongest one on one fighters) That ends in such a silly way I can't help but laugh.

Overall decent, but can't rate it much higher than a 2.5-3.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again Marvel goes with two Captain America titles... Not that I mind, but I think we'll have to evolve comics at some point to let a new generation take over. (I know this is a hot subject for fans... debate later)
Highlights:
- We get an action packed both Caps issue against Zola. A really fun ride.
- The main story (and all of Symbol of Truth run) focuses on Sam Wilson and him being Cap along with his new Falcon. There's a new villain behind the scenes, the White Wolf (no not Bucky) and he has conquest on the mind. They investigate a train that supposedly contains ingredients for Super Soldier Serum, but just ends up being some people who were test subjects.
- Crossbones gets released from prison.
- Following the trail has Sam attacking a facility in Latveria, but crosses paths with Deadpool. (I'm sitll laughing about Wilson and Wilson Law Offices LOL) Of course this has him have an encounter with Doom....
- The trail leads to vibranium as well, which has Sam reaching out to Wakanda. When they forbid him from coming or getting involved he does anyways.
- Sam is able to track Crossbones and the vibranium to the borders of Wakanda. He stops him and saves the precious metal, but the damage is done... American citizens will now be refused access and asylum in Wakanda.

Overall, this was pretty good. I look forward to seeing how they will proceed. Not sure where all of it is headed.
Recommend.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to start Sam's series. His antagonist is intriguing, and I'm interested in seeing what his actual deal is. Wakanda is used in a somewhat unusual way here, contrasting a view of the country as a sort of Black utopia with a judgment of Wakanda's isolation as cruel and selfish, both of which are fair enough views. I like that there's somebody in the comics along the same line of thought that made Killmonger such a fascinating villain in the movie. Deadpool and Doom make appearances here, and they're... fine, I guess. Doom definitely feels extraneous, and Deadpool probably is, too, except that I enjoyed the way Onyebuchi wrote him. He's still wisecracking but somewhat less manic and more grounded than some of the more extreme versions of the character I've seen. I'm very pleased with this first volume, and I'm looking forward to more.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[fer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gostei bastante, achei um quadrinho bem politico. Bem interessante isso do movimento dos estadunidenses pedindo visto pra ir morar em wakanda, tudo com um movimento politico e protestos por tras. E Wakanda barrando por uma besteira e colocando a culpa no capitao america. Nao entendi bem ainda quem é o vilao e o que ele quer fazer, mas me deixou bem interessada.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is how I like my Sam Wilson stories. There's a definite connection to the America we live in now. The Steve Rogers stories seem mired(?) in the nostalgia feel and comfort of how things used to be. The best Sam Wilson stories are a view of how things ARE in the world around us now. It's a fresh take on, what can be, a stale hero archetype.

Having finished 'Black Panther: Legends', I can say that Tochi Onyebuchi's writing is approachable, consistent, and keyed into his characters. The pace of the story is solid. We're not just 'punching Nazis' in his stories. We're consistently building up to the payoff.

Totally love his work. He makes me look forward to each and every issue.
--------------
Bonus: The White Wolf makes an appearance. Guessing that is one of Tochi Onyebuchi's new faves

Bonus Bonus: Giving Sam a 'love interest' in Misty Knight could be good for the series AND the character

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam Wilson, now under the mantle of Captain America, takes on a case from Misty Knight to track down a train full of super serum. The train naturally holds a surprise, leading Sam and his partner (Hawkman?) to Latveria, Wakanda, and elsewhere. Road trip!

Homeland starts strong, but grows progressively duller and sillier as the story progresses. Hawkfella has a sad, muddled immigrant exploitation story to tell that's completely lost in Sam Wilson's journey to Wakanda to punch Black Panther (can't anyone address their differences without the punching?). Deadpool is the best character in the book and he shows up for barely an issue.

The issue is one that basically all Captain America stories struggle with: overloaded conspiracies. The White Wolf is pulling the strings, but there are like, 50 strings here. The outcome of Homeland is murky - did Sam Wilson really save the day? And from what, exactly?

[Andri Nugraha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marvel akhirnya menerbitkan komik Captain America dengan dua protagonis, versi Steve Rogers dengan subjudul Sentinel of Liberty dan versi Sam Wilson dengan subjudul Symbol of Truth.
TPB volume pertama dari Symbol of Truth ini secara tematik menarik. Khas komik Captain America, memadukan komentar politik dengan aksi superhero. Tochi Onyebuchi, komikus yang juga novelis, memperkenalkan musuh baru White Wolf, yang motivasinya masih sangat misterius. Kemungkinan karena dia akan muncul lagi di alur cerita berikutnya. Intrik yang ditimbulkan White Wolf memaksa Cap melibatkan dua negara di dunia Marvel yang terkenal dengan politik isolasionisme, Wakanda dan Latveria. Menariknya, Onyebuchi justru membuat argumen politik isolasionisme Latveria sedikit lebih simpatik daripada Wakanda. Iya, Black Panther terlihat agak "brengsek" sebagai bintang tamu di buku ini. Bintang tamu lain, Deadpool, tampil jenaka seperti biasa tapi tidak berlebihan atau vulgar. Misty Knight sepertinya akan menjadi "love interest" Sam Wilson dan The Falcon versi baru, Joaquin Torres, juga digali terus masa lalunya. Sebuah setup yang menarik buat judul ini ke depannya.
Kekurangannya, dalam beberapa panel adegan aksi yang digarap R.B Silva kadang terasa canggung posenya dan kurang dramatis. Pengaturan panel di halaman terakhir juga rasanya relatif kurang berhasil menciptakan efek "foreshadowing" tentang siapa sekutu White Wolf di latar belakang.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this much more than the previous two Cap series (United States and Cap/Iron Man.) Marvel has split the Sam Wilson Cap and the Steve Rogers Cap into 2 different series. This is the Sam Wilson Cap.

The story deals with a terrorist plot involving Vibranium that takes Cap from the Southwest US to Latveria to Wakanda, with the new Falcon in tow most of the time. Of course, when you end in Wakanda, you also have to deal with the Black Panther, who shows up as well.

Overall a strong story with some political overtones but manages to not get too preachy. The art is nice as well. This series is off to a good start.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This is an awesome run, I appreciate how connected it feels to current America. The characterization feels right, the story is interesting, and the art is incredible. However, the Deadpool part felt oddly wedged in there for no reason? And a few parts of the story were hard to follow.

[Alex Sarll]

The collection opens with a fun issue zero launching both the new Cap runs, and explaining (for a given value of the word) that Sam and Steve will henceforth be sharing the title, which is fine, because they're buddies (though I believe the two have since or will shortly come to blows again, because heavens forbid Marvel just let books get on with their stories when a crossover could happen). It engages, as the title often has but these days really can't avoid, with the paradox of heroes standing for "The same America that will be underwater in less than two decades? The same America ravaged by fires your kind are too petty to address? The same America that would rather jail its own than come to terms with its environment? That would raze forests to build prisons? That America?" After all, if ever there were a superhero title where a certain amount of speechifying and self-examination belongs, it's Captain(s) America – and it's balanced with enough big action never to feel like an illustrated lecture.

But that's a collaboration between the creative teams of both books, and thereafter we're into the Sam Wilson series proper, written by Tochi Onyebuchi, previously a prose writer but one whose politically engaged SF certainly makes sense as a background for this gig. While the ostensible A-plot kicks off as fairly standard stuff, in the background he's got a brilliant set-up going which feeds the real-world resonance Wakanda has found back into Marvel Earth, Back to Africa given fresh appeal by the continent's hi-tech superpower. Elsewhere I wasn't so sure; I've never found Crossbones a particularly engaging character, and offering him the chance to kill Captain America, again, feels like it's just drawing attention to re-doing a fairly recent story. Or maybe the fact that I think of a story from 15 years ago as 'fairly recent' just means I'm very old. More definitely an issue, though, is that we're given, with no explanation in what is after all supposed to be a Volume 1, a status quo where Sam appears to be working for/with a senator who really doesn't seem his natural political ally. If this were presented as a mystery, that would be one thing, but it reads more as though I've missed a memo – or an issue of another book. And then we get the far too frequent non-twist where the politician (businesspeople are also available) who seemed like he might be a bad lot...is in fact a bad lot! The various artists pitching in, the superfluous appearances by Doctor Doom and Deadpool, and the way a story which felt like it ought to build over several volumes instead gets closed down both too neatly and too harshly all contribute to a sense I've felt dawning for a while that, while certainly not as lost as DC, an increasing proportion of Marvel books are feeling slick, hurried, and prone to suffocating what could have been their own distinctive approaches.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the two Captain America books running right now, this is my second favourite, but considering the fact that it's still awesome, that just shows how strong both of them are right now. I've never read a Tochi Onyebuchi comic before, but if this is their first contribution, it feels like they've been writing comics forever.

Running two Captain America books at once means there has to be some difference between them other than just different characters taking centre stage (although I will say I'm glad to see the latest incarnation of the Falcon still playing a role here - I'd like to see either of the two Patriots show up as well later down the line), and the difference between Symbol Of Truth and Sentinel Of Liberty couldn't be more different. Sam's story here takes an international stage as familiar villains make a play for global power, but he always tries to bring his hometown, street level point of view to the proceedings, for better or worse.

It helps that the artwork's phenomenal as well - RB Silva (of X-Men fame) draws all five of these issues with a little assistance from Ze Carlos, while Captain America #0 (which isn't in the solicit but is presumably included here) is drawn by Mattia De Iulis, whose style is always gorgeous.

Sam Wilson flies high again with the shield in his hand, with a wide-reaching story full of important messages and wonderful artwork. Captain America hasn't been this good in a long time, and this is only one half of the puzzle.

[Nicholas (was Allison) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.34 Stars
Notes: I have been recently looking for a comic where Sam Wilson is a main character, after previously having read some that were very good in the past. He has always been one of my favorite marvel characters that there is because he typically is just really nice and outgoing, so that was also why I read through this story quickly. The tale inside is rather different - and may seem unusual at times for what occurs - however, it really is a good read, and there are also mentions of the Fantastic Four as well. Other marvel characters are in here for a few pages, as their appearance times can vary, as well for cameos too. I won’t be mentioning them by name for length reasons, just that this is not a typical comic by any means necessary, it can be different reading than most other ones sometimes.

I essentially read this at the exact right time that I could have, after researching it in the past, from being very glad that my library had a copy of it. The plot line is very complex and it is intertwined with multiple different plots from various conflicts that occur. I previously had a knowledge of some of the really evil enemies Sam Wilson/Captain America tends to have. Due to that, a tolerance to descriptive graphic violence, darker fight scenes, emotional turmoil, and some unfortunate harsh language is going to be necessary to have. The events that take place later in the second half are going to be really, really worth it to read through, if the first half is enjoyable to page through, as it sets everything up for much larger action sequences. I would advise not to skim too much while reading, since a ton of things take place later on. There are some drama sequences, so this will take effort to read through occasionally, however - everything will be worth it. This review is going to be slightly on the shorter side, since this made me very quite emotional.

I would recommend this to those who are interested in reading it because of Sam Wilson’s character as he is the primary focus of this story, since it is mostly about him and what he goes through. This is going to be an extraordinarily worthwhile comic to remember, should it be extremely, extremely enjoyed.

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a pretty good premise with Sam and Steve stopping Arnim zola from carrying his insane plans and then with Joaquin, Sam is stopping some terror cells and finds some immigrants who were being experimented on and they go their separate ways. Sam goes to Latveria to stop some threats and there encounters Deadpool and then Dr doom and the resultant clash in that, and then finding out Crossbones has been released so the tensions of that and then seeing his insane plans and how that has to do with Wakanda, and when he is refused entrance to Wakanda, we see what his actions lead to and the massive fallout of that.

So the man behind the scenes is revealed to be White wolf, who serves as the big antagonist of this entire arc and that seems like it will lead to a big thing, the confrontation with BP could have been better, the fight scene just sucked and it could have used one more issue to show the fight and the result of that, but the fallout is interesting as Americans are denied access to Wakanda and sam is to be blamed for that and that will result in a clash with other people and govt. at large which will be interesting to follow.

SO like one of those arc that leads to a great new status quo and the fall out is more interesting than the stories.

Weakness: There were so many promising fight scenes be it with Dr Doom or even BP in the end but they were shown beyond 2-3 panels which sucked and if it was there, it would have been one of the best Cap stories and feels like a missed opportunity especially when the artist is RB Silva who excels at them.

But then again, the run seems promising and looks like it will be one of the historic runs on Sam wilson's character atleast!

[Benjamin Kimble · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure what this book was trying to do, I just came away not liking most of the characters. The plot involved Cap and Falcon following the trail of vibranium smugglers after a train heist, then they split up and the boom follows both of their stories. The back and forth between the stories was not handled well it made it harder to follow and care for either story that was happening. Captain America decided he was going to invade Wakanda even though they told him not to, and then the book tried to have him tell the that it was okay that he did that, but he was clearly in the wrong. I don’t know it was hard to root for Cap here. I was interested in following Falcons story but this might not have been the best place to put it. The art throughout the book was very good, I will give it that.

[Shelby Fielding · Rating 3 out of 5]

The grade is actually closer to 3.5/5 stars because thus far, Tochi Onyebuchi's rendition of the starred, spangled, and bannered Captain has been fairly entertaining. There's an acute awareness of how Onyebuchi wants to wield a black Captain America as Sam Wilson's current arch is a man torn between a nation's sins and a community's wants and needs. How does a black man in a position of power in America be both patriotic and honest? That's a potent idea, accompanied by some gripping action sequences and a healthy dose of clever crossover with the wider world of the Marvel universe. R.B. Silvia, Zé Carlos, and Julian Shaw draw concisely and economically, but they could take some bigger swings. Still, all in all, this is an aware Captain America story that is quick on its feet without losing any of its merits so far.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the two Captain America titles right now, I think this is the stronger one. Sam and Joaquin (the new Falcon) are on the trail of what they think is someone trying to make more Super Soldier serum. The White Wolf (of Black Panther fame) is using Crossbones to lead them into a confrontation with Wakanda. Given today's comic book climate I'd count on a crossover with Black Panther at some point. There is a fight at the end between Sam Wilson in a t-shirt and jeans and the Black Panther that is just ridiculous. Black Panther would whip Sam in about 1.5 seconds, especially without his suit.

R.B. Silva provides some killer art. Both Captain America trades include the kickoff Captain America #0 that features both Steve and Sam.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good Sam Wilson story with some strong art and a meaningful plot for Joaquin Torres, aka the creepy-looking Falcon. On that:

It always bugs me that the guy is completely cool being half-bird. The weird hands and feet and feathery arms don’t seem to bother him at all. Not even the huge, creepy, unblinking eyes. I don’t get it. He’s something straight out of body horror, and he is perfectly at ease with it. I mean, there’s body confidence, and there’s I’m a half-bird-man body confidence, amirite? Dude is next level with it.

Does anyone else feel this way? I just can’t get over that a guy who grew into adulthood as a human and then merged into a bird-guy has never had one ounce of angst over the whole thing. It freaks me out.

Anyway. The book was good.

3.5 stars.

[Allysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
An interesting look at Sam as Captain America. Sam as Captain America deals with what feels like very modern and real problems, especially in geopolitical outlook. I wish there was more interaction with Falcon because I’m not very familiar with Joaquin and need the Sam connection to make me care about him. The White Wolf feels like he will be a formidable villain but at this point is just pulling strings that lead no where. The Wakanda storyline tie in felt very rough and the fight between Sam and T’Challa was definitely not a favorite.
I’m interested how this will tie back in with Steve’s storyline when it comes together this summer,

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good, even though it's still technically part of the "Outer Circle" conspiracy junk that's been slapped down on these books (there's another series with Steve Rogers). I think I liked this better because it just sort of forgot about that nonsense and focused on one, fairly tight story: Sam and the new Falcon are tracking terrorists who appear to be after a new super soldier serum and also smuggling vibranium on the side. This takes them to the southern border, to Latveria, and, eventually, Wakanda, with appearances from Deadpool and Black Panther along the way. And the artwork throughout is some of the best I've seen in awhile. This was a good, strong start to this title.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some glue missing from making this just passable into good. Not to dog on Onyebuchi, I'm unfamiliar with their work, but RB Silva is doing a lot of heavy lifting in this to keep my attention. I want Falcon Cap to have good stories, this just seems lacking. Between tracking down stolen vibranium and fighting crossbones, Same has his hands full, but never says much of consequence. The new falcon I'm not familiar with, and I wasn't very invested in his plot rescuing family. The cherry on top of my eyes glazing over was Falcon getting one over Black Panther and speechifying to him. Not that impressed

[Dallas Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Wilson is Cap again!!

What an epic first issue that leads into an interesting story where Sam tries his best to be the hero he wants to be for his country.

This has some marvelous characterization with Sam's flaws, humility, humor, and incredible determination!

The Wakanda focus in this arc is such a fun and fascinating direction that really does hit hard and feels like it embodies a lot of our concerns for safety in our own country.

Sam has some interactions with Steve and T'Challa here that I couldn't possibly imagine not having read now!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sam Wilson in the MCU, and I hadn't read any of his comics before, so this seemed like a decent place to start! This comic put forth some really interesting ideas and perspectives and I loved the characterization of Sam (and Steve in the beginning when he was around). I'm very curious as to where this storyline will go.

[Sarospice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm all ready for a Sam Wilson Captain America era, if Marvel Comics could pull the trigger like the MCU has. This is a good start. Liked all of Sam's motivations and instincts, and even like the NEW Falcon. I know he's not that new, but he's mostly unknown to me so I appreciate the characterization here. Sam and Misty also good.

[Princess]

I was going to rate this but I decided not to because comics are not my thing. I don't have anything against comics they are just not for me. If you love Marvel and the character of Captain America you will like this. I wish you all the best.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of the Joaquin/Falcon character.
The art is good, standard contemporary Marvel colouring.
I like the political message of the story, but it took four issues for me to get into the actual arrative.

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was real great! The best Captain America stuff I’ve read in a long time, and definitely some of the best Sam Wilson stuff ever. Sam’s come a long way and he really shines under Onyebuchi’s stewardship.