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Captain America, The President, Foreign Powers and Secret Empire (Spoilers)

Published Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:00:33 -0500

Last updated Thu, 02 Aug 2018 11:28:13 -0500

Captain America #2 saw the series by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Leinil Francis Yu continue as a sequel to the Secret Empire arc, ignoring the Mark Waid and Chris Samnee run that filled in between the two. Dealing with an America that still has a lot of trouble with the Captain America that took it over with Hydra.

And Captain America blaming himself – or rather the aspects of himself that were exhibited in his Hydra sleeper counterpart. And probably criticising similar aspects in those around him and the country as a whole.

As well as coming into contact with the military – and the government – and the White House. Since the inauguration, appearances of Donald Trump in the Marvel Universe have slowed to a crawl, and some referenced have been removed. But Captain America does reflect a change in leadership – both the President and those around him.

Getting Captain America to stand down and not act in a freelance fashion is a Trump mandate. It's possible he may have even tweeted it.

'Bleeding-heart' is a phrase that usually precedes 'liberals'. But wider than that, it appears that in the Marvel Universe, the events of Secret Empire are erasing the lessons of World War Two when it comes to resisting a fascist aggressor. Or a dictator of any stripe.

And the conspiracy theories are at play. General Ross' question mirrors' Steve Rogers own self-doubt about the flaws in his motivation, being the same for Hydra Cap. So where one hear such conspiracies?

The Fact Network, of course, the Marvel Comics equivalent of Fox News, with just a little injection of Infowars. But, again, mirroring his own self-doubt.

As well as the influence of such media on the White House itself.

So what's a Captain America to do with the threat of the Nukes, doubt about himself, and a government unwilling to listen to hi? Why he has to collude with a foreign power…

Which explains how the Black Panther is going to play a role in this story from issue 3 onwards. No sign of Selene or the Russian influence however… Wakanda interference will have to do.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #2
(W) Ta-Nehisi Coates (A) Leinil Francis Yu (CA) Alex Ross
WINTER IN AMERICA Continues!
• Distrusted by a nation that seems to have lost faith in him, Steve Rogers is a man out of time and out of options!
• Where can a now-unsanctioned Captain America turn for aid and assistance in order to stem the rise of the cabal
of influence brokers known as the Power Elite?
Rated T+In Shops: Aug 01, 2018
SRP: $3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #3
(W) Ta-Nehisi Coates (A) Leinil Francis Yu (CA) Alex Ross
WINTER IN AMERICA Continues!
• Cap and the Black Panther embark on a daring raid into the heart of the Nuke army, while Sharon Carter takes on a secret mission into danger!
Rated T+In Shops: Sep 05, 2018
Final Orders Due: Aug 13, 2018
SRP: $3.99

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