Thawed from the ice and into the fire. That is the easiest way to describe this period of Steve Rogers’ life. Sent to Latveria on a mission, events do not go according to plan. A rescue mission is revealed as a government cover-up. David Colton - the new Captain America takes out his fellow Howling Commandoes once this is exposed. It becomes the tip of a more violent iceberg.
Factor in a man by the name of DOOM is ruling the country and the web gets even more complicated.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #5 by Chip Zdarsky, Valerio Schiti, Frank Martin, & Joe Caramagna takes Rogers loyalty to the limit.
Let’s take a closer look on where events play out now.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #5 by Chip Zdarsky, Valerio Schiti, Frank Martin, & Joe Caramagna (MAVREL COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Zdarsky continues to find ways to break Rogers. As noble as his intents are, he becomes caught in a new crossfire. Colton’s rage takes hold. The “flashback” sequences add more to this reveal. Readers can sense the good motives have faded away. Rogers’ reaction mirrors those watching the carnage take place. It leads to a brawl that was solidly built.
Nothing is held back as Colton swings big. His misguided viewpoint clouts any reason. Pacing flows very fast as things keep escalating. The result turns dire as other factors creep in. The fallout brings out the very best of Steve Rogers. His view of the mantle never waivers. Even in the face of his “superiors”, the dialogue never lets readers escape this notion. It winds down to a perfect exit while tying into classic Marvel lore. A tricky feat but executed perfectly.
Schiti & Martin delve into the broken mission’s collapse. Rogers trying to navigate the scene leads into more trouble. A huge image of Cap riding his motorcycle into battle. It is a classic moment that leads to an unthinkable reveal. What Cap sees next, there is no way to be prepared for.
The full image of Colton killing at a military barrack is a disturbing one. Cap’s response is moves form shocked to business rather quickly. Once here, the action panels take over. There is many huge moments crammed in these pages. They end somewhat abruptly due to the ending. Never the less, key points are hit. They compliment more “flashback” points. Readers take this in as the final pages start. It is a crowd pleaser with a few cameos mixed in. This carries a more lighter feel right to the parting panel. The art team gives a solid send-off before heading back to present times.
FINAL GRADE: 8.8
Cap’s mission in Latveria ends on a brutal point with an explosive close. Zdarsky’s writing pushes the heavy toll of combat to a new level. Schiti & Martin it their points with strong art sequences. It is a great throwback before events come back to the present day.
Let me know your thoughts on Captain America #5 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!