The truth about Cap's Hydra connections is revealed.
The first issue of this new Captain America series stirred up no small amount of controversy thanks to the reveal that Steve Rogers has supposedly been a Hydra agent for his entire adult life. Perhaps wisely, writer Nick Spencer wastes no time in peeling back the curtain and getting to the heart of that major reveal. Issue #2 offers an in-depth look at Cap's new status quo and proves that the twist is just one piece in a larger puzzle Spencer has been building since his Captain America run began last year.
Spencer's script in issue #2 unfolds entirely in flashback form. While it's a bit disappointing that we don't see the immediate fallout of Cap's betrayal, this does allow Spencer the chance to tackle the story from the point of view of the Red Skull. By the end, readers have a much better understanding of what Skull's latest master plan involves and what exactly has happened to Steve Rogers. For once, it's nice to simply have answers instead of months of slow build-up and false starts. And again, it immediately becomes clear how this vast conspiracy plays into Spencer's larger run and why this is an opportunity to explore Steve Rogers' innate heroic qualities rather than besmirching his good name.
But what stands out most in this issue is Spencer's portrayal of Red Skull. The writer takes a bit of time to reacquaint readers with the villain and explore his post-AXIS status quo. As much as Spencer is tapping into Skull's proclivity for hatching grand, outlandish schemes that will crush the very spirit of his enemies, there's also a humble, almost sad aspect to the villain in these pages. I don't want to say he's humanizing this fascist Former Nazi, but he's definitely a more grounded aspect to his personality for a change. Spencer hones in one the fact that Skull is bored with the easy victories his new psychic abilities afford him. He misses having a worthy foe to grapple with. There's a very Sherlock Holmes/Professor Moriarty vibe to the Steve Rogers/Red Skull rivalry here, and that should be interesting to watch play out over the coming months.
Jesus Saiz continues to impress with his first ongoing Marvel project. His dynamic figures and expressive facial work combine to create a very cinematic look for the new series. There's also a very deliberate use of color in these pages that helps highlight the transition from one scene or period of time to the next. There's a lot to be said for an artist who can handle pencils, inks and colors all in one. This issue also has the benefit of allowing Saiz to peer back and render various familiar events through his own lens. It's fun to see how Saiz interprets scenes first rendered by Daniel Acuna or other Marvel artists.
The Verdict
If you needed reassurance that Captain America: Steve Rogers #1's big twist wasn't included merely for shock value, this follow-up issue should do the trick. It offers a comprehensive look at Steve's new status quo and how the Hydra reveal ties into Red Skull's ongoing plans. Between the strong characterization and the vibrant art, there's no reason to fear for the future of this iconic Marvel hero.
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