Warning! This post features SPOILERS for Captain America #8
In the face of a major atrocity, Captain America has become fully unhinged in his ongoing Marvel series. Engaged on a critical new mission in Doctor Doom’s nation of Latveria, things just became all too personal for Steve Rogers.
In the wake of Doctor Doom’s absence following the recent One World Under Doom event, the nation of Latveria is facing all kinds of political turmoil. Now, the new Captain America #8 from Chip Zdarsky and Jan Bazaldua leaves Steve Rogers more than determined about which side he’s on.
Captain America’s New Series Just Revealed A Dark Truth (And Steve Rogers Is Angry)
The newest arc of Marvel’s ongoing Captain America series takes place in fully destabilized Latveria. In the vacuum of Doom’s demise, new factions have risen, seeking to determine the nation’s future in the Marvel Universe.
In this new issue, Captain America is asked to align himself with the group known as the Latverian Liberators and Alina von Doom, Victor’s secret cousin and leader of the nonviolent Homeland Party, which seeks free and fair elections for a free and democratic future.
Although Alina revealed her full name to Steve Rogers, her last name and family ties to Victor con Doom have largely been kept a secret from the public given her belief that using the Doom name would do far more harm than good given its sinister history.
However, one of the largest opposition groups is the True Latveria movement, led by a man named Salvation. While publicly promising free elections, it’s become clear that Salvation intends to replace Doom as a dictator, eliminating anyone he sees as a political threat.
Tragically, Rogers uncovers this dark truth in Captain America #8 via a mass grave filled with civilians executed for being perceived as Salvation’s political enemies: innocent men and women slaughtered simply for voicing opposition to Salvation. As such, Rogers unleashes his full fury against Salvation’s soldiers, so much so that he has to be stopped by Alina even after all the troops have been taken out.
It’s pretty rare to see Steve Rogers so angry and nearly out of control, though Captain America’s rage at the pure evil he’s just witnessed feels more than justified. Now wanting justice for the numerous dead, it’s clear where Captain America’s allegiances are going to lie in future issues, which may put him at odds with Nick Fury and the newly reformed SHIELD.
Will Marvel’s Armageddon Unleash Captain America’s Dark Side?
Looking ahead, we know Marvel is building towards the upcoming Armageddon storyline, expanding the scale in Latveria with bigger stakes and more heroes, including Wolverine, Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, and more Avengers.
Likewise, the central antagonist will be General Thunderbolt Ross’ Red Hulk, who will attempt to fully take over Latveria, resulting from his personal vendetta against the nation after he was held as Doctor Doom’s political prisoner for months during the One World Under Doom event.
Considering Steve Rogers’ years of bad blood with Ross and now Salvation’s recent atrocities, we may soon see a much darker side to Captain America in the issues to come. With Armageddon right around the corner in just a few months, Marvel appears ready to test how far Steve Rogers’ Captain America will bend before breaking completely.
Shown warning Nick Fury to stay out of his way, it’s clear that Captain America is going to stop at nothing to bring Salvation down and bring freedom to Latveria, though one has to wonder what the cost may be in the aftermath of Captain America’s mission that just became intensely personal.
Captain America #8 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- First Appearance
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Captain America Comics
- Alias
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Steve Rogers, John Walker, Sam Wilson
- Alliance
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Avengers, Invaders, S.H.I.E.L.D., U.S. Army
- Race
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Human
- Franchise
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Marvel