The Cold War chapter of this Captain America crossover hit part 5 in Sentinel of Liberty #13, and as always for this creative team, not a single beat is missed. Issue #13 picks up where Symbol of Truth left off with Steve and Sam’s confrontation and it sets the stage for the final chapter of this event, gearing up both sides of the conflict for the inevitable clash.
Sam and Steve’s conversation in this book feels extremely natural for both characters, especially in the wake of the brawl they just had with tensions high. Steve trudging through the snow to make it back to the group while the narration goes on about how he will do anything for his family was some really great stuff. Alina Erofeeva’s art shines in these segments especially with Steve looking battered and bruised but driven to his goal all the same.
The four characters on team Cap reuniting easily brought a smile to my face, especially Misty and Sharon talking about the two men and Steve telling Sam that next time, he’ll “listen to Captain America.” Seeing them share the mantle and refer to each other with such respect has been one of the best parts of having the two Caps in this event. They really do both have different strengths and weaknesses and it’s a joy to see their interactions like this.
Marvel Comics
Bucky, Natasha, and Peggy have a lot of page time in this one as well. Bucky and Natasha’s interesting placement has been fun to watch unfold and Lanzing and Kelly write it in such a way that has me on the edge of my seat because the tension is so palpable. Peggy and Natasha’s confrontation is interesting, but the gloss over Peggy to make her less of a villain is a bit of a letdown. Peggy being a villain felt like the most interesting use of the character since her return — a return no one really asked for. And because it wasn’t anything we wanted but more so an obvious grab for MCU synergy to have her around, the “Century Game” arc making her a villain felt like the most unique use of her. Peggy had the opportunity to be a really compelling antagonist for Captain America comics given her proximity to both Sharon and Steve and making a former ally a villain with a grand master plan all along really had some Shakespearean levels of betrayal to it. It was a breath of fresh air for the character and set up an interesting plot for the lore.
Lanzing and Kelly still put Peggy in an interesting enough place where she’s bitter that her morals had been compromised as such but carrying on nonetheless. And in the issue’s ending pages, the final showdown is teased with the “wolf” becoming much more literal. It’s so comic booky and so fun and it’s a shame that Symbol of Truth and Sentinel of Liberty have to end at all, but at least we know they’re going out with a bang.
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