Throughout the “Doom’s Shadow” arc in Captain America, there’s been a conflict brewing between Steve Rogers and Marius Wolf, a former revolutionary turned potential tyrant. That conflict finally boils over in Captain America #10, as Marius intends to live up to his new moniker of “Salvation” by any means necessary – even if it means wielding Doctor Doom’s armory. If that wasn’t bad enough, Steve also has to contend with the secret weapon that Doom left behind and the incoming threat of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, aka the Red Hulk.
It’s a moment the series has been building to, and it doesn’t disappoint, as Chip Zdarsky actually makes Salvation a layered antagonist. While Marius began fighting to free Latveria, his willingness to go to extremes is rather troubling, especially since there’s a mass grave containing people who defied him. Furthermore, his new armor and cloak bear more than a passing resemblance to Doom, visually symbolizing his descent into the same tyranny he sought to fight.
Zdarsky also throws a major curveball into the mix with the big reveal of Doom’s secret weapon. It’s probably not what anyone expected, but it immediately raises the already high stakes to a new level. More than that, it actually feels like an intriguing direction to take the story, rather than mere shock value, and it’s what I love about Zdarsky’s writing. He knows how to challenge characters in ways you wouldn’t expect, but stages those challenges in a way that shows who they are deep down. For Steve, it doesn’t matter if it’s World War II or the modern day; he will fight those who oppress the innocent, in whatever form they take.
Marvel
While Captain America #10 features yet another shift in artistic duties, this time it actually works in the book’s favor, as Valerio Schiti returns to provide interior art. While Schiti might not have illustrated the majority of “Doom’s Shadow,” his influence could be felt in the new agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., whose sleek supersuit designs call to mind the futuristic designs that Schiti gave some of the X-Men when he illustrated S.W.O.R.D. Romulo Fajardo Jr.’s colors also make each member of S.H.I.E.L.D. visually distinct, whether it’s Joe Ramos’ light blue suit serving as a homage to Cap or the appropriately crimson cloak that the Red Widow is sporting.
Schiti also knows how to draw a hell of an action sequence, and Captain America #10 is chock full of them. The issue opens with Cap and Salvation locked in battle, as Marius delivers a violent blast that literally sends Steve and his allies flying through the air. In fact, Salvation cuts a terrifying figure throughout: bullets bounce off of his new armor, and he literally vaporizes a man’s head with a single touch. It’s a sharp contrast to the beacon of hope Steve represents, especially on a page where he literally charges on horseback for his final fight with Salvation. In case you’re wondering, the answer to “Can Captain America riding a horse be badass?” is a resounding “Yes.”
Captain America #10 amps up the danger, action, and tension as the fight against Salvation enters its final hours. Zdarsky and Schiti have set the stage for a hell of a finale, and I have faith that they can deliver.
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