Tochi Onyebuchi, R.B. Silva, and Zé Carlos continue the globetrotting thriller Captain America: Symbol of Truth as Cap is brought face to face with Dr. Doom. Meanwhile, Falcon searches for a safe hideout for his cousin after rescuing her.
Captain America: Symbol of Truth #3 begins with Cap and Deadpool in the halls of Dr. Doom. Writer Tochi Onyebuchi does a great job getting the most of this interaction. Doom can’t help but hold court, Sam can’t help but be forthcoming with the truth, and Wade can’t help but be the Merc with the Mouth. Letterer Joe Caramagna punches up some of Wade’s dialogue with a red font that helps provide a comedic rhythm. If there’s one criticism to be had here, it’s that Doom’s appearance feels underutilized, especially given that it was the cliffhanger of the prior issue.
Artists R.B. Silva and Zé Carlos give different energies to the stories of Captain America and Falcon. When Captain America: Symbol of Truth is focused on Sam, the panels are often short and wide, creating a cinematic feel and putting emphasis on the blocking of the characters in the scene. It’s a perfect tempo for a story that is focused on diplomacy and tension between characters. With Joaquín’s half, the panels shift to a more vertical style, and the layouts grow less ordered. This change highlights the shift in tone to a more action/espionage feel. Color artist Jesus Aburtov provides some amazing color work, with different color schemes in different settings. Ominous greens dominate Doom’s halls, while bright yellows create a sense of discord when Sam has a virtual call with the Wakandan prime minister.
These shifts in pace help create tension throughout the book. The plot thus far hasn’t been overly complex, but the execution by Onyebuchi, Silva, and Carlos has made it shine. An example would be the use of the villain. Onyebuchi’s use of the White Wolf is sparing here, but an effective reminder of just who is pushing Sam into a conflict in Wakanda while also maintaining an air of mystery around the character.
In short, Captain America: Symbol of Truth #3 continues a very strong start for the new series. There’s nothing particularly flashy about the type of story this is or the way it’s being told, but the skills of the creators have made it one of the best books in Marvel’s current lineup.
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