We’re about to embark on a new era of Captain America comics, but what Tochi Onyebuchi and R.B. Silva did with the character in the last year will go down as one of the best runs on the character. In the newest trade paperback, Sam Wilson aka Captain America teams up with Steve Rogers’s son Nomad, fights to protect the people of Mohannda, and must deal with his own emotions to avoid killing the White Wolf. It’s a story that reminds us being Captain America isn’t only about saving lives, but representing the symbol for what it inspires.
Collecting Captain America: Symbol of Truth #6-11, this collection kicks off after Sam already tried to aid Wakanda but now must try to protect a visiting politician from the African nation of Mohannda. Things don’t go to plan, and his sidekick Falcon is injected with something.
The opening issue is a good example of espionage and action coming together tensely. Captain America knows the politician he’s set to protect is in danger, but he’s outmatched, and his own sidekick Falcon is too green to prevent calamity.
Spinning out of this is an unexpected team-up with Nomad and Captain America working together. The concept of heroes killing villains is introduced early on as Nomad executes enemies in the field. Rolling in is Captain America, who, by the end of this tale, faces the choice to do as Nomad does or represent the shield of Captain America and no killing at all. Onyebuchi does well to maintain this theme, and while the story never delves deeply into Nomad’s ability to kill and Cap shrugging it off, Sam is certainly put through his paces. This is also a key element as it’s right there in the title, “Symbol of Truth,” and feels true to the series to tackle heroes killing villains.
Credit: Marvel
Sidelined, Falcon ends up becoming a threat to Sam and others in the story. This character is turned into a monster adding some sci-fi comics chaos to the mix. There’s a symbolic nature to this transformation as people are weaponized by governments across the globe, although the mindlessness of the hero does make that meaning less obvious.
Meaning is more prevalent with the White Wolf, who reveals why he’s been doing all the villainous things. Onyebuchi does a good job weaving in White Wolf’s motivations in a tense fight scene. The fight choreography is great by Silva, who makes every punch and kick felt. Meanwhile, White Wolf reveals his entire agenda is against the symbol of Captain America. If he can topple the greatest symbol of homeland and racial reconciliation, he wins. The idea of heroes fighting for what they represent, rather than simply fighting people, is heartfelt and meaningful.
My biggest gripe while reading this collection is how it’s paced. Intense action can lead to characters standing in a room talking. At one point, Nomad says, “Finally! Back to business,” as if Onyebuchi is letting us know the exposition is over, and the action can begin.
Comics like this remind us that superhero comics have value in our daily lives and discourse. Captain America: Symbol of Truth Vol. 2 – Pax Mohannda captures what it means to be a hero who represents a symbol while also mixing in espionage elements and international battles.
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