Return of America

Greetings, True Believers!

Not since the untimely demise of one Kal El of Krypton has the world of comics, and the world at large, been shocked by the deaths of one of their heroes. Not more than a few months ago did CNN run news reports on the death of Captain America, a Marvel Comics cornerstone since the early '40's. I'm sure all of you know the story; The Marvel Universe is caught up in A Civil War, Captain America leading the Resistance and Iron Man at the helm of those defending the Superhero Registration Act. It is a Marvel Comics Event the likes of which had not been seen in a long time. Captain America meets his death via a sniper's bullet and the Marvel Universe goes through a grieving process, Fallen Son, not unlike the Reign of The Supermen storylines of Superman's post mortem. When all is said and done, Marvel decides to place Bucky, Captain America's long time sidekick into the helm of Cap.

Now, I was happy with this decision. Steve Rogers had been around for a long time, he fought the Nazi's for the love of God. Time for retirement. Personally, I feel that it is time for a Captain America without the unlimited powers given to him by the Super Serum. Just like our current political climate, people are sick of America the All-Powerful. They want a new America. The little guy with just the right amount of heart to take up the mantle of Captain America and lead him into a new age. A brilliant move for the boys over at Marvel.

However, we have yet to see this scenario play itself out. The way things are heading, I wonder if Bendis has not bowed down to the easy way out. Enter, Secret Invasion. Now, I'm loving this storyline. The Skrulls attack? BRILLIANT. Bendis has even said that he has been placing little clues throughout every book he has written for the last five years as a sneak peek to this event. But, as this story progresses, I am beginning to see how the comics theory of being able to explain everything away comes a'knockin' at the door. Almost to a Soap Operatic point. Tony Stark might be a sleeper agent for the Skrull. Iron Man might be a Skrull? Granted, they have revealed that several other heroes have been Skrull agents, but Tony Stark is the only sleeper, not knowing he was a Skrull. This? This is how you explain away his actions during Civil War? By putting him on Earth to split the world's superheroes in twain to make an invasion more plausable?
Granted, on paper, that sounds brilliant, but isn't a greater story that Tony Stark is flawed and he decided to do what he thought was right and now must deal with the consequences? I think hero books work because they make the heroes human.

Let me end my Iron Man tangent there by bringing up the final panel of Secret Invasion #4.

***SPOILER ALERT****

There is no question that is Cap. They didn't even put the red, white, and blue in shadow. But, which Cap? Dead Cap? Skrull Cap? Not Dead, Not Skrull Cap that arrived in the Skrull ship with potential Not Skrull Iron Man, but Skrull everybody else? Or, is it Bucky?

For my money, it better be Bucky. Sure, Marvel can bring back Captain America from the dead, saying that the sniper's bullet ended the life of a Skrull sleeper. Wrap it up in a nice little package. But, maybe, just maybe, I should trust Bendis. He must see that having the new Captain America, the little guy with a heart of gold, save the world would establish the fact that Bucky is ready to, excuse the self reference, step into the mantle of Captain America.

You want a metaphor? The world is in turmoil, nobody knows who to trust, suspicions about your neighbor are building. What was once a great power has been destroyed by politics and hatred. But there is a new hope. The kid. The new guy. No super powers, just some skills. Who is ready for a New America? I am.

Hal Gardner, signing off.