Captain America: Sam Wilson #14 Review – Thin Ice
I could not be more pleased that I dove into Captain America: Sam Wilson one weekend. I decided to do so because I’ve always loved Falcon’s character, and thanks to the Marvel movies, I love it even more. I was never very sure about Sam taking Cap’s shield, because I was worried that Falcon would simply disappear. After actually reading the comic, I happily discovered that was very far from the truth. In fact, I think Sam is embodying Captain America almost better than Steve, and it isn’t only because Steve has been brainwashed to serve Hydra. There’s something incredibly realistic and human about Sam. He makes mistakes, he believes in justice for everyone, and he’s not arrogant. He knows when to speak and when to act.
And I cannot wait for the issue when he finds out that Steve Rogers is currently NOT his friend. After this issue, I don’t think that date is too far off.
I had heard that Steve was really a spy for Hydra, but it wasn’t until unlucky Issue #13 I really witnessed it. I reached out to a friend of mine who reads only the Civil War II comics, and he explained that this all happened during The Standoff, when Kobik returned Cap’s youth and vigor. I’m so thankful that that’s why Cap has turned to Hydra; from the rumors I was hearing, he was a Hydra plant all along. Very pleased that is indeed not the case. Regardless of when he became a double-agent for Hydra, he is one now with Eric Selvig. Their current goal, at least with this comic series, is to take down Sam Wilson.
As Steve eloquently puts it, he can’t simply kill the man, because that would make him a martyr. Martyrs are often “more dangerous than the living,” to quote Mr. Rogers. He also doesn’t want to outright take back the shield because that would show his hand too early. So he sends US Agent after Sam to forcefully take it back. And from the shadows, he fans the flames of the protestors who demand that Sam give back the shield. Not surprisingly, the protestors he inflames are all white, and the black community rallies to support Sam. As such, Steve creates an even bigger divide between people of color and superheroes of color while Sam tries his hardest to close the gap. I have an image of Sam standing on thin ice as it cracks with each foot floating in the opposite direction. It’s damn diabolical.
And how they do it in this issue? My jaw flopped open, swearing it was a set-up. Surely it’s a trick. They’re going to have the evil Republican from Texas be in on the joke and pretend to get killed in front of Sam. Sam would beat himself up over nothing, and we’d watch the same tried-and-true trick be spelled out once again. But no, the man was really murdered, and Sam has a real reason to beat himself up. Steve Rogers has officially become a monster.
Now I have to wait another month. All I want to do is hug Sam and tell him it will all be okay.
Before I end this review, I do have to share another reason why this comic is so great: Sam’s official Twitter page posted on an iPad in the front pages.
Author: Nick Spencer
Artist: Paul Renaud
Publisher: Marvel
Publish Date: 10/19/16
Acquired via Purchase
