Captain America: Sam Wilson #21 Review – The Secret Empire Cometh
Captain America: Sam Wilson has been one long stretch of sadness, issue after issue, ever since Rage’s arrest. It all comes to head in issue #21, as Sam finally breaks. We as readers always knew that Steve Rogers was most certainly not Sam’s friend, especially after the “accidental” death of Senator Tom Herald. That said, I had no idea how deep Rogers’ plan for Sam went, nor how far he had reached to see it come to fruition.
Rogers’ goal for Sam Wilson was to utterly break him, make him feel unworthy of the Shield. First was by leading Sam to kill the Senator. Slowly but surely, Steve was breaking down Sam’s authority. Not arresting Maria Hill. Encouraging Sam to leak the surveillance video instead of sending it through proper channels. Now Steve and Harry Hauser both have their wishes: Sam is dropping both the Shield and the Stars and Stripes.
While that seems to be the biggest revelation of the issue, it’s the farthest from it. We also learn that the head of the AmeriCops was, in fact, doing more patrols in the poorer and minority neighborhoods in order to lower property values, allowing him to swoop in and buy up the land. It’s not an original plot, but it’s still not one I expected. I also had no idea Steve was behind the AmeriCops in the first place.
Harry Hauser’s allegiance to Hydra wasn’t too big of a surprise, but it disappointed inme because it was so predictable. I’m really tired of the old white guys always being the bad guys in political discussions these days. It’s as tiring as the Old Westerns always donning the villains in black hats. Is it supposed to be driving a point home? Oh absolutely, and yes, it does mirror what we are indeed witnessing in America’s political climate. I suppose I’m just disappointed because this comic has always been so great at breaking stereotypes and showing multiple sides to a situation. Falling back to the old white guy is as trite as the AmeriCops arresting Rage for being black.
Our Rating: YUS
Author: Nick Spencer
Artists: Daniel Acuña and Rachelle Rosenberg
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Publish Date: 04/12/2017
Acquired via Purchase
