Sam Wilson: Captain America #1

[The Cool Thatguy]

Bad guys wants to kill innocents. Sam stops them.

Thats just superhero comics. Anything that sounds like an agenda is from you projecting your views onto the book.

Except that it's not. The coyote who is getting the illegal immigrants across the border is presented as kind and saintly (as they work for cartels and usually charge an arm and a leg), while the Sons of the Serpent (always a racist organization, so there's that to start) give your stereotypical complaints, ending with how he has to press 1 to speak English for customer assistance.

It's as 'fair and balanced' as Fox, only in the opposite direction. Which, honestly, is par for the course with regards to comics in general.

[Garbledarber]

Except that it's not. The coyote who is getting the illegal immigrants across the border is presented as kind and saintly (as they work for cartels and usually charge an arm and a leg), while the Sons of the Serpent (always a racist organization, so there's that to start) give your stereotypical complaints, ending with how he has to press 1 to speak English for customer assistance.

It's as 'fair and balanced' as Fox, only in the opposite direction. Which, honestly, is par for the course with regards to comics in general.

At least this isn't pretending to be real news. It's a story and it's primary goal is to entertain. Fox news is irresponsible journalism and deliberately misinform people and push their agenda all while pretending it's "fair and balanced" news.

There is nothing wrong with comics, or any medium, being political. Saying it shouldn't be limits the storytelling options available to creators. Spencer worked in politics, it makes sense that he'd want to write something political.

[No Left Turn]

At least this isn't pretending to be real news. It's a story and it's primary goal is to entertain. Fox news is irresponsible journalism and deliberately misinform people and push their agenda all while pretending it's "fair and balanced" news.

There is nothing wrong with comics, or any medium, being political. Saying it shouldn't be limits the storytelling options available to creators. Spencer worked in politics, it makes sense that he'd want to write something political.

And it makes sense why those of us who disagree with his leftist agenda will not spend money on it... Right?

[Vic Vega]

The reason is because most creators tend to be Democrats, and a lot of the newer crowd cross into progressivism/socialism in their beliefs.

Like I said earlier, I expect Sam or someone else to murder the next Republican president if we have one within six months of his inauguration for "the greater good". Unfortunately some creators use these characters to act out their personal fantasies rather than tell a good story. A Republican winning the next election will likely make many of these writers snap and we'll see President Rubio or Cruz or whoever die in all sorts of unpleasant ways, not to mention Republicans in general.

Reagan was mostly portrayed a dude who liked his naps but not evil. George Sr. was portrayed
as pretty on the ball when we saw him at all. His son, not so much but still not malevolent.

Only Nixon ever got cast as a knowing arch villain. And even then he was never shown "on camera" as a badguy. As far
as Marvel's concerned, that was never Nixon.

[XPac]

Reagan was mostly portrayed a dude who liked his naps but not evil. George Sr. was portrayed
as pretty on the ball when we saw him at all. His son, not so much but still not malevolent.

Only Nixon ever got cast as a knowing arch villain. And even then he was never shown "on camera" as a badguy. As far
as Marvel's concerned, that was never Nixon.

The way the marvel sliding timescale works, it couldn't have been Nixon at this point anyways. It would probably have to be Clinton at this point.

Sometimes I think it's a mistake for marvel to use real presidents.

[J.D. Owe]

And so the last time this Democratic president campaigned for an initiative to get more blacks into the workplace was when? He's been in office for 7 years now, and found many creative ways to force his will to become law through executive orders. Surely it's come to his attention that the unemployment rate among blacks is double the national average. So I'm sure I must just be missing that major campaign of his to get more of them off of the unemployment rolls and into the workforce.

Well for starters, it's been notably high for decades. So that's not as new an issue that people like to pretend it is.

Secondly let's not insult our collective intelligence by acting as though conservatives are actually interested in him being so bold in taking the initiative, to take the necessary steps and deliberately lower it. And lets not act as though they they are willing to sit by quietly as he does. They'll just call it "hand outs" and call him a "Socialist, Marxist, Communist, Fascist, Dictator", like they always do. Because last time I checked, reflexive and double speaking conservatives damn near had kittens, the moment he merely spoke CANDIDLY about race (when asked by a reporter) after the Trayvon case. Heck, they almost stroked out when Michelle spoke on it, in an uplifting manner, at an HBCU graduation speech. Which was even based on her own experiences.

[jackolover]

Well, it's Nick Spencer, so we are going to get strained domestic politics like his Fear Itself Avengers series. Nick sets up a lot of Civil War ll in this right off the bat, describing America as picking sides on every thing, instead of finding what's common among neighbours. The thing I noticed is how Nick so easily slips into the dirty, sleezy side of America, with the call ups to see Taylor Swift, and TV cancellations, then go into awkward issues nobody wants to address. This Sam Wilson story has him digging into the uncomfortable, and it clashes with authority, which is very grimy on top of it. The story goes in places that America doesn't want to see, and is miles apart from the lazy, relaxed, Battleworld Sam Wilson occupied in Ultimate End. ANAD isn't dangerous, unless you start to take sides by immersing yourself in an issue other people don't agree with, then as Sam Wilson found, it becomes too hard and tiresome to work down at that level.

This story leaves me frustrated, because the issues are important, but you look at middle America, and it is grinding to a halt with a multitude of issues everyone is too tired to confront. It's like a body corporate nightmare, where no matter what you do, it's wrong, and that is hard to keep a super hero comic functioning like that.

[The Cool Thatguy]

Aside from the politics thing, what I didn't like about the issue was how Spencer once again falls back on the 'loser' protagonist that he did/does with Sinister Six and Ant-Man.

It's mitigated, luckily, but still present. Sam's on the outs with Shield, barely has any support staff, money and has to fly coach, etc.

While Spencer is right that our nation is divided...I still find it all but impossible to believe that Sam couldn't crowd fund his operation (yet Redwing is armed with a toy gimmick?), and wouldn't have resources of his own.

Given whom he is replacing, an underdog status does fit Sam, yes, but not to this extent.

[J.D. Owe]

At least this isn't pretending to be real news. It's a story and it's primary goal is to entertain. Fox news is irresponsible journalism and deliberately misinform people and push their agenda all while pretending it's "fair and balanced" news.

There is nothing wrong with comics, or any medium, being political. Saying it shouldn't be limits the storytelling options available to creators. Spencer worked in politics, it makes sense that he'd want to write something political.

The same laughing stock network that had their "CIA/Terrorist Expert Commentator" guy being arrested recently BY the feds; for being a complete fraud and impersonating an agent to gain access to classified info? Which is a federal offense.

[jackolover]

Finally a got a chance to pick this up. This definitely is very important in understanding who Sam is, and what kind of Cap he's going to be I mean its great to FINALLY get a sense for the kind of Cap that Sam is, after being teased by Remender. A lot of the issue is setup though, clearing the deck of old plot threads and establishing new relationships and conflicts. Its great to see Sam's man for the people attitude directly relay into the kind of Captain America he is but I do wish we would have gotten some specifics on his stands (I get why they don't though and understand the reasoning behind it) but we get enough of everyone's reactions to infer. The book did have a lot of action, but no big bad villain yet for Cap. I love that he handily disposes of Crossbones like a good Cap can, but I would've loved to see Acuna illustrate that. He manages to neatly pack so many panels into his art I'm sure he could've managed a few shots. Still, he draws a great Sam and is great at conveying emotion. I want a real dangerous bad guy for Sam to fight against, not LifeAlert variant Steve.

Overall, a solid first issue. With most of the framework established now Spencer is free to establish stakes with Sam both in and out of costume. I loved seeing him doing his thing and be Cap, now I want to see him beat up a little.

You know, and one thing Nick Spencer does, is distinguish Sam Wilson from Steve Rogers, here. Remender just made Sam out as a generic flying Cap, but here, Nick describes where Sam's affections lie, and it's a whole world away from what Steve Rogers deals with. Steve Rogers knows what being down in the dirt is, so he allows people to dig themselves out of that mess. Sam has compassion for the people who are in that struggle and gives them a hand up. Steve doesn't do that. There is a philosophical difference here between them both. Steve would say, "Let them get themselves out of the problems. I did, and the struggle is what makes you who you are". Sam would agree, but Sam would give them assistance along the way, something Steve would consider babying them. I suppose it's old school versus new age.

[XPac]

Aside from the politics thing, what I didn't like about the issue was how Spencer once again falls back on the 'loser' protagonist that he did/does with Sinister Six and Ant-Man.

It's mitigated, luckily, but still present. Sam's on the outs with Shield, barely has any support staff, money and has to fly coach, etc.

While Spencer is right that our nation is divided...I still find it all but impossible to believe that Sam couldn't crowd fund his operation (yet Redwing is armed with a toy gimmick?), and wouldn't have resources of his own.

Given whom he is replacing, an underdog status does fit Sam, yes, but not to this extent.

Maybe Red Wings sonic canon (along with D-Man's new duds) are why Sam is so hard up. His crew is eating up the funds. Even Misty is sporting a new outfit. No wonder poor Sam has to fly in economy.

[jackolover]

It did kinda suck that the Crossbones fight was off panel. If his prediction that he escapes in 2 weeks is true maybe we'll get a.on panel rematch.

Also liked that Red Wing got a sonic cannon.

Anything I see now, I extrapolate out of Battleworld, and here, in this book, I see Crossbones, (just fresh from murdering the Red Skull and bringing his head to Doom), and he's back to being part of Hydra? It's a very pedestrian use of the character compared to his vibrant appearance in Red Skull, here getting beat up by Sam Wilson, which I must add, was far too easy, because Bones would give Steve a run for his money, and Sam isn't in Steve's class, battlewise.

[The Cool Thatguy]

Maybe Red Wings sonic canon (along with D-Man's new duds) are why Sam is so hard up. His crew is eating up the funds. Even Misty is sporting a new outfit. No wonder poor Sam has to fly in economy.

How much did Misty spend on it, though? It barely covers her belly and chest.

...discount bin?

[XPac]

You know, and one thing Nick Spencer does, is distinguish Sam Wilson from Steve Rogers, here. Remender just made Sam out as a generic flying Cap, but here, Nick describes where Sam's affections lie, and it's a whole world away from what Steve Rogers deals with. Steve Rogers knows what being down in the dirt is, so he allows people to dig themselves out of that mess. Sam has compassion for the people who are in that struggle and gives them a hand up. Steve doesn't do that. There is a philosophical difference here between them both. Steve would say, "Let them get themselves out of the problems. I did, and the struggle is what makes you who you are". Sam would agree, but Sam would give them assistance along the way, something Steve would consider babying them. I suppose it's old school versus new age.

I don't think Steve lacks compassion so much as I think he will more likely focus on the bigger stuff than Sam will.

I think in Steve's mind he might have bigger issues to deal with than patrolling the mexican border. Which isn't to say something like this isn't important too... but you can't solve every problem in the world and eventually you do come to a point where you need to pick your battles. If you're an Avenger, that sort of thing might not top your list or priorities as heartless as that may sound. I think Sam's background allows him to think smaller (and I don't mean that in an offensive way) and look at the problems Steve might leave for others.

[jackolover]

The verbal fight I enjoyed was actually the one with Maria Hill. Hopefully she's written that way all the time from now on.

And yeah, the fact that Red Wing's approval rating seems bullet proof is pretty darn cool.

That fight of Sam and Maria was very unusual. Maria was so dismissive in her approach with Sam, but Sam deflected it like it was nothing, or Maria's sense of humor. That whole banter seemed off, because it was meant that Maria was having nothing to do with her, then Sam acts like she didn't say it, and Maria follows Sam's lead. I found it very or too familiar on Sam's part. Did he have sex with her maybe? That could explain it.