The AntiDivine secure, Captain America and Doctor Doom begin planning their rebellion in Hell. Now Steve finds himself face to face with one of the worst of his many enemies, Red Skull. Using the AntiDivine as a shield, Steve prepares for a battle against Red Skull and a demonic Nazi Army.
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Catch Up with Captain America #14
Creative Team
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Valerio Schiti
Color Artist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Valerio Schiti
Cover Color Artist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Writing
Chip Zdarsky really goes all in on this issue. This was such a dramatic and emotional issue. We are given a chance to see Doctor Doom and Steve Rogers for a few more issues on the same side, and it is so exciting to see the way that Zdarsky uses these two together. There’s a lot of heavy emotional weight in this issue as Steve reckons with the weight of the Antidivine placed on his soul, while Doom gleefully slaughters Nazis. The battle between Red Skull and Steve Rogers that occurs is truly one for the ages, reminiscent of the best Captain America stories of the past.
The past and present, as well as the future, dance playfully in Captain America #15, with Zdarsky leaving us wondering if Doom ever truly changes his stripes or what the price is that Steve Rogers is willing to pay for a better future. Captain America has faced some of the strongest physical tests of any character in Marvel Comics, but what really makes this run from Zdarsky stand out is the way he challenges Steve mentally, emotionally, and morally in ways he’s seldom faced.
Art
Valerio Schiti, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Joe Caramagna shine again in this issue. Schiti’s line work on the Red Skull’s face is truly terrifying. He takes an already repulsive character and makes him truly terrible to look at. I didn’t realize how much I was missing Doctor Doom using magic on a demonic Nazi in my life until I saw Valerio Schiti draw it on a page. Hell looks truly depressing, setting the stage for an incredibly drawn battle between Red Skull and Steve.
Romulo Fajardo Jr really stood out for the colors on this issue. There are several panels, including a one-pager, that are stunning. The line work is incredible, but it’s Fajardo Jr’s colors that set the tone for the page and create the impact. I continue to love what color artists do with Doom in this series, giving him a familiar yet distinct look. His green is still present, but it doesn’t shine quite as brightly, capturing the desolation of Hell.
Final Thoughts
Captain America #15 is a satisfying penultimate issue in the Hell’s Angel arc. Challenging Steve Rogers’ moral compass in the shadow of Doom is as bold a creative choice as the creative team could make, and it lands solidly. I wish issue 16 was dropping tomorrow so I could see how this arc ends.
Overall Grade:9/10
What do you think about Captain America #15? Let me know in the comments
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