Captain America #8 – The Role of The Warrior

Doom has fallen, and Salvation has risen. Captain America heads to Latveria to try and discover Doom’s hidden weapons in a country torn apart by war as leaders fight to fill the void left by Doom. After meeting Alina Von Doom, the leader of the Homeland Party, Captain America heads into the sewers with her to discuss Latveria’s future before taking on a mission that may be more than he bargained for.

This review is a joint review from Shawn and Travis. Click on their names to see more reviews from Travis and Shawn.

Creative Team

Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Jan Bazaldua
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Valerio Schiti
Cover Colorist: Frank Martin
Published by Marvel Comics

Writing

Shawn: What’s in a name? That’s the powerful question that Chip Zdarksy begins asking in this issue. After meeting Alina Von Doom (See Captain America #7), Cap rightfully has some questions. One of the things that I’ve enjoyed in works by Chip Zdarksy and Captain America is no exception is that you can find signatures of Chip’s writing style coming through in each issue, but not at the expense of what makes the character unique. This issue of Captain America feels uniquely Chip, without losing the heart of what makes Captain America, well, Captain America.Seeing a Captain America that revels in the ideals he stands for while not standing for those who would twist those ideals is refreshing.

Travis: Chip continues to produce such amazing works for this Captain America series. The
recent blending of this run into the One World Under Doom event brings more to this
story. The writing for this issue is poetic. But with a glimpse of what was experienced in
World War II. The dialogue within this issue becomes so powerful from Steve Rogers.
So much so that you continue to question what Steve Rogers is going to do next.

Art

Shawn: Jan Bazaldua and Romulo Fajardo Jr. crafted an exquisite issue with Captain America #8. It’s no secret that comic books are produces under relatively condensed timelines, so I always appreciate when artists still take time for details. I love after I’ve done the first read through when I can go back and look at the background of an issue and see where the artist and colorist took their time and added detail.

This art just “feels” like Captain America. Bazaldua and Fajardo Jr. perfectly capture war torn Latveria in the grit and destruction that has been wrought on it. Joe Caramagna lets the eyes flow easily and does a particularly stellar job with SFX this issue.

Travis: The art from Jan Bazaldua and Romulo Fajardo Jr. is exactly what this issue of Captain
America needed. I absolutely enjoy it when artists can use their abilities to tell a story
without words. The color choice and shading add to the dark tone of this issue. The
pencil work is so crisp and smooth that it feels like you’re looking at this in high
definition!

Final Thoughts

Shawn: 9/10 I’ve always loved Captain America but man, do I love what this creative team has done with Captain America. While there is plenty of action in this story, I love the world-building we get in this issue. Chip is building a Captain America that feels battle-tested. As much as I love Captain America, a lot of early Captain America felt naive and unrealistic. Chip Zdarksy’s Captain America feels more grounded.

Travis: 9/10 This eighth issue of Captain America continues to provide shock & awe to the readers.
Chip is so poetic within this series to create world problems in other countries, only to
steer the ship back around and provide evidence of how America is no better than any
other country. This is an amazing series with continuous character development and
plot lines! Get this issue today and see what Captain America does next.

Overall Grade: 9/10

Check out more Nerd Initiative reviews from Shawn and Travis.

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