The Return Of The Supreme Commander In Captain America #8
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
The powers that be charged Baron Wolfgang von Strucker with locking Captain America away in his private prison. Strucker did so happily, and now Steve Rogers must sit and watch while Strucker torments the other prisoners while promising to do the same to Steve soon. Elsewhere, Alexa Lukin frees the Hydra Supreme Commander, aka the Steve Rogers responsible for Secret Empire. Alexa and Selene have grand plans for the Supreme Commander. Finally, Sharon Carter meets with the greatest power in New York City: Mayor Wilson Fisk.
Captain America #8 finds Steve Rogers at another very low point. He is completely at the mercy of Baron Strucker and the other inmates of the prison for the time being.
Alexa Lukin and Selene the Black Queen are free to do as they please for now, including freeing the Supreme Commander.
One of the more effective moments is the Wrecking Crew calling out Steve for the actions of the Supreme Commander. Cap has unceasing guilt about his own culpability in the actions of the Supreme Commander, and, for everyone else, the difference between the two men doesn’t matter.
Sharon’s showdown with Mayor Kingpin is quite good too.
The big twist with the Daughters of Liberty doesn’t go anywhere yet, which is a little strange given how big a surprise that was.
Adam Kubert’s artwork is quite solid. It gives the story a grit that is appropriate given how grim this issue is. It displays Baron Strucker’s brutality well, and there’s another twist in the final pages that is all the more shocking thanks to Kubert’s artwork. Frank Martin supports it with a similarly gloomy color palette that serves the story well.
Captain America #8 doesn’t advance the story particularly far, but it is an engaging and effective read regardless. Steve Rogers continues to struggle while his allies and enemies scheme and operate around him. It’s a solid read and easily worth a recommendation. Check it out.
Captain America #8 comes to us from writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, artist Adam Kubert, color artist Frank Martin, letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna, cover artist Alex Ross, and variant cover artists Dave Johnson and Phil Noto.
