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Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Art by: Carlos Magno
Colors by: Espen Grundetjern
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by: Taurin Clarke (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: March 6, 2024
Captain America #7 sends Steve Rogers out for a magical night on the town (literally) when he’s summoned by a mystical being to defend change agents against Death itself.
Is Captain America #7 Good?
No, no. It’s alright. You’re in the right place. This isn’t a Sandman comic, but Captain America #7 leans into the more ethereal side of the Marvel universe, so your confusion is understandable. However, you may just enjoy the ride.
When last we left Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, he saved a World Peace Conference full of change agents from the Demon King Asmoday and his Emissary. Steve received magical help during the fight from Doctor Strange, who infused Steve’s shield with mystical energy. Steve eventually won and possibly destroyed one of the Demon Kings of Hell.
Now, Steve has completed the renovation of the brownstone. While he enjoys a quiet moment to feel satisfaction in his work, he’s approached by a mystical woman calling herself Lyra. J. Michael Straczynski never explicitly states what Lyra truly is, but she’s either an angel of Creation or the Goddess of Life or some variation thereof. Lyra firmly requests Steve’s presence at a Midnight show.
When Steve arrives at the eclectic theater, attended by a crowd of change agents, he enjoys the cabaret of people singing with impossible notes and magicians using real magic. Later, Steve is escorted backstage by Lyra, who shows him that her brother (Death?) wants to reset all of humanity by wiping out the change agents attending the show and all who might come at some later point. Using his magically enhanced shield, Steve is charged with protecting the theater alongside Lyra to prevent Death from destroying humanity.
I’ll give Straczynski credit for taking the elements from the first arc, one that came off as safe and even a bit bland, and kicking off a new arc that swings for the fences with big ideas and a challenge that feels very much outside of Cap’s wheelhouse.
What’s great about Captain America #7? Straczynski improves on the first arc significantly by putting Cap in unfamiliar territory and challenging him in ways that he’s not used to. Admittedly, the story feels “weird” but in a curious, intriguing sort of way.
What’s not so great about Captain America #7? The early pacing in this issue won’t grab you. Yes, Straczynski is setting up the magical side of the world through Cap’s eyes to get readers grounded in the conflict to come, but the pace doesn’t pick up until the last few pages. Readers who felt Straczynski’s first arc was lackluster may be fooled this new arc is more of the same, and rightfully so.
How’s the Art? Carlos Magno’s art is fine from what I can see. Most of the issue is a lot of people sitting/standing around and talking with lots of heavy shadows, so it’s unclear if Magno’s style holds up in action, so we’ll see.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Bits and Pieces
Captain America #7 kicks off a new adventure that draws Cap much deeper into the mystical side of the Marvel universe. The art and story feel like a Sandman story from DC, but in this case, that might be a good thing,
7.8/10
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