“Heroes, Villains, and Me” is a periodic article on Geeky KOOL by Larry Litle about the world of comic books and my reaction to it. “Heroes, Villains, and Me” is not a comic book review article. I will write about current events, speculation and rumors, or my own wacky thoughts about the world of comic books.
A couple of weeks, the internet exploded with the reveal of Captain America pushing a teammate out of an airplane and declaring “Hail Hydra!” According to the story, when Steve Rogers was a child, he and his mother were recruited by Hydra.
I picked up this comic book for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I love Captain America and was excited to know Steve was back. His Super Serum and age are back to normal Captain America. Sam Wilson, the Falcon, has been a fine Captain America but I love having Steve back.
Secondly, with all of the internet buzz, I had to pick up the issue. I wanted to know about the outcry and what was happening. I couldn’t intelligently comment on this comic without first reading it.
The idea that Captain America is a secret Hyrda agent shock and disgusted many. Captain America creators, Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, were Jewish. They created Captain America to combat Hitler and his Nazi’s forces prior to the United States joining World War II. Hydra was founded by two powerful Nazi’s The Red Skull and Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. Captain America being a Hydra agent is one step away from being a card carrying Nazi.
I understand why people are upset. Captain America being a secret Hydra agent is horrible. It is especially true if you believe the hype that he has always been a Hydra agent. This was difficult to wrap my mind around after watching Captain America: Civil War and cheering for Team Cap.
No one wants to see their favorite heroes messed up by a creative team doing something different. It almost feels like part of one’s childhood is being ripped from them when creators change the core of our favorite characters. After all, many of us comic geeks related more to these characters than we did our peers as kids.
I am a hugs Spider-Man fan (Captain America is my second favorite character). I have felt like my favorite character has been messed over more than his fair share. It all starts with the Death of Gwen Stacy. I cried when I read the death issue as a child in the 70s. The Clone saga drove me crazy. I still hate the idea of Gwen having an affair with Osborn. Don’t even get me started on One More Day~ I loved Peter and Mary Jane’s married life. Yes, Spidey has had his fair share of crazy storylines that changed him or other characters we loved.
Through all my comic book experiences, I have come to understand a simple fact. Rarely do these changes to our character stay. There will be a comic book explanation. Things will change back. Honestly readers hate it when the core of their favorite characters change.
How many times has Captain America died or lost his abilities? Yet he continues to come back. It is a matter of time before the old Steve is back without the Hydra brainwashing.
As fans, we hate these changes but sometimes they bring really good stories. I loved the Superior Spider-Man storyline. I hated that Doc Ock was running Peter’s life but the stories were excellent. The storyline with Bucky sitting in for Cap was wonderful. Give this storyline a chance. It might actually surprise you while making you upset about Hydra Cap. Don’t discount it just because it makes you uncomfortable. Check out if the story is good or not. When it is over and Cap is back to normal, which will happen, celebrate his awesomeness.
Stay Geeky My Friends!
