This compilation of Captain America is filled with amazing artwork and is well worth the read simply for that. But, the story – the story is by Ta-Nehisi Coates – best selling author and magazine correspondent. And whether he is writing a novel or non-fiction or revolutionizing an iconic comic book title (Black Panther), Coates is always worth reading. In this book he takes on the idea and ideal that is Captain America and brings his revolutionary storytelling to bear on a Marvel icon. Hydra has taken over and America has lost its faith in Captain America and a corrupt Power Elite is pulling the strings to put an end to the symbol of hope that lives in the shield of Steve Rogers. This book explores issues that are entirely relevant to our day and time: who do we trust and how do we know? Is it possible to know the truth in the midst of conflicting information and data? And who is truly corrupt and who only appears to be, and how do we know? “We have forgotten that true freedom is a problem. A question, not an answer. Freedom from what? For what? And having lost our way in the storm, we found shelter and an antidote for the chaos. This is not the story you see in the papers. The people forgot – we forgot and then we conquered ourselves.” Coates asks some tough questions about freedom as he explores the legend of Captain America – how do we understand freedom when our ideas of freedom are different? How do we reconcile those differences while holding to the ideal of freedom? This is a powerful story with really good art and should I say it again, the writing of Ta-Nehisi Coates. If you are a fan of Coates, a comic aficionado or a fan of Marvel and/or Captain America, this is one you should read! ( )

As with his Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 1, Coates starts his run on Captain America mostly trying to deal with the big steaming piling of poop left by the previous writer. I have so far not read any of Nick Spencer's run or Secret Empire and based on this book dealing with the aftermath, I'd guess I'm better off for having skipped all that.

Anyhow, there are quite a few characters here I do not recognize, and for those that I do, I have little idea how they got to their present states. I found it hard to care about anything going on. I might have been willing to try a second volume of Coates' run if it weren't for the silly, ponderous and off-putting narration of Cap himself. Those blue caption boxes were a total drag to read. ( )