Ed Brubaker is considered by many to be among the greatest Captain America writers, and with good reason. In Captain America #602-605, he wrote a story called "Two Americas" that featured Bucky as the new Cap going up against the Commie Smasher Cap (his name now revealed as William Burnside). The beginning of the "Two Americas" story actually did generate some controversy in conservative circles because of the above image. The comic was published when the Tea Party was just starting up and due to backlash, Marvel eventually altered the protest signs in reprints. But the content of the story is still very reflective of the climate. Burnside returned, back in his Captain America costume, claiming that the America he loved was gone and talking of a "real" America and a "fake" America (much like former Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and current Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee). The Watchdogs also returned in this story as well, with Burnside leading their organisation. The notion of a right-wing militia was really driven home in these issues and it was up to Cap and the Falcon to stop them before they could blow up the Hoover Dam.
Percival Constantine is the author of several novels and short stories, including the Vanguard superhero series, and regularly writes and comments on movies, comics, and other pop culture. More information can be found at his website, PercivalConstantine.com
