2. Civil War/The Death Of Captain America (Civil War mini-series/Captain America vol. 5 #25)
The Mark Millar/Steve McNiven Civil War miniseries, which then branches off into the Ed Brubaker/Steve Epting Death of Captain America arc in the Captain America solo series, marks the most defiant Cap has ever been in comic book history. There are a number of stories where Captain America is dismayed or dispirited by political corruption, but he often dealt with those situations more passively. In Civil War, he takes the fight directly to those he ideologically opposes, despite the fact that many of his enemies are former allies and friends. What makes Civil War such a fascinating read is how it takes preconceived ideas of certain Marvel superheroes i.e. the assumption that because Captain America is loyal to his country and his government and would automatically support the controversial Superhero Registration Act and gives readers exactly the opposite of what theyd expect. Tony Stark/Iron Man would had never been mistaken as a government yes man, and yet thats exactly what he becomes in Civil War, while Cap fights to protect the privacies and personal livelihoods of superheroes across the country. Still, despite the role reversal, these characters remain true to their core. Captain America is as loyal to his convictions as hes ever been throughout Civil War and moments before he looks ready to break his own rule Avengers dont kill he understands the bloodshed and loss caused by the war and surrenders. Caps surrender leads directly to his death, making the character even more of a martyr for his beliefs and views. While being paraded around by S.H.I.E.L.D. in handcuffs, Cap is attacked by sniper fire (though the fatal blow is delivered at close range by his former love, Sharon Carter, who had been brainwashed by Doctor Faustus). Stark immediately feels responsible for Caps tragic death, so when he finds a letter from his old Avengers teammate asking for Captain America to live on in some tangible way after his death, Tony works with Bucky Barnes so he can assume the mantle of the Red, White and Blue Avenger. The aftermath of Caps death thematically echoes Jim Sterankos run on Captain America, demonstrating how Captain America is more than just a man, but a symbol and an idea. Bucky, who had spent years as a brainwashed KGB assassin, initially struggles with the responsibility and expectations, but the experience makes him a better hero and human being.
Mark is a professional writer living in Brooklyn and is the founder of the Chasing Amazing Blog, which documents his quest to collect every issue of Amazing Spider-Man, and the Superior Spider-Talk podcast. He also pens the "Gimmick or Good?" column at Comics Should Be Good blog.
