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Captain America #6: Review

Feb 2024
J. Michael Straczynski, Lan Medina

Story Name:

Beast

Review & Comments

Rating:
5 stars

Captain America #6 Review by (February 7, 2024)

Review: An impressive wrap-up to this series’ first arc with Steve defeating a demonic enemy in two eras, once as Captain America and once in his own sickly body. Young Steve exemplifies the ideals of quiet heroism. But there is also a new bit added to Cap’s lore: the idea that Steve was terminally ill when he volunteered for the Super-Soldier Serum, making his transformation into Captain America all the more timely—and poignant. And Cap defeating the villains human and demon combined was a bit anticlimactic once Dr. Strange showed up (it took him this long to think of the magic item he wears on his chest?) but was still satisfying. And the tale leaves us with a warning that the Nazis can return at any time. In fact, they are already here.

Comments: The title “Beast” refers to the Nazi menace. The Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 1939, was a real event, though no disaster ensued. The fictional Simon Convention Center is named after Cap’s co-creator Joe Simon. A list of young Steve Rogers’ serious health problems can be found in the comments at issue #4. Belardino Brabo contributed to the inks.






 

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Captain America #6 Synopsis by Peter Silvestro

Two stories told in parallel:

1939: At Madison Square Garden, young Steve Rogers joins Meyer Lansky’s hoods in fighting the American Bundists in order to stop the bomb detonating that would kill them all….

Now: Captain America is trapped within the Simon Convention Center where the Emissary, serial killer Henry Cavanaugh, possessed by the demon Asmoday, announces to the peace conference his intention to kill them all….

1939: Steve and the gangsters locate the truck containing the bomb but it is armored and they can’t break in. Steve points out that he is small enough to crawl in through the window and the keys are in the ignition. The window is broken and Steve drives off with the truck. As the bomb starts to detonate, Steve drives the truck into the river and swims away, thinking of his mother. The bomb goes off….

Now: Misty Knight and Sharon Carter manage to drill through the barriers sealing off the Center. Cap tells them to evacuate the place, taking the conference members to safety while he battles the Emissary. Cap barely holds his own against the demon’s powers until Doctor Strange, speaking through the doll (“Figurine!”) in Cap’s pocket, comes up with a solution. After a few long minutes, Strange places the Eye of Agamotto on Cap’s shield, giving him the power needed to defeat his enemy. Cap continues hitting the Emissary until Asmoday is driven out and Cavanaugh collapses….

1939: Steve awakens in the hospital. The doctor informs him that his injuries, placed alongside his myriad health problems, mean that he has, at most, five years to live. Across the street is a Nazi possessed by Asmoday who draws a bead on Steve with a sniper rifle. Asmoday halts him, saying that killing Steve now would only make him a martyr; rather he should die an invalid in bitter agony in five years. But then Dr. Erskin came along….

Now: Steve’s renovation of the apartment building is finally complete. Steve offers Seung Kim the job of manager but Seung turns down the offer, explaining that the family has plans to move to Seattle. After the goodbyes are over, Mrs. Rosen tells him the real reason the Kims left, suggesting Steve look at the street where the Kims parked their van. Steve goes over—and discovers the wall there covered with swastikas and Nazi slogans. As Steve whitewashes the wall, he muses that things happen in cycles and if the Nazis ever come back, he’ll be ready for them….




Lan Medina
Lan Medina
Espen Grundetjern
Taurin Clarke (Cover Penciler)
Taurin Clarke (Cover Inker)
Taurin Clarke (Cover Colorist)
Letterer: Joe Caramagna.

Characters

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> Captain America: Book info and issue index

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