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Empyre: Captain America #1: Review

Jul 2020
Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Ariel Olivetti

Story Name:

(No title given)

Review & Comments

Rating:
4 stars

Empyre: Captain America #1 Review by (November 30, 2020)

Review: Here’s a rarity: a contemporary story wherein Captain America leads troops in a military action. And the military action is a pretty exciting one with the future of Earth literally at stake. Cap makes a good showing, especially when telling war stories as he always gives full credit to those fighting alongside him and never hogging the glory. Cap disobeying direct orders is a bit out of character but sometimes these things are sacrificed in favor of keeping the story moving. An interesting detail: Cap is hobbled by his Kree and Skrull allies because their goals don’t always match up, with Cap caring what happens to humans and the two alien races notoriously not. The other interesting note suggests that America’s NATO allies are also unreliable as they promise to send troops but only if the USA agrees to some sort of political concession. Remember, this group is primarily an organization for mutual protection in case of war so adding conditions would be betraying the group’s mission. So, Cap is hobbled by unreliable allies, human and otherwise, against an enemy that moves like none other, with full capability of overrunning Earth. With all that at stake one can forgive the villain’s defeat coming off so easily (“His power is in his staff! Let me break it and that will all be defeated!”). Otherwise, this epic was a nice side story to the main plot.

Comments: EMPYRE tie-in. Story falls between EMPYRE issues #2 and 6.





 

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Empyre: Captain America #1 Synopsis by Peter Silvestro

The Cotati have invaded Earth to start their mission to exterminate all animal-based life in the universe. The US military is fighting them at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia and losing when Captain America arrives on the field to rally the soldiers and lead them against the enemy. Cap identifies the Cotati leader, Shi Qaanth whom the solders then fire upon, hitting him in the eye. Shi Qaanth’s tentacles bring down Cap’s aircraft and another vine goes down the mouth of Specialist Bennet before Shi Qaanth dissolves into the wind. Bennet seems okay and Cap assembles a squad consisting of Specialist Bennett, Sergeant Major Cherry, Sergeant Russo, and First Lieutenant Herrero; they fight their way through the enemy lines to sanctuary in the besieged Pentagon. Cap meets with General Woodley, suggesting that they go to the aid of Mexico and South America to support and strengthen America’s allies but Woodley disagrees, insisting American troops should be defending American soil, including Captain America. Cap goes out and informs his squad and the rest of their division that they are needed in Mexico to aid their allies and the troops enthusiastically join him….

Inside the Pentagon, Bennett lies in wait for the General and when he appears, the vines snakes from the soldier’s mouth to Woodley’s bringing him under the control of Shi Qaanth too….

Near Mexico City, Shi Qaanth marshals his forces and scatters seed that enters the ground, raising a giant made of tree and stone….



Ariel Olivetti
Ariel Olivetti
Rachelle Rosenberg
Mike Henderson (Cover Penciler)
Mike Henderson (Cover Inker)
Nolan Woodard (Cover Colorist)
Letterer: Ariana Maher.

Characters

Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Captain America
Captain America

(Steve Rogers)

Plus: Cotati, Shi Qaanth.

> Empyre: Captain America: Book info and issue index

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