I've been reading the stories on the death of Captain America for a week now, and letting it settle in my stomach. To give you a run down of the events that lead to his death, Superheroes are required to register with the government and reveal their true identity. Some refuse, and become fugitives, and a full-scale civil war erupts between heroes.
Eventually the battle comes to it's climax when the leader of the anti-registration forces, Captain America, is shot on the courthouse steps and killed.
I don't read as many comics as I once did, but this still makes me sad. I am a geek after all...
But it also resonates on a different level. The Superhuman Registration Act as shown in the comic books is looked at as a thinly-veiled analog of the PATRIOT Act, and the Civil War series in general explores the very same ideological battles politicians, pundits, bloggers, and so on have been fighting since 9/11.
I've come down on the side of opposing the PATRIOT Act and other government efforts to illegally imprison citizens, and other dangerous powers the Bush White House has sought to claim its own. I believe that given unchecked power to the authorities will be a disaster. I believe it will result in all manner of horrors I cannot begin to enumerate.
I think that the editors at Marvel feel the same way, because what I read in the death of Captain America is the death of America itself. Captain America stood for Liberty and Justice for All. He was the emblem of a nation that stood for freedom. He battled Hitler, he fought terrorists, but he was never the perpetrator of evil, and he certainly would not have advocated a place like Gitmo, or supported the extraordinary renditions of people to countries known to torture. But in the comic book, as in the United States, people are trading in their freedoms for some illusion of security.
And so, as Captain America lies dying on the steps of the courthouse, America dies.
My only hope is that, as with comic book heroes, America can be reborn and restored.
Captain America is dead. Love live Captain America!
Maurice,
Being...well, being me, I was actually not that shocked when I heard that Cap dies in Civil War. Many "in the know" people were predicting this as the path of the storyline in Civil War unfolded. Personally, I wonder why they (Marvel) did it first and foremost. I would HOPE that it was to reflect the current trend in our society (as you stated) and their feelings on such events. I HOPE that by sacrificing one of the most effectively symbolic characters ever created (in ANY medium) on the alter of public consciousness during a time of true need, the Sentinel of Liberty would be able to transcend his status as a "mere comic book hero" and truly bring some meaning and insight to those who weren't already aware of what kind of world we currently live in. I HOPE that this would be the case. I HOPE.
However, in this same world, I know I've already heard hushed whispers claiming it is only a publicity stunt to up the sales of the industry. That "mere comic book heroes" can never really die and that Cap will be back soon. Part of me wants to see that and believe it too. Part of me just wants good old Steve Rogers back right away….
But I sit here writing this while looking at a hardback copy of "Captain America: The New Deal" in my office. The cover is emblazoned with Cap standing tall, shield raised high while he stands on a podium, which reads "Liberty and Justice for ALL". The inside dust jacket states that:
"Captain America takes an all-new direction--confronting events drawn from today's volatile political climate. With this unprecedented path for the Sentinel of Liberty, the current Captain America embodies the true spirit of American freedom--now more than ever!"
I read these words and think how true they are. I shed my tears for Cap, the wonderful ideals he stands for and think that Marvel kept up their end of the deal. They did indeed keep Cap on that path. Maybe he did need to die to reflect the death of those same ideals he represents. I hope that like some of the "mere comic book heroes" of the past, Cap will indeed be reborn. Steve Rogers will once again hoist that shield, defend the weak, uphold freedom and make sure that the wings of Liberty never lose a feather.
In the meantime though, I HOPE that his sacrifice won't be in vain. That even if he never comes back, SOMEONE will take up the cause, SOMEONE will be made more aware of all the things going on around us in the world today. They’ll be inspired by the idea this man and character represents and they’ll make a change in the world for the better. And maybe they'll think of Cap in his Red, White and Blue, when they do. I HOPE.
I was going to leave a comment on how I truly believe Marvel is not taking a stand on anything, but like everyone else is trying to make money off the controversy this move (and overall story arc) would cause.
But then I read Brian L.'s comment, and I truly share his hope, and couldn't leave anything snarky in this space.