Unstacked is where I feature mini-reviews because sometimes I can’t just write cohesive sentences but I still want to share my opinions about books I read. Check out more here.
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- All-New Captain America: Hydra Ascendant
- Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 1: Not My Captain America
- Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 2. Standoff
- Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 3. Civil War II
- Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 4. #TakeBackTheShield
- Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 5. End of the Line
- Captain America: Sam Wilson #22-24
If you’ve read my recaps for The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, then you probably know how much I love Sam Wilson as much as Bucky Barnes! I recently re-subscribed to Marvel Unlimited last month and now I have a year’s worth of unlimited comics.
I picked up All-New Captain America by Rick Remender that ran six issues. And then, I continued to read Nick Spencer’s Captain America: Sam Wilson. I also read Falcon and The Winter Soldier by Derek Landy, which was fun!
Sam is one of my favorite characters, both in the comics and the movies. And he’s my Captain America, alright?
All-New Captain America: Hydra Ascendant
Written by: Rick Remender
Illustrated by: Stuart Immonen
Pub Date: July 14, 2015
Pages: 136
REVIEW
The events of Remender’s Captain America run left Steve Rogers aged up so he passed on the mantle to the best man to live up the legacy, Sam Wilson.
Hydra Ascendant collects All-New Captain America Issues #1-6.
I like the high-octane action in this series and Immonen’s art highlights that. Though the story wasn’t as compelling as I’d hope but it was fun to see Sam team up with Ian Rogers to fight Baron Blood, Baron Zemo, and a whole ton of Hydra.
[Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 1: Not My Captain America
Written by: Nick Spencer
Illustrated by: Paul Renaud, Daniel Acuna
Pub Date: May 3, 2016
Pages: 136
REVIEW
I definitely didn’t sign up for Cap-Wolf. Sure it was fun, but I wanted to see Sam in his Captain America suit!
The story presents the conflict between Sam and Steve. I love how unapologetic Sam’s stand was throughout the series. I could also see the parallels between this story and TFATWS series, especially with the racial undertones.
Joaquin Torres also debuts as the new Falcon, which thank gods MCU-Joaquin doesn’t look anything like his comics counterpart. He helps Sam fight Serpent Solutions which was fun. Sam’s romance with Misty was fun too.
Vol. 1 collects issues #1-6.
[Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 2. Standoff
Written by: Nick Spencer
Illustrated by: Daniel Acuna
Pub Date: Oct 18, 2016
Pages: 168
REVIEW
I remember reading Stand-off back in 2017 and rereading it this year… didn’t really change anything. I liked it before and I still like it now, but it wasn’t anything mind-blowing.
The mind manipulation caused by the Tesseract/Kobik was fine. MCU fans can recall Westview from Pleasant Hill. It was fun to see Sam and Bucky team up, but I think the big reason why I didn’t like this was that it led up to Steve being Hydra. 🥴
Vol 2 collects issues #7-8 and other Stand-off tie-ins.
[Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 3. Civil War II
Written by: Nick Spencer
Illustrated by: Daniel Acuna
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2017
Pages: 112
REVIEW
I still have mixed feelings but I like this one better than Stand-off. This ties up to the events of Civil War II (Iron Man vs. Captain Marvel; Inhuman-related conflict). I remember bits and pieces of this event as I read Jim Zub’s Thunderbolts which also ties into Civil War II.
What came across as powerful and memorable for me was Rhodey’s funeral where the Black superheroes gather to pay their respects along with the public. That whole panel just gave me chills.
US Agent also appears which was cool. Daniel Acuna’s art still slaps!!
[Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 4. #TakeBackTheShield
Written by: Nick Spencer
Illustrated by: Paul Renaud
Pub Date: May 02, 2017
Pages: 136
REVIEW
Reading this one convinced me that some scenes of TFATWS were inspired by Spencer’s run. And I’m really glad that I didn’t read this before watching the series because I didn’t want to compare things. I remember using that hashtag for Ep. 4&5 of the show, only for this comic run, it was the public urging US Agent to take back the shield from Sam.
Flagsmasher also appears in this run and Spencer continues the social commentary on race and immigration policies. I liked those aspects but the writing style just throws me off.
[Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol 5. End of the Line
Written by: Nick Spencer
Illustrated by: Daniel Acuna
Pub Date: Aug 22, 2017
Pages: 112
REVIEW
As Rage gets arrested by the Americops, Sam tries to bail him out but Rage insists he leaves him alone so that people can see the reality of the social justice system.
This was the most hard-hitting for me and I enjoyed it really well. Spencer didn’t pull any punches with how he weaved in socio-political commentaries in Sam’s Cap run. And I think reading it now makes it more timely. Like the show, I think it was also fitting to have it tackled in this series because it’s very realistic.
[ Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Captain America: Sam Wilson #22-24
Written by: Nick Spencer
Illustrated by: Joe Bennett, Sean Izaakse
Pub Date: May 02, 2017
Pages: 63
REVIEW
Tying up with Secret Empire, Sam once again dons his Falcon suit as stakes get amped up with Hydra on the rise.
For these remaining issues, Sam was just staying out of the shadow until issue #24 after a little pep talk from Patriot. I liked this bit but I was still a little indifferent with the whole Secret Empire thing which took away the fun.
Hydra-Cap is dead to me. (I know he was just affected by the Cube but something about a character created by Jewish artists joining a Nazi organization doesn’t sit well with me.)
[Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Let’s Chat! 💬
What are your favorite comic books?
I had no idea there was such a vast collection of Sam Wilson stories. I definitely need to dip my toes in this catalogue. I think the one that really caught my eye was End of the Line. I love it when superhero stories weave in socio-political commentaries. I feel like it grounds the heroes a bit more and it’s also a great way of sparking a discussion. Thank you for spotlighting this collection.
The whole of Nick Spencer’s run really touched down with topics like racism and immigration. Those aspects really shone in the story! If you happen to read this, I hope you enjoy it!