Most of 2016sSteve Rogers: Captain America#1 plays like a standard adventure starring the Sentinel of Liberty.
Hail Hydra, Steve Rogers proclaims.
But it is an excellent Sam Wilson story, one that shows exactly why hes a great Captain America.
Sometimes, Sams a mutant who can talk to birds.
Sometimes, hes a social worker whose left-leaning politics challenged Steve, and sometimes hes got a military background.
And no storyline demonstrates Sams role as Cap better thanSecret Empire.
Resisting the Secret Empire
The first three issues ofSecret Empireare pretty bleak.
Since revealing his true purpose as a Hydra Agent, Steve Rogers has turned the nation toward fascism.
Things start to look up when resistance fighters find Sam Wilson, the other Captain America.
Filled with hope again, the resistance asks Sam to suit up and become Cap once more.
To which Sam offers a succinct answer: No.
Its not that Sam has lost hope.
Recovering his social worker roots, Sam has been working to help 647 people escape Rogerss Hydra-run America.
Its just that he sees that as work for Sam Wilson, not for Captain America.
So maybe this is who we are after all.
Maybe this is us getting what we deserve.
Shaun admits that Steve was always his favorite Captain America and that he feels betrayed by Rogerss betrayal.
Using mass communications, Sam communicates with them all, sending a message across the country.
In his closing remarks, Sam acknowledges all of the hurt and division the resistance forces have faced.
Its a fun battle, complete with Hydra Steve using Iron Man tech and original Steve wielding Mjolnir.
And, of course, it ends with good Steve triumphant, ready to set the world to right.
But its not the Steve Rogers Cap that hes holding.
Its the Sam Wilson Cap.
Like Steve, Sams all about inspiration and hope.
Sam lives in the real world and knows first hand Americas many failures and disappointments.
When he inspires hope, its an act of faith.
That faith is on full display inSecret Empire.
Its a faith that can only be held by someone with a backstory as crazy as Sam Wilsons.
Its a faith that makes Sam an excellent Captain America.
