Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Art: Adam Kubert, Matt Milla, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Alex Ross
Price: $3.99
Release Date: Jun 19, 2019

After Cap was framed for the murder of Thunderbolt Ross and sent to maximum security “Myrmidon” prison, run by the newly pardoned (and expert cage fighter) Baron Von Strucker, Cap leads a team of super villains to break out of the prison. The newly reformed Daughters Of Liberty, led by Sharon Carter have incited a riot and are there behind the scenes to help Cap with his escape mission. Will it be enough? Let’s take a look.

Spoiler Alert!

“You go to war with the army you have, not the one you want”, Cap says. While he’d probably prefer a team of trained divers or Avengers, he leads a team of villains, including The Wrecker, Thunderball, and in a deep cut to Cap’s rogue gallery, The Mandrill through the prison. Unbeknownst to Cap, the new Daughters Of Liberty, comprising Sharon Carter, Sue Storm, Misty Knight, Spider-Woman, The Dryad, Toni Ho and Mockingbird are providing behind the scenes support. Sue and Misty take down Baron Von Strucker using clever non-lethal tactics,, but not before Strucker activates the “Americops” – a team of AI privatized security robots. Basically a team of autonomous Robocops. After improvising a makeshift shield, Cap’s team pushes through the army of guards. And makes it to the escape pods. Supervillains being supervillains, Jack O Lantern knocks Cap unconscious. The Cavalry arrives with Strucker in Tow.

Meanwhile, The Dryad is tasked with taking down The Foreigner- the REAL killer of General Ross and bringing him in alive. It doesn’t quite go to plan as Crossbones bazookas Dryad and The Foreigner.

Score, thoughts and reactions:

Ta-Nehisi Coates has finally found a comic book story telling groove as this issue moves the story along, gradually increasing the stakes. The clever use of the “spy lingo” signifies this is more of an espionage thriller over a capes and tights neat ‘Em up. It’s nice to see Cap get a little help from his friends, and a few Easter eggs peppered through the book for keen-eyed readers steeped in Cap lore.

Final Thoughts:

I’d like to see Secret Empire finally be put to bed and move past it once and for all, but this book has moved to a place after 11 issues it’s at least on the back burner story wise as Coates has evolved almost another story around it. If you jumped off the first issues like a lot of Cap fans I know, give it another look because it’s definitely getting interesting.

7.8/10