Captain America #4 Review

Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Art by: Lan Medina
Colors by: Espen Grundetjern
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by: Jesús Saiz
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: December 13, 2023

Captain America #4 pits Cap against Asmoday’s Emissary in a fight to the death as part of the demon’s plan to prevent beacons of hope from interfering with humanity’s downfall.

Is Captain America #4 Good?

Captain America #4 reaches a point where this series is starting to lose me. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with the issue. It’s a solid, reasonable Captain America adventure, which is a far sight better than the previous issue, which spent WAY too much time trying to needlessly convince you Nazis are bad. But the story, contrary to the emotional first issue, lacks oomph.

When last we left Captain America, readers were treated to a very lengthy series of flashbacks to young Steve Rogers’s trials and travails in NYC before he became Captain America. In the present, Cap is called into a murder scene by Misty Knight, Sharon Carter, and Dr. Strange (by proxy) because the murder is mystical in nature,A and the clues suggest Cap is the next target.

Now, the Emissary in service to Asmoday attacks Cap in the street at night. Cap survives (barely) and escapes, armed with a clearer picture of the demonic forces involved. In the past, young Steve worked himself nearly to death to earn his keep in the small closet/apartment where he lives, not realizing he’s about to encounter a mass bombing orchestrated by Barons Strucker and Zemo.

Do you see what I mean? Cap has a one-sided fight with a demon that ends in a narrow escape in the present. Young Steve shows he’s a hard worker in the past before the big parallel event happens. It’s not bad, but there’s no surprise or wow moment. It’s just okay.

What’s great about Captain America #4? In fairness to J. Michael Straczynski, the story is well-written. There’s no doubt Straczynski is going out of his way to elevate Steve Rogers into a hero, with or without the shield and super soldier serum. The pacing is good, Cap’s fight with the Emissary is excellent, and the story’s direction is taking shape.

What’s not so great about Captain America #4? It’s not grabbing me with a special moment, a big idea, or some wow factor. The issue feels standard, which is still better than most Marvel issues on the market, but standard doesn’t generate excitement.

How’s the art? Lan Medina has more action to work with in this issue during the fight between Cap and the Emissary, and the results are great. Median’s figure work and fight choreography are solid, and the quieter moments are well done.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Bits and Pieces

Captain America #4 delivers a solid yet mundane entry in the series as young Steve’s life is about to encounter a Nazi terrorist plot, and Cap in the present has his first encounter with Asmoday’s Emissary. The art and writing are technically executed well, and the plot’s direction is taking shape, but the comic lacks something to get excited about.