History ComicBook / NickSpencersCaptainAmerica

While Creator/EdBrubaker's run focused on espionage and Rick Remender's run had a weird science-bent, Nick Spencer's run has been more explicitly focused on political themes, with supervillains espousing opinions that seem to come straight from right-wing, conservative politicians.

The runs comprises of:

* ''ComicBook/AvengersStandoff'', which focused on a prison run by S.H.I.E.L.D. that brainwashes criminals. In its aftermath, Steve Rogers' youth was restored and Steve and Sam decide that it's okay if there are ''two'' Captain Americas, even if Sam finds himself compromising on his ideals somewhat.
* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmericaSteveRogers'', which ran alongside ''Sam Wilson''. It focused on a restored Steve Rogers working with Sharon Carter.

While Creator/EdBrubaker's run focused on espionage and Rick Remender's run had a weird science-bent, Nick Spencer's run has been more explicitly focused on political themes, with supervillains espousing opinions that seem to come straight from right-wing, conservative politicians. This was criticized heavily by right-wing, conservative politicians, which actually made the book [[http://io9.gizmodo.com/people-are-very-mad-that-the-new-captain-america-is-act-1737313033 more popular.]]

Prior to ''ComicBook/SecretWars2015'', [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Steve Rogers]], the original Captain America, had the Super Soldier Serum drained from his body and he reverted to his original age. Due to this, he handed over his shield and the title of "Captain America" to his best friend and long-term fighting partner [[ComicBook/TheFalcon Sam Wilson]], who became the new Captain America. They fought against Hydra and the Red Skull until ''Secret Wars'' and the ''ComicBook/AllNewAllDifferentMarvel'' happened. Then the writer became Nick Spencer (''Morning Glories'', ''Superior Foes of Spider-Man'', ''Astonishing Ant-Man''), who decided that since the character was ''Captain America'', then it just made sense for the book to have more political themes.

While Creator/EdBrubaker's run focused on espionage and Rick Remender's run had a weird science-bent, Nick Spencer's run has been more explicitly focused on political themes, with supervillains espousing opinions that seem to come straight from right-wing, conservative politicians. This was criticized heavily by right-wing, conservative politicians, which actually made the book [[http://io9.gizmodo.com/people-are-very-mad-that-the-new-captain-america-is-act-1737313033 more popular.]]

* ''Captain America: Sam Wilson'', written by Creator/NickSpencer with art by Daniel Acuña, is about Sam Wilson trying to do good as Captain America. The problem is that after expressing his political opinion in a press conference, the public has a massive dislike for him, and after he protected a whistle-blowing hacker (called "the Whisperer") from SHIELD, he's not on their good side either. So Sam has set up a public hotline for people to call him and he works with ComicBook/MistyKnight, Dennis "D-Man" Dunphy, and [[LegacyCharacter new Falcon]] Joaquin Torres to do all he can, even in this divided political landscape.

And then, after seven issues, ''ComicBook/AvengersStandoff'' happened and Steve Rogers was restored to youth, super soldier serum intact. In the wake of ''Standoff'', Steve and Sam decide that it's okay if there are ''two'' Captain Americas, even if Sam finds himself compromising on his ideals somewhat, while Steve moved to his own book ''ComicBook/CaptainAmericaSteveRogers''.

While Creator/EdBrubaker's run focused on espionage and Rick Remender's run had a weird science-bent, Nick Spencer's run has been heavily focused on political themes, with supervillains espousing opinions that seem to come straight from right-wing, conservative politicians. This was criticized heavily by right-wing, conservative politicians, which actually made the book [[http://io9.gizmodo.com/people-are-very-mad-that-the-new-captain-america-is-act-1737313033 more popular.]]

** The arc running concurrently alongside Civil War II features the Americops, a definite take on the rise of cop brutality and shootings of minorities as well as the dangers of militarized police forces. The Americops targeting of young black youths manages to bring out Rage from the depths of ComicBookLimbo, as he stands against their injustice.

** The arc running concurrently alongside Civil War II features the Americops, a definite take on the rise of cop brutality and shootings of minorities as well as the dangers of militarized police forces. The Americops arbitrary targeting of young black youths manages to bring out Rage from the depths of ComicBookLimbo, as he stands against their injustice.

* ''Captain America: Sam Wilson'', written by Creator/NickSpencer with art by art by Daniel Acuña, is about Sam Wilson trying to do good as Captain America. The problem is that after expressing his political opinion in a press conference, the public has a massive dislike for him, and after he protected a whistle-blowing hacker (called "the Whisperer") from SHIELD, he's not on their good side either. So Sam has set up a public hotline for people to call him and he works with ComicBook/MistyKnight, Dennis "D-Man" Dunphy, and [[LegacyCharacter new Falcon]] Joaquin Torres to do all he can, even in this divided political landscape.

* ''Captain America: Sam Wilson'', written by Nick Spencer with art by art by Daniel Acuña, is about Sam Wilson trying to do good as Captain America. The problem is that after expressing his political opinion in a press conference, the public has a massive dislike for him, and after he protected a whistle-blowing hacker (called "the Whisperer") from SHIELD, he's not on their good side either. So Sam has set up a public hotline for people to call him and he works with ComicBook/MistyKnight, Dennis "D-Man" Dunphy, and [[LegacyCharacter new Falcon]] Joaquin Torres to do all he can, even in this divided political landscape.

->''"Let's just be honest here -- this country is as divided as it's ever been. Red and blue, black and white, Republican and Democrat, North and South -- feels like we are constantly at each other's throats. We don't '''trust''' each other. We no longer see ourselves in our neighbor. And this is not some intellectual debate -- people are '''dying'''. Our streets are burning. Inequality is soaring. It feels like things are about to break wide open. And it used to be -- even if we didn't '''agree''' on what to do in our communities, we could at least unite in fighting common enemies. Everybody's okay with beating up '''Hydra'''. Even that's not so simple anymore. The good guys -- S.H.I.E.L.D. and the N.S.A. -- are getting caught doing things we never dreamt the '''bad guys''' would do, even in our worst nightmares. But the even bigger, scarier problem for me? In all these struggles, all these debates, and all these things tearing us apart -- I '''have''' a side. That's right. I have opinions. Strongly held beliefs, even. And here's the thing -- the more I saw the people I believed I was standing up for being '''walked''' on -- the more I heard a noise machine spouting '''intolerance''' and '''fear''', drowning common sense out -- the more I wondered -- shouldn't Captain America be '''more''' than just a symbol? Steve always tried to stay '''above''' the fray, and I respected him for it. He took a stand when he '''had''' to, but as far as politics went -- he played it close to the vest. But if I really believed I could make a difference -- if I really believed I could change some minds, do some '''good''' -- then wasn't I obligated to try?"''

* SuddenlySexuality: D-Man is revealed to have a boyfriend after no real previous hints that he was gay.

* PettingZooPeople: In "''Captain America: Sam Wilson''", while investigating the whereabouts of kidnapped illegal immigrants that have been happening at the US/Mexican border, Sam ends up captured, too, and spliced with Wolf genes. And thus marks the return of Wolf-Cap, something Misty Knight doesn't allow Sam to forget for a single moment. Despite all of the hilarious inconvenience that ensues because of it, the effects are projected to wear off soon enough, though not outside the span of at least 3 issues.

** Falcon goes through this, too. He starts off as a proactive and surprisingly autonomous 17 year-old who delivers supplies to escaping Mexican immigrants attempting to flee their country through the harsh deserts near the Texan border. As we learn more about Joaquin, we learn that he is very socially conscious, even beyond helping the immigrants, and he looks up to Sam Wilson as Captain America. Even though he gets permanently transformed into a human-falcon hybrid form, when Cap saves him and he later saves Cap back, he becomes nothing short of ecstatic at becoming the new Falcon and at the prospect of being Sam's sidekick/protege, even if the latter wasn't nearly as enthused. He takes his heroing seriously and eagerly. Over time, however, he begins to notice Sam's relative distance and detachment to their relationship as mentor/mentee, the current political goings-on weighing heavily on Sam not helping one bit in this regard, and starts to become disillusioned with Sam. This is fueled by Sam's increasing habit of making choices that [[WhatTheHellHero Joaquin becomes very critical towards]], and further still when said criticisms are ignored, downplayed, or directly dismissed. Then Sam gives up the Shield altogether and the two part ways off-screen on bad terms. Over the course of the run, Joaquin goes from a well-meaning and stoutly moralled, awe-struck HeroWorshipper to a more matured figure who [[BrokenPedestal realizes his hero isn't as without flaws as he thought him to be]], as he begins to carry out his heroing on his own.

* JumpedAtTheCall: Joaquin with becoming the new Falcon. He goes from a teen who eagerly helped Mexican immigrants with their crossing the border by delivering supplies to becoming a hybrid human-falcon with the powers of flight, super strength, improved eye-sight, a connection to Red Wing (and Sam by proxy) and an impressive HealingFactor (due to the unique strain of vampirism Red Wing was infected with beforehand [[CursedWithAwesome that grants both the benefits of a vampire without any of the drawbacks, but leaving Joaquin's transformation permanent as a result]]). It really comes at no surprise when Joaquin jumps at the chance to be Sam's new protege and sidekick once he's had his first outting post-transformation.

* ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike[=/=]UngratefulBastard: Ariella Conner, an author and political activist, slanders Falcon's name and questions his right to be in the US, right before he rescues her from a missile in a diving save. Her immediate reaction is tell him to get off of her, never mind that she was was about to be hit point-blank by a missile. With no thank-yous to speak of, she is later shown to be telling a fallacious version of what had transpired. Though Sam cools him down, Joaquin is understandably incensed by the whole affair.

* CharacterDevelopment: Within a single issue, we can easily see how much Elvin Haladay, better known as the hero Rage, has matured compared to his previous self, despite having been in ComicBookLimbo for years. One of his last appearances showed that he'd taken a step back from heroing to focus on his school-life and to better educate himself. Now, though he's shown just as passionate and courageous as before, we see that his signature rage is much more tempered than it ever was and that he is considerably more reasonable and mature than before, if no less willing to fight against injustice, like from the hands of the Americops. At first, Sam doesn't really trust Elvin, given his moniker and history, and that he did end up in a fight against said Americops, which got caught on live television at a very politically sensitive time in the Marvel Universe, but by the end of issue #17, he's on much better terms with Rage, and even encourages Rage to keeping "pushing" him and CallingTheOldManOut, as needed and within reason of course.

* RecurringCharacter: Rage, who's all but a SixthRanger to the Sam's team by the mid-teens' issues. It's noteful that Falcon has gone out of his way twice now to include Rage in the current goings-on of the issues since they met, in spite of their meeting having been when Falcon flew Rage away from the Americop battle with Rage between his knees. Sam also notes and thanks Rage for looking after the fledgling hero Falcon, pointing out that they two of them are actually practically the same age (because Elvin got his powers when he was still pretty young and they aged him up physically).

Prior to ''ComicBook/SecretWars2015'', [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Steve Rogers]], the original Captain America, had the Super Soldier Serum drained from his body and he reverted to his original age. Due to this, he handed over his shield and the title of "Captain America" to his best friend and long-term fighting partner [[ComicBook/TheFalcon Sam Wilson]], who became the new Captain America. They fought against Hydra and the Red Skull until ''ComicBook/SecretWars2015'' and the ComicBook/AllNewAllDifferentMarvel happened. Then the writer became Nick Spencer (''Morning Glories'', ''Superior Foes of Spider-Man'', ''Astonishing Ant-Man''), who decided that since the character was ''Captain America'', then it just made sense for the book to have more political themes.

While Creator/EdBrubaker's run focused on espionage and Rick Remender's run had a weird science-bent, Nick Spencer's run has been heavily focused on political themes, with supervillains espousing opinions that seem to come straight from right-wing, conservative politicians. This was criticized heavily by the Creator/FoxNewsChannel, which actually made the book [[http://io9.gizmodo.com/people-are-very-mad-that-the-new-captain-america-is-act-1737313033 more popular.]]

* UnexpectedCharacter: Despite being an arc focused on the Serpent Society, Diamondback was quite the surprise character. We later got Rage, of all people, back from ComicBookLimbo with [[RecurringCharacter recurring appearances]], and that doesn't seem be the last of the surprises, either, as [=USAgent=] is back now, too.

* BigBad: The Americops

While Creator/EdBrubaker's run focused on espionage and Rick Remender's run had a weird science-bent, so far Nick Spencer's run has been more heavily focused on political themes, with supervillains espousing opinions that seem to come straight from right-wing, conservative politicians. This was criticized heavily by the Creator/FoxNewsChannel, which actually made the book [[http://io9.gizmodo.com/people-are-very-mad-that-the-new-captain-america-is-act-1737313033 more popular.]]

* PettingZooPeople: In "''Sam Wilson, Captain America''", while investigating the whereabouts of kidnapped illegal immigrants that have been happening at the US/Mexican border, Sam ends up captured, too, and spliced with Wolf genes. And thus marks the return of Wolf-Cap, something Misty Knight doesn't allow Sam to forget for a single moment. Despite all of the hilarious inconvenience that ensues because of it, the effects are projected to wear off soon enough, though not outside the span of at least 3 issues.

While Creator/EdBrubaker's run focused on espionage and Rick Remender's run had a weird science-bent, so far Nick Spencer's run has been focused on political themes, with supervillains espousing opinions that seem to come straight from right-wing, conservative politicians. This was criticized heavily by the Creator/FoxNewsChannel, which actually made the book [[http://io9.gizmodo.com/people-are-very-mad-that-the-new-captain-america-is-act-1737313033 more popular.]]

-->--Sam Wilson, Captain America

* ''Captain America: Sam Wilson'', written by Nick Spencer with art by art by Daniel Acuña, is about Sam Wilson trying to do good as Captain America. The problem is that after expressing his political opinion in a press conference, the public has a massive dislike for him, and after he protected a whistle-blowing hacker (called "the Whisperer") from SHIELD, he's not on their good side either. So Sam has set up a public hotline for people to call him and he works with [[ComicBook/HeroesForHire Misty Knight]], Dennis "D-Man" Dunphy, and [[LegacyCharacter new Falcon]] Joaquin Torres to do all he can, even in this divided political landscape.

!Nick Spencer's ''Captain America'' have provided examples of:

* LegacyCharacter: Sam as Captain America and Joaquin as the Falcon.

* '''''Captain America: Sam Wilson''''', written by Nick Spencer with art by art by Daniel Acuña, is about Sam Wilson trying to do good as Captain America. The problem is that after expressing his political opinion in a press conference, the public has a massive dislike for him, and after he protected a whistle-blowing hacker (called "the Whisperer") from SHIELD, he's not on their good side either. So Sam has set up a public hotline for people to call him and he works with [[ComicBook/HeroesForHire Misty Knight]], Dennis "D-Man" Dunphy, and [[LegacyCharacter new Falcon]] Joaquin Torres to do all he can, even in this divided political landscape.