Captain America: Cold War

Captain America: Symbol of Truth

by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Tochi Onyebuchi

A Captain America crossover years in the making, with both Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers wearing the flag!

Bucky Barnes, the newest player in a nefarious game that spans all of civilization, makes his most deadly move yet — teaming up with Sam Wilson’s nemesis, Hunter, the White Wolf! When Steve Rogers’ adoptive son Ian, A.K.A. Nomad, is abducted by someone Steve thought a friend, he suspects Bucky’s hand at work, and calls upon the people who know Ian best — Sam, Sharon Carter and Misty Knight — to help him get to the bottom of the attack. Why has Nomad been taken, and what does it have to do with a portal to Dimension Z opening over a secret battleground in Alaska? Has Bucky finally gone too far? And when Black Widow joins the fray, whose side is she on?

Collecting Captain America: Cold War Alpha (2023) 1, Captain America: Symbol of Truth (2022) 12-13, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (2022) 12-13, and Captain America: Cold War Omega (2023) 1.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Khurram]

I enjoyed this book. The story was good, the artwork differed depending it it was Symbol Of Truth (Sam), or Sentinel of Liberty (Steve), but I enjoyed both and I am more interested in Sam than I was before.

The Revolution makes hus biggest move yet and makes it even more personal with Steve. Steve is compromised both mentally and emotionally than he has ever been before. Sam will need to reel him in, but can he stand up to his ideal as well as dealing with the White Wolf? The Revolution might be making the moves, but is he still in control.

A huge crossover. It moved both Captain Americas' stories forward. I gained a lot more respect for Sam in the role. I think there are plenty more surprises to come with not only the main characters but the side characters as well. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.

[James]

3.5 stars. The two Captain America runs collide here for the finale. Bucky has enlisted the help of the White Wolf and had Steve’s son, Ian, kidnapped for his big plan he is cooking up in Dimension Z. The two Caps, Sharon and Misty squad up to go there and try and stop him once and for all. There were some cool battles during this which all on art duty did a great job with. In the end, we finally learn what Bucky’s big secret plan was. Pretty crazy how far he went to make this happen and keep everyone clueless. Overall, these two Cap runs and this last book ended up being pretty decent.

[James DeSantis]

Solid little crossover for the two cap titles.

Basically both Caps go and try to save Ian and also deal with Winter Soldier and his betrayal. It's a fun adventure, especially the middle where Caps have to fight together and then each other. Steve is a man on a mission, and anyone trying to stop him except maybe his best friend, better get the fuck out of his way. While that's happening we dive deeper into Bucky and his cause while dealing with Ian and his rise to power.

Overall good stuff, and a nice capper to this run. Only basically 3 more issues left to wrap up this whole run now.

[Dakota Morgan]

The Captains American cross over in a thoroughly adequate (mini) event series. Why is it called Cold War? Sadly, not because the Soviets are involved, but because it takes place in snowy Alaska.

Essentially, the Century Game is in full swing in Alaska, by which I mean some Outer Circle goons are beating each other up in a snowfield. Because this is a Captain America comic book, Cap 1, Cap 2, Sharon Carter, and Misty Knight fly in to punch a bunch of people. There's some hubbub about who will be crowned king of Dimension Z - initially, it is White Wolf, who then predictably betrays Bucky (who crowned him), but aha! Bucky is one step ahead leading to Nomad, Cap's Dimension Z son, becoming the new king of the monsters.

The Sam Cap series is only sorta resolved in Cold War: White Wolf is taken down and I guess he gets to take Misty Knight on a date now. Cold War is more meaningful for Tru Cap, since his whole goal is to get his son back from Bucky, while also making nice with Bucky. And in the end, Bucky's whole big plan is recapped by Captain America - turns out, he's been good all along! And this play for Dimension Z was actually a way to stop the Outer Circle from obtaining...Neganite???

Adequate action, fine dialogue, good pacing. I suppose it's nice to have a crossever event that's not really Earth-shattering.

[fer]

TENHO OPNIOES

A arte do Cold War Alpha e Omega eu achei TERRIVEL. THEY MASSACRED MY BOY BUCKY!!!!

TERRIVEL.

É interessante fazer uma mistura de 3 series diferentes em uma: Sentinel of Liberty, Symbol of Truth e Cold War. So que tem um porem: as artes sao mt diferentes entre si. E A ARTE DE SENTINEL OF LIBERTY É MUITO SUPERIOR.

Nossa simplesmente tem coisas demais que eu nao gostei: Tem uma issue que é inteira o Steve e o Sam brigando se socando. O bucky com o braço novo ridiculo dele que vira varias formas. A sharon com a mascara de caveira como Destroyer HORRIVEL. O role da dimensao Z um PORREEE. O white wolf virando um lobisomensao super caricato. A briga do Steve com o Bucky. Ai SIMPLESMENTE NAO REAJA VIU, QUE CAO ESSA SERIE, CONSEGUIU ME TIRAR MT DO SÉRIO, NAO GOSTEI

mas pelo menos terminei

[Adam Fisher]

3.5 Stars.
Having 2 Captain America books ensures some crossovers at certain points. This "Cold War" is really more like another "Civil War", which makes it feel a little recycled as far as a story goes.
Basic Summary:
Bucky has gone bad and joined a team of controlling baddies known as the Outer Circle. His ultimate plan involves taking Steve Rogers son Nomad and transporting him to Dimension Z, which is currently being controlled by the White Wolf, a nemesis of Sam Wilson's. Bucky adds Black Widow and Peggy Carter to his team. Both Caps bring Sharon Carter and Misty Knight. Lots of fighting ensues and they all join together in the end to overthrow White Wolf and put Nomad on the throne of Dimension Z, as he is the only one with the correct bloodline to be able to rule. Sam goes back to defend Earth and Steve stays to help his son.
Wasn't a horrible story, just felt a little predictable. Hopefully with both Caps defending different areas, the books will become more interesting.
Recommend.

[Dallas Johnson]

The cover review saying "Some of the best writing Marvel's putting out." further proves to me why I'm barely buying anything Marvel in recent years.

For the big crossover event (which is actually extremely small in size) of Sam and Steve, we get a story that is nearly entirely about Ian (Steve's extra dimensional son) and Bucky.

A decade ago, "The Court of Owls" revolutionized one of comics' most iconic heroes of all time. Batman got a whole new mythos that stuck and has become a fan favorite.
A lot of this book feels like they were trying something similar to that for Steve Rogers.
But when it's just this tiny story that feels like it had no room to breathe and barely any memorable moments, it's not going to cut it.

On the flip side, if you love Ian (Nomad) this book would be a must read.
Sharon Carter has some awesome moments.
Bucky's handling will possibly be divisive.
Peggy's and Black Widows seems really disappointing.
Misty Knight gets some cool moments on occasion.
I do love how Sam tries his best to look out for Steve even amongst my favorite part of their biggest fight they've ever had between themselves.

[tammy (eskel's version)]

well indeed.

this was good, if not a tad underwhelming? i mean the storyline was fantastic, loved the way it all came together, and all the characters were great as well (misty new fav <3). and the whole captain america-ness of this whole series is amazing. just steve rogers being steve rogers, and sam really growing into his own captain america. i love them both so much.

i guess i just wanted more stevebucky hurt/comfort, or action between them in general, which is why i'm a little disappointed. but i have hope (get the reference) that that's still on its way. if i get to see some angsty forgiveness, rebuilding of trust, and maybe even potentially steve, bucky, and ian being a happy family in the next volumes, i will become the happiest person alive.

speaking of which, i only discovered nomad/ian rogers through this series, and i love him, and steve being a dad, so much. please let steve make a dad joke marvel. please.

--

IT'S OUT wtf i thought it wasn't supposed to be out till august, but checking my pirating sites apparently it is??? i'm so excited i need a happy stevebucky ending

--

siiiigh it's not gonna be out till august 😭😭 what am i supposed to do till then

[Alex Sarll]

"You know, Bucky Barnes... We're very much the same, you and I." Literally the opening line, and a fair guide to the collapsing tower of clichés that will follow, as the Alaskan story suggested by the title (a promising idea, to take the Captains America to one of their nation's more remote corners) is displaced by a return visit to Dimension sodding Z. My assumption was that, like so many Marvel books nowadays, these runs were being cut short before they could do justice to the plots they'd set in motion, but with hindsight they can only have ever been intended as rush jobs before JMS came in for the high-profile takeover of the title. At which one thinks back to his Thor run, preceded by a decent-sized gap in publication, and wonders if that might not have been a better way to operate.

[Sean]

The action alone in this book are enough to entertain but this writing team is struggling to get the Outer Circle over as anything close to interesting. Their motivations make no sense, Bucky's inclusion even less so, and the connection to Dimension Z was tenuous at best. The forced tension between Sam & Cap was dumb. All the artists did a great job with the action especially in the snow. The book just needs an antagonist that matters. Overall, not the big crossover event Marvel was hoping for.

[André Habet]

I was so delusional as to think this would enlighten something about USA today, but it doesn't. Capable writing, but not anything I haven't seen before. Just let Cap and Bucky fuck already, Disney.

[Quentin Wallace]

This wasn't bad, but as I've said in prior reviews, I just couldn't get into this story. There was a big twist at the end that negated some of the issues I had, but I still had some major issues with what I felt like was a retconning of the entire Marvel Universe. There's even a page of the story were Captain America basically explains to reader how everything ties together. It seems to me like if you need that, the story may just be a little too complicated.

It was well written, the art is above average, but the plot just left something to be desired.

[Chelsea &#x1f3f3;️‍&#x1f308;]

What made this unenjoyable for me is 110% unrelated to the reason bigots didn't like this story. Sam is Captain America again for the 3rd time in the comics, get over it.

Anyway, I took a very long break from the Big 2 last year because the overwhelming majority of stories were bumming me out. Too many mini series, too few long lasting series about characters of color, and way too many events that mean nothing like a week later. This was one of the latter.

There was a fantastic issue Captain America #0 that showed how great it is when Sam!Cap and Steve!Cap work together. It was cute, their banter was fun, and it showed how both of them solve fights their own way. Instead of leaning into that and giving them a common enemy that they would have equal stakes in fighting, we get this mess that seemed geared with drawing MCU fans into reading a comic where nothing they know from the films/tv shows would make sense.

You've got MCU only fans changing their handles to White Wolf with Bucky Barnes icons. You've got MCU only fans thinking Peggy Carter was a meaningful character in the comics when her actual history is much shorter and way more embarrassing. You've got MCU only fans confused as to why Sharon/Steve has so much romantic history. There is no reason to try to lure them into the comics with these nonsensical stories like Peggy as Dryad (??).

Anyway, this story gives a lot of exposition to explain the convoluted messy storylines they're pulling over from Sam's solo run with White Wolf & Ian and Steve's solo run with the Outer Circle or whatever. We leave 99% of what was good about those books out of this one (Sam showcasing his own flair on being Cap and Steve trying to be a regular person again). The only things I liked about this book were Sharon & Misty working together (ngl, that was my favorite part) and the little conversation Steve has with Sam about promising to listen to him next time. Everything else was a hodge podge mess and made me wonder if Marvel ran out of ideas for Bucky Barnes.

Really didn’t appreciate the message that only Ian is Steve’s family. Besides Sam calling himself family early in the story, did Sharon mean nothing to him? The fact that more wasn’t made of him being willing to leave them to die was messed up, too.

The artwork for the main Cold War line wasn't my favorite. The shift for the issues from Steve's solo was so much better for literally character. I didn't love a lot of the dialogue and I've realized I don't like most people writing for Misty Knight. The fact that this ends rendering the little set up of Steve's life in his solo run completely useless is a bummer. I liked Steve trying to be a part of the world again and we just throw that away.

Suffice to say, I don't think I missed anything putting off reading this for so long. Classic Cap comics with him and Sam partnering are so much fun. I don't know why Marvel can't just have give them that same fun vibe now that they're both Cap. The United States of Captain America was so much fun and I would've gladly taken 100 more issues of that. We got Sam and Steve as mentors, it lived in the spirit that the shield is for everyone (regardless of how many bigots try to say otherwise) and Sam & Steve had fun plots without trying to fight each other.

This book just reminds me why I quit reading the Big 2 for so long.

[Benjamin Kimble]

This book was a little confusing. It takes the plot threads from both current Captain America titles, Sentinel of Liberty and Symbol of Truth, and ties them together. That part worked. Bucky teaming with the White Wolf was cool. The first half is basically a huge fight scene getting the heroes into dimension z. When they get there Steve and Sam fight. See Steve’s son, Ian, has been kidnapped and his emotions are blinding him. The fight felt a little forced, but the payoff and immediate resolution was good. The White Wolf plot from Tochi Onyebuchi’s Symbol of Truth is tied up very well and goes smoothly. But the outer circle plot from Collin Kelly and Jackson Lansing’s Sentinel of Liberty just gets confusing. Bucky has spun a web of lies, decent, betrayal, and triple crossing that confused me. They did an entire page just unwinding that plot and it help some. But that’s not done, Bucky is still fighting and his plot is going to be continued to another book. The art is pretty solid through the whole book. R. B. Silva continues to be the artist for the Symbol issues and he continues his larger than life epic hero style of illustration that I enjoyed. Alina Erofeeva takes over art duties for the Sentinel issues and she has big shoes to fill as I loved the previous artist. She’s good, she handles the motion and large frames of the series very well. Characters feel dynamic and moving through huge backgrounds and I like that. Carlos Magno does the Alpha and Omega issues and he’s good. He really captures the gravitas of each scene and the actions of the characters, even out of combat he understand that weight. Overall this closes off the majority of this era of Captain America on a strong note.

[Subham]

This was a pretty fun crossover between these 2 titles and I kinda enjoyed it!

So the story is pretty much Sam and Steve teaming up after the latter's son gets kidnapped by Bucky Barnes and White wolf, and thus their two villains they have been facing in their solo books are become a one giant threat and thus it calls for the Caps to come together and we see them along with their partners/better halves come together to take down this threat, and they travel to Alaska, have to fight dimension z monsters and the twists there and how it leads to tough challenges for them, a literal fight between Steve and Sam and that was kinda cool and its all explained in the story and then the massive twists and it connects both the plots of this book in a giant and interesting way that it makes it all the more awesome to read!

Its one of those stories which at first is about father trying to rescue his son but it connects to a larger plot of both these books and talks about legacy and embracing on the heritage and all that and showing the challenges that Cap has to endure but how he comes a better man after going through them, and maybe some challenges are right there and can't see it, but emerging a better man on the other side of it. I also like how it deepens the bond between Steve and Sam, and brings them closer as brothers.. like if one man is down the other will bring him up no matter what and I love the camaraderie.

Its a solid event and also Sharon gets a big upgrade and I love it and amazing art throughout like just wow.. I love the winter setting in comics and this was right up there for me all the more because of that!

[Shea Bartlett]

Although I enjoyed the lead up to this event, this crossover fell flat for me. Plotting wise, there was a lot of wasted space. Entire issues could have very easily been a few panels. The deconstruction harmed the overall story.

Much of my ire stems from the emotional beat falling flat or feeling unearned. Steve spends so much time concerned about his son -- which is understandable -- but at the same time, very little focus is provided to Sharon's feelings on her son's kidnapping. It feels incredibly uneven, especially since in earlier issues, Sharon was written as the one still searching for Ian despite Steve thinking he was dead. (Ah, comics). But when she finally finds out she was right and he was alive...we don't even get to see her hug him?

Beyond that, I'm somewhat uncomfortable with the fridging of Roger Aubrey. Him dying wasn't necessary to get to the final point that it did. In fact, I think it would have been more meaningful if he retired and then chosen to pass on his mantle. There's more agency and it feels less like fridging.

[Chris Lemmerman]

Cold War brings Sentinel Of Liberty and Symbol Of Truth together as the Captains and their cohorts march into Dimension Z to rescue Ian Rogers from Bucky, and bring down the White Wolf once and for all.

My biggest, and only, complaint about these latest Captain America series is that they're ending too soon. Even here, as both series head towards their wrap-ups, it feels like there's so much more story to tell. It doesn't feel rushed, and it's a satisfying way to bring most plot threads to a close (some stuff's getting dealt with in the Cold War Aftermath trade, so it's not entirely concluded here), but I can't help but wish this story could have gotten the breathing room it so deserved.

I did like how both series managed to dovetail together. Plot points from both books play into this conclusion, even if it's sometimes only in little ways, and it's nice to see both Steve and Sam on the same pages again.

Not bad - decent, even, but a little lacklustre given all we've been through to get here.

[Craig]

It feels like this should be bigger than it is, but...eh. The whole Century Game thing was kind of interesting when it was first introduced, but by the end of this arc, it's honestly getting to be kind of silly. Bucky Barnes is the new Revolution, one of 5 behind the scenes players in a game for control of the world, and he's teamed up with the White Wolf, a Sam Wilson villain, to take control over Dimension Z (from Rick Remender's run on the title). It's all kind of lackluster and low stakes, yet the battle involves both Captains, as well as Sharon Carter and Misty Knight. Even the Black Widow shows up (but why?). The art's not terrible throughout, though it does shift from title to title (books from both Captain America series are included). Not sure why the White Wolf becomes an actual wolf near story's end. I guess there's some more story in the wrap up collection Cold War Aftermath. Maybe that's a bit more exciting? Anyway, this is a perfect example of a three-star book. It deserves no more and no less.

[Ross]

When one Captain America isn't enough ...
Get the whole gang together to take on the Outer Circle (specifically Barnes aka 'The Revolution). Get Misty Knight, Sharon Carter, and both Captains to 'save the day'. Once more, everybody. Let's all go back to Dimension Z.

The Revolution is playing a long game here. Kidnapping Ian Rogers (recently 'Nomad) and teaming up with The White Wolf ('brother' to T'Challa) to bring Dimension Z and all of its creatures to Earth. Plans within plans and schemes that STILL aren't quite done.

If anything, this is them taking out ONE of the points to the Outer Circle's star. It's a good crossover. I think this is going to take soooooooo long for them to get to the end of the Outer Circle drama. If you love espionage stories and classic Cap, you'll love this stuff.

====
Bonus: of COURSE, White Wolf drinks some Z-cola (or whatever) and undergoes some changes...
Bonus Bonus: Dimension ME? Really?

[Alan]

This should be a two star review. The elevation is because of the monologue Ian Rogers gets to give in the final chapter, and the idea of a century old, globe spanning conspiracy controlling the world was a worthwhile thought.

It's just that the execution is not quite there for me. The average reader knows and understands that Steve Rogers sees himself as a symbol so give the reader more why as to his symbolism, or why it's important to him. In a way the reader buys into. That doesn't happen here. Probably hasn't really happened except with Brubaker and Engleheart.

And, I'll admit the Bucky Barnes and Peggy Carter character turns don't work for me, neither does the White Wolf (I mean really he's kind of dumb here and he isn't this stupid in Black Panther series).

[C.O. Bonham]

An interesting graphic novel. But confusing for anyone who hasn't been following the newer Marvel Comics Captain America titles.

The most confusing thing is that MCU viewers will recognize characters. Bucky especially looks like is actor. But none of the comic characters act like their movie versions. It's obvious they have led different lives.

Recommend for anyone obsessed with the comics as it collects a full story that was spread across two series. Avoid if you are just a casual movie goer.

[Allysa]

I loved the complex reasoning behind the scenes in this volume but parts of it felt underwhelming for reasons I can’t really put my finger on. The crossover worked well, I liked seeing Sam and Steve work together again. The artwork fit with the separate runs and melded nicely together. I think truthfully the most interesting part of this issue is Bucky and his actions but there just wasn’t enough of him. Still, I look forward to see where the run goes next.

[Chad]

This was fine. Kind of lackluster though for an event. Both Captains and the gang head to Dimension Z to fight the White Wolf and Bucky. The White Wolf is especially lame in this and lacking all of his smarts he had in the Christopher Priest Black Panther series. Then to turn him into an actual White Wolf seems so on the nose. These two series were short and I feel there was a reason for it. They were kind of bland.

[Jessi]

What comes after this? What do I need to pick up?
Also, I know this was presented in the last two comic books I read, but how the heck did Peggy come back, and how is she so young? What do I need to read to figure that out?

This is looking so good and I wanna read more. I love seeing Sam and Steve working together as Captains. I loved Misty! "Angela Bassett's Workout Routine" had me on the floor! Love!

[ANTHONY FLORES]

160 páginas de patriotismo puro y duro.

En esta historia vemos a Ian siendo secuestrado por un Buck que al parecer no está en sus cabales haciendo que Steve y Sam, los dos capitanes América tengan que ir a buscarlo.

Una forma tan hermosa de saber que el Cap siempre va a tener un poco de buenas historias por contar. Esta historia trata sobre la familia y como se tiene que pensar con cabeza fría para no caer en trampas que ponen los enemigos.

[John]

Fun ideas, so-so execution. I really liked "The Century Game" plot angle. This storyline would have made a better Civil War II, imo.

I dont mind retcons in my comics, so this is a nice adventure! But its hard to reconcile classic Cap with the Nick Spencer/Coates run, with this one. That's a lot of conspiracy!

Now theres JMS adding to Cap's childhood.

[Will Plunkett]

Today is Independence Day, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation; seemed appropriate to read a Captain America story. Throughout much of the nation today, people are sweltering in triple-digit temperatures; so maybe this trade paperback that features snow will help cool the heat. Oh, and the plot and artwork were okay.

[Sarospice]

2.5 The Dimension Z stuff is one reason I quit Captain America so long ago, so a revisit didn't float me, but where Sam and Steve are right now and the way in which they are sharing the responsibility of the symbol... It just works.

[Alex]

Just so....bleh? The pacing of this is a mess, there's two or three issues that could have been sped up, and I wasn't invested by the conclusion. This whole run as a whole has been terribly underwhelming for something everyone praised

[Emmett Spain]

The first half struggled to generate much interest, but the back half came through with some personal conflicts elevating the book. It all wrapped up a little bit neatly … perhaps the next book, Cold War: Aftermath, will make this book matter a little more in retrospect. 3.5 stars.