REVIEW: ‘Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty,’ Issue #3

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #3 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, illustrated by Carmen Carnero, colored by Nolan Woodard, and lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna. It’s published by Marvel Comics. Steve Rogers has learned that a mysterious cabal known as the Outer Circle has been directing the flow of history, even influencing the creation of his famous shield. He travels to the Forge where his shield was created to get answers, but encounters a mysterious being known as the Redacted. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes attempts to glean information about the Circle’s history from Peggy Carter, but things go south.

Lanzing and Kelly have clearly taken inspiration from Ed Brubaker’s legendary run on the Captain America title, as their work is leaning more toward spycraft than superheroics. Their script crisscrosses between Peggy and Bucky’s confrontation and Steve’s battle with the Redacted. During the latter battle, Steve reflects on the lessons he’s learned throughout his career as Captain America, including his time with the Avengers and meeting the Black Panther’s father T’Chaka. So far, Sentinel of Liberty has put the emphasis on how important Steve’s bonds with friends and family are, and it’s these bonds that allow him to stay one step ahead of the Redacted.

Speaking of the Redacted, it’s one of the most terrifying modern foes in Marvel comics, eclipsed only by the King in Black himself, Knull. Carneo’s artwork depicts the Redacted as a towering being encased entirely in adamantium with the ability to split its limbs into pointed spears. This not only keeps Cap on his toes, but serves as one of the better Terminator 2 references I’ve seen in a while. And its method of speech is equally chilling. Caramagna depicts its word bubbles as a form of black and white type featuring multiple backslashes, as if it’s working from some corrupted “Kill Captain America” program.

Carnero also draws some intense action sequences, both in the Peggy/Bucky and Steve/Redacted fight. The former has both combatants pulling guns on each other and using the casino environment to their advantage. Peggy even makes use of playing cards in a way that would make Gambit jealous. And as for the latter, Steve is able to use his shield in new and inventive ways. But the piece de resistance is a two-page spread with Steve’s shield in the center. Panels spread out from it, depicting the history of the shield’s creation, and drenched in a sepia tone color courtesy of Woodard. It’s a great way of showing just how much the shield has been through, and how much it means to Steve.

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #3 continues to peel back the layers behind the Outer Circle while putting Steve Rogers through his paces. Given the end of the issue, it looks as though Steve’s civilian life will be in the Circle’s crosshairs, and that the Redacted may be just as deadly a foe as the Red Skull or Baron Zemo ever was.

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #3 is available wherever comics are sold.