The newly appointed Cap seeks out those causing death and destruction in this new War zone, while Steve Rogers seeks out Doom and what his intentions are for Latvia now he has taken Control. Can Doom make Rogers see this new World for what it is? Or Can Rogers see through Doom’s plan, find out in Captain America #3.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #3
Writer: CHIP ZDARSKY
Artist: VALERIO SCHITI
Main Cover: BEN HARVEY
Variant Covers: BRENT ANDERSON, CHIP ZDARSKY, MICHAEL CHO, JEROME OPEÑA, FRANCESCO MOBILI, VALERIO SCHITI
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: September 10, 2025
This review contain spoilers
Zdarsky continues to narrate on issues in the real world in this issue of Captain America #3. As I said in the review of the previous issue, I enjoy when a writer takes inspiration from the real world as there’s usually a moral to the story that they’re trying to tell or to invoke thoughts within the reader. The issue kicks off with the newly appointed Captain America on patrol with his squadron. They are seeing similarities between this war zone and others that they have been involved in in the past, such as that of Baghdad.
The sight of a young child roaming about the place catches the newly appointed Captain America’s eye. Later in the issue we find out that this young child the new Captain America is seeing is actually a mirage of sorts, as in one of his previous deployments it’s depicted that an old colleague of his shot and killed a child during warfare, which has clearly had a lasting effect on his mental health. Though this vision he is having is actually leading him to those they are looking for and they find them.
Between all this Steve Rogers finds himself with Dr Doom, conversing on the similarities and differences the last guy that Steve Rogers was after, that being Hitler. Dr Doom, appears to have taken control of Latvia. Doom then takes Rogers out and about in a city in Latvia to “show him how True Country of Moral standing operates.” The people that they meet appear to be happier under the rule of Doom, as crime rate has dropped through fear of consequences under Doom’s rule.
Their conversation continues and Doom reminds Rogers that this time is quite different to that of what he knows. Freedom & Democracy are mostly world wide. It’s here where Zdarsky begins to drop some truths about the Nation that Rogers fights for, through the mouth of Doom. “Your country uses these words that you made perfect all those decades ago. They use them to cover their atrocities and their cold grip on the world.”
I found this a powerful statement to include in Captain America #3, especially with what is happening in the world right now. It is definitely a thought provoking issue for many readers in the Western World, especially those Stateside that have always been convinced that their Government has the People of the Country’s best interests at heart, when usually there’s a hidden agenda.
The art by Valerio Schiti, is once again, magnificent in Captain America #3. Carrying consistency from the previous two issues, with excellent variation in perspective and close up and far away angles that accentuate the story being told. I particularly enjoyed all the dominant positions that Doom was drawn in. This adds to the storytelling showing how powerful Doom is in this instance.
Schiti’s use of dynamic posing really adds to the different action sequences too, which with it being a Captain America book there are plenty! So each time a new action sequence takes place you aren’t met with the same posing, it’s truly wonderful to continue to turn pages in this book.
Frank Martin has also done a spectacular job in terms of colouring this issue. It’s just so pleasant on the eyes and again the different use of light and dark to accentuate the different environments is gorgeous. I particularly enjoyed the way he coloured the explosion of the car in the first few pages, there is great amount of detail in the colouring to give it the look and feel of a real life explosion. He has also included a different kind of light for flashback sequences which all add in to the story telling making this a fantastic issue overall.
Final Thoughts
Captain America #3 is fantastically written by Zdarsky in terms of developing the story but still keeping the readers thinking about the current world around them whilst doing so. The fantastic art from Schiti and Martin which combined really helps Zdarsky in tell his story. He truly is lucky to have a creative team behind him that can add to his story and understand what he’s trying to do where in it. Please, please, please keep up the fantastic work, all of you. Every minute detail has been picked up on and it really does add to the telling of the story! Can’t wait for issue 4!
