Captain America Becomes Thanos’ Official Opposite, Embracing His Cosmic Destiny

Warning: Contains spoilers for Captain America #8!!Captain America grew from a sickly young man knocking on death’s door to one of the world’s most recognizable heroes, but Steve Rogers’ destiny is bigger than his deeds as an Avenger. Just as Thanos sets himself on the ultimate quest toward Death, Captain America is picking up a new mantle of his own: Avatar of Life. He is Life’s chosen champion, and that will doubtlessly have rippling cosmic effects.

In Captain America #8 by J. Michael Straczynski, Carlos Magno, Espen Grundetjern, and Joe Caramagna, Steve delves further into the complicated world of Change Agents. After entering the Pale City with Lyra, otherwise known as Life, he prepares to face Death on the battlefield. After Lyra and Cap cut through the ranks of his servants, she declares Steve to be her champion amid taunts from her sibling.

Besides fighting alongside Life, Rogers accepts a mission from her to protect and locate other Change Agents. Their bond sets him up to be something of an Avatar of Life, just as Thanos harnesses the power of Death.

Captain America is Becoming a New Kind of Hero

The Cosmic Order May be Shifting in Response

Steve Rogers has fought on the side of good for his entire life. As a Change Agent, his mere existence signals upcoming shifts in the world, and he’s wielded that power since before he ever picked up the shield. But now, he’s taking things one step further by becoming Life’s direct ally. Lyra tells him directly that he has no greater cause than saving innocent lives, and her utter faith in him cements his place in the cosmos. He is bigger than Captain America and a force greater than even the Avengers’ grandest deeds.

Yet there is always balance somewhere. Where there is life, there is death. Right now, the latter is in Thanos’ hands, as he recently forged the seventh Infinity Stone (the “Death Stone) by trapping Death herself within it. While it’s currently unclear how the Life and Death in Cap’s narrative fits against Thanos’ ongoing story, they’re both being positioned in such a way that Captain America may be one of the only heroes capable of bringing Thanos to heel. As Steve ascends to greater heights than ever before, their next fight may be on a bigger scale – with consequences to match.

Captain America is in Good Company With Life’s Champions

They Will Need Every Advantage They Can Get

Steve is still working to understand his role as a Change Agent, but he is not Life’s only champion. Storm, one of the X-Men’s most powerful mutants, was recently deemed an Avatar of Life as she sought to resurrect her fallen friend, Magneto. The Marvel Universe is gearing up for something catastrophic, likely with Thanos and his new Death Stone at the center, and its heroes need all the help they can get to hold things together. As Captain America ascends to his position at Life’s side, Thanos is taking the darker path that promises a monumental conflict.

Captain America #8 is available now from Marvel Comics.