Captain America debuts a transparent shield as he assembles a team bigger than the Avengers. Captain America’s shield is every bit as iconic as he is, and it is his weapon of choice. Now, in a first look at Captain America #9, the Star-Spangled Avenger unveils a new type of shield, just in time for him to put together one of the most powerful teams in the Marvel Universe.
Captain America #9 will be written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Jesus Siaz, who also provides the cover. In the issue, Captain America must unite and protect a group of “change agents.” As one himself, Cap understands how vital they are to the world’s progress, and knows there are those who wish to harm them. Now, Captain America must stay one step ahead, or else civilization may fall.
Captain America #9 (2024) | |
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Release Date: | May 8, 2024 |
Writers: | J. Michael Straczynski |
Artists: | Jesus Saiz |
Cover Artist: | Jesus Saiz |
Variant Covers: | Lenil Francis Yu, Mike Hawthorne |
TO STAND AGAINST DEATH! Captain America has a new mission: to assemble six new change agents under the Front Door Cabaret’s protection before they can be found by those who want them eradicated. But his first recruit is already in danger, and Cap’s only lead seems to be…a misplaced penguin? | |
Beyond the solicitation, Marvel provided no additional information on the issue, but one of the covers features Cap sporting a transparent shield, a callout to his 1979 movie.
Captain America Is a Change Agent in the Marvel Universe
Change Agents Are Some of the Most Powerful People in the Marvel Universe
These change agents are one of the biggest developments in Captain America’s career. Change agents, as the name implies, help move society along, promoting ideals of equality and justice. Past change agents include Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Rosa Parks, among others. In the early issues of Straczynski and Saiz’s run, Captain America learned he was one himself, and that there are parties who hunt them, snuffing out their potential before they can affect change. This revelation about Cap’s life comes as he seeks to get back in touch with the people he is sworn to protect.
And these change agents could form the basis for Marvel’s most powerful team. This honor usually goes to the Avengers, but as seen in the pages of Straczynski and Saiz’s Captain America, the power of change agents goes beyond simple super-heroics. Instead, the change agents can inspire people to do better and not give into their baser instincts. Change agents have been responsible for some of society’s greatest advances, far more than any member of the Avengers, or any other Marvel team.
Captain America Reveals His Very First Weapon – Long Before the Shield
Before the super-soldier serum and his iconic shield, Steve Rogers was just a Brooklyn kid fighting for what he believed in, and he had some help.
Will Captain America’s New Shield Make Its Debut?
Could It Factor Into the Story Somehow?
How exactly Captain America’s new transparent shield factors into this story, if at all, remains to be seen. It could be nothing more than a shout-out to Cap’s series of TV movies that aired in the 1970s. In those movies, the shield was transparent, and functioned in a variety of roles. Not only did Cap use it similar to the comics, but it also doubled as a windshield for his motorcycle. Even if the cover is just a tribute, it still comes at the right time in Captain America’s life, as he unites a more powerful team than the Avengers.
Captain America #9 is on sale May 8 from Marvel Comics!
