This issue begins the second half of the first storyline of volume 4 of Captain America, following our hero’s surprise revelation at the end of the last issue of his secret identity. He did this in the process of admitting guilt for the death of the terrorist Faysal al-Tariq, primarily so that other terrorist groups would not pursue revenge against the United States rather the individual presenting himself as responsible.
We open on a number of government agents watching Captain America’s speech in an underground bunker in Virginia…
…and at least one of them, Secretary (of Defense?) Dahl, is prepared to write him off. But Nick Fury knows better.
Well… this damn fool did, in chapter 4 of his book. There’s compromise and then there’s compromise: Captain America would never compromise a principle or his mission for anything less than a more important principle. As we’ve seen time and time again on this blog, when principles conflict and hard choices must be made, a person of sound judgment and virtue has to make some compromise, in which case the question of one of which principle is more important in this situation. In this case, Cap gave up his name and any possibility of a private life for the safety of the American people—both personal sacrifices, mind you, which will likely increase his usefulness to the government, despite Secretary Dahl’s concerns to the contrary.
Fury tries to tell Dahl just that, but the secretary turns his mind to Cap’s survival, at which Fury once again just laughs.
(I wonder if he’s thinking of Cap’s recent “death,” heh.)
It’s Mister Cool’s turn to be taken by surprise…
…when Cap comes a-callin’. (Incredible visuals courtesy of John Cassaday and Dave Stewart.)
For all the value and concern Secretary Dahl has for Cap, he is not very eager to see him…
…but Fury lets him in anyway and then cracks wise to his stone-faced friend, who is not having it.
Cap drops the mic al-Tariq’s CATtag on the table and asks how the terrorists have the same advanced tech Fury offered him…
…before he turns to Secretary Dahl and asks how the terrorist got their plane 300 miles into American airspace.
Cap echoes this classic scene from Daredevil #233, where he confronted another American military leader hiding behind national security and “clearance.”
After Nick gives him a piece of paper with a destination, Cap walks out more calmly than he entered, and when a young lieutenant salutes…
…Cap returns same, while pointing out he’s not actually a captain. The younger man doesn’t care, though—he knows who Captain America is, and Cap appreciates it.
(In general I’m not crazy about “realistic” seams on superhero costumes, but I do appreciate the humanity they give Cap above, thanks to penciller Cassaday.)
As he gets ready to leave, Cap feels bad about Fury as well as where he’s going himself.
He is grateful, however, as he drives by the Great Falls of the Potomac on Independence Day and sees proud Americans enjoying the fireworks display.
Some of the celebrants see him, and we hear one of the most poignant comments ever about the Sentinel of Liberty.
Indeed. (Also, RIP Matthew Perry.)
As he continues his ride, Cap reflects on the life he’s foregone, a persistent theme since being defrosted all those years ago. Here, he imagines a house, a couple kids, and a wife who we can safely assume is Sharon Carter…
…before it all blows up, literally.
(Again, those colors of Dave Stewart’s, wow.)
Somehow Cap manages to hold on to the railing and pull himself up to the top of the dam, still thinking about the life he could have had, while in the life he chose, he faces armed terrorists approaching from both sides.
He ignores what hurts and focuses on what matters…
…never losing faith in what’s right.
The flag may have given way in the blast, but the resolve never does. (Again, the symbolism of holding tight to both the flag and the dream calls back to Daredevil #233.)
Aflame, our hero falls into the river…
…while only the flag floats to the surface.
We’ll see what happened to the man wearing the flag in the next issue…
ISSUE DETAILS
Captain America (vol. 4) #4, September 2002: John Ney Reiber (writer), John Cassaday (pencils and inks), Dave Stewart (colors), Richard Starkings and Wes Abbott (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Captain America Marvel Knights Volume 1.
LAST ISSUE: Captain America #3 (August 2002)
ALSO THIS MONTH: Avengers #56 and Deadpool #69 (September 2002)
NEXT ISSUE: Captain America #5 (October 2002)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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