Pow! Bang! Thud!
That’s the sound of the new, progressive Captain America defending illegal aliens against a group of militia members in a new politically-charged version of the legendary comic book franchise released on Wednesday.
The action — and the political preaching — unfolds in the Marvel-produced “Captain America: Sam Wilson #1,” as noted in a video released by the MacIver Institute.
In the issue, Captain America beats up members of a white supremacist militia called the Sons of the Serpent as they attempt to apprehend a group of illegal aliens crossing the desert from Mexico into Arizona.
“Captain America: Sam Wilson #1” (Youtube screengrab)
The leader of the group, the Serpent Commander, makes statements that are similar to what Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been criticized for saying during his White House run. The Commander longs for the construction of “the mighty wall” and laments the “trouble and disease and crime” that the border-crossers are bringing with them.
Trump, who leads the GOP field in the polls, has called for the erection of border wall with a “big, beautiful door” on it. He also came under fire for saying that Mexico is sending “rapists” into the U.S.
Indeed, the comic’s writer, Nick Spencer, is no fan of Trump.
Apparently hate speech is just fine so long as it brings in the ratings. Let's all be entertained by Trump!
— Nick Spencer (@nickspencer) October 13, 2015
Historically, the Captain America franchise has avoided touching on hot-button domestic issues, focusing instead on international fascists, communists, terrorists, and anarchists bent on world destruction.
Marvel announced last year that the Sam Wilson character would become the new Captain America, replacing Steve Rogers, who had lost his superhuman abilities. Marvel introduced Wilson in 1969 as the Falcon, making him the first African-American superhero in the comic company’s history.
As Captain America in the newest issue, Wilson recounts an internal struggle as he shifts away from Rogers’ apolitical Captain America towards focusing on domestic injustice.
WATCH:
“The more I saw the people I believed I was standing up for being walked on — the more I heard a noise machine spouting intolerance and fear, drowning common sense out, the more I wondered — shouldn’t Captain America be more than just a symbol?” Wilson asks.
In the comic, Wilson holds a press conference in order to speak directly to the American people. The comic flashes newspaper headlines published after the press conference. Some read, “Sam Wilson: Captain Anti-America” and “Captain America Goes Partisan.”
Wilson opens up a hotline to allow citizens to contact him directly to request his help. After a series of bogus requests, Wilson hears a tip from a Mexican immigrant who seeks answers to the disappearance of her son.
The woman said that she believed her son was abducted in the Arizona desert by the Sons of the Serpent. The group has made numerous appearances in Marvel comic franchises. The white supremacist organization believed the woman’s son was a coyote, she said. She believes that he was providing food and water to illegal aliens crossing the desert from Mexico into Arizona.
Captain America: Sam Wilson #1 (Youtube screengrab)
The comic shows Wilson undergoing physical training ahead of his upcoming battle. It then flashes to the Arizona desert, showing the Sons of the Serpent confronting a group of people crossing the border into Arizona.
The Supreme Serpent tells the border-crossers: “By invading this sovereign land, you defy the laws of God, nature, and the United States Constitution!”
“Therefore, I hereby apprehend you by the power vested in me by the aforementioned God, nature, et cetera, et cetera,” he says.
The man leading the group tells the Supreme Serpent that he does not want trouble.
“Oh, I believe you, sir. I can see you have enough trouble with you already, trouble and disease and crime weigh heavy on your backs,” the Supreme Serpent responds.
“Until the mighty wall is built, you come here for employment that is rightfully ours! And if denied it, you seek welfare paid for by our tax dollars!” he bellows.
“Also, you know how you make me press one for English at the beginning of every call to my satellite provider? That is something I cannot abide!” he says in the next frame.
Wilson, now dressed as Captain America, enters the scene, telling the Supreme Commander, “if you’re done threatening a bunch of unarmed folks, mostly women and children…I’d pack up the pickup and head home if I were you, gentlemen.”
Accompanied by his bird-of-prey partner, Captain America springs to action, attacking the Sons of the Serpent.
The outcome of that battle is unclear. The issue ends with a cliffhanger as Steve Rogers, the former Captain America, arrives in an aircraft and orders his replacement to stand down.
The Daily Caller reached out to Nick Spencer, the comic’s writer, through social media to find out how much the current political landscape influenced the his writing. He did not respond.
