This article contains SPOILERS for Captain America: Symbol of Truth #4
Marvel's Captain America will soon face off against Black Panther, setting the stage for a rematch nearly one hundred years in the making. The two champions of their respective nations fought one another in a climatic battle that saw the defeat of the Star-Spangled Man, but time has changed both countries and heroes. In Captain America: Symbol of Truth #4, an unfortunate misunderstanding combined with the supreme arrogance of Sam Wilson will lead to catastrophe.
In current Marvel comics continuity, two people share the mantle of Captain America: Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson. Both Captains have their own ongoing series; Rogers is the star of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty and Wilson takes the lead in Captain America: Symbol of Truth. While Rogers returns to Germany to confront his shield's mysterious pas and uncover a conspiracy, Wilson is hot on the trail of stolen vibranium and an entirely separate conspiracy - and decides to immigrate to Wakanda as part of a new exchange program in order to enter the country clandestinely.
Captain America: Symbol of Truth #4, written by Tochi Onyebuchi with art by R.B. Silva & Ze Carlos, Wilson is welcomed into the country by Wakandan guards - but the guards are actually agents of Crossbones, working with Black Panther's adopted white brother Hunter to destabilize the country (and the United States). Sam successfully defeats Crossbones, but T'Challa is incensed that Captain America would enter unannounced. "Wakanda does not take kindly to spies, Sam Wilson," announces T'Challa. A preview image for the next issue depicts Black Panther and Captain America engaged in a fierce fight; evidently, any diplomacy attempted in the subsequent story has failed.
Captain America and Black Panther have fought before, most notably in 2005's Black Panther #1 by Reginald Hudlin with art by John Romita Jr. During World War II, Captain America hunted Nazis on a mission to exploit Wakandan science. The WW2-era Black Panther - T'Challa's father at the time - had already dealt with the invaders and proceeded to deal with Captain America. All invaders on Wakandan soil, with good intentions or otherwise, were repelled, and the United States government was thoroughly shamed. Unfortunately, Sam Wilson has entered the country with slightly less noble intentions than his predecessor, so T'Challa has every right to be angry that his American ally would take it upon himself to interfere with a Wakandan problem.
As is the case with a hero-vs-hero confrontation, the fighters will most likely cease their battle eventually. But Captain America has a terrible weakness here: he must learn that he isn't a welcome sight to every nation, even allied countries, and he cannot be the police officer of the world. Captain America and Black Panther may be different people in the upcoming modern-era rematch, but Sam Wilson is committing the same error that Steve Rogers did back in World War II: failing to respect Wakanda's sovereignty.