Captain America’s forgotten nickname is returning to define his upcoming new era. This Fall, legendary writer J. Michael Straczynski returns to Marvel with a brand-new Captain America ongoing series, one that will usher in a bold new era for Steve Rogers, and with it comes the return of one of Captain America’s most iconic nicknames - albeit one that has largely been forgotten in recent years.
As revealed by Marvel, Straczynski will team with artist Jesus Saiz to launch a new Captain America title, with an ambitious new mission for "the Man Out of Time." Marvel offered few details on the September-shipping book, but did quote Straczynski as saying he was "swinging for the bleachers" on this title, and invited fans who loved his work on The Amazing Spider-Man and Thor to check out Captain America. Marvel also shared a preview of the first issue’s cover, featuring a pre-Captain America Steve Rogers fighting a group of bullies, while the image of Captain America above alludes to his great destiny. Enjoy the cover and issue summary below:
Captain America Is the Man Out of Time Again
Decades ago, Steve Rogers changed the world forever. Now powerful and insidious forces are assembling to ensure he never does it again. Past, present and future collide as the man out of time reckons with an existential threat determined to set the world on a darker path at any cost…
The Man Out of Time is one of Captain America’s many nicknames; a reference to the years Steve Rogers spent frozen in ice. Believed dead at the end of World War II, Captain America spent the next several decades frozen, until the Avengers found him. He joined the team and eventually became their leader, and perhaps the Marvel hero most associated with the Avengers. Numerous classic Captain America stories have revolved around the Man Out of Time concept, however as Steve spent longer and longer in the present and acclimated to a new age, it ceased to be a relevant part of his personality - though not for want of trying.
Captain America's Entire Legacy Is Under Attack
The idea of Captain America existing in a time that feels alien to him is a compelling one, and was used in the MCU, but has been hard to make relevant in the comics given his now-established post-WWII career and huge network of friends and allies. Marvel tried to recreate this sense of isolation several times, most notably in the 'Castaway in Dimension Z' arc, which saw Steve trapped in an alternate dimension for over a decade, raising his adopted son Ian and returning to a world that felt alien and unfamiliar. However, his disorientation didn't last long. The fact that Marvel is bringing back this nickname seems to indicate a similarly seismic shift in Steve's life.
The promise of a threat that touches the past, present, and future makes it clear that this new series will explore different eras of Captain America's life, while the cover art dives deep into his history. It seems that if Captain America is about to become the Man Out of Time again, it's because he's being targeted by something larger than any single era.
Captain America #1 is on sale September 20 from Marvel Comics!
Source: Marvel