Warning! Spoilers ahead for Empyre: Captain America #1

While Marvel's Empyre event may involve alien forces attacking and alliances between the two powerful Kree/Skrull cosmic armies, Captain America is doing his part with boots on the ground, rallying the U.S military against the Cotati forces. The Super Soldier is an Avenger, often fighting side by side with the likes of Thor and Iron Man, but for Empyre: Captain America, Cap is going back to those solider roots, joining a unit of troops in the U.S military who help him make his way to the Pentagon.

Coming from writer Phillip K. Johnson (a former veteran himself) with art by Ariel Olivetti, this special tie-in is a much more grounded approach to the idea of an alien invasion, almost carrying the essence of a film like Independence Day. With the Cotati driving the U.S military on the ropes in Washington D.C., Captain America arrives just in the nick of time, giving the troops some much-needed space. After introductions are made, Cap handpicks Sergeant Major Cherry, Sergeant Russo, Specialist Bennet, and First Lieutenant Herrero to help him get through enemy lines so he can speak with the top brass at the Pentagon.

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After Cap's new squad successfully gets to the Pentagon, he heads inside to speak with General Woodley. While Woodley is initially happy to see Cap, he's less enthused by his arrival after he hears what Rogers has to say. This is because Captain America is requesting that troops be moved to aid America's allies in Mexico and South America who are quickly being overrun by the Cotati. Woodley is short with Cap, refusing to give aid to other countries "who wouldn't do the same for them". However, that's not an answer Captain America would ever accept.

Leaving the Pentagon, he returns to the troops. He shares with them about a time long ago during WWII, a maniac was trying to take over the world (Hitler). He continues, saying a lot of people in the States said it wasn't their fight, waiting until they didn't have a choice anymore to enter it. Cap's not about to let that happen again. While D.C can take care of itself, the real fight is in the south. The troops assembled, including the small unit Cap met, agree to join him in his fight.

While Captain America and his modern-day Howling Commandos head for Mexico and South America, there seems to be a problem with one of the soldiers Cap met: Bennet. Unfortunately, it looks as though he's been infected by the Cotati planet life, and started to attack General Woodley at the issue's end. Does this mean that the Cotati are starting to infiltrate the U.S forces? That would certainly cause some significant obstacles for Captain America and his troops, even more than the lack of support they're currently receiving. Fans will have to wait and see when the next issue arrives next month.

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