Warning: contains spoilers for United States of Captain America #3!
The newest Captain America may be a hero, but he has a complicated and tragic relationship with the country he defends. Joe Gomez, Marvel's first Native American Captain America, is introduced in the two stories inside United States of Captain America #3: Looking for Uncle Sam written by Christopher Cantwell with art by Dale Eaglesham, and the more personal People Like Us written by Darcie Little Badger with art by David Cutler and colors by Matt Milla. How Joe sees the world and the country in which he lives is a crucial aspect of his character.
In United States of Captain America, an imposter dressed as the titular hero causes chaos wherever he goes - and with Steve Rogers' stolen shield. Steve travels with Sam Wilson in search of the fake Captain America and stumbles upon the Captains Network: a group of Americans who become the Captain America of their own communities. Very few of them have actual military training, but they're devoted to the idea of Captain America and what he could represent to everyone. Joe Gomez - a member of the Kickapoo tribe in Kansas - has a more unique relationship to "America" than any other Captain before him.
Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson find Gomez, a construction worker, whilst pursuing the Captain America imposter (in actuality, Speed Demon commanded by Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull). Captain America saved Joe's life when he was attacked by Bulldozer, a member of the Wrecking Crew, and he's been a massive fan ever since; he thus become the Captain America of his community and a "defender of the defenseless." He understands that his people have suffered greatly at the hands of those carrying a red, white and blue flag. Joe believes in Steve Rogers because he means what he says - unlike others. "What everybody else out there promises us. Says we can have but then takes away. They don't see us."
"We are the people of the land called America" Joe - who's real name is Chiitaska - remarks once Captain America departs. "Shoot, we've been here long before America, and we'll survive it too." To hear a Captain America say he will "survive" America is certainly shocking, but easy to understand once one remembers the atrocities committed by 19th century settlers as their Manifest Destiny practices led to mass extermination of Native Americans. By "surviving America", does Chiitaska believe he'll survive institutionalized American discrimination...or does he believe the nation of America itself is temporary, and will eventually collapse?
Joe Gomez is a complex character and he absolutely deserves to reappear outside of the United States of Captain America series. Regardless of his opinions concerning the American government, Joe Gomez nevertheless believes in saving people, placing them above any institutions. In that respect, he embodies the Captain America spirit unlike any other seen before, and is more than worthy of carrying the shield.