Captain America is the personification of patriotism and justice, but what's this? It turns out Marvel's golden boy isn't exactly who we think he is, at least according to implications set forth by Captain America: Steve Rogers #1.
There are several plots introduced in the issue, with the first being that Captain America is young again and fighting crime alongside Free Spirit and Jack Flag. Then there's the storyline that Cap's mother, Sarah Rogers, is involved with Hydra.
This apparent connection to the evil organization holds little weight over Captain America until he is seen at the end of the issue seemingly throwing out his sidekick Jack Flag out of a plane to die. And then saying "Hail Hydra."
What is happening here?!?!?!
There are several possibilities. First, it may be that Captain America has always been part of Hydra, a sleeper cell that has only been activated now. And if his mother Sarah was indeed recruited by Hydra, it may also be that Cap has been part of the organization since he was a boy, operating simply as a Hydra agent in disguise.
Maybe that's not actually Cap throwing his sidekick out of a plane? Unfortunately, Marvel executive editor Tom Brevoort has confirmed that the sidekick-killing individual is indeed Steve Rogers. No, it's not a clone, nor a shapeshifter, nor a Cap from an alternate universe. It's just simply him. For reals.
BUT, Brevoort did say that Cap's shift from great American hero to Hydra supporter is not as simple as it looks.
"It's not like he's exchanged his white hat for a black hat — it's a green hat," he said.
To say fans were shocked at the revelation that Cap is actually one of the baddies is an understatement. The idea that the greatest American hero is actually a bad guy simply doesn't sit well with many people, who took to Twitter to express their feelings using the hashtag #SayNoToHydraCap.
"Cap was evil from the beginning" and yet he was worthy enough to pick up Thor's hammer??? Very convincing. #SayNoToHydraCap #plothole
— Halen Skilken (@HalenSky) May 25, 2016
#SayNoToHYDRACap (gif from tumblr: seraharcana) pic.twitter.com/UmGAoDRfmO — Heidi (@HBB_xx) May 25, 2016
@nickspencer hey look I made a playlist for you & everyone at @Marvel who greenlit this trashfire #SayNoToHYDRACap pic.twitter.com/vZ2Bbzk5sp
— Whitney Thompson (@klahom) May 25, 2016
#SayNOtoHYDRACap @Marvel I understand you've made a decision... pic.twitter.com/ISwyzupWYx — Camryn Meece (@MeeceCamryn) May 25, 2016
BECAUSE LET'S CELEBRATE HIS 75TH ANNIVERSARY BY MAKING HIM EVERYTHING HE HATES #SayNoToHYDRACap pic.twitter.com/HsVC4A3vn0
— Anastasia McArthur (@_stasia_marie) May 25, 2016
Captain America's big secret certainly ruffled more than a few feathers, especially that the character is celebrating his 75th anniversary this year and he was just recently on the big screen in Captain America: Civil War supposedly fighting for what he thought was right.
What do you think of Cap's big secret? Let us know in the comments!
