Captain America getting a retro-relaunch, sending him back to his first days out of the ice

Now this could be pretty interesting. A new Captain America series from Marvel will take place right after the hero was thawed.

Ice to see you

Marvel Comics is, as fans well know by now, only too happy to relaunch a book. Series’ typically get overhauled with new creative teams and fresh “#1” issues, though they’re still pretty much part of continuing storylines. The publisher even has a legacy numbering system that reflects that.

But what we’re looking at today is actually different. Instead of the usual, it’s a retro-series, that’ll be taking Captain America back this first days of post-WWII life. The series will kick off after Cap’s been thawed from the arctic ice, but before he joins the Avengers. It’s a time period that has actually had little exploration, and that’s where writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Valerio Schiti come in.

Following Zdarsky’s Eisner-nominated run on Daredevil and Schiti’s breathtaking recent work on Avengers and G.O.D.S., the two acclaimed creators team up to change how the world views Captain America forever! The opening arc of their game-changing new run takes place in a rarely explored time period—after the World War II hero emerged from frozen suspended animation, but before he joined the Avengers. Declassifying Steve Rogers’ first mission after re-enlisting in the U.S. Army, the story sees Captain America tasked with infiltrating Latveria, leading to his previously untold first encounter with Doctor Doom. Packed with bold, relevant insights into Captain America’s role and legacy as he learns just how much the world has changed in his absence, this top secret conflict will come back to haunt all involved when the series progresses into present-day storylines. In addition, fans can look forward to Cap suiting up in an all-new stealth uniform and leading an all-new group of Howling Commandos.

While Captain America slumbered in ice, the world changed—for better and for worse. He awakens to a reality where battles are fought in the shadows through secrets and subterfuge, and villains aren’t so easy to identify. When a fledgling dictator named Victor Von Doom conquers Latveria, Steve faces a critical decision: adapt to a new kind of warfare, or forge his own path? And what will the choice he makes in the past mean for his future?

Marvel Comics press release

We’re not sure of the actual year this new series will be taking place in, but it’s definitely looking more modern than anything else. That’s of course fitting, since the Marvel Universe has long since moved out of a mid-20th century time period.

Overall we’re really digging what we’re seeing in this first batch of promotional art too. The new Howling Commandos, which we assume are somewhat ill-fated, look neat in high-tech armor, and Iron Man and Reed Richards both look awesome with riffs on their classic looks. While we’re not 100% into the new stealth suit, the iconic Cap duds definitely fit the bill. And Doctor Doom being his first test? We’re not complaining about that.

So far, so good. Stay tuned, true believers, we’ll have much more on Captain America #1 as we head towards its launch on July 2nd, 2025.