A Civil War Postscript

I read the final issue of Marvel's "other" Civil War title today, namely Civil War: Front Line. It was basically an epilogue to both mini-series, tying up some loose ends as well as presenting the two reporters who'd been featured throughout it getting a chance to interview Steve "Captain America" Rogers - in jail - and Tony "Iron Man" Stark - in his Stark Tower penthouse.

What struck me about the Cap conversation was a comment that the younger of the two reporters made to him. It was essentially an assertion that he didn't represent America anymore, because he didn't know what MySpace was, hadn't watched any YouTube videos, and wasn't obsessed with Paris Hilton. I'm sure the writer of the issue meant some of that to be ironic - at least I hope he did! - but even allowing for that, it still seemed a ridiculous observation. If that's really what "the living embodiment of America" should be these days, then I guess they must be aiming pretty low, and there mustn't be very many Americans over the age of 40 right now! Captain America's supposed to represent the spirit and ideals of his country, not the fads they happen to be interested in today that'll be considered passe five years from now. Anyone reading Ed Brubaker's Captain America series over the past couple years has been treated to a great example of just how relevant he still can be, as an iconic character in the 21st century, despite the fact that he's not driving a minivan nor glued to the TV in order to find out where Anna Nicole Smith's body is going to be buried.

I'd say one of the two writers gets Captain America, while the other just doesn't. At least that's my perspective, being over 40 and all...