Having defeated some of the most formidable villains, Captain America is one of the greatest heroes in the Marvel Universe. Though it is kind of difficult for people to picture him as a villain, Marvel revealed in 2016 that he was a Hydra member.
For those who do not know, Hydra is a fictional terrorist organization that appears in Marvel comics and was formerly a Nazi organization. As soon as this became widely known on social media, readers and the general public began to respond with headlines and opinion pieces about how Marvel had transformed an American icon into a Nazi.
The writers’ decision to turn the character, who was known for his unwavering loyalty to American ideals, into a villain was bold and risky. There is no disputing that this plot twist—despite the criticism and controversy surrounding the new arc—remains one of the most significant and underappreciated arcs in the Marvel universe.
Marvel Comic Book Fans ‘Hated’ Captain America Joining Hydra?
Because Captain America is one of the most inspirational superheroes in comic books, readers found it extremely difficult to accept the character’s changes. Admirers were accustomed to seeing Captain America as the lone hero who always did the right thing and shone like a beacon. Even though it was entertaining to watch him act evil, fans did not want to embrace it.
Sure, he may appear to be dressed in red, white, and blue, but what about inside? It appears, however, that Steve Rogers is a supporter of Hydra, a former Nazi organization. In 2016, Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 from Marvel Comics highlighted this shocking twist. When Hydra was first introduced, it was a villainous supergroup whose only objective was to rule the entire world. Over time, some of Hydra’s leaders rose to prominence as one of the most formidable foes in Marvel Comics.
The arc was an intriguing exploration of Captain America’s internal conflicts and demons, revealing a more nuanced side to his character. It revealed an aspect of him that fans had never seen before, adding depth and complexity to his story. This evolution of his character made him more relatable and human, connecting with readers on a personal level.
But it did not seem to have struck a chord with some readers. But some supported it. Let’s see fans’ reactions via YouTube:
“This went absolutely hard! I remember when that one shot of Cap saying “Hail Hydra” broke the internet and news everywhere!” – @scorpiophoenix2778
“I will never understand why people hated this…” -@darryljack6612
“I swear the people that shit on the secret empire story, didn’t read anything other than a headline saying “cap is hydra” and never looked back.” -@Mauldoon5
“One of the best Captain America stories of the past 20 years easily.” @minecraftmike5193
“I enjoyed this story. It’s what got me back into comics.” – @2ndstreetmarvel
Many fans found it offensive that Captain America would collaborate with Nazi sympathizers, particularly during such a sensitive political period in our culture.
Marvel Acknowledged Fans’ Worries Regarding Captain America & Hydra Twist
Marvel had earlier issued a statement in response to the discussion around Secret Empire (2017 comic). The series revealed that Captain America is, in fact, an agent of Hydra, a villainous group that now seeks to rule the Marvel Universe.
The plot twist caused instant controversy, in part because Hydra has been linked to Nazis on several occasions. In a statement provided to ABC News, Marvel asked viewers to exercise patience and follow the plot through to its conclusion:
“With Marvel Comics’ Secret Empire, the forces of Hydra have taken over and, due to the villainous actions of the Red Skull, have manipulated Marvel’s greatest hero, Captain America…At Marvel, we want to assure all of our fans that we hear your concerns about aligning Captain America with Hydra and we politely ask you to allow the story to unfold before coming to any conclusion.”
Later, Secret Empire writer Nick Spencer told EW that Marvel anticipated a strong reaction to this controversial storyline and saw the ardor of fan sentiment as an affirmation of Captain America:
“Obviously, we knew going into this story that turning Steve Rogers into a Hydra agent was a controversial thing, that it would upset folks, and it should. It’s a horrible thing that’s happened to Steve here.”
Although the plot may have divided fans, there is no denying its ongoing influence on the Marvel universe. It caused the comic book community to engage in heated debates and discussions, which obviously rekindled their interest in Captain America.
