Captain America Epic Collection #14

In "The Replacement," John Walker opens up to Val Cooper about his past as a Vietnam veteran and how he gained his powers through the Power Broker—alongside Lemar—only to be steered toward fame by manager Ethan Thurm. Now chosen by the Commission to become the new Captain America, John must decide whether to cut ties with Thurm and pick a single ally from the two Buckies, setting the stage for a complicated legacy in the spotlight.

In "Basic Training," John faces his toughest challenge yet as he prepares to take up the mantle of Captain America—mastering the shield proves harder than expected, prompting the government to bring in the enigmatic Taskmaster as his instructor. When a leak threatens to expose John’s identity, he and Lemar resort to an unorthodox plan involving stolen Guardsmen uniforms, leading to an accidental rampage through a diner.

In the wake of losing his Captain America identity, Steve roams the country, searching for purpose—until a chance encounter with Brother Nature thrusts him into a new role as The Captain. Meanwhile, in California, D-Man gathers the Falcon, Nomad, and Vagabond in a mission to uncover the truth behind Cap’s disappearance.

In "Power Struggle," the new Captain America and Bucky pursue Professor Power, even as the original Cap and his allies race to contain the Sidewinder's plan to free four snake-themed villains. Tensions escalate when the new Cap's frustration boils over, leading to a violent confrontation with dire consequences.

In "Free Speech," Jo finds herself thrust into a new role as Captain America, stepping into the mantle after a dramatic shift in identity. When a press conference meant to clarify her position turns into a public reckoning, her past catches up with her in the most explosive way—two former allies expose her secret, turning the spotlight on a truth she never expected to be revealed.

When a new wave of recruits joins the Serpent Society, their loyalty is quickly tested—especially when one, Viper, orchestrates a betrayal to seize control, leaving Sidewinder gravely wounded. With the society on the brink, Diamondback makes a desperate call to Captain America, pulling the superhero into a web of internal conflict and shifting allegiances.

In "The Snake Pit," Cap and his allies answer Diamondback’s desperate call, diving into a brutal clash with Serpent Society members who’ve joined forces with Viper. As the fight escalates, Rachel makes a sudden move that leaves the Society behind.

In "Surrender," Steve Rogers faces a harrowing choice as he prepares to surrender to the Commission, while Falcon urges him to return to Harlem. With Vagabond’s help, Diamondback and Nomad attempt a daring escape, but Steve’s path diverges when Nomad walks away upon learning of his surrender. In Georgia, Walker fights to save his parents from the Watchdogs—only to lose them in a brutal confrontation that pushes him to the edge.

In "Ambush!", John Walker, stripped of his Captain America mantle after a violent past comes back into play, is thrust into a high-stakes operation when the Commission pushes for his return. Sent to infiltrate the Resistants during a staged trial for Quicksilver—really Mystique—the mission unravels when the group's newest recruit, the former Mentallo, exposes the trap. As Freedom Force and the Resistants clash, Walker’s long-buried trauma ignites, pushing him into a violent confrontation that tests the limits of justice and vengeance.

When Flag-Smasher uncovers the hidden patron behind ULTIMATUM, the revelation turns the organization against him, forcing him to flee to a remote North Pole base. Now hunted by both ULTIMATUM and the U.S. government, Captain America and Battlestar pursue him through the frozen wilderness in a high-stakes race to stop a threat that’s far from what it seems.

In "Icecap," Captain America faces off against Flag-Smasher at the frozen edge of the world, where the stakes are as frigid as the terrain. With Walker captured and the remnants of the enemy's ranks turning on themselves, the heroes must fight their way through chaos—only to lose D-Man to the treacherous ice.