Prominent Americans are succumbing to insanity, and Captain America and SHIELD agent Sharon Carter must investigate why and how.  In #9-10, the patriotic duo confronts the Rhino, while Cap succumbs to the insanity in #10-11 and prepares to launch part of America's nuclear arsenal and plunge the world into "perpetual night." 

Once again, Waid explores Cap's status as an icon and as a representation of the American ideal.  Since this is what Waid has been doing since #1 of the current series (and even before that, in the latter issues of his first CAP run), it should be nothing new, just familiar old re-hashings, correct ? 

Wrong.  This time Waid tackles the American dream, but in more than the cornball patriotic sense that most writers would handle it with.  Waid handles it in a way that I respect and enjoy, far more than I would have thought.  Waid describes the American dream as "having the freedom to acheive your goals."  This I can deal with.  This I can admire.  This I can root for.  If Waid was dealing with it in strictly patriotic terms, I would be tremendously disappointed, because this storyline would undoubtedly be terrible.  As it stands, it's an enjoyable story with a few glitches. 

Beyond the exploration of Cap's icon status, what makes Waid's second go-round on CAP so fun is the variety of villians used.  From Lady Deathstrike (#1) to the Super-Skrull (#5-7) and, now, the Rhino and Nightmare, it's fun to see Cap interacting with new and different foes.  I'm also impressed that Waid has been able to make Nightmare into a credible threat, as he's been a comical doofus in all of the stories I've ever seen him in. 

However, there is a problem with Nightmare, namely his plan (revealed in #11). Apparently, he wants Cap to start a nuclear war to plunge the world into "a time of endless sleep borne by the perpetual night . . ." so that he can control people (via their dreams) all the time. How, I wonder, will he do this, if he kills off everyone ?  Dead people don't dream (or maybe they do, but Nightmare states that he wants to control living people's dreams). 

Another flaw of the writing is in the dialogue.  I still haven't made up my mind whether I like Cap's snappier patter.  It *is* better than the stoic crap he spouted under other writers, but, on the other hand, I don't want him to turn into Spider-Man. It's an awful thin line to tread, but Waid seems to be doing okay so far. 

One of the things Waid does *right,* however, is the relationship between Cap and Sharon Carter.  They're an absolutely perfect duo, her neverending cynicism versus his endless optimism.  The sexual tension between the two is great, too. 

Possibly the most interesting page in any of these three issues, however, is the one-page interlude in #10 featuring the Red Skull and Kang the Conqueror.  I'm very interested in learning how the Red Skull became a shadow being, and a partnership between he and Kang ought to make for some interesting stories. 

One the art side, Kubert continues to amaze, although I don't think he's perfect, or even quite as good as Ron Garney.  Kubert's figures (with the exception of Nightmare) are extremely muscular, too much so.  In particular, Cap's muscles are amazing.  I think that I would rather have him a bit leaner and meaner, though, like Garney presented him.  Also, Cap's facial expressions in #10-11 seem a bit much.  I realize that he's possessed, but must he wear smile like the Joker ?  Kubert's art is, by and large, quite good, though, especially his action shots.  The action scene in #11, featuring Cap and Sharon embroiled in combat while parachuting to the ground was breath-taking. 

CAPTAIN AMERICA remains a solid read, and "American Nightmare" is the best arc of CAP, V2 thus far. 
  

Score:  B    
  

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