Steve Rogers and Uncle Sam: Different angles on political faith in Fear Itself #1 and Freedom Fighters #8

I was intrigued by the serendipity of having both Steve Rogers and Uncle Sam, the Big Two's respective "symbols of America," commenting on the current state of political discourse and unrest in this week's high-profile Fear Itself #1 and the criminally neglected Freedom Fighters #8.

SPOILERS BELOW THE FOLD...

In Fear Itself #1, written by Matt Fraction, we have Steve Rogers, former (and soon-to-be-again-thank-you-again-Marvel) Captain America, exasperated at the riot situation brewing on the streets of Manhattan over a controversial building project on hallowed ground. At the same time (roughly),  in Freedom Fighters #8, written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, we have Uncle Sam fighting the Jester, a radical political activist who wants to "save" America by any means necessary (including murder and kidnapping), with Sam replying that yes, the country is in bad shape, but it will survive, as it always has.

Gotta say I like Uncle Sam's take better, and I don't quite buy Rogers' reaction--and that's sad, coming from a dyed-in-the-wool Cap fan.

Here's Fraction commenting on Rogers at Marvel.com:

Marvel.com: Steve Rogers’ line about “It’s democracy” in response to the initial protest seems like a very profound insight into his character. What do you think it says about him?

Matt Fraction: Steve's seen us at our best and worst, y'know? He understands that raised voices and passion is a part of the process. I don't think he realizes how far we've gone, though. It's in his character to give us the benefit of the doubt; I think that makes him a touch out of touch.

Wow--didn't we just hear the "out of touch" line in Civil War (the whole Sally Floyd-MySpace kerfuffle)? I thought the whole point of Steve returning to bring the moral center back to the Marvel Universe and end Norman Osborn's Dark Reign was to show that his values of honor, courage, and bravery--as well as his unflagging faith in democracy and liberty--were timeless.

Actually, the Jester sounds a bit like Fraction as he says to Uncle Sam:

You're a tired old icon whom no one believes in anymore! ... America needs a new icon! A stronger icon who is willing to lead them back to the promised land! You're just a faded old poster from a bygone era!

In fact, Iron Man (whom I read as the voice of Fraction) says a very similar thing to Steve in Fear Itself:

Steve--buddy--don't take this the wrong way, but... well, "Captain America" doesn't come with the same cache it once did. And you're not even that anymore.

Thankfully Stark only wants to launch a Asgardian-sized jobs program in Broxton, nothing like the criminal and terrorist plans of the Jester. (Maybe he should look up Sally Floyd, though...)

I realize that this event will lead to the return of Steve Rogers as Captain America, and with it I hope he also regains his faith in what he stands for, and what Captain America #615.1 and #616 emphasized about his symbolic importance. I realize Uncle Sam has seen more of American history than Rogers has, but Rogers should know that America has seen civil strife and discord before, and we've come through it. Was it always worth it? Opinions will differ, but his first impulse was right: democracy isn't always quiet, and it isn't always pretty. But it sure beats the alternative, and Rogers should remember that--because Uncle Sam never will.

(In fact, a tiny bit of me would like to think the entire dialogue between Uncle Sam and the Jester in Freedom Fighters was a subtle jab at Fear Itself for capitalizing on political and economic anxieties rather than addressing them head-on, but that's not for me to say.)