Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Art: Valerio Schiti and Ben Harvey
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Release Date: September 10th, 2025
ORIGIN OF DOOM! A meeting with Doctor Doom in Latveria forces Steve to confront the realities of the harsh new world he’s awoken in. Meanwhile, Dave Colton and the Howling Commandos infiltrate Doom’s fortress to rescue hostages, but instead they uncover a sinister truth behind Doom’s rise to power…
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THE DISPATCH
Inside Captain America #3, Valerio Schiti’s layouts push the pacing along smartly. Panels are tightly arranged during tense moments, switching to more spacious, dramatic spreads when Captain America confronts Doom himself. The art gracefully pivots between claustrophobic interiors and Brobdingnagian architecture, emphasizing Steve’s isolation in this foreign land.
Colorist Frank Martin deserves kudos—his palette evolves subtly between scenes of infiltration (muted, desaturated tones) and confrontational flashpoints with Doom (saturated, edge-lit shadows). The coloring breathes through the narrative quietly, enhancing shifts in mood without ever shouting.
The atmosphere strikes with a chilling tension. Latveria is cold, calculated—Schiti draws it as a land of gothic mechanization, not just old-world glamor. It’s clear in every pane that Steve is out of his element, an embedded feeling that makes him vulnerable yet grounded. Chip Zdarsky’s writing amplifies this: Steve’s inner monologue doesn’t just react to surroundings—it senses them.
Moreover, Captain America #3 walks a fine line between setup and momentum. The first half leans into slow-building dread as Cap navigates Doom’s political labyrinth. The second half jacks up the pace—Colton and the Howling Commandos burst into the narrative with a sudden burst of energy and stakes. The shift hits hard, though a few panels feel slightly rushed as revelations mount. Still, the momentum doesn’t sputter—it accelerates, driving anticipation for the next chapter.
Joe Caramagna’s lettering is crisp and clear—no frills, just clean readability. Dialogue never feels clunky; Steve’s voice is understated but layered with cautious defiance. Cap’s internal thoughts act as a quiet counterpoint to Doom’s airtight public persona. Meanwhile, the dialogue of Colton and the Howling Commandos crackles with urgency, injecting a different tone that keeps the issue from becoming tonally one-note.
Captain America’s meeting with Doctor Doom, the Howling Commandos rescuing hostages and unearthing a sinister secret—guides the narrative expertly. It delivers more than a teaser; it frames each beat so you sense the author both trusts you and wants to keep you on edge. The pieces fall into place just as expected, yet with enough surprise to feel earned.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Captain America #3 veers away from bombastic superheroics, instead leaning into quiet dread, political subtext, and emotional resonance. Doom isn’t just a supervillain; he’s a symbol of a harsh new era Steve must adapt to. The art and pacing underscore the sensory weight of that emotional journey. With rich landscapes, moody shading, real sense of place, this issue pops with a vivid sense of unease and displacement. Captain America #3 feels cinematic in its tension—an emotional ambush wrapped in gothic architecture and political power plays. It’s not just a battle; it’s a reckoning. If you came for punchy heroics, this may feel slower—but for those eager to explore Steve Rogers’ psyche as he faces a world that has moved on, this issue is a rich, slow-burn gem. If you want atmosphere over spectacle and weight over fireworks, this is worth it.