Being Captain America Is Finally Killing Steve Rogers (And It Might Be His Greatest Victory)

Summary Steve Rogers faces his toughest challenge yet as his powers fail against the Red Skull in Avengers: Twilight #6.

The new Super Soldier serum can't reverse aging, giving Captain America a grim outlook in battle.

Even in the face of potential death, Captain America's legacy may inspire others to victory in the war against villains.

Warning: contains spoilers for the upcoming Avengers: Twilight #6!!Steve Rogers' Captain America is facing the end, as his powers fail against his greatest challenge yet. In a dark future where the public have turned against their heroes, Steve Rogers is suiting back up as the Sentinel of Liberty. However, despite being given his powers back for this fight, Steve's body is rapidly turning against him.

In a preview for the upcoming Avengers: Twilight #6 - by Chip Zdarsky, Daniel Acuña, and Cory Petit - Captain America and his newly assembled Avengers are finally facing the Red Skull. Following decades of plotting and power grabs, the villain is close to conquering America, having corrupted Tony Stark's son and turned the Hulk into his personal living weapon. As Steve battles Skull in the preview, he collapses, and the villain begins to gloat.

After being stripped of his serum following the disastrous Hero-Day, Cap spent decades as an ordinary man before volunteering to undergo the experiment again with the Defenders. Unfortunately, the fresh Super Soldier serum can't take Steve back to his prime, and he's beginning to feel the wear and tear of such an apocalyptic battle.

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Steve Rogers Can't Handle Being Captain America Again

Super Soldier Serum Isn't All-Powerful

After the events of H-Day - a disastrous Hulk rampage that killed innocents and heroes alike - superheroes were effectively banned in the alternate timeline of Avengers: Twilight. For Steve Rogers, that entailed being stripped of the serum that granted him his impressive physical traits. The former Avengers leader aged like a normal man and developed a heart condition, but eventually the state of the world became too much to ignore. The only way Steve could act was by picking up the shield again. Luke Cage's new Defenders resistance developed a new Super Soldier serum, which Rogers accepted, taking the fight to the Red Skull. Sadly, the serum can't reverse aging or even heal the damage time has done to the Star-Spangled Hero.

One hit from Red Skull is enough to have Steve on the ground with his chest getting tight, which Johann doesn't miss. He asks Steve if the "serum is turning on [him]." It's a sinister question in a grave scenario. The Defenders' concoction isn't accomplishing what the original managed. That serum completely changed Cap's body, turning him into a peak physical human and removing a variety of conditions which would have killed Steve within the year. This time, Captain America didn't experience the same kind of transformation, and while his body was vastly improved by the Defenders' serum, it's looking like that wasn't enough to keep him in this fight.

Captain America Could Still Inspire a Victory

Steve Rogers Just Won't Live to See It

If the new serum gives out, it doesn't necessarily mean Captain America can't win the war. No one is more inspiring than Steve Rogers, and his ability to motivate others is unmatched, as demonstrated by already gathering a new Avengers team in such a short time. His life is truly on the line now, but giving it up to save Red Skull would only add to his legacy. Those who believe in him will continue toward their goal, and his death could help beat the villains. Choosing to become Captain America again may kill Steve Rogers, but even in death, he'll find a way to win.

Avengers: Twilight #6 is available on May 29 from Marvel Comics.

AVENGERS: TWILIGHT #6 (2024) Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Daniel Acuña

Colorist: Daniel Acuña

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artist: Alex Ross

Captain America Initially debuting in 1940, Captain America is the patriotically themed superhero who has shared the title with only a few individuals. Beginning with Steve Rogers, Captain America's birth resulted from a frail man taking part in an experimental U.S. Army super-soldier trial, which imbued him with super-human abilities. The character is often depicted wielding a nigh unbreakable and aerodynamic shield made of vibranium that they use to defend and attack their foes.