Captain America is dead. In the latest issue of the Marvel comic, the hero in the red, white and blue was murdered.

It was not a shock to anyone. The Sentinel of Liberty, who stood for the best of America, had become disenchanted with what his nation had become. It began when he visited Guantanamo Bay and was asked to serve on a military commission. It culminated with the icon taking on the entire US government over a law that looks suspiciously like the Patriot Act – and losing. Arrested and gunned down on the steps of a court house, the man born of the hope of the greatest generation was shot three times in the belly.

Let’s just let the symbolism speak for itself, shall we?

This article appears in March 2 • 2007.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.