Fans would be hard-pressed to find a darker and more controversial Captain America era than 2017’s Secret Empire storyline, which revealed that Steve had been a secret agent of Hydra all along. Now, it looks like Marvel may be trying to top even that as Steve Rogers goes rogue.
It’s only January, yet Marvel is already teasing its spring line-up, specifically the issues of its imminent crisis event, ARMAGEDDON. The event officially kicks off January 21, 2026, with Captain America #6, launching a new arc in Zdarsky’s acclaimed run.
Even though the event hasn’t started, Marvel has already shared previews for Captain America #9 and #10, and calling them intriguing would be a serious understatement, as they hint at hard times ahead for Steve Rogers.
Captain America Goes Rogue Ahead of Avengers’ Next Game-Changing Era
Main Cover for Captain America #10 (2026) – Art by Valerio Schiti
For those who haven’t been keeping up with the comics, Armageddon picks up in the aftermath of One World Under Doom. With global tensions at an all-time high, it falls to Captain America and the all-new S.H.I.E.L.D. to prevent various groups from erupting into all-out war. However, it seems Steve won’t be accomplishing this goal morally unscathed.
With a release date set for April 22, 2026, the preview for Zdarsky’s Captain America #9 teases: “Captain America goes rogue, throwing in with the Latverian Liberators to take down Salvation before he can become the next Doctor Doom.” Cap working with insurgents suggests he’ll be forced into morally messy choices, which could very well lead to a dark chapter in the hero’s story.
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What further suggests that fans shouldn’t expect rainbows and sunshine from the Armageddon event is the synopsis for Captain America #9, which confirms that “his new ploy [will have] heartbreaking consequences for the team.” Captain America #10 drives home the dark future ahead by stating, “A shocking betrayal leaves Captain America’s S.H.I.E.L.D. team at odds.”
While much is still to be revealed about this upcoming era for Captain America, there’s no denying that fans will see the hero’s typically pristine morality pushed to its limits, possibly bringing him into a chapter that rivals his Hydra era. The event also teases the next era of the Avengers, suggesting big changes for Captain America are on the horizon.
A CAPTAIN CORNERED ON THE ROAD TO ARMAGEDDON! After discovering how far Salvation’s True Latveria insurgency is willing to go for power, Captain America goes rogue, throwing in with the Latverian Liberators to take down Salvation before he can become the next Doctor Doom. But Salvation is prepared for Steve’s next attack, and his new ploy has heartbreaking consequences for the team…
Captain America #9 will be available from Marvel Comics on April 22, 2026!