I missed the original announcement/reception because I'm not online at my work place. When I finally heard the news and sat down to do some catching up, my initial reaction was disbelief combined with the thought "well, he's got to be undercover or something". But the way Marvel and the writers are talking about it deliberately denies that idea.
After that, all I could feel was dislike and heavy disappointment. For so many reasons.
Firstly, for whatever their stated reasons for going down this path, this feels like a really cheap gimmick and something you're more likely to see in DC than in Marvel. This is not me just having an us against them attitude either, I'm very aware people can like both, but I personally generally find DC characters and storylines somewhat lacking and heavily relying on these kinds of gimmicks mixed with cardboard archetype characters. Marvel usually has more depth than this.
Secondly, they're inferring things like Sarah Rogers, a woman that has always previously been about standing up for yourself and others and being the best you can be, led Steve into Hydra back before the serum. I'm sorry, but Natasha and Bruce's MCU Ultron romance has more believability than that. (For those who don't know me, that's said with sarcasm and heavy eye rolling)
Thirdly (and importantly), it's both disrespectful to the core ideals the character has always held and to the original (Jewish) creators of the character. Yes, Marvel owns Cap and can do whatever they want, but they also have a responsibility to the fans and to the legacy that Steve Rogers as Captain America represents. This kinda craps on both.
Finally, the attitude of the writers and Marvel more closely echoes the glee of Internet trolls right now than the usually stand up company myself and others are used to loving and cherishing. They are delighting in the divisiveness this idea is causing, the writers are actively encouraging it, and they don't seem to care about the heartache being caused to fans of all ages. That's sad to see from a comic company that usually writes with a bent towards inclusiveness, equality and acceptance.
They will make their money, I'm sure, as there are always those that enjoy seeing things torn apart or that don't have strong feelings or find Cap boring etc etc etc. But it won't be my money and it won't be that of many people I know and trust. Which is again sad because I was kind of curious and looking forward to the new series. I LIKE the new look. But I can't like or condone the story, even if it all comes right in the end.
