Captain America # 1 2002 VF/NM

Captain America # 1 (Volume 4, May 2002) is a direct response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, depicting Steve Rogers in the aftermath at Ground Zero, struggling with a changed world, and later, on a mission against a new breed of terrorists holding a small town hostage. The issue explores what it means to be the Sentinel of Liberty in a new, more terrifying global landscape. 

"Enemy, Part One: Dust"

The issue captures the raw emotions and uncertainty that followed the 9/11 attacks, beginning on the day itself and continuing several months later. 

• Ground Zero: The story opens on September 11, 2001, where Steve Rogers is not in uniform, but working alongside rescue teams in the rubble of the World Trade Center towers. Nick Fury attempts to convince him to leave the site and pursue the source of the attacks, but Steve, feeling a duty to those still alive and the recovery effort, refuses.
• A Symbol of Hope: Later, as Steve reflects on how the world has changed overnight, he intervenes to stop a man from attacking an Arab man, emphasizing that Americans must be "stronger, better now" to prevent the terrorists from winning the nation's soul. This sequence, illustrated in a striking grayscale with only the shield in full color, highlights his role as a beacon of hope.
• The Centerville Hostage Crisis: Seven months later, a seemingly idyllic American town, Centerville, is attacked with small bombs on Easter morning. Captain America is deployed to the scene by Nick Fury.
• The New Threat: Upon arrival, Cap finds the town empty of casualties, realizing the citizens have been taken hostage by a terrorist group led by the villain al-Tariq. He leaps from his plane to confront the threat, knowing this time he is not too late to make a difference. 

The series, published under the more mature Marvel Knights imprint, was critically acclaimed for its timely and relevant approach. 

• Writer: John Ney Rieber
• Penciler: John Cassaday
• Inker: John Cassaday
• Publisher: Marvel Comics