Throughout the past couple of years audiences of races, ages, and backgrounds have witnessed the brightest and boldest of Marvel's heroes take the screen and lead heroes to victory, but how much does the public known about "The Sentinel of Freedom"? Today I give a brief history on Captain America. Every Captain America.
Steve Rogers (Created-1941, Served-1941)
Steve Rogers was a frail man who wanted to fight for his country during World War II. Although he wasn't physically cut for the job, the superiors of the U.S. government found Rogers the most mentally, psychologically and emotionally fit for service and volunteered Rogers to "Project Rebirth". Injected with a special "Super-Soldier Serum" and vita rays, Rogers grew to peak physical condition. With his strength, speed and endurance enhanced, Rogers was given a star-spangled uniform and a shield made from kinetic-force repressive metal, he became America's one-man army, Captain America. Rogers was later frozen in the Arctic tundra as the war was won by the U.S. and time moved on. When he awoke, he was discovered by strange heroes of the modern era. Rogers became one of the greatest leaders in the Marvel Universe, and with The Avengers he saved the planet multiple times.
Steve Rogers was a frail man who wanted to fight for his country during World War II. Although he wasn't physically cut for the job, the superiors of the U.S. government found Rogers the most mentally, psychologically and emotionally fit for service and volunteered Rogers to "Project Rebirth". Injected with a special "Super-Soldier Serum" and vita rays, Rogers grew to peak physical condition. With his strength, speed and endurance enhanced, Rogers was given a star-spangled uniform and a shield made from kinetic-force repressive metal, he became America's one-man army, Captain America. Rogers was later frozen in the Arctic tundra as the war was won by the U.S. and time moved on. When he awoke, he was discovered by strange heroes of the modern era. Rogers became one of the greatest leaders in the Marvel Universe, and with The Avengers he saved the planet multiple times.
Isaiah Bradley (Created-2003, Served-1943)
Isaiah was one of the many soldiers who were given experimental super-soldier serums after WWII. While fellow soldiers died on test missions or were executed by U.S. officials as a safety measure, Isaiah escaped as the only super-soldier survivor. He donned a Captain America costume and shield and fought the Nazi's own super-soldier testing facility. Though he was captured, German insurgences freed Isaiah and he was eventually released back into the American public in 1960. Remembered by the black community as "The Black Captain America" Isaiah was forever seen as a legend by his people. Heroes like Luke Cage, Storm, Black Panther, and Falcon idolized this hero, while people like Malcolm X, Richard Pryor, Muhammed Ali, Nelson Mandela, and Angela Davis paid him visits to express their respect. Isaiah's grandson Eli would become Patriot and lead The Young Avengers.
Isaiah was one of the many soldiers who were given experimental super-soldier serums after WWII. While fellow soldiers died on test missions or were executed by U.S. officials as a safety measure, Isaiah escaped as the only super-soldier survivor. He donned a Captain America costume and shield and fought the Nazi's own super-soldier testing facility. Though he was captured, German insurgences freed Isaiah and he was eventually released back into the American public in 1960. Remembered by the black community as "The Black Captain America" Isaiah was forever seen as a legend by his people. Heroes like Luke Cage, Storm, Black Panther, and Falcon idolized this hero, while people like Malcolm X, Richard Pryor, Muhammed Ali, Nelson Mandela, and Angela Davis paid him visits to express their respect. Isaiah's grandson Eli would become Patriot and lead The Young Avengers.
William Nasland (Created-1977, Served-1945)
Originally a fan of Captain America, Will developed a fighting style copied from Cap and used a shield of his own. He was recruited as "The Spirit of '76" onto a team called The Crusaders by a woman who turned out to be a Nazi. The Crusaders were tricked into fighting Cap and The Invaders and William retired after this mixup. When Cap went missing, Will was recruited to be the next Captain America. Sadly, Will died in duty while fighting a giant Nazi android.
Originally a fan of Captain America, Will developed a fighting style copied from Cap and used a shield of his own. He was recruited as "The Spirit of '76" onto a team called The Crusaders by a woman who turned out to be a Nazi. The Crusaders were tricked into fighting Cap and The Invaders and William retired after this mixup. When Cap went missing, Will was recruited to be the next Captain America. Sadly, Will died in duty while fighting a giant Nazi android.
Jeffery Mace (Created-1941, Served-1946)
Mace was inspired by Captain America to become a hero in 1941. As Jeffery Mace he worked as a reporter for The Daily Bugle, but in secret he was the crime-fighting Patriot. Along with him there was his sidekick Miss Patriot, together they fought Nazis in New York until William Nasland died in combat. Jeffery was chosen to be the new Captain America and he served for three years before retiring with his wife/former superhero Betsy Ross/The Golden Girl. He died of cancer in his old age. His former sidekick now runs a retirement home for heroes and villains of The Golden Age.
Mace was inspired by Captain America to become a hero in 1941. As Jeffery Mace he worked as a reporter for The Daily Bugle, but in secret he was the crime-fighting Patriot. Along with him there was his sidekick Miss Patriot, together they fought Nazis in New York until William Nasland died in combat. Jeffery was chosen to be the new Captain America and he served for three years before retiring with his wife/former superhero Betsy Ross/The Golden Girl. He died of cancer in his old age. His former sidekick now runs a retirement home for heroes and villains of The Golden Age.
William Burnside (Created-1972, Served-1953)
Will idolized the stories of Captain America, studying everything about the hero and eventually finding the recipe for the super-soldier serum. Will underwent surgery and changed his name to match Steve Rogers and went to the FBI with the serum and offered to be the U.S.'s Captain America for the Korean War. The FBI pulled the project at the last minute and set "Steve Rogers" up as a teacher in Connecticut. Discovering a potential ally, Will recruited one of his students and together they took the super-soldier serum to be the new Cap and Bucky. They fought crime in the 50's for a time before the unfinished serum corrupted their minds and caused them to attack those of different races and beliefs. They were cryogenically frozen by the FBI and were released by villains decades later to fight Cap, but they failed. Will was later brainwashed by new age Nazi's to become the villain "Grand Director" and was defeated again by Rogers. After years of struggling between good and evil, Will was hit by a car in trying to escape Cap. With Roger's help, Will was given a new identity and a clean slate to start a new life in this era somewhere else.
Will idolized the stories of Captain America, studying everything about the hero and eventually finding the recipe for the super-soldier serum. Will underwent surgery and changed his name to match Steve Rogers and went to the FBI with the serum and offered to be the U.S.'s Captain America for the Korean War. The FBI pulled the project at the last minute and set "Steve Rogers" up as a teacher in Connecticut. Discovering a potential ally, Will recruited one of his students and together they took the super-soldier serum to be the new Cap and Bucky. They fought crime in the 50's for a time before the unfinished serum corrupted their minds and caused them to attack those of different races and beliefs. They were cryogenically frozen by the FBI and were released by villains decades later to fight Cap, but they failed. Will was later brainwashed by new age Nazi's to become the villain "Grand Director" and was defeated again by Rogers. After years of struggling between good and evil, Will was hit by a car in trying to escape Cap. With Roger's help, Will was given a new identity and a clean slate to start a new life in this era somewhere else.
John Walker (Created-1986, Served-1987)
Formally serving in the U.S. army, John was discharged and met a man named The Power Broker who had the ability to give people superpowers. Gaining powers similar to Captain America, John became The Super-Patriot and held rallies that rejected Captain America's ways and aimed to replace Cap as the country's symbol. When Steve Rogers considered the Captain America mantle to be counter-productive to his country he retired from the role and the U.S. government offered the position to John. At first he was disgusted by the idea of leaving his Super-Soldier identity in favor for the mantle he hated, but claimed "If Uncle Sam needs me to be Mickey Mouse, I'll do it" showing that while he opposes Cap's methods, he is still loyal to his country. After having his memory slightly wiped, John resurfaced as The U.S. Agent, working with The Commission on Superhuman Activities, The Force Works, The Invaders, The Mighty Avengers, and The Dark Avengers.
Formally serving in the U.S. army, John was discharged and met a man named The Power Broker who had the ability to give people superpowers. Gaining powers similar to Captain America, John became The Super-Patriot and held rallies that rejected Captain America's ways and aimed to replace Cap as the country's symbol. When Steve Rogers considered the Captain America mantle to be counter-productive to his country he retired from the role and the U.S. government offered the position to John. At first he was disgusted by the idea of leaving his Super-Soldier identity in favor for the mantle he hated, but claimed "If Uncle Sam needs me to be Mickey Mouse, I'll do it" showing that while he opposes Cap's methods, he is still loyal to his country. After having his memory slightly wiped, John resurfaced as The U.S. Agent, working with The Commission on Superhuman Activities, The Force Works, The Invaders, The Mighty Avengers, and The Dark Avengers.
Bucky Barnes (Created-1941, Served-2008)
Originally the kid sidekick of Steve Rogers and formally Hydra's frozen/thawed/frozen brain-washed assassin known as The Winter Soldier, James "Bucky" Barnes found himself in the modern era with his old friend. During Marvel's "Civil War", Bucky worked with Nick Fury in trying to rescue an arrested Steve Rogers. Rogers was assassinated before the rescue could happen. Thinking Tony Stark was responsible, Bucky takes Cap's shield and plans on murdering Stark, but he ends up being captured by SHIELD and Stark asks Bucky to become the new Captain America. Bucky accepts and aims to clear his past by carrying on his best friend's mission. After "Fear Itself" Bucky returns the Captain America mantle to Steve Rogers-who's survival was kept secret and was selected to be a new director of SHIELD-and becomes the heroic Winter Soldier again. Bucky is chosen by Nick Fury later to be "The Watcher on the Wall" and protect the entire planet from extraterrestrial threats.
Originally the kid sidekick of Steve Rogers and formally Hydra's frozen/thawed/frozen brain-washed assassin known as The Winter Soldier, James "Bucky" Barnes found himself in the modern era with his old friend. During Marvel's "Civil War", Bucky worked with Nick Fury in trying to rescue an arrested Steve Rogers. Rogers was assassinated before the rescue could happen. Thinking Tony Stark was responsible, Bucky takes Cap's shield and plans on murdering Stark, but he ends up being captured by SHIELD and Stark asks Bucky to become the new Captain America. Bucky accepts and aims to clear his past by carrying on his best friend's mission. After "Fear Itself" Bucky returns the Captain America mantle to Steve Rogers-who's survival was kept secret and was selected to be a new director of SHIELD-and becomes the heroic Winter Soldier again. Bucky is chosen by Nick Fury later to be "The Watcher on the Wall" and protect the entire planet from extraterrestrial threats.
Sam Wilson (Created-1961, Served-2014)
As a young man, Sam Wilson was a community activist in Harlem, New York. However, after his parents were killed by street crime, Sam rejected his "goodie-good" ways and became a professional criminal named "Snap" in Los Angeles. He became wrapped up in an evil plot by The Red Skull and helps Captain America lead an attack on Red Skull and his Nazis. After this, Cap helps Sam bury his criminal past and become a hero, so Sam becomes The Falcon. For many years Falcon and Captain America worked as equals, both as a duo and on many versions of The Avengers these two represented the united patriotism of American heroes. After Steve Rogers' serum was compromised and he rapidly aged to a ninety-something year old man, Steve Rogers officially passed the mantle down to his best friend and longtime partner Sam Wilson. Taking the shield and keeping the wings Sam Wilson/The Falcon became Captain America and remains this hero to this day.
The mantle has been passed like a flu throughout the decades, but one element has always remained: pride for one's home. Often people believe Captain America to be a hero exclusive to America, but Cap represents far more than that. If you fight for your home, you are The Captain. If you believe in your people, you are The Captain. No matter what flag you hold, no matter what land you walk upon, you do not need to be American to be The Captain. America is called a melting pot for a reason, because if you are The Captain, you don't just backup your homeland, you back up your fellow man.
Thank you for reading.
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As a young man, Sam Wilson was a community activist in Harlem, New York. However, after his parents were killed by street crime, Sam rejected his "goodie-good" ways and became a professional criminal named "Snap" in Los Angeles. He became wrapped up in an evil plot by The Red Skull and helps Captain America lead an attack on Red Skull and his Nazis. After this, Cap helps Sam bury his criminal past and become a hero, so Sam becomes The Falcon. For many years Falcon and Captain America worked as equals, both as a duo and on many versions of The Avengers these two represented the united patriotism of American heroes. After Steve Rogers' serum was compromised and he rapidly aged to a ninety-something year old man, Steve Rogers officially passed the mantle down to his best friend and longtime partner Sam Wilson. Taking the shield and keeping the wings Sam Wilson/The Falcon became Captain America and remains this hero to this day.
The mantle has been passed like a flu throughout the decades, but one element has always remained: pride for one's home. Often people believe Captain America to be a hero exclusive to America, but Cap represents far more than that. If you fight for your home, you are The Captain. If you believe in your people, you are The Captain. No matter what flag you hold, no matter what land you walk upon, you do not need to be American to be The Captain. America is called a melting pot for a reason, because if you are The Captain, you don't just backup your homeland, you back up your fellow man.
Thank you for reading.
Facebook: The Panel Biter
Twitter: @ThePanelBiter
Podbean: Panelbiter.podbean.com
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