Marvel Comics is rewriting its own history, establishing that Steve Rogers was unfrozen not in the swinging sixties, but in the shadow of 9/11.
The first issue of a new Captain America series, written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Valerio Schiti, not only adjusts the timeline but also introduces a towering new hero, David Colton, who has been operating as a government-sanctioned Captain America.
Comic book universes often employ a “sliding timeline” to keep their iconic characters contemporary, a topic Geek Native has explored before in the context of ever-evolving hero origins. Where the Fantastic Four once fought in World War II, their backstory was later shifted to other conflicts before becoming more ambiguous. However, for a character like Captain America, whose identity is inextricably linked to a specific historical period, this presents a unique challenge. The latest solution from Marvel is a significant retcon, placing his re-emergence from the ice firmly after the September 11th attacks.
The new series, Captain America #1, explores this freshly updated continuity. It introduces readers to a young man named David Colton, whose life path is deliberately presented as a mirror to Steve Rogers’. A scrawny but determined individual, Colton is inspired by the 9/11 attacks on New York to enlist in the military, eventually fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This new series sets the stage for a dramatic dynamic. As Marvel has revealed, David Colton “is a Captain America lost to time, coming to life in a post-9/11 world. And now Steve Rogers, his hero, is back and under David’s command.”
Writer Chip Zdarsky elaborated on the decision to shift the timeline in a discussion with Marvel.com. Zdarsky noted,
One of my favorite parts of the Captain America legend is him being a ‘man out of time,’ which becomes more so as the years go on, so that made it feel like a ripe period to tell a story. Like, back in AVENGERS (1963) #4 when he first woke up in the ‘modern world,’ it had been eighteen years since he went into the ice. Now, because of how time works in the Marvel Universe, it’s more like seventy years! That makes it almost a sci-fi story for Steve Rogers, which is fascinating.”
Character sketches reveal that this new Captain America is a physically imposing figure. While Steve Rogers stands at an impressive 6’4″ after receiving the Super-Soldier Serum, David Colton towers over him at 6’8″. An early design sketch shows a younger Colton at just 5’4″, emphasising the dramatic transformation.
Colton’s suit also marks a departure from the classic design. While it retains the iconic shield, chest star, and ‘A’ stamped helmet, the traditional blue has been replaced with a greenish, earthier hue. This change appears to lean into a more grounded and realistic aesthetic, aligning Colton’s gear with the appearance of modern military equipment.
The story arc will see this new Captain and the original Steve Rogers working together, with their first joint mission taking them into the clutches of Doctor Doom in Latveria. This initial story, set in the reimagined past, is designed to have significant repercussions for the present-day Marvel Universe.
Zdarsky says,
Doom, especially, is a great foil for Steve, something that doesn’t get explored that often, which helps to make it fresh. Steve went to sleep fighting a madman from Europe who wanted to take over the world, and now he wakes up to see Victor Von Doom. He can’t just sit by.”
Readers curious to learn more about the mysterious David Colton won’t have to wait long. Captain America #2 is scheduled for release on August 6, 2025, from Marvel Comics.
Quick Links
- Captain America #1
- Marvel introduces David Colton.
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