It seemed unlikely that Steve Rogers would be able to carry on as Captain America in the current comic book series. Rogers has lost his Super Soldier Serum and is aging. He’s in no position to throw the shield.
The new Captain America doesn’t have the Super Soldier Serum either. The new Captain America, the man stepping into the costume, is Sam Wilson. Falcon becomes Captain America.
Writing on Marvel.com Rick Remender notes;
“Historically, Falcon would often act as air support, flying Steve into the battle. Why not merge the two? He pops the wings, and as he flies, he keeps the shield latched onto his back. He dives down onto the scene, hurls the shield, wings retract, and rolls into a kick or jump, catches the shield on the way back. He doesn’t have the super soldier serum, but he has the added zing-zang-zoom of flight.”
Marvel may be courting controversy with character changes – female Thor, for example – but there’s other elements here too. Is this a comment on 21st century America? The super power is known for being able to provide the best air support in military crises across the world but also being reluctant to get involved on the ground.
I wonder how much of that sentiment is reflected when Marvel wrote;
Despite the edge provided by Captain America’s newfound aptitude for altitude, he faces a daunting challenge from a deeply entrenched opposition. The terrorist organization Hydra grows in power and influence, infiltrating the Marvel Universe completely. With Steve Rogers seemingly down for the count, his enemies rally to seize upon a vulnerable America.
The Avengers are changing. Thor is a woman. Captain America is no longer a super soldier but a technology-based hero.
Do you think Marvel have the right direction?
Feels a bit weird they’re going “off-model” with two of their biggest characters when they’ve got an Avengers movie in the works for next year. Wonder if they’ve finally realised that the movies don’t actually create that much of a sustainable spike in comic sales for them.
walstafa Do you not think we’ll have Steve Rogers back in the comic books in time for Avengers 3 / Thanos movie though?
AndrewGirdwood Probably by then, but assuming they get at least a year or two in their new roles, it means someone who really liked Avengers 2 will walk into a comic book shop next May and pick up a comic starring the Sam Wilson Cap, the female Thor and the Genius Bar Iron Man. (Actually, have you seen the Superior Iron Man redesign yet?)
It’s a bit of a change from a few years ago when they’d bend over backwards to have comics visually synergise with the movies.