There’s a newCaptain Americain town, and his name isSam Wilson. MCU audiences will have seen Chris Evans retire from the role of Steve Rogers inAvengers: Endgame, passing the Captain America torch to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson. Viewers watched the ex-Falcon’s growth since his debut and his befriending of Steve inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier. Sam’s comic-book journey is just as interesting.
The kinship between Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, as well as the latter’s road to the Captain America mantle, dates back further than the movies. While audiences first saw Sam Wilson onscreen in 2014, comic readers first saw Sam Wilson adornthe traditional Vibranium shieldthat same year inCaptain America#25 by Rick Remender, Carlos Pacheco, and Stuart Immonen.
To best understand Sam Wilson’s role as Captain America onscreen, it’s most important tofirst understand his role as Captain America on-panel.
How Did Sam Wilson Go from Falcon to Captain America?
Sam Wilson’s Origins, History, and Relationship with Steve Rogers, Explained
Sam’s journey to the shield truly begins with his character’s debutinCaptain America#117 by Stan Lee, Gene Colan, Joe Sinnott, and Sam Rosen. Sam’s first appearance comes after the Red Skull swaps bodies with Steve Rogers to acquire the Cosmic Cube. Red Skull drops Steve on Exile Islands, where the Red Skull’s former minions, the Exiles, attack with the intent to kill. Miraculously, Cap is saved by a mysterious falcon. It’s revealed that the falcon - named Redwing - belongs to a young Harlemite named Sam. This issue marks the beginning ofSam and Steve’s beautiful friendship.
Readers soon learn that Sam is a bird enthusiast - to the point that he has the largest pigeon collection in Harlem - who answered a false ad looking for volunteers to teach about falconry. This ad was the Exiles' attempt to bring in potential prisoners, but upon landing, Sam decided that the natives needed help defending themselves against the Exiles. Steve convinces Sam that his efforts are best suited not just for teaching the people of Exiles Island how to fend for themselves, but asa symbol for the people to believe in,inspiring Sam to become the Falcon.
How Did Sam Wilson First Become Captain America?
Captain America #25 by Rick Remender, Carlos Pacheco, Stuart Immonen, Marino Taibo, Wade Von Grawbadger, Dean White, Veronica Gandini, Marte Gracia, and Joe Caramagna
Sam Wilson’s path to Captain America becomes clearer following Steve Rogers' expedition through Dimension Z during the early issues of Remender’s run onCaptain America. He was trapped there by Arnim Zola for 12 years (in the pocket dimension’s time, which speeds faster than in the Marvel Universe), raising Zola’s test tube baby as hisadopted son, Ian Rogers. Steve eventually escapes, but on his return, he’s confronted by Iron Nail, who, using his tentacles, manages to suck the Super Soldier Serum dry from his bloodstream.Steve is reduced to an old manas a result.
It’s worth noting that before officially becoming Captain America, Sam temporarily donned the costume in Captain America #126 by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. When Sam is framed for a crime he did not commit, Steve gives Sam his costume to pass by the police. In addition, Sam briefly becomes Captain America in 1998’sCaptain America: Sentinel of Liberty#8 by Mark Waid and Cully Hamner after Steve is presumed dead.
Iron Nail nearly kills Captain America in his weakened state, but Sam Wilson saves Steve in the nick of time, flying him to safety as Iron Nail dies in a fire. While a frail Steve is nursing his wounds, Zola unleashes his army upon the world. He plants a bomb, which, in an ultimate sacrifice, Sam flies out of Earth’s atmosphere, not expecting to survive. Miraculously, he does, thanks to thepower of his Falcon wings, but at this momentSteve knows his Captain America mantle will be in good hands with Sam Wilson.
It Makes Perfect Sense for Steve Rogers to Choose Sam Wilson as The Next Captain America
There Is No Better Candidate for the Captain America Mantle
Incapable of being a superhero at his age, Steve Rogers announces his retirement to the Avengers, stepping into the role of mission operator instead. In the same speech, he publicly gives his blessing to Sam to take on his shield and his Avengers leadership. Sam admits himself that this passing-on shouldn’t be a surprise to the characters, and maybe not the readers, either. He isn’t wrong, and not just because the past five issues had been setting up Sam as Steve’s replacement, but also in the way that Sam and Steve’s friendship had naturally blossomed, leading directly to this moment.
Even before his near-sacrifice sealed Steve’s decision, Sam proved himself in the eyes of Captain America as a hero worthy of holding the shield.
There is perhapsno other ally who has lasted longer in Steve’s lifeas his crimefighting partner than Sam Wilson. Sam may not by the most popular Cap ally, butSteve’s friendship with Iron Mandidn’t truly blossom until afterCivil War. Steve’s friendship with Sam has lasted the better part of 56 years. Readers have watched Steve and Sam’s dynamic evolve, as well as watched Sam evolve as a hero since his debut 56 years ago. Even before his near-sacrifice sealed Steve’s decision, Sam proved himself in the eyes of Captain America as a hero worthy of holding the shield.
Why Did Sam Wilson Stop Being Captain America?
And Why Did He Become Captain America Again After the Fact?
In due time, Steve Rogers returned to his youthful physique and, during this time, began sharing the mantle of Captain America simultaneously with Sam Wilson. However, unbeknownst to Sam, Steve was replaced bya clone loyal to Hydraduring this time and secretly sabotaged Sam’s time as Captain America from the shadows. His plan worked, asa discouraged Sam stepped downfrom the mantle, helping the clone’s rise to prominence. Even after Hydra Steve is defeated during theSecret Empireevent, Sam is content to return to the Falcon identity.
Sam quietly became Cap again for 2021’sThe United States of Captain America, but the true reason for his return isn’t explained until a flashback in 2023’sCaptain America#750. After creating a new shield for Sam, Misty Knight convinces him that he needs to be Captain America again for the people who need saving and for his peers who believe in him, including Steve. Keeping his late parents in mind,Sam agrees to become Cap again, once again sharing the mantle with Steve in a new status quo that has lasted to this day.
Today, Sam Wilson Continues to Honor the Captain America Legacy
Through series like 2022’s fittingly titledCaptain America: Symbol of Truthby Tochi Onyebuchi and R.B. Silva, Sam Wilson has continued to not only honor the shield and mantle, but prove himself worthy of holding them. In fact, series likeSymbol of Truthmake an argument for how Sam may havealready surpassed the original Captain America. He’s proven himself as an expert fighter, introduced to the role a burningrage akin to Spider-Man, and actually beat an irrational Steve Rogers by knocking some sense into him (literally and figuratively) when they duked it out.
His time as Captain America has proven especially beneficial in telling stories and exploring themes that simply could not be handled as easily with Steve Rogers in the role.
Today, Sam’s adventures continue inSam Wilson: Captain Americaby Evan Narcisse, Greg Pak, and Eder Messias, released to coincide withSam’s onscreen fight with Red HulkinCaptain America: Brave New World. Sam Wilson has a rich and admittedly complicated history in Marvel lore. However, his time as Captain America has proven especially beneficial in telling stories and exploring themes that simply could not be handled as easily with Steve Rogers in the role. Tackling complex themes of race and showcasing his skill as a human instead of a Super-Soldier helps solidifySam Wilsonas everyone’s favoriteCaptain America.
Captain America#25is available now from Marvel Comics.
Captain America
Initially debuting in 1940, Captain America is the patriotically themed superhero who has shared the title with only a few individuals. Beginning with Steve Rogers, Captain America’s birth resulted from a frail man taking part in an experimental U.S. Army super-soldier trial, which imbued him with super-human abilities. The character is often depicted wielding a nigh unbreakable and aerodynamic shield made of vibranium that they use to defend and attack their foes.
