List of incarnations of Captain America

Captain America
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941)
Created by Joe Simon
Jack Kirby
Characters Steve Rogers
William Nasland
Jeffrey Mace
William Burnside
Bob Russo, "Scar" Turpin and Roscoe
John Walker
Sam Wilson
Isaiah Bradley
James Buchanan Barnes
See also Alternative versions of Captain America


Captain America is the name of several fictional characters in the Marvel Comics Universe. The first, and main, character was Steve Rogers, who was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Other characters have adopted the alias over the years and following Rogers' death his former sidekick James Buchanan Barnes (Bucky) picked up the mantle. Recent developments now have his sometime crime fighting partner Sam Wilson assuming the role.

Earth-616

Steven Rogers (Revolutionary War Era)

Captain Steven Rogers, the 18th century ancestor to the World War 2 Super-Soldier serum recipient. He wore a colorful costume same as his descendent and carried a round cast iron shield as shown in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #6 (March 1999). But Revolutionary War Rogers acted as such before the USA existed formally as an independent country. Thus, while addressed as "Captain America", Revolutionary War Rogers is largely not considered part of the formal line.

Steve Rogers

Main article: Captain America

Steve Rogers was a scrawny Army reject who was given the Super-Soldier serum, becoming the only complete success for Project: Rebirth, and the first formal person to be termed as "Captain America" as created and controlled by the Marvel Universe USA government.

Isaiah Bradley

Main article: Isaiah Bradley

As depicted in the 2003 limited series Truth: Red, White & Black, the World War II Super Soldier program of 1942, which used African American test subjects to re-create the formula that had been used to turn Steve Rogers into Captain America. The clandestine experimentation that empowered Isaiah held similarities with the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.[1][2] Considered to be the "Black Captain America", Isaiah Bradley became an underground legend among much of the African-American community in the Marvel Universe. Isaiah is also the grandfather of Elijah Bradley (aka Patriot).

William Nasland

After Steven Rogers went MIA and was presumed dead, William Nasland, on appointment by U.S. President Harry S. Truman, became the next Captain America. He is the second Cap and the first replacement Cap.[3] Editorially the story was considered as canon to repair Marvel's conflicting accounts of Captain America in 1950s and 1960s.[4][5]

Jeffrey Mace

Main article: Jeffrey Mace

Following the death of William Nasland, Jeffrey Mace assumes the identity of Captain America. He is the third Cap and the second replacement Cap.

William Burnside

Main article: Grand Director

After Jeffrey Mace's retirement, a college professor named William Burnside assumes the identity of Steven Rogers and in response to the threat of a Communist Red Skull, the identity of Captain America.[6] The character along with his Bucky would battle communism throughout the 1950s. Unfortunately, he used a flawed Nazi copy of Project Rebirth to enhance his body which didn't include the treatment's Vita-Ray component. As a result, he developed a violent paranoia that necessitated him being arrested and put into suspended animation.

Bob Russo

Bob Russo wore the star-spangled costume for a single outing in Captain America #178[7] after Steven Rogers had abandoned the Captain America identity. Abandoned the role after he injured his arm on his first outing slamming into a wall. Never received the shield from Rogers.

"Scar" Turpin

Shown wearing the star-spangled costume for a single fight in Captain America #179,[8] when Steven Rogers had abandoned the Captain America identity. Seemingly abandoned the role after a severe beating from a street gang called the Road Runners. Never received the shield from Rogers.

Roscoe Simons

He wore the star-spangled costume during the time Steven Rogers used the new costumed identity of Nomad beginning in Captain America #181.[9] He was given the shield by Rogers and was junior partner to Falcon. Killed by the original Red Skull in issue #183.

John Walker

Main article: U.S. Agent

After Steven Rogers was stripped of his role as Captain America by the U.S. Government, John Walker, formerly the Super-Patriot, was appointed the new Captain America.[10]

Sam Wilson

Main article: Falcon (comics)

This former partner of Steve Rogers briefly assumed the mantle of Captain America early in his career.[11] Rogers again asks Wilson to resume the Cap role when Rogers loses his Super Soldier enhancements. Wilson accepts the role starting in late 2014.

James Buchanan Barnes

Main article: Bucky

Following the death of Steve Rogers, James Buchanan Barnes, former sidekick to the original Captain America, assumes the mantle of his mentor.

Dave Rickford

Dave Rickford is a former special forces soldier who gets an augmentation from Dr. Malus and The Power Broker. He decides to become the new Captain America after Bucky's legal trouble and Steve Rogers becomes the head of SHIELD. He's kidnapped by A.I.M. then saved by Rogers who convinces him it's too dangerous of a job.[12]

Alternate Universes

Scott Summers

In an alternate future of the Ultimate Universe, Scott Summers assumes the mantle of Captain America after their reality's Steve Rogers dies, and leads a small team of X-Men.[13]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Comics as Philosophy p. 54
  2. ↑ Encyclopedia of comic books and graphic novels, Volume 2 by M. Keith Booker, p.498
  3. ↑ Roy Thomas (w), Frank Robbins (p), Frank Springer (i). "What if the Invaders Had Stayed Together After World War Two?" What If? 4 (August 1977), Marvel Comics
  4. ↑ J. M. DeMatteis (w), Ron Wilson (p), Vince Colletta (i). "The Shadows of the Past" Captain America Annual 6 (1982), Marvel Comics
  5. ↑ J. M. DeMatteis (w), Sal Buscema (p), Kim DeMulder (i). "Letting Go" Captain America 285 (September 2983), Marvel Comics
  6. ↑ Steve Englehart, Stan Lee (w), Sal Buscema, John Romita (p), Frank McLaughlin, John Romita (i). "The Incredible Origin of the Other Captain America" Captain America 155 (November 1972), Marvel Comics
  7. ↑ Captain America #178 (Oct. 1974)
  8. ↑ Captain America #179 (Nov. 1974)
  9. ↑ Captain America #181-#183 (Jan. 1975 - March 1975)
  10. ↑ Captain America #333
  11. ↑ Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #8-9 (April - May 1999)
  12. ↑ Captain America #615.1 (May 2011)
  13. ↑ Ultimate Fantastic Four/Ultimate X-Men Annual #1

References

External links