Times are a changing in the Marvel Universe. Following hot on the heels of this week's announcement that a new female Thor would be picking up the God of Thunder's hammer, Marvel has announced that Steve Rogers will be passing on the star-spangled shield to a new Captain America - Sam Wilson.
Fans of all-things-Marvel will already be familiar with Sam Wilson as winged hero Falcon - the Harlem-born super-soldier and long-time ally of Steve Rogers' Captain America.
Marvel has revealed that, following Steve Rogers' loss of super strength and vitality, his retirement will result in Sam Wilson taking on the mantle of Captain America in a new comic series, ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA . Penned by Rick Remender and Stuart Immonen, the new story arch will see Roger's character evolve into a new persona, as Captain America gains new qualities thanks to Wilson's modern upbringing.
"While Sam shares many of Steve’s beliefs in a general sense, he’s also a very different person with a very different background," explained editor Tom Brevoort. "He didn’t grow up in the 1930s, he’s a modern day man in touch with the problems of the 21st Century. For most of his professional life, Sam has worked as a social worker, so he’s seen the worst of urban society up close, and how crime, poverty, lack of social structure and opportunity can affect the community. So he’s got perhaps a greater focus on the plight of the common man, and perhaps a greater empathy for the underprivileged than maybe even Steve himself."
The new Captain America suit will blend Steve Rogers' stars and stripes livery with Falcon's winged suit, making for an interest hybrid appearance of the two characters.
"I think that different characters across the Marvel Universe are going to respond to Sam’s appointment in different ways," said Brevoort. "But he’s not a novice—in his long history as the Falcon, he’s earned a reputation for integrity and honesty and backbone that most of the super hero community have a respect for. On the villain side, there may be those who feel that their jobs will be easier now that a different man is carrying the shield, so it will be Sam’s mission to disabuse them from that notion."
Further details of when ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA will hit shelves are yet to emerge.
(Images: Marvel)
