From Falcon to Captain America: The Evolution of Sam Wilson in Marvel Comics

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Captain America: A New Era” introduces Sam Wilson as the main character in his inaugural solo movie. Significantly, Sam Wilson’s Falcon was the first African-American superhero in popular comics, marking a milestone in representation. Interestingly, Sam Wilson didn’t make his debut until Captain America #117, which was 30 years after Superman (and thus all other superheroes) became common comic book characters. Regrettably, this shows how long it took for a Black American superhero to appear in comics. However, since his introduction, Sam Wilson’s influence has only grown, particularly since he assumed the role of Captain America in 2014. Yet, Sam Wilson’s journey from sidekick to becoming Captain America was a lengthy one.

1969’s Captain America #117 Introduces the World to Sam Wilson

If you’ve only encountered Sam Wilson from his appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s important to note that his origins in the comic books are distinctly different. Artist Gene Colan, known for his work on Daredevil, proposed the idea of the Falcon to Stan Lee. Colan was keen on creating an African-American superhero within Marvel Comics as he felt that all the black characters at Marvel were secondary to white heroes (Black Panther was introduced in 1966, but he was an African royalty figure). Stan Lee found the idea appealing, and Captain America #117, released during the summer of 1969, marked the debut of the Falcon.

Originally, Sam was a child from Harlem, brought up by a community-adored minister for a father. Tragically, he endured the loss of both his parents at a tender age due to violent crimes. Unlike some other characters (specifically, Batman from DC Comics), Sam didn’t let bitterness consume him. Instead, he dedicated his life to serving the community through social work.

As Sam matured into young adulthood, he discovered an extraordinary affinity with birds of all species. This connection deepened over time, leading him to train a falcon named Redwing who became both his friend and eventual partner in his future battles. An empathic bond developed between them.

Later in life, Sam revealed that he could not only communicate with birds worldwide but also “see” the world through their eyes. This ability caught the attention of Professor X from the X-Men, who initially believed it indicated Sam was a mutant. However, further investigation uncovered that Sam lacked an X-gene. Instead, his avian powers were attributed to exposure to the Cosmic Cube, also known as the Tesseract in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In an island known as Exiles’ Haven, previously tranquil but now occupied by ex-Nazis and aspiring world domineers under the Red Skull’s influence, Sam encountered Steve Rogers, who was training Redwing. There, they bonded quickly and Steve taught Sam combat skills. He suggested that Sam assume a costumed identity. Adopting the alias Falcon, Sam joined Cap in freeing Exiles Island from its oppressors. His initial attire, green and orange, resembled what a professional wrestler might wear; however, this outfit was not long-lasted.

At a place called Exiles’ Haven, Sam met Steve Rogers where he trained Redwing. The peaceful island was taken over by former Nazis and power-hungry individuals working with the Red Skull. Here, they became friends quickly, and Steve taught Sam fighting skills. He encouraged Sam to wear a superhero costume. Taking on the name Falcon, Sam helped Cap free Exiles Haven from its oppressors. His first outfit looked like something a pro wrestler would wear, but it didn’t last long.

Sam Wilson Becomes Steve Rogers’ Co-Headliner in Captain America and the Falcon

As a devoted movie buff, I quickly found myself connecting with the character Sam within just a year. Soon enough, we were crime-fighting partners alongside Captain America. By 1971, my appearance had undergone significant changes – a sleek red and white costume and mechanical wings, gifted by the Black Panther, equipped with Wakandan technology that enabled me to soar through the skies. Marvel decided to rename their series to Captain America and The Falcon, highlighting my rise as one of Marvel’s top-tier heroes during this period. To cap it all off, I was even the first hero from Marvel to have my own action figure, part of the MEGO World’s Greatest Heroes line in the ’70s.

In Captain America #186 from 1975, a significant twist was introduced about the Falcon’s background by writer Steve Englehart, known for his exceptional work on the Avengers. Instead of being a community worker as previously believed, the Falcon was actually a criminal with ties to the mob. However, this change was due to the reality-altering Cosmic Cube tampering with his memories. Regrettably, Englehart’s narrative inadvertently cast Sam Wilson into a stereotypical racist role. Despite this revelation, Sam chose to accept his new persona. Thankfully, a 2014 story rectified this retcon, explaining that the villain Red Skull used the Cosmic Cube to plant false, racially charged memories in Sam’s mind to undermine him. Although the correction came late, it’s better than never having addressed the issue.

Sam Wilson Becomes an Avenger, and Eventually Captain America

1983 saw Sam take center stage in a four-part mini-series titled “The Falcon,” penned by Christopher Priest. Over the subsequent decades, he also donned the Avengers uniform on various occasions. Additionally, he found himself back in the supporting cast of the “Captain America” series. In 2014, Steve Rogers aged significantly after the Super Soldier Serum was extracted from his body. He passed on the Captain America title and shield to Sam Wilson following years of teamwork. This transition resulted in Rick Remender and Stuart Immonen penning a series for Sam in 2014 titled “The All-New Captain America“. In 2015, he was given another ongoing series, this time from the creative duo of Nick Spencer and Daniel Acuna, entitled “Sam Wilson: Captain America“.

Over time, Steve Rogers regained his youth and resumed his role as Captain America. Meanwhile, Sam Wilson temporarily returned to being the Falcon. However, in 2021’s “The United States of Captain America”, Sam Wilson claimed the title of Captain America once more. Now, he shares the title with Rogers, serving as both Cap and a key member of the Avengers. Despite making his debut in the ’60s, it was only recently that Sam Wilson received the full recognition he deserves as one of Marvel’s vital heroes. However, his significance to the Marvel Universe is now equal to any long-standing Avenger.

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2025-02-07 01:05