The Comic Book History of 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'

Image via Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel Studios

Where to read: Marvel Unlimited | Amazon

What you see: Sam Wilson, Falcon as Sam Wilson, Falcon, who happens to be Captain America

Sam Wilson’s tenure as Captain America is among the more exciting storylines in recent Marvel history. Initially starting under a title written by Rick Remender with art by Stuart Immonen, Sam Wilson takes the mantle over after Steve is aged into an old man (sound familiar?!). The new Captain America battles against old foes and new, including a version of Hydra run by Baron Zemo. The latter will be appearing in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier series as well.

The title doesn’t shy away from exploring what it means for a Black man to take the mantle of Captain America, tackling the racial issues in a way the title hadn’t addressed before. It even addressed topics of immigration and domestic terrorism, presenting some of the most ambitious storytelling done at the publisher in the last decade. Those topics will find their way into Sam’s character arc in Falcon and the Winter Soldier as well, as Feige told Variety, “We want to know more about this guy being thrown into this situation and handling it spectacularly well considering he’s just a man. That’s what the show is about. This man, this Black man in particular, in the Marvel version of the world outside our window.”

While we’re still unsure of who will ultimately take over for Cap in the MCU, Sam Wilson’s time as Cap certainly proves there’s no shortage of great and compelling stories to be told.

Where to read: Marvel Unlimited | Amazon

What you see: Bucky Barnes, Captain America because Steve Rogers, Captain America got shot

There’s a solid chance you know the work of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve Epting without actually having ever cracked open a comic book. The duo were the creative masterminds behind the Winter Soldier storyline, which brought Cap’s buddy Bucky Barnes back to life after being dead in the world of comics for decades and served as the foundation for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In the aftermath of the Civil War crossover event, Steve Rogers is shot and killed, leaving the mantle of Captain America vacant. 

The first part of the story focuses on those close to Steve coming to terms with his death, while Bucky sorts through the trauma of his tenure as the Winter Soldier. Bucky eventually realizes the importance of the mantle and becomes Captain America, albeit one with his own rules. As he’ll be known to fans, Bucky Cap eventually goes on to face off against Red Skull with Brubaker’s excellent script providing spy thriller and superheroic tones.

Where to read: Marvel Unlimited | Amazon

What you see: John Walker, aka U.S. Agent, as well as Batroc

As you can see, the passing of the Captain America title has occurred quite a few times throughout Marvel history. But it doesn’t always go as well as it did with Sam and Bucky. In the late ‘80s, writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Kieron Dwyer and Tom Morgan introduced comic readers to John Walker, who will be played by Wyatt Russell in the upcoming Disney+ series.

In “The Captain” storyline, Steve is asked to report directly to the U.S. government for oversight purposes, only to reject the notion. It’s then revealed that Captain America’s role is the property of the federal government, stripping Steve of his duties. From there, John Walker is appointed the new Captain America. Gruenwald wanted Walker to feel like a complete inversion of everything Steve stood for, so he’s Southern middle class, a pragmatist, and more of a villain. Naturally, Walker and Steve end up square off to determine who will get to be Cap.

While audiences will have to wait and see what Wyatt brings to Walker, the storyline is a classic Cap tale in how it uses Walker to deconstruct what it means to be Captain America. The latter portion feels like it will be a significant part of Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Where to read: Marvel Unlimited | Amazon

What you see: Anti-Cap

Relaunched in 2004, the Captain America & The Falcon title is a modern-day look at Steve and Sam’s friendship. The book focuses on the two as they battle a villain known only as “Anti-Cap,” who is hellbent on destroying Sam.

Throughout the 14-issue series, conspiracies and evil plots are revealed as Steve and Sam’s relationship is put through the ringer courtesy of writer Christopher Priest and a rotating team of artists. The series concludes with the “American Psycho” arc, which is frequently praised for the storyline it provides Sam, all while making sure he and Steve are equal partners, not just sidekicks.

Where to read: Marvel Unlimited | Amazon

What you see: Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson versus Hydra

Marvel is no stranger to launching new series tied around the debut of live-action projects, so it’s not shocking the publisher debuted a Falcon & Winter Soldier mini-series last year to take advantage of the upcoming Disney+ series. Written by Derek Landy with kinetic art by Federico Vicentini, the two former Captain Americas are forced to team-up to uncover the new leader of Hydra before the group causes the end of the world. You know, typical comic stuff.

The tone of Landy’s script feels very low-fi, creating an environment where superheroics take a back seat to spy work while also providing plenty of chemistry between Bucky and Sam. In short, the buddy-cop vibes of the show’s trailer are deepened and broadened here, making it a great series to read if you’re looking for something that will capture the spirit of the new Disney+ show.