We’ve all grown up watching Captain America and his crime fighting stunts. He’s always been an iconic hero who’s managed to live up to his character. Steve Rogers aka Captain America has been with us for the last 70 years, ever since his first appearance in March 1941. Joe Simmons, the creator of Captain America said “I wrote the name ‘Super American’ at the bottom of the page,” in his autobiography, after giving it a thought he said “No, it didn’t work. There were too many “Supers” around. “Captain America” had a good sound to it. There weren’t a lot of captains in comics. It was as easy as that. The boy companion was simply named Bucky, after my friend Bucky Pierson, a star on our high school basketball team”.
The following are the characters who have donned the mantle beside Steve Rogers:
Bucky Barnes
Bucky and Steve have been childhood friends and Bucky grew up to be his sidekick. Assumed dead during World War II. It was later revealed that Bucky was instead captured by the Soviets and transformed into Winter Soldier.
Steve was killed while rescuing Bucky. It was after this instance Bucky was given the title of Captain America. Being discovered that Steve was still alive, together they defended Asgard in the Siege storyline. At the end, Bucky was stripped of the title of Captain America, for the fear of his past image.
Danielle Cage
Daughter of Jessica Jones and Luke Cage carried the title of Captain America. Though she did not have the original shield, so she went on to make a replica which was equivalent to the original shield.
William Naslund
William Naslund was the protector of U.S from the Nazi spies. William started his career in 1976. President Truman in 1945 requested Naslund to take over as Captain America after the death of Steve Rogers.
William led quite a few successful missions during his role as Captain America. Sadly, William was killed while protecting the young JFK, the future president, from time travelling robots. Before William died he passed on the title to another hero to ensure the ideals of Steve Rogers are carried on
Jeffery Mace
Jeffery was a reporter for Daily Bulge, way before the World War II. Inspired by the patriotism of Captain America he took over the title and defended the US from Nazi spies after the war began.
Jeffery came across William Naslund during the Boston attack of Adam II. This is where William passed on the title of Captain America to Jeffery. Mace undertook quite a few mission before retiring in 1950.
Years later after his retirement, Contemplator chose Jeffery along with those who carried the title of Captain America to overthrow Adam II. Jeffery died shortly after the mission with Steve Rogers at his bedside.
Isaiah Bradley
During the World War II, Black ops mission sent Bradly to stop a German scientist from recreating the Super Solider Serum. Upon his return, Bradley was captured for stealing the costume and shield of Captain America.
Bradley was imprisoned for two decades before he withered and died because of the flawed Super Soldier Serum which was injected in Bradley by US government during a test trial way before World War II.
Clint Barton
Popularly known as the Hawkeye /Ronin and just about touch and go title of Captain America.
Interesting, Tony Stark approached Barton to take over as Captain America since Barton was the only one who had the accuracy of throwing the shield. However, Barton declined as it felt disrespectful to his friend’s memory.
William Burnside
William Burnside idolized Capt. America during his growing year and even went on studying his adventures. While conducting research in Germany in 1950, Burnside came across records of Captain America and the formula for Super Soldier Serum. Burnside refused to hand over the formula to US government unless they made him the new Captain America.
Burnside also underwent plastic surgery just to look like Captain America. Gradually the Super Serum formula started to decay affecting Burnside mentally. He was eventually arrested and later came to be known as the Grand Director.
Roscoe Simons
Steve Rogers gave up his title as captain America during the reign of President Richard Nixon and was named Nomad. He was under the illusion that the president was running a secret terrorist organization.
Steve passed on his shield to Roscoe Simons, who was trained by Falcon. Concerned with Simons safety Falcon persuaded him to give up the title. His end came violently as Simons was killed by Red Skull. Simon’s death inspired Steve to regain his title.
John Walker
US government made John Waler the next Captain America after Steve resigned from his title due to a revulsion for US government for its corrupt nature. Walker goes on a killing spree without any qualms. After being confronted by Steve Rogers for his ways of killing, Walker returned the costume and shield. It was later that Walker took on the name of Raft, becoming the warden of superhero prison.
Scott Summers
Popularly known as Cyclops, a member of X-Men team. It is said, in an alternate universe of Earth in 81122. A supposed accident leaves Scott, Jean and Steve robbed of their powers. Due to the rapid aging of Steve Rogers, Scott takes on the title of Captain America. During his role as Captain America, we can see him with X-men head on with Sue Storm and the fantastic four.
Sam Wilson
Falcon is known to take over the title of Captain America of recently. With the decaying of Super Soldier Serum blood, Steve starts ageing rapidly, passing his shield onto Sam Wilson.
During his tenure, Wilson fought against Red Skull and Hydra, while leading the Avengers.
