\In Marvel Comics, Steve Rogers suited up to become the super soldier over 80 years ago. His role asCaptain Americaprotected and inspired several generations of Americans. While Steve Rogers will most likely be remembered as the original Cap always and forever, the pages of Marvel history gave birth to other courageous heroes who were willing to fight for justice when their country needed it the most.
From veterans to sidekicksand every type of hero in between, more than a dozen ambitious individuals have risen to grasp Captain America’s shield over the decades. But no matter the wearer, one thing has remained consistent – Captain America represents the absolute best ideals, like courage, patriotism, and compassion. On this list, we will take a look at some of the most epic Captain America comic stories ever told and witness how the hero’s spirit inspired even the most unlikely champions to respond to a call.
20Steven Rogers
A Revolutionary War Captain
A footnote in the vast history of Marvel, there existed a lesser-known man namedSteven Rogers. Not the Steve Rogers you know to be the greatest hero of all time, but a distant ancestor who once donned the star-spangled mantle. Debuting inCaptain America #194by Jack Kirby in March 1975, this Rogers existed in the Revolutionary War era.
As a rugged patriot, Captain Rogers wasn’t a typical red-white-and-blue icon. He was still an inspirational leader who went on an infiltration mission and almost got himself killed, but was saved by an immortal being named Ulysses Bloodstone. In a way, he was a man of contradictions – a slave owner, perhaps, as The Falcon once pointed out. Steven Rogers met his end on the battlefield, long before the country sanctioned the Captain America identity.
19Steve Rogers
The Most Iconic Captain America
First showing up during World War II as a scrawny kid from Brooklyn, he became a symbol of home.Steve Rogers,the original Captain America, burst onto the scene inCaptain America Comics #1in the year 1941, courtesy of the legendary duo Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. His origin story has been told loud and clear in the world of comics, movies, television, games and more – a young soldier who volunteered for Project Rebirth and was injected with the Super-Soldier Serum eventually transformed into a shield that represents America.
In the movies and comics, Cap upholds his own “timeless principles of freedom, equality, and justice of the American Dream.” From battling Nazis to thwarting HYDRA’s schemes, defeating The Red Skull to Baron Zemo, whose grudge against Cap is so old that it predates even the internet, Steve’s arc has been a rollercoaster. But he has always returned as the one true Captain America in the hearts of people worldwide.
18Butch Cantwell
A Believable Impersonator
InCaptain America Comics #46, a mobster namedButch Cantwell,who was active in the 1940s, observed how Captain America and Bucky Barnes were dominating the crime-fighting scenario and hailing themselves as heroes to the world. Concerned by this, he came up with a plan. He replicated Captain America’s costume, upgraded it with bulletproof armor, and went on to the streets to terrorize people.
Naturally, Cantwell’s impersonation of Captain America was a stint that did not last very long because the real Cap and Bucky trapped him in a situation that led to him being turned over to the authorities. The character was created by Vince Alascia, and he debuted in 1945. While Cantwell was in no way strong enough or skilled enough, his addition to the Marvel Comics only strengthened the real Cap’s arc.
Related:10 Marvel/DC Crossover Comics to Check out if You Love Superhero Movies
17Carl Zante/The Acrobat
Another Criminal Poser
Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Dick Ayers,Carl Zantefirst appeared inStrange Tales #106as he tried to manipulate the Human Torch into joining him on a personal mission to get rich. After telling him that The Fantastic Four were taking credit for his accomplishments, he forms the Torrid Twosome with Human Torch. The Acrobat and Human Torch then begin to rob banks, but when the latter realizes that he is being tricked, he chases after him.
Later, The Acrobat poses as Captain America and tries to steal one of the cars at an antique auto show, breaks his criminal friends out of the jail, and even narrowly escapes imprisonment. It isn’t until later that the real Captain America confronts the phony Captain America and puts an end tohis villainous deeds.
16Isaiah Bradley
In 2002’sTruth: Red, White & Black #1by Robert Morales and Kyle Baker, Marvel Comics readers were introduced to a dark secret chapter in Captain America’s lore – one that had been kept hidden for decades. After Steve Rogers was assumed dead, the U.S. government continued their program of creating super-enhanced beings, where Black soldiers likeIsaiah Bradleywere experimented on to replicate the super soldier serum.
More than three hundred Black soldiers were tested on, and Isaiah was one of the few survivors who gained powers similar to those of Captain America. Bradley took on the identity of Captain America and flew to Europe to contribute to the war, but his acts were considered treasonous, and he was imprisoned unjustly.
Later, he emerged from seclusion to tell his story. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Bradley shows up inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierand speaks to The Falcon of his experiences, saying, “They will never let a black man be Captain America. And even if they did, no self-respecting black man would ever wanna be.”
15Jeffrey Mace/The Patriot
Carrying on the Name and Idea
Played by Jason O’Mara in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,Jeffrey Solomon Maceis a name and face that fans ofAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.are quite familiar with. He was a former journalist chosen by Phil Coulson and Matthew Ellis to become the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. as an Inhuman. In the series, he represented genuine morals and virtues, quickly became the enemy’s target and was shortly killed.But in Marvel Comics, he had a glorious arc.
After witnessing the real Captain America fighting the Nazi spies in 1941, he felt inspired and would occasionally get involved in matters affecting the country. It wasn’t until 1946 that Jeff was offered to officially take the place of Captain America by pairing up with Fred Davis Jr., who had replaced Bucky. With the words “I can never be [Captain America]. But I can carry on in his name – with his name,” he first picked the shield inCaptain America Comics #59, and from then on, he became the second longest-serving Cap in Marvel.
14William Burnside (a.k.a, Grand Director)
Also known asCaptain America of the 1950s, orBad Cap,William Burnsidewas only eleven years old when the first Captain America was created in 1941. He was created by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema in 1953 and his first notable appearance was inYoung Men #24,but he only became operative inCaptain America #153.
After graduating from college, Burnside was so obsessed with learning about the history of Captain America from the Nazi point of view that he dug through archives and found a copy of the Super-Soldier Serum. He managed to change his appearance to Rogers and became Captain America, but it was when the United States had attained peace and lost interest in the superhero, which accelerated his descent into madness and the US Government was forced to have him cryogenically frozen.
13William Naslund
An Illusion Created by the Government
In 1977’sThe Invaders #14by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins,William Naslundbecame the official canonical replacement for Steve Rogers. Apparently, after Rogers was believed dead, it was practically impossible for the U.S. government to reveal the truth to the public because of how dependent they’d become on the hero. So instead, they recruited a fledgling patriotic superhero named theSpirit of ‘76and suited him up as Captain America inWhat If? #4.
Naslund was originally a sidekick to The Patriot. He went on missions with him and was by his side when he died. Naturally, he agreed to impersonate the hero, fighting crime, stopping villains, and protecting citizens as Captain America until 1949. Naslund’s run as Captain America was short-lived, but his duty towards the nation is worth remembering.
Related:Chris Evans’ 11 Best Movies Before Captain America, Ranked
12Bob Russo, Roscoe Simons, and Scar Turpin
Super Fans
As told inCaptain America #178andCaptain America #179, after Steve Rogers gave up the shield and became the Nomad, a professional baseball player namedBob Russosensed an opportunity, retired from the sport and assumed the role of Captain America. But because of his lack of patience and the fact that he couldn’t even climb a wall, he stepped down from the role. A biker,Scar Turpin, replaced Russo but after a disastrous attempt at stopping a mugging, he failed as well.
This led toRoscoe Simons, a fan of Captain America, to live his ultimate fantasy as the hero. As one of thetwo people Rogers personally approvedof, Roscoe was seen over five issues of Captain America and the Falcon from 1974 to 1975. His short-lived career came to an abrupt end after a confrontation with Red Skull, who killed him after finding out he wasn’t Rogers.
11John Walker/U.S. Agent
Couldn’t Live Up to the Shield
John Walker, popularly known among fans asSuper-PatriotorU.S. Agent, was a U.S. Army veteran who underwent a process that enhanced his strength and made him skilled enough to become a superhero. He was among the more famous official replacements of Captain America at the hands of the U.S. government after Steve Rogers left the role behind due to a White House conspiracy.
Walker debuted inCaptain America #323in November 1986, following which he served as Super Patriot. As Captain America, Walker was an interesting character, but he was also complicated and psychologically unstable. He had to be taken down within a year, but Walker then emerged as U.S. Agent. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he was seen inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, played by Wyatt Russell.
