The Marvel Cinematic universe may be a blockbuster hit for its family-friendly, hopeful, and inspiring storylines, but that's only if fans stop themselves from looking too close. Because Avengers: Endgame may be the story of how the heroes saved the universe from its greatest threat... but the movie also includes the single darkest Easter Egg in Marvel movie history.
That claim isn't made lightly, considering the hundreds of inside jokes, comic book references, subtle details, and moments of fan service now immortalized in Marvel history. But by ensuring that even the MCU's most troubling and political stories never got too dark, movie fans were made to forget that in the original comic books, sometimes things didn't work out for the heroes. Sometimes the villains won. And not every murder, death, or sacrifice was even worth it. Every now and then, the villains just want to have some fun by killing a superhero in horrifying fashion.
The makers of Avengers: Endgame are obviously aware of that fact, because they openly reference one of the grimmest and disturbing moments in Captain America history -- knowing most audiences would never even notice. But for those who want to know, allow us to explain.
Meet Roscoe Simons, The Crucified Captain America
When Endgame ended with Captain America passing his shield to Falcon, even casual fans we curious to know if things played out the same in the comics. And while Steve Rogers has named Sam Wilson his successor, the comic book Captain America has also retired more than once. But only one other man can claim to have been given Steve's personal approval: Roscoe Simons. A young man -- referred to as "a kid" by Sam --who, unlike other would-be successors who fancied themselves heroes, only wanted to fight bullies like his hero. And fight them he did... briefly. Just as Sam acknowledged Roscoe might have what it takes, the Red Skull ambushed them both, believing he had finally captured his arch-nemesis.
That shocking turn of events transpired on the final page of Captain America #182, but the truth was reserved until the following issue. The cover art depicted the "Death of a Hero," with Captain America tied up, on display on a New York rooftop. But inside Steve Rogers, still using his Nomad persona, stumbles upon a far more grisly scene. The body of Roscoe strung upside down by the feet, with Sam Wilson soon revealing what Steve (and the reader, mercifully) missed:
Cap... it was... The Red Skull! He's back, Steve... Back to have his revenge, he said. He captured Roscoe and me... thinking he had you. When he found out... it wasn't "his" Captain America... he went nuts... started screamin' that he hadn't devised his greatest plan... to waste on a kid! He slaughtered 'im, Steve... and beat me to a pulp... as a warning.
Given the gruesome way Roscoe was killed and displayed, his death was soon brushed aside in favor of Steve returning to the Captain America identity. Not to avenge Roscoe, to be clear. Just because Red Skull (and Marvel editorial) had made him realize the time had come for his return. So we suppose his inclusion in Avengers: Endgame is better than nothing.
Roscoe Gets a Shout-Out in Avengers: Endgame
The Captain America fans who recall Roscoe's life and horrible death were definitely not expecting to see the story alluded to in Endgame. If they had been, then a tribute to the young man who most closely followed Steve Rogers' example would certainly be earned, and welcomed. But seeing him given the equivalent of a joke shout-out via Steve's disguise as "Roscoe" on his and Tony Stark's mission to 1970 Camp Lehigh is certainly not what anyone had in mind. In fact, most moviegoers probably missed the name completely, while those who spotted it likely gave a laugh instead of a second thought.
It's an even stranger twist of fate that this twisted tribute would take place alongside Tony Stark's own heartfelt conversations with his father. Finding and giving closure, in a way, to Howard Stark -- the man who saw his son as the greatest successor he could ever ask for. While on his side of the costume department, Steve Rogers was throwing a direct nod to his own successor... the hopeful kid who was subdued, strung up, and "slaughtered" by his first MCU villain in the original comics.
Even taken at its most well-meaning level, the Easter Egg essentially amounts to, 'Hey, remember that Captain America who was brutally murdered and displayed for Steve to find? Us too.' A strange call for Avengers: Endgame to make, and a grim note the MCU isn't likely to repeat anytime soon.