Marvel’s newest Captain America, Ari Agbayani, has been ripped from the pages of The United States of Captain America and brought into the real world by way of an awesome cosplay. Agbayani is the first Filipino-American shield-bearer introduced in Marvel Comics. The scope of her immediate popularity has become evident through one fan's incredibly comic-accurate cosplay.
In The United States of Captain America limited series by Christopher Cantwell and Dale Eaglesham (along with other writers and artists for back-up stories exploring the members of the Captains Network), multiple versions of Captain America come together from across the United States to help track down Steve’s stolen shield. While the mission seems simple enough, especially for some of America’s greatest living legends, the villains' plan is truly diabolical, and every hero is needed - especially the all-new Captain America, Ari Agbayani, who was created by Alyssa Wong and Jodi Nishijima.
Posted on Twitter, Krystle Piamonte shows off her epic cosplay of Ari’s Captain America with side-by-side comparison to the original comic book depictions. While the near perfect costume came around just in time for Halloween, there was an additional reason as to why Piamonte decided to honor this specific version of Cap. “Everybody out here doing Squid Games or Shang-Chi Halloween, but it’s also #FAHM, so I’m all about Ari Agbayani” wrote Piamonte in the Tweet revealing her cosplay. FAHM stands for Filipino American History Month and is recognized in the United States during the month of October, sparking Piamonte’s tribute and outstanding cosplay.
While Ari Agbayani is the newest version of Captain America, her main inspiration isn’t derived from the original Steve Rogers, but Steve’s once-sidekick Bucky Barnes. As shown in the comics and recently emulated in the cosplay, Ari’s Captain America suit is much more reminiscent of Bucky’s suit with touches of Steve’s Captain America to stay true to the brand. The most striking resemblance between Ari and Bucky is the face mask worn by both heroes (when Bucky was the Winter Soldier) and the touches of black Ari adds from Bucky’s more stealth-focused Captain America suit.
Ari Agbayani proved herself worthy of the shield immediately during her first appearance in The United States of Captain America. In the fourth issue of the five-issue limited series, Ari’s Captain America pulls a solo adventure at her college campus in Wong and Nishijima's 'The Halloween Party,' where she uncovers evidence of her friend’s implied sexual assault. While Ari’s solo mission didn’t prevent the world from exploding into fascist anarchy, it was incredibly heroic and inspirational as she took down an example of a villain seen too often in everyday life, which is exactly what Captain America stands for. Certain to be seen again in future comics, the new Captain America Ari Agbayani wields the shield in an awesome cosplay in celebration of Filipino American History Month.
Source: Krystle Piamonte