Warning: SPOILERS for Avengers of the Wastelands #2
The Captain America of Marvel's darkest future has finally been revealed, with a controversial origin no fan would ever expect from Steve Rogers' successor. But whether his origin story makes him a villain or a hero, even Cap himself would admit... it sends a more powerful message than his own.
The origin stories of both the present and future Captain Americas, born out of programs designed to end an era of war, are eerily similar. But where Steve Rogers was transformed into a super-soldier to fight against the dominance of a fascist tyrant, the Captain America who has now joined the future Avengers of the Wastelands was created to help fascism win. And just like Steve, he volunteered for the job.
The arrival of this future, grizzled Captain America (shield included) actually delivered the twist ending of Ed Brisson and Jonas Scharf's Avengers of the Wastelands #1, swooping in to assist the newly assembled heroes. Fortunately fans aren't left wondering if Steve Rogers somehow survived his presumed death, since the second issue confirms that this man is a new holder of the title. And when pressed to explain his enhanced abilities and reasons for taking up the name and uniform of the star-spangled Avenger, this new Cap reveals his dark origins as a supervillain, not a superhero.
In the Wasteland future of Marvel's Universe (or one possible Marvel Universe, if you want to get technical), the average citizens are often left out of the story. Especially when it comes to explaining how villains simply 'took over' entire populations. This new Cap sheds some light on the process by revealing Victor Von Doom's strategy for seizing total control over his subjects once New Latveria is established. In short, by creating his own army of Captain America-sequel super-soldiers. And of the hundreds of poor souls who volunteered... this future Cap stands alone:
I had no job. No money. I was barely scraping by. And so I volunteered. Of the thousands who applied, only 400 of us made it past the first rounds of screenings. And only 99 of those made it past the second round. One for each remaining vial. And of those... only two of us survived being injected with the super-soldier serum. But two Captain Americas--he called us his Lieutenants of Latveria--were more than enough to win any war.
Initially hopeless, this Lieutenant of Latveria takes a stand for the innocent, delivering his fellow super-soldier an injury that finally triggers his own rejection of the serum, and death (or so it seems for now). Branded a traitor, the recruit had no choice but to flee... and discover the heart of Captain America instead.
The feeling of "kinship" that emerged in this would-be Doom-super-soldier makes perfect sense. Just like Steve Rogers, their desire to become something stronger, something better, and something more is what started their journey towards becoming Captain America. But where Steve's was simply a desire to do good -- the kind of noble spirit he was born with, and merely lacked the strength to use it -- the journey of this future Cap is something deeper. Beaten down by the rise of villains, fascism, and desperate times, he volunteered out of necessity. And as a result, was willing to believe the orders he was given.
Only when the truth about war and tyranny became clear did he choose to become a hero, and a defender of the innocent. For Steve Rogers, no such choice to be a hero, or even a good man was ever needed. Which means it isn't just fitting that he adopted the legacy of Captain America as a result... he actually has the more impressive Captain America origin story. Here's hoping he can lead the Avengers of the Wastelands just as well.
The Avengers of the Wastelands #2 is available now from your local comic book shop.