Given the events of the latest episode of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson seems poised to leave behind the mantle of Falcon to take on that of Captain America. And, it's possible another person takes over the role of Falcon in the MCU, as there have been many other powerful versions of the character in Marvel Comics.
While there have been many important versions of Captain America in the comics, including Sam Wilson, there have been just as many versions of Falcon. Some of these exist inside the main Marvel universe of Earth-616 while others hail from alternate timelines and dimensions.
Carl Burgess
Sam Wilson actually isn't the first Falcon in the Marvel Universe. Thanks to a retcon, that's Carl Burgess. Burgess was actually the Falcon during the Golden Age of comics when Marvel was then Timely Comics.
He was a standard superhero of the era in the mold of The Shadow or Batman. By day he was an Assistant District Attorney and by night he fought crime as a vigilante. He was later retconned into the history of the Marvel Universe in Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #9 in 2004, establishing his adventures did take place during World War II.
Sam-13 Falcon
One of the most unique versions of Falcon hails from Earth-65, better known as the comic book home of Spider-Gwen. Sam-13 is actually a child clone of the actual Sam Wilson in this universe, or Samantha as she's properly known.
Sam-13 is recruited into being her sidekick when she becomes Captain America. Despite his age, he's a highly skilled and deadly sniper. He performs reconnaissance and surveillance with his robotic version of Redwing, Sam's trusty bird from Earth-616.
Earth-717 Falcon
This version of Sam Wilson originates from Earth-717, the location of the What If..? story What If Captain America Had Fought In The Civil War?
In this version of the story, Sam Wilson is raised by the Shawnee and joins the war as part of the Indian volunteer regiment for the Union. He encounters a badly injured Steve Rogers and revives him using a Shawnee ritual that bonds Rogers with the spirit of the bald eagle. Wilson is killed by a terrifying alternate version of Bucky Barnes, the White Skull.
Adrian Toomes
One of the most powerful versions of the Falcon was also one of its most unlikely. In the Earth-616 universe, Adrian Toomes, better known as the Vulture, adopted the name of the Falcon. At the time, he thought no one was using it since Sam Wilson had become Captain America. Toomes designed a new, more high-tech version of his usual suit.
Toomes' reign as Falcon was brief. As usual, he used his skill and determination to rob a bank, which led to a confrontation with Spider-Man. In the process, he was captured and the brief tenure of the evil Falcon was over.
Joaquin Torres
Sam Wilson seems destined to become Captain America, which does leave the MCU role of Falcon open, and it's possible that fans have already met his replacement in Joaquin Torres.
Torres does take over the role of Falcon in the comics when Sam becomes Captain America. The way they meet is different, however. Sam rescues Torres, who has been kidnapped by a drug cartel, and Sam takes him in. It does seem that Joaquin Torres has a future in the MCU, so it's possible he will become the new Falcon.
MC2 Falcon
One of the most unique versions of Falcon is actually named Ladyhawke. And she's actually a pair of twins, Rosetta Morgan and Regina Morgan, who both come from the MC2 universe.
In this universe, Sam Wilson is dead. The twins adopt his color scheme and bird motif in their costumes as they fight crime in tandem. The MC2 universe is an alternate future timeline of Marvel Comics, set about fifteen years after the present day of Marvel, and featuring characters like Spider-Girl, the daughter of Spider-Man.
Ultimate Falcon
One of the most well-known alternate universes in the Marvel Comics pantheon is the Ultimate Comics universe of Earth-1610. Ultimate Comics began in the early 2000s as a way to engage new readers without the burden of decades of continuity. That led to lots of new takes on characters like Falcon.
In this version of Sam Wilson's story, he's a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. who built his own wings and jet pack, and has even worked on the engineering behind the Ultimate Comics version of The Vision. This version of Sam was influential on the MCU, in terms of his appearance and costume.
Earth-65 Samantha Wilson
Earth-616 isn't the only universe where Sam became Captain America. In the reality of Earth-65, Samantha Wilson is Captain America. Her story is somewhat a synthesis of Sam's and even Isaiah Bradley, as she was a fighter pilot during World War II subjected to the Super Soldier Serum.
Samantha Wilson became Captain America in this reality when Bradley, Steve Rogers, and Bucky Barnes were all too injured to complete the process. She serves as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. for Director Peggy Carter.
Thor Corps Falcon
Another alternate reality version of Falcon appears in the pages of A-Force #1, which takes place during the massive Secret Wars event in 2015. A new Falcon appeared as part of the Thor Corps, the protectors of Battleworld, the world composed of fragments of many different realities.
This Falcon had natural wings and could fly without the assistance of a jet pack or metal wings. He is among the members of the Thor Corps seen arresting Miss America for violating the rules of Battleworld, as set down by its ruler, Doctor Doom.
Heroes Reborn Falcon
Heroes Reborn is a major storyline in upcoming Marvel Comics, but it takes its name from a seminal 90s event. In the original story, the Fantastic Four and Avengers were transported to a bubble universe where they were rebooted in an attempt to boost sales. Revisions were made to the stories of several characters including Falcon.
Sam's story changed substantially in the sense that in this version, he gained superpowers after a blood transfusion from Captain America. The latent Super Soldier Serum in Steve Rogers' blood gives Sam powers and abilities that are a perfect match for that of Captain America.