Captain America's shield
Captain America's shield | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Original shield: Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941) Circular shield: Captain America Comics #2 (April 1941) |
Created by | Joe Simon and Jack Kirby |
In story information | |
Type | Large rotella / flying disc (Proto-Adamantium) |
Element of stories featuring | Captain America Winter Soldier Falcon American Dream |
Captain America's shield is a fictional item appearing in
Over the years, Captain America has used several shields of varying composition and design. His original heater shield first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941), published by Marvel's 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics. The circular shield best associated with the character debuted in the next issue, Captain America Comics #2.
Original shield
In his debut, Captain America (secretly
While the origin and fate of the original shield were not described in the original comics from the 1940s, the shield's fate was revealed decades later in 2001 through a
Captain America received a second triangular shield that he used until given his disc-shaped shield, presented to him by President
The shield destroyed by Hyde and restored by Zemo was eventually passed on to Elijah Bradley, the teenage hero known as the Patriot and leader of the Young Avengers.
Revised history
In 2010, the history of the original shield was revised. In the limited series Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers, Captain America,
Circular shield
The round shield most associated with Captain America made its debut in Captain America Comics #2 (April 1941). An indestructible concavo-convex metal disc approximately 2.5 feet (0.76 m) in diameter, weighing 12 pounds (5.4 kg), it has remained Captain America's most constant shield over the decades.
In Captain America #255 (March 1981), it is established that the shield was presented to Rogers by President
During one of his experiments to fuse vibranium with an experimental steel alloy,[6] MacLain falls asleep and awakens to find that the resulting alloy had been set in a tank hatch mold. However, he was not able to duplicate it, because as MacLain described it, "some unknown factor" was present during the experiment that he could not identify. The shield was then painted to become Captain America's weapon and symbol. MacLain would later attempt to recreate the shield's metal to no avail, his experiments instead eventually yielding the super-metal adamantium.[7][8] While adamantium has been portrayed as practically indestructable,[9] MacLain said was "no match" for the mysterious Proto-Adamantium shield.[7]
Rogers' shield is more durable than regular adamantium and is essentially indestructible. The vibranium grants the shield unusual properties, allowing it to absorb all of the kinetic impact and vibrations from any blows that the shield receives without injuring Rogers in the process.
Soon after his revival from suspended animation and rescue by the Avengers, Rogers briefly experimented with Stark's modification of the shield which included a magnetic mechanism that enabled Rogers to hold the shield through a corresponding magnetic mechanism attached to his left glove, as well as communications equipment. These modifications allowed Rogers to launch the shield from his glove and control it mid-flight.[10] However, Rogers decided to have those modifications removed and restored the holding straps since he found that he preferred to physically throw the shield himself and the electronic equipment spoiled the shield's balance to enable him to do that effectively.[11]
After Rogers' death,
Although Bucky attempted to return the shield to Rogers after his resurrection, Rogers let Bucky keep it as he felt that he could do more good in his new role as Commander Steve Rogers rather than Captain America. Rogers used a photonic shield in its place when circumstances called for him to go into combat. He reclaimed the shield for good after Bucky was apparently killed during the
JLA/Avengers
In the 2003-2004 Marvel Comics/DC Comics inter-company crossover limited series JLA/Avengers, Superman is given the shield by Captain America to wield in battle in the final confrontation with Krona, and is impressed with its might. When he asks where he could get one just like it while battling foes, Thor replies, "Enjoy it while thou canst, Superman. There is none other like it in all the worlds". Throughout the final battle, the shield changes forms between the pointed shield and the circular shield due to various temporal ripples caused by Krona's equipment, and Superman even loses the shield altogether at one point when he morphs into his energy form while Cap reacquires the photonic shield, although the metal shield reappears on Superman's arm after he morphs back into his regular form.
Destruction of the shield
Over time the shield has been damaged or destroyed several times within the confines of the Earth-616 continuity:
- In The Avengers #215–216, the Molecule Man used his total control over matter to disintegrate the shield, along with Thor's hammer, Iron Man's armor, and the Silver Surfer's board. After he does so, he comments that the board's molecules are "weird", and while there are "odd forces interweaving" among the hammer's molecules, the shield is "weirdest of all". He later reassembles these items, with the exception of the armor, as the electronic circuits are too complicated for him to understand at that time.[16]
- During the 1984-1985 Secret Wars limited series, the shield is partially destroyed by Doctor Doom, who has stolen the power of the godlike being known as the Beyonder. Even broken, Rogers is able to wield what is left as an effective weapon, with the shield largely retaining its balance when thrown. When the Beyonder reclaims its power, the heroes are temporarily granted the ability to realize their wishes. Rogers uses this to reconstruct the shield.[17]
- During the 1991 miniseries Nebula, when she obtains the Gauntlet and uses it to undo the events of Thanos's temporary godhood, resulting in her erasing the death and destruction that Thanos had caused over the previous 24 hours.[18]
- Due to a stray molecule being out of place when Rogers reconstructed the shield using the Beyonder's residual power, a Klaw, who sought to absorb the power of the "cancer" and become stronger. Fortunately, the amount of energy Klaw had absorbed was released when he struck the shattered shield with full force after Rogers picked it up on reflex, resulting in Klaw unintentionally restoring the shield to its original state, realigning its molecules and destroying cancer.[19]
- During the 2011 miniseries Serpent, the Asgardian god of fear and brother to Odin, breaks it in half with his bare hands after magically feeding on the fear of the entire planet.[20] After the battle, the shield is repaired by Asgardian dwarves and Tony Stark with added Asgardian uru-infused enhancements and Stark's own technology to make it stronger, though a scar is left, which the dwarves are unable to remove. Stark offers a solution to the scar, but Rogers declines, saying that it "gave the old girl a little bit of character".[21]This premise was not observed in subsequent storylines, which did not depict the shield with the scar.
Other shields
- While Rogers was asleep in suspended animation, three other men used the identity of Captain America, all using steel replicas of the discus shield. The 1950s Captain America was placed in suspended animation after becoming mentally unstable. By the time he was revived years later, Rogers had returned. When the two clashed, in the 1950s Captain America's shield was broken.[volume & issue needed]
- In the 1980s, in a story written by U.S. Agentand returned the original shield to him. Walker would go on to have his own array of different shields over the years, the first of which appeared to be the last vibranium shield Rogers was using as the Captain.
- At one point, when Rogers was exiled from the United States and was briefly unable to use his shield, Sharon Carter provided him with a photonic energy shield designed to mimic a vibranium matrix.
- During the time when the shield was lost in the Atlantic, Rogers tried using a pure adamantium shield, but was unable to get used to the balance. He also tried fighting without a shield but also found it awkward.
- Sharon Carter next provided him with another photonic shield, but one whose shape could be controlled to morph the energy field into a wider force field, a bo staffor even fire a projection of the shield. While he enjoyed the versatility, Rogers noticed a number of drawbacks, particularly its inability to ricochet. Rogers gave one of the energy shield gloves to a freedom fighter in an oppressive future he traveled to and received a replacement from S.H.I.E.L.D. when he got back to his own time.
- In Secret Avengers, he uses a new energy shield which could be generated on either arm, or both, and was able to be thrown and ricochet off surfaces to hit targets before it dissipates, preventing enemies from using it against him. A new shield would be generated moments later. Moon Knight, who had acquired a copy of the technology, had it described to him as a "zero point energy shield".[23]
- In Captain America: Steve Rogers, Steve wields a new version of the triangular shield that can deploy an energy blade on its pointy end and can be divided in two, allowing him to use both halves in combat.[24]
- On Earth-691, Vance Astro wielded the shield for a time as Major Victory.
Marvel Cinematic Universe version
Captain America's shield | |
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First appearance | Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) |
Based on | |
Adapted by | |
In-universe information | |
Creator | Howard Stark |
Used by |
|
Made of | Vibranium |
Captain America's shield is a recurring item throughout the
Appearances
- In Pepper Potts watches Tony Stark trying to remove his damaged armor. Stark subsequently used the alloy of a prototype made by his father to create his Iron Man armor.[26]
- In Iron Man 2 (2010), Stark's replica of the shield is noticed by Phil Coulson and it is subsequently used to hold the apparatus that allows Stark to discover a new element, 'badassium'.
- In S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in the Arcticwithin a crashed, frozen aircraft.
- In Chitauri, and Stark deflects his energy beams off it to amplify their power.
- In Iron Man 3 (2013), Trevor Slattery is seen with a tattoo depicting the shield on the back of his neck.
- In Thor: The Dark World (2013), Loki's illusion impersonating Rogers also depicts a recreation of his shield.
- In Georges Batroc and his men. It protects both him and Natasha Romanoff from a high powered explosive. He later uses it to crash through walls in an office building while chasing the Winter Soldier. When Rogers throws it at the Winter Soldier, he uses his metal arm to catch and throw the shield back, much to Rogers' surprise. Rogers uses the shield to absorb some of the impact after he jumps from the Triskelion building and lands unharmed hundreds of feet below. He also uses it to take down a Quinjet and it protects him and Romanoff against a ballistic missile. He later uses it in confrontations against the Winter Soldier, where it counters the latter's metal arm and also takes a direct hit from a grenade launcherwithout damage.
- In Sokovia, and she uses it to defend herself against Ultron's sentries.
- In Brock Rumlow, he throws the shield high into the air to protect himself and nearby civilians after an explosive device is thrown and sticks to it. He uses the shield as he attempts to protect Barnes from law enforcement in Bucharest. When he confronts T'Challa, the shield is scratched by T'Challa's vibranium claws. The United Nations seizes the shield temporarily until it is stolen and returned to Rogers by Sharon Carter. Later, the shield is temporarily stolen by Peter Parker but quickly returned to Rogers by Scott Lang. He uses the shield in confrontations with Parker, T'Challa, James Rhodes, and Stark. Barnes uses the shield to attack Rhodes and Stark as well. During his final confrontation with Stark, Rogers uses it to disable some of his armor's flight capability, deflect Stark's energy beams, and finally in combination with Barnes to overwhelm Stark. After he uses the shield to destroy Stark's arc reactor and disable the Iron Man armor. As Rogers leaves with Bucky, Stark calls out that his father, Howard, made the shield for Rogers and that he does not deserve it. Rogers' only response is to leave the shield with Stark.
- In Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), video footage captured by Spider-Man during the events of the Civil War, depicting the title character stealing the shield from Rogers, is shown.
- In alternate timeline, bequeaths a new alternate shield, now fully repaired and with a slight design change to the star in the center,[27] to Sam Wilson.
- In Lemar Hoskins killed by Morgenthau, he murders another Flag Smasher with the shield while a horrified crowd watches and records him, and with the shield partially bloodstained. Following this, the shield is recovered by Wilson and Barnes, and Wilson trains in becoming proficient with it. Wilson, taking on the Captain America mantle, uses the shield to defeat the Flag Smashers.[28]
- In Kingo.[29]
- Alternate versions of the shield appeared in the animated series What If...?.
- An alternate version of the shield is used by Peggy Carter in "What If... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?". After she is enhanced by the Super Soldier Serum and becomes Captain Carter, Howard Stark gifts her the shield with a United Kingdom-style design as opposed to the original American one. She uses the shield in combat throughout the episode.
- An alternate version of the shield appears in "Knowhere.[30]
- In Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), the Statue of Liberty is shown undergoing construction to add the shield to its design. The shield add-on is damaged during Peter Parker's battle with Norman Osborn.
- An alternate version of the shield appears in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), used by Captain Carter in an alternate reality called Earth-838. The shield appears identical to the one used by the other Captain Carter in What If...?. Carter uses the shield to battle Wanda Maximoff. However, she is killed when Wanda bisects her with the shield.
Concept and development
In production for Captain America: The First Avenger, the shield, which is depicted as both a defensive tool and a weapon, came in four types: metal, fiberglass, rubber, and computer graphics (CG).[31] Prop master Barry Gibbs specified that "We had the 'hero shield,' which was made of aluminum, for our beauty shots [and] close-up work. We then created a lighter shield that was aluminum-faced with fiberglass back, for use on a daily basis. ... And then we had a stunt shield made of polyurethane, which is sort of a synthetic rubber ... and we made an ultrasoft one we put on [Evans'] back, so that if there were an accident, it wouldn't hurt him."[32] Visual effects supervisor Christopher Townsend said Evans "would practice swinging the practical shield so he knew the arc and the speed at which he should move. We would take the shield from him and shoot the scene with him miming it. Then we would add in a CG shield".[31]
The premise of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier revolves around a moment in the film Avengers: Endgame (2019) which depicts Steve Rogers bequeathing the shield and the mantle of Captain America to his friend Sam Wilson.[33][34] Marvel Studios chief executive Kevin Feige said this was intended to be a "classic passing of the torch from one hero to another", but when Marvel Studios got the opportunity to make television series for Disney+ they decided to expand this into an entire story about Wilson, who is a Black man, becoming Captain America, with the shield serving as a symbol for the superhero title. Mackie said the series would explore Wilson's backstory and treat him as a "regular guy" in a world of superheroes,[35] while "walk[ing] the line of who is going to take up the [Captain America] shield" after Endgame.[36]
Other versions
- In the 1998-1999 time travel mini-series Avengers Forever, various future and alternate versions of Captain America are shown with many different variations of the shield.[37]
- In the Marvel Elektra stole it from Avengers Mansionwhen she uses the costume of Captain America.
- Captain Mexica is an alternate world version of Captain America from a universe where the Aztec Empire never fell. His shield is used by Machine Man as a weapon during a zombie incursion; Mexica himself is slain.[38]
- Thor's hammer, though Captain America would wield another later.[40]
- In Ultimate Nightmare, Ultimate Captain America encounters his Russian counterpart, who has been driven mad due to being trapped in an underground complex for many years. He has created a "replica" of the shield, which turns out to be made out of scrap metal and human remains and grafted directly onto his forearm, and which proves far less powerful than Captain America's own shield.[41]
- In
In other media
Television
- In the 1970s Captain America TV movies, Steve Rogers is given a transparent plexiglass shield painted with concentric stripes (red and clear transparent) and a central star. The shield was designed to act as the windscreen for his motorcycle, but could be detached and used in its traditional offensive / defensive role when Rogers goes on foot. Furthermore, the shield can apparently return to Rogers in a smooth arc when thrown without needing to be ricocheted and with enough force to knock a man down in the return path.
- In 2003, the company Factory Xreleased a line of licensed prop replicas of items from the Marvel Universe. An aluminum replica of Captain America's shield was among their initial line up of props, and was limited to a production of 2,525 pieces.
- In the closing of the March 12, 2007 episode of Factory X replicas, but this is not the case. The shield given to Colbert was originally acquired by the long-time writer and editor (and late) Mark Gruenwald, who either commissioned it or received it as a gift. It eventually found its way into the hands of Marvel editor Tom Brevoort, and was kept in his office until being passed on to Colbert. In a pre-show conversation with a studio audience, Colbert, speaking out of character, said that when his wife saw the shield and the accompanying note, she started crying. He confessed he was bemused by her reaction to a fictional character sending a prop shield to a fictional version of himself. The shield was put on display hanging on the wall along with other trophies on The Colbert Report set for every episode afterwards. After The Colbert Report ended, the shield was moved to the set of Colbert's next talk show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbertwhere it has been on display since.
- In the Black Panther and scientists in Wakandausing the vibranium machine that fused the pieces back together.
- The adamantium-vibranium alloy version of the shield becomes the main plot device for the story in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Not a Toy".
Film
- In the 1990 live-action movie Captain America, Steve Rogers/Captain America uses a metal shield of similar design.
- In the animated movie Ultimate Avengers, based loosely on The Ultimates, Captain America uses a shield made from vibranium and adamantium. Captain America received the shield while it was still a prototype. With this new shield, he fought against the Chitauri alongside the Avengers. Before then, he used a triangular shield that he was fond of. The composition of the triangular shield remains unrevealed. It did prove to be effective against the bullets of German soldiers, but was not of practical use when he could use much more advanced technology.
- In the 2021 action comedy 20th Century Fox, the studio producing the film, was acquired by Disney.[42]
Impact
The shield has been used as a promotional symbol associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A model of the shield was sent as a gift by
A model of the shield was also held in a
In Chile, the shield also represents the right-wing political party Republican Party (Partido Republicano). One of those politicians who use the shield is José Antonio Kast, which use the shield back in 2019.[56][57] [58]
References
- ^ Cronin, Brian (July 4, 2006). "Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #58". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on February 14, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
- ^ Orlando: SleuthSayers.org.[self-published source]
- Stern, Roger (w). "The Living Legend!" Captain America, no. 255 (1981). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers #1-4 (June–September 2010), Marvel Comics
- Neary, Paul (p), Janke, Dennnis(i) "Double Dare!" Captain America #255 (March 1981)
- All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #2 (May 2007), Marvel Comics.
- ^ Janke, Dennis (i); "Double Dare!" Captain America #303 (March 1985). Marvel Comics.
- The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #2, (February 1983). p. 22. Marvel Comics.
- ISBN 978-1465455505.
- ^ Lee, Stan; Kirby, Jack (July 1963). "Meet the "Masters of Evil!"". The Avengers (#6): 1–2.
- ^ Lee, Stan; Kirby, Jack (February 1965). "Break-Out in Cell Block 10!". Tales of Suspense (#62): 7.
- ^ Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #3 (July 2007)
- ^ Captain America (vol. 5) #33 (December 2007)
- , no. 7 (December 2011). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (March 16, 2013). "Drawing Crazy Patterns – Captain America's Unbreakable Shield Breaking" Archived August 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Comic Book Resources.
- ^ The Avengers #215–216 (January–February 1982), Marvel Comics
- ^ Secret Wars #11 (March 1985). Marvel Comics
- ^ Infinity Gauntlet #3 (September 1991), Marvel Comics
- ^ Captain America (vol. 3) #22
- ^ Fraction, Matt (w), Immonen, Stuart (p), von Grawbadger, Wade (i). "Brawl" Fear Itself, no. 5 (October 2011). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Fraction, Matt (w), Immonen, Stuart (p), Von Grawbadger, Wade (i). "Thor's Day" Fear Itself, no. 7 (December 2011). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Captain America #332–#351 (1987–1989) Marvel Comics
- ^ Moon Knight (vol. 4) #9 (2012), Marvel Comics
- ^ Captain America: Steve Rogers #1
- ^ "Captain America (Steve Rogers) On Screen Full Report". marvel.com. Marvel Comics. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- .
- ^ Dumaraog, Ana (April 15, 2020). "Captain America Theory: Endgame's Repaired Shield Proves Steve Changed Timelines". screenrant.com. Screen Rant. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Falcon and Winter Soldier FINALLY Has an End-Credits Scene - and It's Chilling". CBR. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "One Eternal Owns Captain America's Original Shield - and It Makes Total Sense". CBR. November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ Elvy, Craig (August 18, 2021). "Every MCU Easter Egg In What If? Episode 2". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Hogg, Trevor (July 27, 2011). "Raising the Shield: The Making of Captain America: The First Avenger". CGSociety.org (Society of Digital Artists). Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ Lovece, Frank (July 15, 2011) [print version July 17, 2011]. "Red, White and True Blue 'Captain America'". Newsday. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 20, 2019). "Kari Skogland To Direct 6-Part 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Miniseries With Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Daniel Bruhl & Emily Van Camp". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ Goldberg, Matt (December 7, 2019). "First Images from 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Arrive at CCXP 2019". Collider. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (March 3, 2021). "'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Star Anthony Mackie Soars to Marvel Leading-Man Status". Variety. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ Perine, Aaron (January 12, 2021). "Anthony Mackie Speaks Out On Who Is Going To Be New Captain America". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- Merino, Jesus (i), Avengers Forever#1-12 (December 1998 - November 1999), Marvel Comics
- ^ Marvel Zombies 3 #1-4 (October 2008 – January 2009), Marvel Comics
- ^ Millar, Mark (w), Hitch, Bryan (a), The Ultimates #1 (March 2002), Marvel Comics
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Avengers vs. New Ultimates#6 (September 2011), Marvel Comics
- ^ Ultimate Nightmare #3 (December 2004), Marvel Comics
- ^ Boone, John (August 13, 2021). "'Free Guy' Director Shawn Levy Talks Chris Evans' Cameo and Mariah Carey (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight.
- ^ "Captain America sends special message to 'hero' boy". BBC Newsround.
- ^ "Chris Evans sending 'Captain America' shield to little boy who saved sister from dog attack". CNN. July 16, 2020.
- ^ "'Pal, you're a hero': Boy, 6, who saved sister from dog attack gets message from Captain America". Sky News.
- ^ "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier celebration splashes Cap's shield across globe". cnet.
- ^ "London Eye becomes Captain America's shield to mark 'The Falcon & The Winter Soldier' release". NME. March 19, 2021.
- ^ "MIT STUDENTS PLAY THEIR OWN ENDGAME AND SUPERSIZE CAPTAIN AMERICA'S SHIELD ONTO SCHOOL'S DOME". SYFY Wire. April 29, 2019.
- ^ "Cover-up: MIT students deck out dome with Captain America shield". CNBC TV 18. April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Fortnite's Fourth Of July Surprise Is An Official Captain America Skin From Marvel, Live Now". Forbes. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ "Councilman Arms Himself With Captain America Shield To Take Oath Of Office". Huffington Post. January 25, 2017.
- ^ "City council swears-in super hero ... kind of". CNN. January 26, 2017.
- ^ "A comic book nerd won a city council seat — and was sworn in holding his Captain America shield". Washington Post.
- ^ "The son of Captain America's co-creator says Capitol Hill rioters misrepresented the superhero". CNN. January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Captain America creator's son hits out at Capitol mob's use of superhero imagery". The Guardian. January 14, 2021.
- ^ "José Antonio Kast celebra: Partido Republicano se constituye legalmente « Diario y Radio Universidad Chile".
- ^ "Partido Republicano de José Antonio Kast se constituye en la Región Metropolitana y apunta a las municipales". September 9, 2020.
- ^ "Por qué José Antonio Kast no es y nunca será el Capitán América". June 10, 2019.