Times may change in the Marvel Universe, but Captain America has been blessed with one of the most long-lasting and iconic uniforms of any superhero in history. But before anyone assumes they know the meaning of the costume worn by Steve Rogers as leader of the Avengers, a completely separate hero’s story must be told. The first “Captain” who fought for America’s values, and whose descendant would one day take up his mission AND his costume design.
The First ‘Captain America’ Uniform Was Making Fun of Americans
The Insult To Independence Became A Disguise For Steve’s Ancestor
Before anyone grows confused, this is certainly not a case of an alternate version of Captain America, plucked from somewhere across Marvel’s vast Multiverse of parallel realities. But when artist Jack Kirby sketched out a hypothetical, asking readers of Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles (1976) to imagine what Cap would’ve looked like if he had fought in the War of Independece, the colonial costume was as far as he got.
But the creative team of Roger Stern, Ron Frenz, and Roger Langridge decided there was a story to be told, and the tale of Steve Rogers I began. As revealed in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (1998), the modern day Steve’s ancestor was a hero in the American Revolution And a man trusted for unique missions, including one which saw him tasked with infiltrating a wealthy loyalist’s gala.
A loyalist so despicable, he had a costume commissioned for the sake of ridiculing their American patriot neighbors. Captain America has had some ridiculous costumes, but in this case, an embodiment of ‘United States of America’ was intended to be a laughable display, and fate intervened.
Donning the costume created by the host to mock the Americans seeking independence from Great Britain, Captain Rogers (a real military rank) delivered a victory as fantastic as any comic book superhero.
The diary detailing the Captain’s exploits firsthand, a treasured Rogers family heirloom, were also of interest to the general overseeing Steve’s super-soldier training. And the same went for the sketches Steve was ideally making from his ancestor’s notes, trying to envision the incredible costume he wore in the name of American freedom.
The Captain America Identity & Suit Was Literally Copied From Captain Rogers
And Based On Steve’s Own “What If?” Sketches of His Heroic Ancestor
The idea planted within the military leadership obviously became impossible to resist, and the opportunity was siezed to recreate the legacy and patriotism of Captain Steve Rogers I, a war hero who had never claimed any moniker or codename besides his own. Believing that the times ahead would call for a similar symbol, and a similar example to follow, Steve’s commanding officer had the Captain America uniform commissioned from his own designs.
Even if comic book fans had never wondered as to the origins, designer, or secret tradition behind Captain America’s uniform, the family legacy alive within it only adds to the symbols at play. He may not have been an official Captain America, but the man for whom Steve Rogers was named was directly responsible for the hero existing in the first place.
- First Appearance
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Captain America Comics
- Alias
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Steve Rogers, John Walker, Sam Wilson
- Alliance
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Avengers, Invaders, S.H.I.E.L.D., U.S. Army
- Race
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Human
- Franchise
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Marvel
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