Samuel “Sam” Wilson, as the Falcon, soared into the Marvel Universe in Captain America #117 (September 1969). He holds the distinct honor of being mainstream American comics' first African American superhero.1) He was co-created by the legendary writer Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan.
The creation of Sam Wilson occurred during a pivotal time in American history. The Civil Rights Movement had brought issues of race and equality to the forefront of the national conversation, and Marvel Comics, under Lee's direction, sought to reflect the changing world in its pages. The Falcon was a direct result of this effort, providing a hero that a significant portion of the audience could see themselves in. Colan designed the original green-and-orange costume, which has since evolved, but the core visual of a winged hero has remained. Sam Wilson quickly became an integral part of Captain America's world, eventually becoming his official partner and even sharing the comic's title, which was renamed Captain America and the Falcon from issue #134 to #222, a testament to his immediate popularity and importance.
The origin of Sam Wilson is one of the most significant points of divergence between the comic book canon and the cinematic universe, reflecting different storytelling priorities and eras.
Sam Wilson's comic book origin is complex, layered, and has been subject to a major retcon that re-contextualized his entire history. He grew up in Harlem, New York. His father, a minister, was killed trying to break up a neighborhood fight, and his mother was murdered by a mugger two years later. Grief and anger drove a young Sam down a dark path. He adopted the persona of “Snap” Wilson, a professional criminal, racketeer, and gang member operating in Los Angeles.
On his way to a mob deal in Rio de Janeiro, his plane crashed on a remote Caribbean island called Exile Island. This island was secretly controlled by a group of former Nazis led by Captain America's arch-nemesis, the Red Skull. The Skull was in possession of the reality-altering Cosmic Cube. To create a perfect weapon to use against Steve Rogers, the Red Skull used the Cube to manipulate “Snap” Wilson. He erased Sam's memories of his criminal past and mentally fused him with a falcon he had purchased, Redwing, creating a powerful psychic link between them. The Red Skull's plan was to mold Wilson into an idealized “noble savage” whom Captain America would train as a partner, only for the Skull to later trigger his sleeper programming and force him to betray his new mentor.
Steve Rogers, also on Exile Island, encountered Sam and encouraged him to adopt a heroic persona to inspire the local islanders to fight back against the Skull's Exiles. They created the costumed identity of the Falcon together. After defeating the Red Skull, Sam returned to Harlem with Captain America, becoming his crime-fighting partner.
For years, this “Snap” Wilson history was considered Sam's true past. However, in Captain America #186 (1975), the Red Skull's manipulation via the Cosmic Cube was revealed. It was established that the “Snap” Wilson persona was a complete fabrication created by the Skull. Sam's true history was that of an upstanding Harlem social worker who had been lured to Exile Island and had his personality and memories rewritten. This retcon solidified Sam's heroic nature, framing his criminal past as a villain's cruel fiction and affirming that his inherent nobility was genuine. This psychic link to Redwing, and by extension all birds, remains a cornerstone of his comic book abilities.
The MCU provides a far more grounded and modern origin for Sam Wilson, completely eschewing the Cosmic Cube, memory manipulation, and any hint of a criminal past. This version of Sam Wilson, first introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), is a former United States Air Force Pararescueman who served two tours of duty. He retired from active service after his wingman, Riley, was tragically killed in action during a mission using the experimental EXO-7 Falcon winged flight suit.
After leaving the military, Sam dedicated himself to helping other veterans readjust to civilian life, leading a support group for those suffering from PTSD at a VA hospital in Washington, D.C. It is here that he first meets Steve Rogers, who is struggling to find his place in the 21st century. The two bond over their shared military experiences and the difficulties of being a “soldier out of time.”
When HYDRA's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. is revealed and Captain America becomes a fugitive, Sam is the first person Steve turns to for help. Without hesitation, Sam offers his support, retrieving his old EXO-7 Falcon suit from Fort Meade. His motivation is clear and personal: he trusts Steve's judgment and is committed to doing the right thing, regardless of the personal risk. His expertise is not a result of superpowers, but of elite training and cutting-edge military technology. This origin establishes him not as a sidekick, but as a peer and a highly competent ally from the very beginning, a crucial foundation for his eventual evolution into Captain America.
Sam Wilson is defined by his unwavering loyalty, compassion, and powerful moral compass. He is often the heart of his team and serves as Steve Rogers' most trusted confidant. His background as a social worker is central to his character; he is driven by a deep-seated need to help people, not just by fighting supervillains, but by addressing systemic issues on the ground. He is patient, empathetic, and possesses a quiet determination that makes him a natural leader. When he takes on the Captain America role, he is acutely aware of the symbol's weight and the societal challenges he faces, approaching the job with a fierce dedication to justice for all.
Sam Wilson in the MCU possesses no inherent superhuman abilities. His capabilities are derived from his peak physical condition and extensive, specialized training.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes arranges for the Dora Milaje to create a new suit for Sam. This suit is made with Vibranium, offering vastly superior durability. The wings are more advanced and robust, and the overall design incorporates elements of both the Falcon suit and Captain America's uniform.Avengers: Endgame. After a period of doubt, he fully embraces it. It is made of pure Vibranium and he quickly masters its use, combining it with his wings for a unique and devastatingly effective combat style.
The MCU's Sam Wilson is pragmatic, loyal, and possesses a wry, relatable sense of humor. His military background heavily informs his worldview. He is a “soldier's soldier” who trusts the man, not the rank. His defining characteristic is his deep empathy, shown in his work with veterans. His journey in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is one of profound self-discovery. He wrestles with the complex legacy of the shield and what it means for a Black man to represent a country that has historically failed to protect its Black citizens. He is thoughtful and introspective, ultimately deciding to take up the mantle not to honor the past, but to fight for a better future, making his version of Captain America a powerful symbol of progress and accountability.
Captain America: Civil War and a complex, manipulative anti-hero in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, whose ideological opposition to superheroes directly challenges Sam's new role.The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. While an enemy, she is also a tragic and sympathetic figure. Her anti-nationalist goals and fight for displaced refugees force Sam to confront the real-world consequences of superhero actions and the gray areas of his new mission. He empathizes with her cause even as he must stop her methods.Avengers #184. He eventually becomes the leader of the team during his tenure as Captain America. In the MCU, he officially becomes an Avenger in Avengers: Age of Ultron and later leads a new faction of the team alongside Steve Rogers after the events of Civil War.During this seminal storyline, Captain America and the Falcon investigate the mysterious Secret Empire, uncovering a conspiracy that reached the highest echelons of the United States government. 2) Sam was instrumental in this investigation, serving as Steve's unwavering partner. The final reveal that the leader of the conspiracy was a high-ranking government official (heavily implied to be the President of the United States) so thoroughly disillusioned Steve that he abandoned the Captain America identity. Sam's role was critical, not just in the field, but in supporting Steve through one of his darkest moments.
Following an attack by the villain Iron Nail that neutralized the Super-Soldier Serum in his body, Steve Rogers aged rapidly into an old man. Unable to continue in the field, he hand-picked his most trusted friend, Sam Wilson, to take up the shield and mantle. This series explored Sam's challenging transition. He faced public skepticism, criticism from those who didn't think he was worthy, and the immense pressure of the legacy. As Captain America, Sam's focus was different from Steve's; he was more politically and socially active, tackling issues of gentrification, police brutality, and institutional racism, proving that the shield could be a symbol for a different kind of fight.
This event saw a Cosmic Cube-altered Steve Rogers reveal himself as a secret Hydra sleeper agent, taking over the United States. For Sam Wilson, this was a devastating betrayal. Having given up the Captain America mantle due to public backlash, he was forced back into action, becoming a leader of the underground resistance. This storyline tested his faith in the symbol and the man he once revered. He operated a network to smuggle innocent people out of the Hydra-controlled country, proving his heroism was never tied to a costume. His eventual stand against the Hydra Supreme Commander was a pivotal moment in the event.
This Disney+ series serves as Sam's definitive origin story as Captain America in the MCU. Initially feeling the legacy is not his to carry, he donates the shield to a museum. The government's decision to give the shield to a new, unstable Captain America (John Walker) forces Sam to confront his own doubts. The series masterfully weaves in the story of Isaiah Bradley, a Black super-soldier who was experimented on and erased from history, forcing Sam (and the audience) to grapple with the fraught history of the symbol. His journey is about accepting that he cannot be Steve Rogers, but that he can be a new kind of Captain America—one who acknowledges the country's flaws while fighting for its promise. His final speech, broadcast to the world, redefines the mantle for the modern era.
Captain America #164 (1973), Sam was briefly transformed into a werewolf after being bitten by a one-time Captain America who had been similarly afflicted. This transformation was temporary and is often regarded as one of the stranger moments in his history.Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where Steve Rogers tells him, “I don't know what I would have done without you.” This established the deep trust that would culminate in the passing of the shield.