Show pageBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== Patriot ====== ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== * **Core Identity:** **Patriot is a legacy mantle inspired by Captain America, most prominently borne by Elijah "Eli" Bradley, the grandson of the first African American Super-Soldier, Isaiah Bradley, who struggles with the weight of his family's history to become a hero in his own right.** * **Key Takeaways:** * **A Legacy Title:** The name "Patriot" has been used by multiple heroes, beginning with Golden Age hero **Jeffrey Mace**, who was so inspired by [[captain_america|Captain America]] that he created his own costumed identity. The most famous modern Patriot is **Elijah Bradley**, who directly inherits a complicated Super-Soldier legacy. A third hero, **Rayshaun Lucas**, also briefly took up the mantle. This makes the identity a symbol of generational heroism. * **The Weight of History:** The story of Patriot, particularly Eli Bradley, is deeply intertwined with the often-hidden history of the Super-Soldier Program. It directly confronts the racial injustices faced by his grandfather, [[isaiah_bradley|Isaiah Bradley]], adding a layer of social commentary and personal conflict rarely seen in similar legacy characters. * **Key Incarnations:** In the [[earth-616|Earth-616]] comics, Elijah Bradley is a founding member and field leader of the [[young_avengers|Young Avengers]], who initially fakes his powers before earning them through a blood transfusion. In the [[marvel_cinematic_universe|Marvel Cinematic Universe]], a young Elijah Bradley has been introduced but has not yet become a hero, while a separate character, Jeffrey Mace, appeared in //Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.// as a government-sanctioned hero using a different serum. ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== ==== Publication History and Creation ==== The mantle of Patriot has a long and storied history in Marvel Comics, reflecting the changing eras in which its bearers were created. The original Patriot, **Jeffrey Mace**, was a product of the Golden Age of comics. He debuted in //The Human Torch// #4 (Spring 1941, though cover-dated Fall 1941), created by writer Ray Gill and artist Bill Everett for Marvel's predecessor, Timely Comics. Mace was one of many patriotic heroes created during World War II to capitalize on the success of Captain America. He was a non-powered hero, a skilled journalist who fought for American ideals. Decades later, in a significant retcon by writer Steve Englehart in the 1970s, Mace was established as the third man to officially become Captain America in the post-war era. The most prominent and widely recognized Patriot is **Elijah "Eli" Bradley**. He was created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung, first appearing in //Young Avengers// #1 (April 2005). Eli's creation was part of a major Marvel initiative to introduce a new generation of heroes in the wake of the devastating //Avengers: Disassembled// storyline. His character was conceived as a direct link to the powerful 2003 miniseries //Truth: Red, White & Black//, which introduced his grandfather, Isaiah Bradley, as a forgotten Super-Soldier. This backstory gave Eli a unique and complex legacy, grounding his heroic journey in themes of history, sacrifice, and racial injustice. A more recent incarnation, **Rayshaun "Shaun" Lucas**, was introduced by writer Nick Spencer and artist Daniel Acuña in //Captain America: Sam Wilson// #19 (April 2017). Rayshaun's creation came during a time when Sam Wilson held the Captain America mantle, and his character represented the next generation of heroes inspired by Wilson's socially conscious brand of patriotism. As an Inhuman and an activist, his version of Patriot tackled more contemporary social issues. ==== In-Universe Origin Story ==== The in-universe origins of the heroes called Patriot are distinct, reflecting the different eras and legacies they represent. === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === **Jeffrey Mace: The Golden Age Original**\ Jeffrey Mace was a talented reporter for the Daily Bugle in the 1940s. A staunch patriot and admirer of the recently debuted Captain America, Mace was inspired by the hero's actions and felt a calling to contribute to the war effort on the home front. Possessing no superhuman abilities, he trained himself to peak physical condition and, donning a costume reminiscent of Captain America's, began fighting crime and saboteurs as the Patriot. He became a founding member of the [[liberty_legion|Liberty Legion]], a team of heroes who protected the United States while the [[invaders|Invaders]] (Captain America, Bucky, and the original Human Torch) fought overseas. His bravery and leadership skills were evident, making him a respected figure in the hero community. After the war and the disappearances of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, the U.S. government sought to continue the symbol of Captain America. After William Naslund (the hero known as the Spirit of '76) was killed in action, Jeffrey Mace was asked to take up the mantle. He agreed, becoming the third official Captain America and operating with Fred Davis as his Bucky. He served with distinction in the post-war [[all-winners_squad|All-Winners Squad]] until his retirement in 1949, later dying of cancer as an old man, with the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, at his bedside. **Elijah Bradley: The Inheritor of a Painful Legacy**\ Elijah Bradley's origin is one of desperation, deception, and ultimately, redemption. He is the grandson of Isaiah Bradley, a U.S. soldier who was one of 300 African American soldiers subjected to horrific, unethical Super-Soldier experiments in the 1940s. Isaiah was one of the few survivors and briefly operated as a clandestine Captain America, but his existence was covered up by the government, and he was unjustly imprisoned and left with severe mental and physical damage. Growing up, Eli was acutely aware of his grandfather's tragic story. When the young hero known as [[iron_lad|Iron Lad]] arrived from the future to assemble a new team of Avengers, he sought out Eli, believing him to have inherited his grandfather's abilities. Desperate to live up to the heroic legacy he felt he deserved, Eli lied, claiming he did have powers. To back up his claim, he began secretly using **Mutant Growth Hormone (MGH)**, a dangerous and illegal street drug that temporarily grants superhuman abilities. As Patriot, he became the pragmatic and often confrontational leader of the [[young_avengers|Young Avengers]]. He designed his own costume, incorporating elements of both Captain America's and his Bucky's uniforms, and initially used a triangular shield similar to Captain America's first. His lie was eventually exposed to his teammates, causing a major rift. However, his genuine courage and willingness to sacrifice himself for others proved his heroic nature. During a massive battle between the Kree, the Skrulls, and the Avengers, Eli was critically wounded protecting Captain America. In a desperate act to save his life, his grandfather Isaiah gave him a blood transfusion. The Super-Soldier Serum still potent in Isaiah's blood bonded with Eli, granting him permanent, genuine Super-Soldier abilities and solidifying his place as the true inheritor of his family's legacy. **Rayshaun Lucas: The Modern Activist**\ Rayshaun "Shaun" Lucas was a young man from Brooklyn who looked up to Sam Wilson during his tenure as Captain America. After being exposed to the Terrigen Mists, Rayshaun was revealed to be an Inhuman, though his specific abilities were not immediately apparent. As an activist, he started a community watch group called the "Bombshells." When a private security force, the Americops, began violently cracking down on his neighborhood, Rayshaun was given a costume and flight suit by the tech genius [[rage|Rage]]. Taking the name Patriot, he fought back against the Americops, becoming a symbol of resistance for his community. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === The identity of Patriot has been adapted into the MCU in two separate, unconnected forms, reflecting different aspects of the comics' legacy. **Jeffrey Mace (Earth-199999)**\ Introduced in Season 4 of the television series //Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.//, Jeffrey Mace (portrayed by Jason O'Mara) was the charismatic and politically savvy new Director of [[shield|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] following the Sokovia Accords. He was publicly presented as an Inhuman hero who gained super-strength while saving a woman during the bombing of the United Nations in Vienna (as seen in //Captain America: Civil War//). He operated in the field with a patriotic, Captain America-inspired tactical suit and a forearm-mounted energy shield. However, it was revealed that his heroic origin was a complete fabrication. Mace was not an Inhuman; he was an ordinary man who had stumbled during the Vienna bombing. The U.S. government, led by General Glenn Talbot, selected him to be the public face of the new S.H.I.E.L.D. to improve public relations. His powers were derived from a serum developed through **Project Patriot**, a refined version of Calvin Zabo's formula that granted temporary, but extreme, super-strength and durability. Mace struggled with the deception and the immense pressure of his role but ultimately proved himself a true hero. He sacrificed his life within the virtual reality of the Framework to save his team and a group of innocent children, crushing himself to death while holding up a collapsing building—a feat of heroism that was entirely his own, without the aid of any serum. **Elijah Bradley (Earth-199999)**\ Elijah Bradley (portrayed by Elijah Richardson) was introduced in the Disney+ series //The Falcon and the Winter Soldier//. In this continuity, he is the grandson of Isaiah Bradley, a Korean War veteran who was given a variant of the Super-Soldier Serum and fought the Winter Soldier. Much like in the comics, Isaiah's history was erased by the government, and he was imprisoned and experimented on for decades. When Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes visit Isaiah's home in Baltimore, they meet a young, protective, and somewhat embittered Elijah. He is fiercely loyal to his grandfather and deeply distrustful of the government and the legacy of Captain America, which he knows was built on his family's suffering. At this point in the MCU timeline, Elijah has not displayed any superhuman abilities nor has he adopted the Patriot mantle. His appearance serves as a crucial setup, introducing the character and his powerful connection to the hidden history of Super-Soldiers. His future as a potential member of a [[young_avengers|Young Avengers]] project remains a strong possibility, but as of now, he is a civilian, guarding his family's painful secret. The contrast is stark: the comics introduced him as a hero from the start, while the MCU is building his foundation as a character before he presumably takes on a heroic role. ===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality ===== === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === The capabilities of those who have called themselves Patriot vary significantly, from peak-level human skill to genuine superhuman power. **Jeffrey Mace** * **Peak Human Condition:** Through rigorous, intensive training, Mace achieved a physical condition comparable to an Olympic-level athlete in all areas: strength, speed, stamina, agility, and reflexes. * **Master Martial Artist:** He was a highly proficient hand-to-hand combatant and an expert boxer. His fighting style was practical and efficient, allowing him to defeat numerous armed opponents. * **Expert Tactician and Leader:** Mace's greatest asset was his mind. He was a natural leader and a brilliant strategist, skills he honed leading the Liberty Legion and later the All-Winners Squad as Captain America. * **Equipment:** As Patriot, he wielded a steel, kite-shaped shield similar to Captain America's original design. As Captain America, he used one of the official, near-indestructible Vibranium-steel alloy shields. **Elijah "Eli" Bradley**\ Eli's powerset has a unique two-stage history. **Phase 1: MGH-Enhanced Abilities** * **Artificial Superhumanity:** Through the use of [[mutant_growth_hormone|Mutant Growth Hormone (MGH)]], Eli could temporarily grant himself superhuman abilities. These included: * **Superhuman Strength:** Capable of lifting several tons. * **Superhuman Speed & Agility:** Able to outrun vehicles and perform complex acrobatic maneuvers. * **Superhuman Durability:** Able to withstand impacts that would severely injure a normal human. * **Weaknesses:** The powers were temporary and addictive. Overuse or a flawed batch of MGH could lead to physical and mental breakdown, as seen when he overdosed and was briefly taken down by his own teammates. **Phase 2: Super-Soldier Physiology** * **Genuine Super-Soldier:** After the blood transfusion from his grandfather, Isaiah Bradley, Eli's body was permanently enhanced by the Super-Soldier Serum. His abilities are now innate and on par with those of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes. * **Superhuman Strength:** His strength allows him to lift approximately 10 tons. He can easily bend steel bars and overpower multiple opponents. * **Superhuman Speed:** He can run at sustained speeds of over 60 miles per hour. * **Superhuman Stamina:** His musculature produces almost no fatigue toxins, allowing him to operate at peak capacity for hours on end. * **Superhuman Durability:** His body is highly resistant to impact, bullets, and extreme temperatures. * **Enhanced Healing Factor:** He can heal from injuries like broken bones and severe tissue damage much faster than an ordinary human. * **Enhanced Agility & Reflexes:** His coordination and reaction time are enhanced to the pinnacle of human potential. * **Master Tactician & Leader:** Even before gaining permanent powers, Eli was the Young Avengers' field leader. He is a skilled strategist, able to formulate effective plans under extreme pressure. * **Expert Shield Fighter & Martial Artist:** Trained by Captain America and inspired by his grandfather, Eli is a formidable combatant. He is highly proficient in using a shield for both offensive and defensive purposes, combining it with a brawling and acrobatic fighting style. * **Equipment:** * **Original Shield:** Eli's first shield was a triangular, kite-shaped shield modeled after Captain America's original 1940s shield. * **Captain America's Original Shield:** After his first shield was destroyed, Eli was gifted the original, unmodified triangular shield of Steve Rogers by Bucky Barnes. He carried this iconic piece of history for a significant portion of his career. * **Costume:** His costume is a fire-resistant, lightly armored uniform incorporating design elements from Captain America, Bucky, and his grandfather's uniform. **Personality**\ Eli Bradley is defined by his fierce loyalty and a pragmatic, sometimes cynical, worldview shaped by his family's history. He is initially driven by a deep-seated insecurity and a desire to live up to a legacy he feels he doesn't deserve, leading to his deception with MGH. After earning his powers, he matures into a confident and decisive leader, though he retains a protective and occasionally short-tempered nature. He is the grounded, realistic heart of the often idealistic Young Avengers. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === **Jeffrey Mace** * **Serum-Enhanced Physiology:** Through periodic injections from Project Patriot, Mace gained temporary superhuman abilities. * **Superhuman Strength:** His strength was immense, comparable to that of a full-fledged Super-Soldier like Steve Rogers. He was able to hold up a collapsing section of a building and physically overpower multiple LMDs (Life Model Decoys). * **Superhuman Durability:** The serum made him highly resistant to physical damage. * **Skilled Combatant:** Even without powers, Mace was a trained S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, proficient in tactical operations and hand-to-hand combat. * **Equipment:** He wore a specialized S.H.I.E.L.D. tactical suit and wielded a forearm-mounted energy shield. His "Patriot" callsign was also the name of his private transport jet. * **Comparative Analysis:** The MCU's Mace is a significant departure from his comic book counterpart. While the Earth-616 version was a normal human who became a symbol through sheer will, the MCU version was an ordinary man //given// powers to //create// a symbol. This thematic inversion highlights the MCU's focus on manufactured heroes and the politics of public image. **Elijah Bradley** * **Normal Human Physiology:** As of his appearance in //The Falcon and the Winter Soldier//, Elijah Bradley has demonstrated no superhuman abilities or specialized skills. He is a normal teenager. * **Personality:** He is shown to be highly protective of his grandfather and carries a heavy burden of knowledge about his family's mistreatment. This has made him cynical and wary of outsiders, especially those connected to the Captain America legacy. His character is defined by this inherited trauma and distrust, setting the stage for a potentially complex heroic journey if he ever takes up the Patriot mantle. ===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network ===== Elijah Bradley's journey is shaped by his deep connections to family, teammates, and mentors. ==== Core Allies ==== * **[[isaiah_bradley|Isaiah Bradley]]:** Eli's grandfather and the source of his entire legacy. Their relationship is complex, defined by love, pain, and unspoken history. Isaiah's suffering is Eli's primary motivation, first driving him to lie about his powers to redeem the family name, and later serving as the very source of his genuine abilities. Isaiah's eventual recognition by Sam Wilson and the world is a moment of profound catharsis for Eli. * **[[kate_bishop|Kate Bishop (Hawkeye)]]:** Eli's teammate in the Young Avengers and his primary romantic interest. Their relationship is a slow burn, built on mutual respect, witty banter, and shared leadership duties. Kate is often the one who can break through Eli's guarded exterior, and he, in turn, helps ground her more impulsive nature. They serve as co-leaders of the team, with Eli as the strategist and Kate as the inspirational marksman. * **[[wiccan|Billy Kaplan (Wiccan)]] & [[hulkling|Teddy Altman (Hulkling)]]:** As founding members of the Young Avengers, Billy and Teddy are Eli's closest friends and confidantes. He is fiercely protective of them. Despite his initial skepticism about their relationship, he becomes one of their staunchest defenders. They form the core trio of the team, with their differing personalities and power sets creating a balanced and effective unit. * **[[bucky_barnes|Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier)]]:** Bucky acts as a mentor figure for Eli. Having also been a partner to Captain America, Bucky understands the weight of that legacy. In a pivotal moment, Bucky gives Eli Steve Rogers's original triangular shield, a gesture that signifies his belief in Eli as a worthy successor to the ideals Captain America represents. ==== Arch-Enemies ==== * **[[kang_the_conqueror|Kang the Conqueror]]:** The primary antagonist for the original Young Avengers. The team was initially formed by a teenage version of Kang (as Iron Lad) to stop his future self. As a result, Kang views the team, and by extension its leader Patriot, as a personal affront and a threat to his timeline. Their battles are not just physical but ideological, pitting the hope of youth against the cynicism of destiny. * **[[doctor_doom|Doctor Doom]]:** During the //Children's Crusade// storyline, the Young Avengers find themselves in conflict with Doctor Doom as they search for the Scarlet Witch. Doom's overwhelming power and manipulative nature prove to be one of the greatest threats the team has ever faced, pushing Eli and his friends to their absolute limits. * **Himself (Internal Conflict):** For a significant part of his career, Eli's greatest enemy was his own insecurity. His dependence on MGH and the lies he told his team created a deep internal conflict that threatened to destroy him and the trust he had built. Overcoming this personal demon was his first and most important victory as a hero. ==== Affiliations ==== * **[[young_avengers|Young Avengers]]:** This is Patriot's primary and defining affiliation. He is a founding member and the team's original field leader. His tactical mind and no-nonsense attitude were essential in shaping the group of disparate young heroes into a cohesive and effective fighting force. His entire character arc is intrinsically linked to his history with this team. * **[[secret_avengers|Secret Avengers]]:** During the first Superhuman Civil War, Patriot and the Young Avengers refused to register with the government. They joined Captain America's underground resistance movement, which came to be known as the Secret Avengers. Eli fought alongside his idols, proving his commitment to his principles even when it meant becoming an outlaw. ===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines ===== Elijah Bradley's career as Patriot is defined by several key story arcs that tested his leadership, his morality, and his physical limits. ==== Young Avengers: Sidekicks (Vol. 1, 2005) ==== This is the foundational storyline that introduces Eli and the original Young Avengers. The arc revolves around the mystery of who these new heroes are and their connection to the classic Avengers. For Patriot, the central conflict is his secret use of MGH. He presents himself as the seasoned, tough-as-nails leader, but this persona is a facade to hide his lack of natural powers. The story culminates in his secret being exposed after he's injured and his MGH use is revealed by Kate Bishop. This event forces him to confront his lies and proves his heroism is not dependent on powers, as he continues to fight alongside his team. It establishes his core character flaw and his greatest strength: his unwavering determination. ==== Civil War (2006-2007) ==== When the Superhuman Registration Act is passed, Patriot leads the Young Avengers in siding with Captain America without hesitation. This storyline solidifies his ideological alignment with Steve Rogers's principles of freedom and personal responsibility. He plays a key role in several battles, demonstrating his strategic acumen against more experienced heroes. A critical moment comes when he confronts his grandfather, Isaiah, who urges him to abandon the fight, fearing Eli will suffer the same fate he did at the hands of the U.S. government. Eli's decision to continue fighting is a defining act of defiance, choosing to believe in the ideal of Captain America even when his own family history proves how easily it can be corrupted. He is ultimately arrested along with the other Secret Avengers. ==== The Children's Crusade (2010-2012) ==== This epic storyline is arguably the most significant for Patriot's personal journey. While helping Wiccan search for his mother, the [[scarlet_witch|Scarlet Witch]], the team is drawn into a massive conflict involving the Avengers, the X-Men, and Doctor Doom. During a battle, Patriot is severely wounded by a Kree soldier's energy blast. Near death, he is rushed back to a hospital where the only person who can save him is his grandfather. Isaiah Bradley provides a life-saving blood transfusion, and the Super-Soldier Serum in his blood permanently transforms Eli, granting him the powers he had once only pretended to have. The event brings his journey full circle, making his legacy a biological reality. However, following the emotionally and physically draining events of the crusade, Eli decides to retire from being a hero and moves with his mother to Scottsdale, Arizona, believing he has earned a normal life. This marks his departure from the team he helped create, ending a major chapter of his life. ===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions ===== While Elijah Bradley is the primary Patriot, variations of the concept and characters have appeared in other media. * **Jeffrey Mace (Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes):** In this acclaimed animated series, Jeffrey Mace as the Golden Age Patriot appears in the episode "Meet Captain America." He is shown fighting alongside Captain America and Bucky as a member of the Invaders during World War II, a slight alteration from the comics' Liberty Legion. * **Rayshaun Lucas (Marvel's Avengers - Video Game):** The Rayshaun Lucas version of Patriot plays a significant role in the story of the 2020 //Marvel's Avengers// video game. He is introduced as a young Inhuman activist and a key member of the Resistance fighting against A.I.M. He works closely with the Avengers and is later depicted in concept art as having taken on the full Patriot identity, complete with a shield and costume, serving as a leader in the post-campaign world. * **Patriot (Marvel Future Fight):** The Rayshaun Lucas version of Patriot is a playable character in the popular mobile game. His skill set reflects his comic book abilities, including enhanced strength and the use of his high-tech shield and wingsuit. ===== See Also ===== * [[captain_america]] * [[isaiah_bradley]] * [[young_avengers]] * [[mutant_growth_hormone]] * [[kang_the_conqueror]] * [[kate_bishop]] * [[civil_war_event]] ===== Notes and Trivia ===== ((Eli Bradley's original costume and triangular shield are a direct homage to the Golden Age Patriot, Jeffrey Mace, connecting the two versions of the character thematically.)) ((The creators of the Young Avengers, Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, intended for Patriot and Hulkling to originally have a rivalry over their feelings for Wiccan, but this was dropped early in development in favor of focusing on the Billy/Teddy relationship.)) ((Jeffrey Mace's death from cancer in //Captain America// #289 (1984) was a poignant story where he "suited up" as Captain America one last time in his mind, dying a hero's death with Steve Rogers present.)) ((The miniseries //Truth: Red, White & Black// (2003), which introduced Isaiah Bradley, was a retroactive continuity (retcon) addition to Marvel history, serving as a powerful allegory for the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Eli Bradley's existence is a direct narrative consequence of this retcon.)) ((In the MCU's //Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.//, Project Patriot, the source of Jeffrey Mace's powers, was derived from the formula created by Calvin Zabo, the villain known as Mister Hyde and the father of Daisy "Quake" Johnson.)) ((Despite retiring at the end of //The Children's Crusade//, Eli Bradley has made occasional cameo appearances, including attending the wedding of his teammates Wiccan and Hulkling in the //Empyre// crossover event.))