The culture is changing.
And with those whisking winds, entertainment takes on a much different look than that of yesteryear.
For no better example, consider the recent move of 80-year-old Marvel Comics.
As reported by Bleeding Cool, the company’s issuing a brand new Captain America via its series The United States of Captain America.
The new Cap’s name is Aaron Fischer, and — unlike any Captain before him — he’s gay.
In the series — created by writer Christopher Catwell — well-known Captain America Steve Rogers will team up with Captain Americas from the past.
Old-school Caps will include Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, and John Walker.
The group will travel across America in search of Steve’s stolen shield.
Along the way, they’ll come upon citizens who’ve taken up the Captain America name in order to defend their local communities.
Encounter #1: Aaron Fischer.
Marvel’s description of him: “the Captain America of the Railways – a fearless teen who stepped up to protect fellow runaways and the unhoused.”
Marvel Comics' new Captain America is an openly gay teen and he'll make his debut this June to commemorate Pride Month. https://t.co/xuu4ucBSgF pic.twitter.com/kXVKd5HGex
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) March 15, 2021
In a statement, the comics giant promoted pride — the release will coincide with Pride Month:
Marvel Comics is proud to honor Pride Month with the rise of this new LGBTQ+ hero.
Writer Joshua Trujillo pumped up the cool and contemporary Cap:
“Aaron is inspired by heroes of the queer community: activists, leaders, and everyday folks pushing for a better life. He stands for the oppressed, and the forgotten. I hope his debut story resonates with readers and helps inspire the next generation of heroes.”
Progress is nothing new for Marvel.
In January 2019, Captain America renounced…America.
From The Hollywood Reporter’s summary at the time:
Steve Rogers surrenders to authorities after becoming the prime suspect in the death of long-running Marvel Comics supporting character Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, in the process seemingly leaving behind his costumed identity.
[…]
“How can I claim to serve my country when I constantly oppose it? How can I carry this shield and fight the government that entrusted me with it?” he asks, as he prepares to surrender. “Freedom. Democracy. The right of people to choose. This is the world they’ve chosen. This is the world they wanted.” In subsequent narration, Rogers notes that “charlatans had claimed the dream.”
And in December, comic book fans witnessed Guardians of the Galaxy character Star-Lord — played by Chris Pratt in the films — come out as bisexual.
Perhaps most notably, last April saw the introduction of the decisively woke New Warriors.
Among the justice team: psychic twins Snowflake and Safespace.
Marvel announces new non-binary superheroes: Snowflake and Safespace
'It's this idea that these are terms that get thrown around on the internet that they don't see as derogatory … and kind of wear them as badges of honor'
(via @Marvel | https://t.co/sdn7y3ji1q) pic.twitter.com/aNLomxAzME
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) March 18, 2020
Back to the Prideful Captain America, transgender artist Jan Bazaldua — who’s illustrating — is stoked:
“I want to thank Editor Alanna Smith and Joshua Trujillo very much for asking me to create Aaron. I really enjoyed designing him, and as a transgender person, I am happy to be able to present an openly gay person who admires Captain America and fights against evil to help those who are almost invisible to society. While I was drawing him, I thought, well, Cap fights against super-powerful beings and saves the world almost always, but Aaron helps those who walk alone in the street with problems that they face every day. I hope people like the end result!”
Prepare to meet America’s new Captain on June 2nd, 2021.
-ALEX
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Man Robs Bank to Pay Dealership for New BMW, Uses Dealership Loaner as Getaway Car
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