At the end of the blockbuster film Avengers Endgame, audiences saw the Sentinel of Liberty himself Steve Rogers pass on his iconic shield to the next generation. Now the job carrying on the Captain America legacy lies with his former partners Falcon and Winter Soldier. In the Disney + series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier the next chapters of their superhero saga kicks off as they are caught up in a conspiracy involvinga terrorist group called the Flag Smashers as well as Baron Zemo. They also have to contend with John Walker as a usurper to the Cap mantle honing in on their territory. In the midst of all this Sam and Bucky have to find a way to tolerate each other. If you are anxious waiting a week for each episode head down to your local comic shop and pick up some of these stories.
Falcon and Winter Soldier by Derek Landy and Federico Vicentini: With a hit TV coming it only made sense for Marvel Comics to produce a title to capitalize on it. What we got was a series that was far better than a mere tie-in series should be. The two former Captain Americas are reunited after an attempt is made on Bucky's life by someone unafraid of leaving a trail of bodies. With few other options he reunites with his old friend Sam Wilson to get to the bottom of who is trying to kill him. This kicks off an action packed series where the duo have to contend with a HYDRA reforming under the guidance of a child who has bought into their ideology. Federico Vicentini delivers jaw-dropping art in this hit comic which is the perfect tie-in to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Captain America & The Falcon: Madbomb by Jack Kirby: America's bicentenial celebration was here and Captain America's co-creator Jack "King" Kirby returned to the icon at this pivotal moment to tell this now classic story. Cap and Falcon have their friendship tested when they are hit by the effects of a "Madbomb" which drives anyone in the blast radius into a frenzy of insanity. Though the duo endure this tribulation, they discover that this was only a warm-up and the "Big Daddy" Madbomb is on the way with enough power to hit the entire nation. Steve and Sam find themselves facing down the Royalist Forces who are blackmailing the scientist behind the bomb. The bond between Captain America and the Falcon is put through the fire with the entire United States at stake and in the end they partnership came through stronger than ever.
Captain America: Sam Wilson The Complete Collection (volumes 1 & 2) by Rick Remender, Nick Spencer, Dennis Hallum, Carlos Pacheo, Stuart Immonen, Daniel Acuna: During a battle with the Iron Nail, the Super Soldier Serum, which has kept Steve Rogers in peak physical condition, is drained forcing him to pass on his shield. What better candidate to carry on his work than Sam Wilson who has fought by his side as the Falcon for so long. While he seems like the natural heir apparent to the Captain America legacy he finds that dealing with the likes of Batroc the Leaper, Baron Zemo, and HYDRA is even more difficult when the media is filled with right wing pundits accusing him of being a usurper to the shield. While Sam Wilson's time as Captain America may have been brief it gave readers some of the best Cap stories in recent history.
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March by Rick Remender and Roland Boschi: This Cold War thriller pits the Winter Soldier against one of the top agents of SHIELD Ran Shen. Two Nazi scientists draw the attention of both the United States and the Soviet Union who dispatch their top spies to retrieve them. The Winter Soldier has two options in this dangerous mission: bring the scientists back or kill them. Reading like the comic equivalent of a slick 60's spy saga this is easily one of the best Winter Soldier tales.
The Trial of Captain America by Ed Brubaker, Luke Ross, Daniel Acuna, Mike Deodato, Chris Samee, Ed McGuiness, Jackson Guice: During his tenure as Captain America, it was only a matter of time before Bucky Barnes' past as a brainwashed assassin came to light and he would face consequences. His predecessor Steve Rogers is back from the dead and running SHIELD, leaving the former Winter Soldier to continue carrying the star-spangled torch forward. Two of Cap's greatest enemies in Baron Zemo and Sin have joined forces against them. While Bucky confronts his past in the public sphere, the Red Skull puts his own plans into motion.
