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"This job... we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody, but if we can't find a way to live with that, next time maybe nobody can be saved."
Captain Steven "Steve" Grant Rogers is a Super Soldier World War II veteran and was the world's first superhero. After a top secret Super-Soldier program transformed the frail Steve Rogers into the powerful and heroic Captain America, his amazing World War II exploits made him a living legend. Rogers attacked multiple HYDRA quarters with his Howling Commandos, to the dismay of the Red Skull. Rogers helped the Allies win the war, but crashed into the Arctic during his final mission. Awakening in the modern day, Rogers learned that he had spent 67 years trapped in the glacial ice.
Steven Rogers found himself alone in a modern world that he hardly recognized. When Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency S.H.I.E.L.D., called on Rogers to help save the world again, he quickly suited up as Captain America, taking his iconic shield and bringing his strength, leadership, and no-nonsense attitude to the Avengers in the Chitauri Invasion.
After fighting alongside the Avengers, Rogers became a dedicated S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and completed many operations with fellow agent Black Widow, who was also a member of the Avengers. Along with Maria Hill and Falcon, they destroyed Project Insight. After the HYDRA Uprising, he went off on his own to search for his friend Bucky Barnes, with the help of Sam Wilson. In the midst of his quest, Rogers reassembled with the Avengers, working to bring down what was left of HYDRA, and made use of his leadership skills once again in the battle against the psychotic artificial intelligence, Ultron. Unlike most members of the original Avengers, Rogers remained as a member and the leader of the second incarnation of the team after the Ultron Offensive.
In response to the massive loss of life caused by the Avengers, Captain America was ordered by Thaddeus Ross to sign the Sokovia Accords which would force the Avengers to have to operate under the rule of a governing body. Rogers and Tony Stark strongly disagreed on the issue and when the Winter Soldier became a target, Rogers directly disobeyed his orders to protect his friend. This action began the Avengers Civil War in which Rogers and a small team fought against Iron Man's team to protect or capture Barnes, eventually learning that Helmut Zemo was behind the devastation. When Stark learned that the Winter Soldier had killed his parents, Rogers was forced to hide Barnes in Wakanda with Black Panther and go on the run.
Steven Grant Rogers was born on July 4, 1918, to Sarah and Joseph Rogers in Brooklyn, New York City. Before Rogers was born, his father Joseph was confirmed to be killed in action in World War I. At a young age he met James "Bucky" Barnes, who became his best friend.[2] Rogers was attacked by bullies in the streets. However, Rogers' resilience, despite his small stature, inspired a young James Barnes to come to his aid and fight off the bullies, and the two became good friends.[3]
In 1936, Rogers, now eighteen, discovered his mother had died of tuberculosis.[5] She was later buried next to her husband. After the funeral, Rogers talked to Bucky Barnes, who offered to try and help him get a job, but Rogers said he could get by on his own. Barnes told him he didn't have to and, placing a comforting hand on Rogers' shoulder, promised that he would be with him 'til the end of the line. Rogers held this statement close to his heart for years.[6]
World War II
Training with Bucky
"Do you want to kill Nazis?" "I don't want to kill anyone, but I don't like bullies; I don't care where they're from."
Rogers and Barnes learned during an art class that the United States of America entered World War II. Rogers wanted to join the United States Army to fight in Europe against the Nazis, so Bucky trained him for two weeks at Goldie's Boxing Gym. Soon Bucky and Steve went to a US Recruiting and Induction Center in New York City where Steve was classified as 4F and rejected from service, but Bucky later enlisted in the Army.[7]
In New York City, December 1941, Steve Rogers continued to be rejected for military duty, despite making multiple attempts at different enlistment offices, due to his various health and physical issues. He remained determined to fight alongside his friends and other men overseas and would attempt to convince the doctors to give him a chance, to no avail.
Disappointed, he went to a local cinema. At the screening, an advert was played showing the different ways soldiers and civilians can help with the war effort. Another man in the cinema yelled at the screen and disrespected the message of the film. Rogers was the only person to stand up to the bully, who brought him outside and beat him up. Steve was later helped by his friend Bucky Barnes, who chased off the bully.
In an attempt to cheer up his friend, Barnes convinced Rogers to attend an exhibition of future technologies with him and two beautiful girls. As they explored the Expo, Rogers saw Howard Stark demonstrate his flying car prototype, which promptly crashed to the ground. Rogers, a shy man, was awkward around the girls. When he saw an enlistment office, Rogers snuck off and attempted to enlist again. Barnes found Rogers and tried to convince him not to enlist again in case he was arrested for lying on his enlistment form again, but Rogers insisted that he needed to fight for his country.
Having overheard Rogers' conversation with Barnes about wanting to help in the war, Dr. Abraham Erskine approached Rogers. Erskine asked Rogers if he wished to go over seas and kill Nazis, but Rogers assured that he did not wish to kill anyone; he simply did not like bullies no matter where they were from. Impressed by this answer, Erskine decided to enlist Rogers as a candidate of Project Rebirth, a "super-soldier" experiment being conducted by the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
Rogers agreed and under the supervision of Dr. Erskine, Colonel Chester Phillips and Agent Peggy Carter, he travelled to Camp Lehigh to begin his training. Rogers trained hard but was often mocked and bullied by the other soldiers, including a particularly cruel bully named Gilmore Hodge. Yet his determination and quick thinking often made him stand out from the group. Colonel Phillips was unconvinced of Erskine's claims that Rogers was the right person for the procedure but relented after seeing Rogers commit an act of self-sacrificing bravery.
The night before the treatment, Erskine revealed to Rogers that his first test subject, the Nazi officer Johann Schmidt, underwent an imperfect version of the treatment; becoming super-human but suffering negative side-effects due to his inner ambition for power and obsession with becoming a "superior man". However, he reassured Rogers that he chose him because he was inherently a good man and one that because he had been weak his whole life, would not lose respect for the strength he would gain. They promised to share a drink after the treatment.
Schmidt, having discovered Erskine's location, dispatched an assassin to kill him. In America, Rogers was escorted to a secret facility by Peggy Carter. As they drove together, Rogers pointed out many of the locations where he had been beaten up in the past. He and Carter talked about how it felt to be picked on and ignored for something they could not change; Rogers for his height and Carter for her gender. Despite Rogers' awkwardness in speaking to her, Carter was charmed by Rogers' sincerity and good moral values.
Once there, Doctor Abraham Erskine greeted Rogers and Carter while Howard Stark prepped the machinery and Chester Phillips watched from a safe distance with various Generals and Senators. Once Rogers was strapped into the machine, Erskine gave a short speech to the people watching before subjecting Rogers to the super-soldier treatment, injecting him with a special serum and dosing him with Vita Radiation.
Steve Rogers after Project Rebirth.
Although the treatment was extremely painful, Rogers told the scientists to keep going and he emerged from the experiment with a greatly enhanced physique. Rogers went from being 5'4" tall and weighing 94 pounds, to being 6'2" and weighing 240 lbs. Peggy Carter was the first to greet Rogers as he stepped out. When she asked how he felt, the awestruck Rogers could only comment that he felt taller. Shortly after the experiment, one of the attendees shot and killed Erskine, revealing himself as Johann Schmidt's assassin, Heinz Kruger. The assassin stole the last vial of Super Soldier Serum before escaping.
Rogers captures Abraham Erskine's assassin
Rogers ran to Erskine's aid but there was nothing he could do. Erskine pointed to Rogers' heart, reminding him of their earlier conversation, and died. Rogers pursued Kruger on foot, while Kruger drove away in a stolen taxi. Due to his enhanced physicality Rogers was able to catch up with Kruger and caused the taxi to crash. When Kruger tried to escape in a HYDRA submarine, Rogers dove into the water after him and captured Kruger, but the assassin smashed the Super Soldier Serum and committed suicide via cyanide pill before he could be interrogated.
With Dr. Abraham Erskine dead, the super-soldier formula was lost. Blood samples were taken in hopes to replicate the formula. Out of twelve, one was given to Howard Stark.[8] Rather than be confined to a lab while scientists attempted to rediscover Erskine's formula, Rogers tried to convince Chester Phillips to allow him to serve overseas, but Phillips refused, noting that he was not the army he had wanted. However, Senator Brandt approached Rogers and offered him the chance to serve his country on the "most important battlefield of the war".[2]
Working for the USO
Steve Rogers tours America as the colorful mascot known as "Captain America"
"At least he's got me doing this. Philips would've had me stuck in a lab." "And these are your only two options? A lab rat or a dancing monkey?"
Rather than serve overseas on the battlefield however, Brandt had Rogers tour the nation in a colorful costume as "Captain America". Rogers regretfully agreed, with his job being to promote war bonds for the Treasury Department and encourage American participation in the war. Rogers found performing difficult and awkward, still wishing to fight with his fellow soldiers.
Rogers stars as "Captain America" in a propaganda movie serial
With the help of a large show featuring music and dancers, even including a fake Adolf Hitler for Steve to "knock out," Rogers became an icon and living propaganda piece for the American people, even starring in his own comic book and movie serials in which he would battle and defeat the Nazis. He could continue to travel the country from state to state as his popularity continued to grow with the wives and children whose husbands and fathers were fighting overseas, and Rogers would often pose for pictures and sign autographs.
"Get out fast and give ’em hell. I’ll meet you guys in the clearing with anybody else I find." "Wait! You know what you’re doin’?" "Yeah. I’ve knocked out Adolf Hitler over two hundred times."
In 1943, while touring to active servicemen in Italy, Rogers learned the men of the military did not enjoy his act as much as the nine year-olds for whom he usually performed. Depressed at the job he had been given and wishing to be a soldier, he took a free moment to sketch himself as a performing monkey. Peggy Carter joined him and tried to persuade him that he was meant for more than what he was doing, reminding him of the reasons why Abraham Erskine had selected him.
Rogers prepares to rescue the P.O.W.
During their conversation Rogers learned that Bucky Barnes' unit was lost in battle against Johann Schmidt's forces. Although Colonel Chester Phillips seemingly confirmed Barnes as K.I.A., Rogers refused to believe that Bucky was dead and stole weapons and some equipment in an attempt to drive to the HYDRA base and find him. Peggy Carter convinced him to allow her to help him.
Rogers breaks into a HYDRA fortress
Peggy Carter and Howard Stark assisted him by flying him to Austria, thirty miles behind enemy lines. During the journey Rogers had an awkward conversation with Carter when he mistakenly thought she had began a relationship with Stark. Their plane was suddenly shot at by enemy guns, and Rogers ordered Carter to turn the plane around once he was clear. She tried to tell him that he could not give her orders, but he smiled and said he could because he was a Captain. Rogers then leapt from the plane and landed safely on the ground. Rogers snuck aboard a HYDRA truck, knocking out the guards and infiltrated the fortress belonging to Johann Schmidt's HYDRA division.
Once there, he found and stole a piece of Tesseract technology and freed the captured soldiers. The soldiers fought their HYDRA captors, allowing them to escape. Rogers went on looking for Barnes. On the way, he spotted Arnim Zola leaving a room. When Rogers entered the room, he found Bucky strapped to a table. Rogers freed him and they tried to escape. However, the entire facility began to explode so they tried to find another way out. Steve Rogers was then confronted by Johann Schmidt; they had a brief fight where Schmidt showed off his incredible strength. Zola separated the pair, and Schmidt revealed his face to be a mask, removing it to display the red-colored, skull-like face that earned him the nickname "The Red Skull".
Rogers with the men he saved from a HYDRA base.
Schmidt escaped and Rogers managed to get himself and Barnes to safety. He reunited with the escaped P.O.W.s and returned to base along with the freed soldiers. Rogers then asked Colonel Chester Phillips to reprimand him for his actions but the latter denied it, knowing that he did a good job in saving the lives of over 400 captured soldiers. Peggy Carter asked him why he arrived late and Rogers explained that he could not call his ride as the radio she gave him had been broken. Bucky Barnes called for all the people to acknowledge that Captain America was a hero and every soldier cheered and applauded.
Rogers recruits the Howling Commandos
Rogers debriefed Phillips on everything he had learned during his raid on the HYDRA base, including the locations of many other HYDRA bases across Europe. When it was suggested that Rogers would need a team if he was to go back onto the front lines, Rogers explained he was putting together a team himself. He recruited Bucky Barnes, Dum Dum Dugan, Gabe Jones, Jim Morita, James Montgomery Falsworth, and Jacques Dernier into his team, nicknamed the Howling Commandos, to attack the other known bases belonging to HYDRA. When Barnes asked if he was planning on keeping the outfit, Rogers said it was growing on him. Carter later arrived to tell Rogers about his next meeting; they suggested that once the war was over, the pair should go dancing together.
Howard Stark provides Rogers with his new shield, weapons and uniform
Rogers returned to the base where he was unexpectedly approached by Private Lorraine, who decided to reward his war efforts with a passionate kiss. Carter caught them and berated him about being just like any other soldier. Rogers later spoke to Howard Stark for advice on the matter. During their talk, Stark provided Rogers with a new outfit and a new circular shield made of Vibranium capable of negating large amounts of damage. This was quickly proven when Carter shot at him multiple times as revenge for kissing another woman. As Rogers and Stark watched the satisfied Carter leave the room, Rogers presented Stark with his own designs for his new uniform.[2]
"You ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?" "Hell, no! The little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight. I’m following him."
In command of his own personal team of soldiers, the Howling Commandos, which included his best friend Bucky Barnes, Rogers embarked on a quest to sabotage and destroy HYDRA's bases across Europe. He led the team still using the name Captain America, now with an new uniform with a similar design, but more practical for use in the war.[2]
Rogers and Barnes during WWII
In April 1944, Rogers infiltrated a HYDRA castle on an island in the Nazi occupied Danish Straits. He managed to destroy one of Arnim Zola's exo-skeleton suits and an armored vehicle. Johann Schmidt attempted to destroy him by using a Viking Runestone, but Captain America slowed the relic from exploding, allowing the Howling Commandos to escape.[9] In winter of 1944, Rogers single-handedly stopped a Nazi blockade and saved over 600 men, including the man who would eventually become Peggy Carter's Husband. Rogers commanded his unit with skill and confidence. During the filming of one of his mission briefings, the camera picked up that he carried a picture of Peggy Carter in his compass.[6]
In London, Rogers followed HYDRA soldiers who stole information from the Strategic Scientific Reserve and was targeted repeatedly. After throwing his shield at their car's tires, the HYDRA soldiers crashed near an air raid shelter. Rogers encouraged the citizens inside to save themselves after making a speech about heroism and strength in numbers.[10] His continued experience in dealing with HYDRA allowed Rogers to become a leading authority in their movements, even advising General Dwight D. Eisenhower on the best ways to defeat their enemy.
Captain America in WWII
On a mission to a HYDRA base in 1944 with the Howling Commandos, minus Bucky, Rogers stowed away on a small merchant boat, when, as he predicted, it was attacked by a HYDRA submarine, the Leviathan, as it was a perfect test target. While they were distracted, Rogers swam to the sub and proceeded to enter and attack the crew, winning it for himself and the Commandos, who anxiously waited in a raft. After finding out where the base was via map, they quietly docked in the base and, on Rogers' count, stormed out to find it completely deserted. The team decided to split up in groups of two, except for Rogers who had already moved to investigate, leaving Dugan alone.
Captain America storms a beach with other American soldiers
After searching, Rogers found a deserted lab that looks like a war had torn through it. Searching through the notes, he discovered that they were working on creating a literal Hydra beast, just as he received a call for help from Falsworth and Morita, who the creature has in its grip. Trying to save them, he threw his shield to cut through a "head" which, like the mythical beast, resulted in two more growing back. The creature then dragged the two under water. Rushing to inform the rest, Jones informed Rogers that all records indicated the experiments were only on people. The remaining team decided to set charges to blow up the base while Rogers went to try and rescue the others.
Upon finding the creature's lair in a caved in area, Rogers noticed several German names scrawled into the wall, and was then told by Jones that more notes reveal that the HYDRA scientist thought that the "Hydra serum" got in their water supply, when suddenly Rogers came across the beast, still with Falsworth and Morita, and a fight ensued. The two Commandos escaped as Rogers stayed and fought, when suddenly the beast scrawled "Help Me" in German on the wall. Rogers then realized the beast was the scientists, and with ten seconds until the charges detonated protected it with his shield. He then decided to take the beast to Howard Stark, who could figure out how to separate it back into individual people.[11]
Rogers and Barnes prepare for their final mission together
Rogers and his Howling Commandos progressively managed to destroy most major HYDRA operations, slowing HYDRA's efforts in building an army for global conquest. Along with their assaults on HYDRA, the Commandos also stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day[12] and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, pushing the Nazi occupiers of Europe back into Germany. A fictionalized version of Rogers' participation in the Battle of the Bulge would be presented on The Captain America Adventure Program after the war.[13]
In one particular mission against HYDRA, after receiving information on the location of one of HYDRA's top scientist Arnim Zola, Rogers, Bucky Barnes and Gabe Jones led a stealth attack and boarded Zola's armored train. While Jones stayed on top of the train, Rogers and Barnes went inside and were quickly ambushed.
Rogers after seeing Bucky fall to his presumed demise
In the ensuing battle with the HYDRA soldiers, Bucky Barnes was thrown from the train. Despite his best efforts to save his friend, Rogers watched as Bucky fell down into the rocky mountain to his presumed death, devastated that he was unable to save him. Luckily, Zola was captured by Gabe Jones and handed over to Allied forces and interrogated by Chester Phillips. The mission proved to be worthwhile as Zola provided the Allies with information needed to defeat HYDRA.
Rogers mourns Bucky Barnes' death
After the loss of his dearest friend, Rogers went to a bombed out town and had a drink alone in a pub to mourn his friend's death, only to learn that because of the serum, he was unable to get drunk. He was joined by Peggy Carter, who tried to assure him that Barnes' death was not his fault. She told him that Barnes knew that their mission was worth dying for.
Captain America with captured German soldiers
Knowing that HYDRA was planning a massive attack on the world and wanting to decisively strike at HYDRA to end the conflict and avenge Bucky, Rogers, Stark, the remaining members of the Howling Commandos, Phillips, and Carter discussed their strategy to defeat their enemy for good. Thanks to the information provided by Zola, Rogers crafted a plan to ride into the base alone and then have the army follow him once he broke through the initial defenses.[2]
"Arrogance may not be a uniquely American trait, but I must say you do it better than anyone. But there are limits to what even you can do, Captain, or did Erskine tell you otherwise?" "He told me you were insane."
The Strategic Scientific Reserve put Rogers' plan into action. He rode into the base alone on his motorcycle. Multiple HYDRA soldiers on motorcycles rode behind him planning to kill him, but Rogers defeated them with weapon systems built into his motorcycle. Rogers dodged the attacks of a tank that was set up in front of the base and then rode over the wall that protected the base. He defeated many soldiers in the outer area of the base, and hopped off his motorcycle, which exploded on a metal door. Rogers continued to fight the soldiers, but was eventually subdued when they arrived with flamethrowers and many others arrived with guns.
Rogers was then taken prisoner and taken to Johann Schmidt in his quarters, who asked him why Abraham Erskine chose him to take the Super Soldier Serum. Rogers responded by saying he was "just a kid from Brooklyn". This angered Schmidt and he punched Rogers until he became calm again. Rogers told Schmidt that he would not give up. Schmidt then tried to shoot him in the head, but the Howling Commandos broke into the room. Thanks to the information given by Zola, they knew where Schmidt's quarters were and were able to burst through the window to begin their assault and to rescue Rogers. Schmidt ran from the chaos while his soldiers fought the Commandos; Rogers ran after him. When he eventually caught up to Schmidt, he threw his shield at him, but it got stuck in a doorway. He tried to get it out, but a HYDRA soldier with a flamethrower tried to attack him, so Rogers hid to protect himself.
Rogers and Peggy Carter share a kiss
Peggy Carter ran up behind the soldier and shot and killed him. Rogers got his shield and continued to run after Schmidt, who was boarding a ship known as the Valkyrie, along with many soldiers. A large battle erupted between the HYDRA soldiers and the SSR soldiers. Rogers ran through the battle to get to the Valkyrie and stop Schmidt from bombing cities all over the world. He failed to catch up, but Chester Phillips and Peggy Carter arrived in Johann Schmidt's Coupe. He got in and they raced after the plane. Before jumping aboard the ship, Rogers and Carter shared their first and last kiss.[2]
"Right now I'm in the middle of nowhere. If I wait any longer a lot of people are gonna die. Peggy... this is my choice. Peggy..." "I'm here." "I'm gonna need a rain check on that dance."
While on the Valkyrie, Rogers noticed that the bombs were actually aircrafts that were going to be deployed over major American cities. Rogers stayed unseen for a few minutes, then began attacking the soldiers that were getting ready to board the aircrafts.
Rogers pilots a HYDRA bomb ship
Eventually one of the soldiers got into a parasit, which Rogers tried to stop from leaving the plane. Unfortunately it did, but Rogers and a soldier were on the top. The other soldier fell into the turbine and died. Rogers tried to pull out the soldier who was piloting the parasit, but he pulled the ejecting button, and Steve took control of the parasit. Rogers tried to fly back to the Valkyrie, but Schmidt attacked Rogers with the ship's weapons. Rogers dodged these attacks and flew back into the ship.
He found Schmidt and they fought, but Rogers knocked Schmidt into the controls, making the ship free fall. Schmidt managed to get the ship back into a normal flight path. Schmidt shot at Rogers, but Rogers threw his shield at Schmidt and he flew into the containment unit harnessing the Tesseract's power. Schmidt picked up the Tesseract which had been disconnected from the containment unit due to impact and a portal through space opened, transporting him across the universe. The Tesseract then melted a small hole in the plane and fell into the ocean.
Rogers about to crash-land into the ice
After witnessing Schmidt's apparent death, Rogers began to pilot the plane and tried to fly it from its current path to destroy New York City but realized that the plane was going at such a fast speed. With no means of escaping the plane and with it traveling at a very fast speed to destroy New York, Rogers used the ship's intercom to call the HYDRA Headquarters, which was now controlled by the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Peggy Carter used the base's intercom and talked to Rogers. He told her that the plane was heading to New York to destroy it and it was going too fast for him to think of a plan of stop it. He then told her that the only way to save New York was to crash land the ship into the Arctic. He descended the ship down. As he did, Rogers and Carter spoke to each other as if Rogers was not going to crash. When the ship finally crashed, it left him preserved in the ice for 67 years.[2]
Legacy
A newspaper about Rogers' disappearance
"That was a difficult winter. A blizzard had trapped half our battalion behind the German line. Steve- Captain Rogers- he fought his way through a HYDRA blockade that had pinned our allies down for months. He saved over a thousand men. Including the man who would... who would become my husband, as it turned out. Even after he died Steve was still changing my life."
Steve Rogers was mourned by a nation that had admired his heroic rise from the USO stage to the newsreels, and who now believed him to be dead due to crashing in the ice. He left a cultural and political impact on the world, changing it for the better or the worse. In his attempt to recover Rogers' body, Howard Stark found the Tesseract, which was then studied by the Strategic Scientific Reserve.[2]
Captain America was still a widely famous figure and a radio serial called The Captain America Adventure Program was developed, featuring fictional adventures during the war. Despite its popularity, the show was extremely historically inaccurate, and Peggy Carter, having being involved in most of Captain America's missions during the war, hated the show, especially because her own role had been fictionalized as the typical "damsel in distress".[14]
One of the blood samples that was taken from Captain America after the Assassination of Abraham Erskine was kept by Stark who wanted to use it to see if he could develop a panacea from it. Peggy Carter confiscated the sample,[8] and ultimately got rid of it. Stark missed his friend greatly and viewed Captain America as his "greatest accomplishment". However, Carter convinced him, and herself, to let him go.[15]
Captain America passed into memory as the modern world's first superhero, making his exploits in the war become well known, especially in the United States. Peggy Carter went on to help Stark found S.H.I.E.L.D. and eventually married a man whom Captain America had saved in the course of the war.[6]
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Search for Captain America
Captain America being released from ice after 67 years
"My God. Base, give me a line to the Colonel." "It's 3 AM, sir." "I don't care what time it is. This one's waited long enough."
―A lieutenant calling a S.H.I.E.L.D. base after finding Steve's body[src]
66 years after Rogers' crash landing, a S.H.I.E.L.D. team led by Nick Fury searched for his body. A fan of Captain America, Phil Coulson, was also part of this small team. The team searched for two years to find Rogers' body. When they finally found his body, they defrosted him and then shipped his body to New York City.[16]
Awakening
Steve shortly after awakening from his 67 year sleep
"At ease, soldier! Look, I'm sorry about that little show back there, but we thought it best to break it to you slowly." "Break what?" "You've been asleep, Cap. For almost 70 years. You gonna be okay?" "Yeah, I'm okay. It's just... I had a date."
When Rogers arrived in New York City, he was defrosted and kept in a simulated 1941 environment to try and ease him into what was happening. When he awoke, he quickly realized it was not real and escaped into the streets of a 2012New York City. In Times Square, Rogers encountered Nick Fury who tells him that he had been "asleep" for nearly 70 years. Rogers then realized that many of his old friends were very likely dead, including his love interest, Peggy Carter.[2]
New Life
Rogers reading files about his allies from World War II
Steve Rogers found himself lost in a world that had moved on without him and found it very difficult to adjust to this modern world. He spent a few weeks in seclusion at a cabin that was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s many safe houses.[17] Rogers later moved into an apartment in New York City. While there, Rogers looked through some files of his friends from the 1940s. He found a file for Peggy Carter, which stated she was still alive. The file also contained her current phone number, but he hesitated to call because he was afraid of how she would react to seeing him. Later, he went to a nearby diner and met Beth, a waitress. A man told him to ask her on a date, but Rogers did not. Rogers then went to a boxing gym to clear his mind.[18]
While working out in a boxing gym in the middle of the night, hitting a punching bag, Rogers recounted various events that took place during his era in the war including: his fight against HYDRA with his allies, the Howling Commandos, Bucky Barnes' supposed death, his last fight with Red Skull, his sacrifice, his last conversation with Peggy Carter, and being defrosted. These memories infuriated Rogers to the point where he broke the punching bag. At that moment, Nick Fury approached him with a mission to save the world.
Fury informed him that a being known as Loki had stolen the Tesseract and intended to use it to conquer and rule the Earth. Rogers was not thrilled to learn that HYDRA's secret weapon and power source had found its way into this era. Rogers accepted the assignment and Fury asks him to reveal any more useful information regarding the cube that he might be aware of, to which Rogers stated they should've left it "buried in the ocean".[19]
On his way to the main S.H.I.E.L.D.headquarters, while aboard the Quinjet, Rogers was debriefed by Agent Phil Coulson about a selected group of people that were chosen to be a part of the Avengers Initiative. One member in particular that intrigued Rogers was Bruce Banner. Coulson revealed to him that Banner attempted to recreate Abraham Erskine's Super Soldier Serum believing Gamma Radiation was a key ingredient in the formula's properties. However, when he was exposed to high levels of Gamma Radiation, he transformed into the 9 foot tall powerhouse known as the Hulk. Coulson and Rogers shared an awkward moment when he revealed that he watched Rogers being defrosted and expressed with great enthusiasm how much of an honor it was to have Rogers on board to lead this team. Rogers was somewhat skeptical of himself being the right candidate to lead; Coulson reassured Rogers that he was and that he personally had overseen the development of a newly constructed uniform for him with some design input from himself.
Rogers was surprised that he would be wearing his trademark stars and stripes, since in this modern era it would appear to be outdated and old fashioned. Coulson reassured him that with the enormous threat they were about to face, people would need an old-fashioned symbol to inspire them with hope. Once arriving on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Rogers was introduced to Natasha Romanoff, better known as Black Widow, and Bruce Banner. Together they watched as the Helicarrier took off from the water.
Later, Phil Coulson shyly asked if Rogers would be willing to sign his vintage Captain America Trading Cards, which Rogers agreed to. They were interrupted when Fury informed Rogers that Loki had been located in Stuttgart, Germany. Rogers immediately suited up into his new uniform, designed by Phil Coulson, and headed off to Germany with Romanoff piloting the Quinjet.[19]
Upon arriving in Germany at a Gala, Rogers used his shield to deflect an incoming blast from Loki's Scepter, thus protecting an elderly man who refused to kneel before Loki. Loki, who was trying to enslave a crowd of German citizens, was hit by the ricocheted blast. Rogers then engaged in a fierce battle with Loki. Loki often gained the upper hand due to his superior Asgardian strength; he tried to force Rogers to kneel in surrender but Rogers swore that he would not. The fight continued and, despite his disadvantage against the "God of Mischief," Rogers managed to hold his own against him long enough for Iron Man to arrive on the scene. Loki seemingly surrendered easily.
On route, back to the Helicarrier aboard the Quinjet, Rogers revealed to Stark that he was very uneasy with Loki's surrender as he does not remember it ever being that easy. Stark openly mocked Rogers. Suddenly a mysterious thunder and lightning storm appeared in the Quinjet's path which Rogers saw frightened Loki. Without warning, Thor appeared and promptly grabbed Loki before he flew away. Stark immediately pursued them and despite Black Widow advising him to sit it out, as it was way too dangerous for him, Rogers skydived after both of them.[19]
"Hey! That's enough! Now I don't know what you plan on doing here..." "I've come here to put an end to Loki's schemes!" "Then prove it. Put that hammer down."
Rogers arrived in the forest area to witness Thor and Iron Man engaged in a fearsome battle against each other. Using his shield, he intervened and attempted to reason with Thor, pointing out that they shouldn't be fighting with each other, asking Thor to put his hammer down.
In response, Thor furiously knocked Iron Man back before leaping towards Captain America, bringing Mjølnir down upon his shield. The shield absorbed the impact, and created a massive shockwave throughout the surrounding woodland, sending Thor hurtling backwards. Afterwards, the three of them stood up. Once they saw the damage done, they agreed to stop fighting and took Loki into captivity together.[19]
Working on the Helicarrier
Rogers discusses Loki's plan with the other Avengers
"Doctor Banner is only here to track the cube. I was hoping you might join him." "I'd start with that stick of his. It may be magical, but it works a lot like a HYDRA weapon."
Loki was escorted to the Helicarrier and placed into an impenetrable glass and steel containment cell specifically designed to hold and dispose of the Hulk if necessary. Rogers and his other teammates watched a holographic video of Nick Fury interrogating Loki from the main conference room on the bridge of the Helicarrier.
Rogers discusses cultural references
After watching Fury's meeting with Loki. Rogers was convinced that Loki had a hidden agenda for which he allowed himself to willingly be captured and brought to the Helicarrier. Thor revealed to the group that Loki had allied himself with an alien race known as the Chitauri who will enable him to conquer and rule over Earth in exchange for the Tesseract. As the group tried to figure out Loki's primary objective, Stark arrived on the bridge and explained from a highly scientific perspective that Loki needed a stable power supply to harness the cube's energy to then open and stabilize the portal. Stark's scientific explanation confused Rogers and the others, with the exception Banner.
Upon Fury's request, Banner teamed up with Stark to locate the cube using the computer database in the Wishbone lab. While present, Rogers witnessed Stark attempting to provoke Banner into "Hulking out". Rogers confronted Stark about the potential danger he could cause and asked him to resume the task of finding the location of the cube. Stark and Banner revealed their misgivings about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s motives behind researching the cube in the first place. Which in turn caused Rogers to investigate the matter further by sneaking into a storage room where he discovered HYDRA weaponry, and learned that S.H.I.E.L.D. was attempting to harness the Tesseract's powers to manufacture weapons of mass destruction.[19]
"Yeah. Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off, what are you?" "Genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist." "I know guys with none of that and worth ten of you. I've seen the footage. The only thing that you really fight for is yourself. You're not the guy to make the sacrifice play. To lay down on the wire and let the other guy crawl over you."
An intense argument broke out between the team with Nick Fury, Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner, Thor, but mainly between Rogers and Tony Stark on the ethic of heroism. Rogers argued that Stark was not the type of man who would make the sacrifice play while Stark argued that the only reason Rogers was so special because of the Super Soldier Serum.
Rogers shooting at the attackers
As it looked like it could come to a head, the Helicarrier came under attack by Hawkeye, which forced Rogers and Stark to put aside their differences and work together to help to save the damaged Helicarrier. While Stark repaired the turbine, Rogers first checked the computer relays, which he struggled with due to his lack of understanding of modern technology. He then had to fend off some of Loki's brainwashed agents from doing any further damage, firing at them with a machine gun. Although successful, it was not without cost; Phil Coulson was killed by Loki in the incident.[19]
Rogers looks at Coulson's vintage cards
After the battle on the Helicarrier, Thor and Hulk had been thrown from the Helicarrier, and Loki had escaped. Rogers and Stark had a meeting with Nick Fury to discuss what to do next. Fury showed Rogers Coulson's vintage Captain America Card Collection he never got signed. Fury explained his intention to form the Avengers was to "fight the battles that we never could." Stark left the meeting early and went to the spot where Coulson had died. Rogers spoke to him there, trying to get his mind back on the mission and focused on Loki. It worked, as Stark realized that Loki required Stark Tower to power the Tesseract.
Phil Coulson's death was what would finally bring the team together. Regardless of all he had been through thus far, Rogers found the strength again to do what needed to be done and take command of the Avengers. While Tony Stark flew to New York and confronted Loki directly, Rogers and Romanoff teamed up with Clint Barton, who had been freed from Loki's control, and took over a Quinjet. When they arrived in New York they found a portal had opened above the city and the Chitauri army had began their attack. Their Quinjet was shot down by Loki but they were all able to survive the crash.
Rogers commanding officers to protect areas of New York
After crash landing and seeing the countless forces attacking, Rogers felt his priority should be ensuring the protection of the endangered civilians, so he ran to the nearest police officer, dodging the Chituari attacks as the went, and gave him orders for how to ensure the safety of the people. The officer questioned why he should take orders from Rogers. Before he could answer, he was attacked by three Chitauri soldiers who he defeated with ease. Seeing Rogers' strength and skill in battle, the officer decided not to question him again and instead followed his orders.
Joined by Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Thor and Bruce Banner, Rogers took command of the team. When a Leviathan came towards them, Banner transformed into the Hulk and destroyed it. Rogers proved his tactical genius by giving each member their assignment: Hawkeye to stake out from a building to call out patterns and any strays, Iron Man to provide air support and superiority, Thor to bottleneck the portal preventing any reinforcements from coming through, he and Black Widow to keep the fighting on the ground, and for Hulk to simply do what he does best: smash. Rogers fought alongside Romanoff and Barton to take on countless numbers of Chitauri troops that came their way.
Rogers is thrown out of a building
At one point, Rogers heard that the the Chituari had taken a large group of over five dozen civilians hostage, including the waitress Beth who he had previously met. The aliens prepared to execute them with an explosion, but Rogers dived into the building and saved them, taking out a battalion of invaders by himself. However during the fight his helmet was torn off and he was caught by a Chitauri Bomb and was blasted out the building, landing hard on a nearby car. He was soon partnered with Thor, taking out wave after wave of enemies. At one point, Rogers took a direct hit on the side which injured him. However, he refused to stop fighting.
Eventually, the World Security Council decided to shoot a nuclear bomb onto New York, which would stop the Chitauri from taking over the world, but would kill the Avengers and all the civilians, and destroy all of Manhattan in the process. Nick Fury informed Iron Man of the bomb. Stark managed to fly the bomb into the portal and have it destroy the Chitauri Command Center. However, it appeared that Stark had been killed in the explosion. Seeing no other choice, Rogers ordered Romanoff to close the portal, thus saving the city and the world from conquest. Stark survived, however, and was saved from the fall back to earth by Hulk. Rogers and Thor ran to his aid. When he awoke, Rogers informed him that they had won the war. Rogers then joined the other Avengers to capture Loki who, knowing he was defeated, surrendered without a fight. [19]
Separate Ways
"I don't think you understand what you've started letting the Avengers lose on this world. They're dangerous. They surely are, and the whole world knows it. Every world knows it."
Before they split up, Rogers and the other Avengers ate silently at the Shawarma Palace.[20] While they were eating they were interrupted by War Machine, who arrived too late to help them in the battle.[21]
Rogers riding his motorcycle after the Avengers split up
Sometime after the battle, they gathered in Central Park to see Thor return home to Asgard with the Tesseract and Loki, now bound and muzzled. The Avengers then went their separate ways until the next time Earth needed its Mightiest Heroes to defend it from whatever threat would come. Rogers shook hands with Tony Stark and rode off on his motorcycle to see what awaited him in this brave new world.[19]
Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Steve Rogers moved to Washington, D.C., trying to live like a normal person and adjust to the 21st century. However, he was soon recalled to join S.H.I.E.L.D. in making the world a safer place. After joining the agency, Rogers was trained in parkour and many forms of martial arts to make him even more effective in the field.
Zodiac
Captain America in Chicago
"S.H.I.E.L.D. said this was destroyed. No one's told me why they lied about it."
―Captain America[src]
Rogers would often work with fellow Agents Black Widow, who was a member of the Avengers, and Brock Rumlow. The three agents took down a terrorist cell that had stolen the Zodiac weapon from S.H.I.E.L.D. and threatened to unleash it in Willis Tower in Chicago. Rogers jumped out of the tower's Skydeck without a parachute to safely retrieve the Zodiac, counting on Rumlow to stop his fall.[22]
Return to Brooklyn
Captain America attacking the Cadre mercenaries
"Boy, you leave a place for a half a century and it goes completely to the dogs."
Upon receiving intel that Nobel-prize winning scientist Professor Sana Amanat was in danger of abduction by the mercenary group known as the Cadre, Director Nick Fury dispatched Rogers and Natasha Romanoff to Rogers' old neighborhood in Brooklyn on protection detail. Under the guise of showing Romanoff the places that he grew up, they managed to draw out the Cadre mercenaries that had set-up in multiple locations throughout the neighborhood. Tracing the mercenary that had abducted Amanat through a maze of alleyways, Rogers succeeded in taking out the last mercenary with a little help from Amanat herself.[23]
While on a jog in Washington, D.C., he frequently overlapped a man; every time he passed him Rogers jokingly called to him "on your left". He later caught up again with the man who introduced himself as Sam Wilson, a former army veteran now working in the debriefing system. Wilson was able to fully understand Rogers' experiences of being a veteran returning home and the difficulties surrounding that experience. The two talked about their lives and Wilson recommended some music for Rogers to catch up on before Natasha Romanoff picked Steve up for a new mission.
Rogers was told that the mission was to rescue hostages of a pirate-hijacked S.H.I.E.L.D. ship, the Lemurian Star, somewhere in the Indian Ocean. Rogers was tasked with attacking the ship first; he dived off the Quinjet without a parachute and single-handedly defeated almost every pirate on the ship without raising the alarm. As Brock Rumlow shot the remaining pirates and rescued the hostages and Romanoff cleared out the engine room, Rogers engaged the leader of the pirates, Georges Batroc. Rogers fought Batroc and was challenged to fight him without using his shield. Rogers accepted the challenge and fought him in hand-to-hand combat and eventually knocked him out.
After the fight, Rogers discovered Romanoff hacking into the ship's computer. He learned Romanoff had a secret assignment to recover some S.H.I.E.L.D. data from the ship through a USB drive. This somewhat annoyed Rogers, who was unhappy at being kept in the dark about the fact that Romanoff had been given a secondary mission by Nick Fury. It was made worse when Georges Batroc woke up and threw a grenade at the pair. Rogers deflected the grenade and they leapt out of the path of the explosion. They both survived the explosion, but Batroc escaped during the chaos. Rogers made it clear he blamed Romanoff for the failure to capture Batroc.[6]
"This isn't freedom. This is fear." "S.H.I.E.L.D takes the world as it is, not as we'd like it to be."
―Captain America discusses Project Insight with Nick Fury[src]
Reporting back to Nick Fury at the Triskelion, Rogers expressed his anger with Fury for lying to him. Fury then took him to the facility's sub-levels, where three Helicarriers were being constructed. Introducing Rogers to Project Insight, Fury explained that S.H.I.E.L.D. planned to use the Helicarriers to fight threats before they even happened. Rogers was discontent with this, finding S.H.I.E.L.D.'s new methods to be a little too extreme.
Disillusioned by Fury's new attitude to world safety, Rogers decided to visit the Department of Veterans Affairs to listen to Sam Wilson talk to soldiers suffering from PTSD. Rogers found himself feeling at home around other soldiers. He spoke to Wilson after the meeting and told him that he had no idea what else to do with his life other than obey orders and serve. Wilson told him he could do whatever he wanted to do.
Rogers explores the Smithsonian Exhibition
Rogers revisited his past by visiting the Captain America division of the Smithsonian Institution. There, he saw videos of his time in World War II with Bucky Barnes and the Howling Commandos. When a young boy recognized him, Rogers smiled and asked him to keep quiet. Rogers watched an interview with Peggy Carter where she discussed her relationship with Rogers and how he changed her life, telling the story of when he had saved over 1000 men, including the man who became her husband years later.
After seeing this video, Rogers went to see Peggy Carter in a retirement home, now aged past 90 years. They discussed the changing world, and Rogers told her that the reason he stayed at S.H.I.E.L.D. was partly because she helped found it. When Carter began to cough, Rogers handed her a glass of water; she looked up and appeared to have forgotten their entire conversation and reacted like she was seeing Rogers for the first time in 70 years. In her old age, Carter had developed a form of dementia. Rogers smiled and told her that he could never leave his best girl while she still owed him a dance.[6]
Loss of Nick Fury
Rogers returning home after visiting Carter
"Tell me about the shooter." "He’s fast and strong. He had a metal arm."
Going back to his apartment, Rogers had a brief talk with his neighbor, even building up the courage to ask her out on a date. However, he got suspicious when he heard his stereo playing. He snuck in through the window and found Nick Fury sitting in his couch. Fury told Rogers that "his wife kicked him out" and that they might be overheard by someone. Without warning, Fury was shot several times in his back through the wall. Fury gave the USB to Steve and told him not to trust anyone before falling unconscious.
Rogers' neighbor smashed in the door revealing herself to be Agent 13, hired by Fury to keep an eye on Rogers. Agent 13 called for medical assistance and explained the situation to S.H.I.E.L.D.. Rogers spotted the assassin and went in pursuit, leaping from his apartment window into the building across the street. He smashed his way through various office doors and was barely able to keep up with the assassin. He eventually caught up and threw his shield at the assassin, but the masked man easily caught the shield with his cybernetic arm and threw it back at Rogers with considerable force. Rogers was so stunned that he paused for a moment, allowing the assassin to escape.
Fury was taken to a hospital but his heart stopped and Rogers was joined by Natasha Romanoff, Maria Hill and other Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as the doctors operated, but were unable to revive him. He was taken away and Agent Hill asked to take care of the body. Romanoff began to question Rogers about the identity of the shooter, predicting that the bullets used were Russian. Rogers feigned ignorance about why Fury went to him. Before they could continue the discussion, Agent Brock Rumlow told the Captain that he was wanted for a hearing at the Triskelion with Alexander Pierce. Romanoff told Rogers that he was a terrible liar, he then used a quiet moment to quickly hide the USB Fury had given him in a vending machine and left with Rumlow.
"Captain Rogers has information regarding the death of Director Fury. He refused to share it. As difficult as this is to accept, Captain America is a fugitive from S.H.I.E.L.D."
When he arrived at the Triskelion he was questioned by Alexander Pierce who said he was one of Fury's oldest friends and wanted to know who killed him. He also said that he and Fury were realists and that to build a new world sometimes meant tearing the old one down. Pierce showed Rogers video footage of Georges Batroc being interrogated and revealed that Nick Fury was secretly responsible for the hijacking of the Lumurian Star.
Rogers after fighting HYDRA soldiers in an elevator
Knowing that he could not trust Pierce, Rogers told him nothing of what Fury said, and left him to go to the hospital. When the elevator began to fill up with people, Rogers soon realized that they were there to take him down. Giving them one chance to leave, Rogers asked if anyone wanted to get out, then the fight began. The attackers tried to use a pair of Magnetic Handcuffs to keep Rogers from fighting back, but they could only get one on, since Rogers was not willing to give in. Having only one free hand, Rogers fought off the attackers. Soon, Rogers got his hand free. The last conscious double agent was Brock Rumlow. Rumlow told Rogers that the fight was not personal. Rogers managed to subdue Rumlow and told him that it felt personal.
Rogers about to face a Quinjet
Rogers tried to find a way out of the building to avoid arrest, but the only clear way he could find was to jump out of the elevator. After surviving the fall by landing on his shield, he drove away on his motorcycle, successfully escaping a roadblock set up for him. A Quinjet was sent to stop him. However, Rogers managed to crash it by throwing his shield into the engine and damaging the wings.[6] To keep S.H.I.E.L.D. from tracking him, Rogers hid his uniform in the duffel bag of a high school coach and took the clothes that were inside so that he could hide.[26]
Rogers arrived later at the hospital where he noticed that the USB was gone. Natasha Romanoff appeared behind him, revealing that she had taken it. He angrily asked her what she knew about all that had happened. She told him that the masked man was an assassin known as the Winter Soldier, and she had encountered him once before.
Rogers and Romanoff in disguise at the mall
Knowing they could trust each other, Rogers and Romanoff went to an Apple store and used the USB in a laptop to see if there was any valuable information on it. But they, as Fury did, found nothing. However, they did find that the location where the USB could be unlocked was in New Jersey. While leaving the mall, Brock Rumlow and his team tried to find them but failed to do so, thanks in part to Romanoff's idea of kissing in public to deflect attention.[6]
HYDRA's Plan
Rogers speaks to Romanoff in their stolen car
"We won, Captain. Your death amounts to the same as your life: A zero sum!"
They stole a car and drove to the location while talking about the good old days. When they arrived, Steve realized that they were at Camp Lehigh, the old training camp where he trained during World War II. They found a secret storage room full of old computers inside a S.H.I.E.L.D. office. There, they found a more modern looking USB slot and they put the USB in.
The computers powered up revealing that Arnim Zola's consciousness had been put into a computer that told them that he was recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. after World War II and that he helped to rebuild HYDRA, inside S.H.I.E.L.D.. In the '70's, when he got the news that his body was not salvageable, S.H.I.E.L.D., still needing his help, transferred his mind into software. He had been working on an algorithm that HYDRA wanted. He told them that some of the deaths of S.H.I.E.L.D. leaders had been due to HYDRA, showing them a picture of Howard Stark, implying that his death might not have been an accident. Zola was also involved in the Winter Soldier program.
Rogers saving Romanoff from the destruction of Camp Lehigh
Unluckily, before Rogers and Romanoff could get any more information out of Zola, they realized that S.H.I.E.L.D. had sent a missile to their location. Zola locked the door and trapped them inside. With seconds to spare, Rogers ripped out the floor boards and pulled Romanoff with him just as the missile blew up their location. Rogers used his shield to keep the debris from crushing them. He pulled Romanoff out of the rubble and ran to safety just as S.H.I.E.L.D. arrived searching for them.
The two then left to seek refuge with Sam Wilson. As they got cleaned up, they spoke about whether or not they could trust each other, considering everything they knew turned out to be a lie. Rogers assured her he trusted her now. They knew they that the air-strike would have been ordered by Alexander Pierce, and they would have to find a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D./HYDRA agent to learn more. Wilson told them that he was part of a military project called EXO-7 Falcon, testing of a new form of winged Jet-Packs.
They went back to Washington, D.C. to talk to Agent Jasper Sitwell, who was working for HYDRA. He just had a meeting with Senator Stern, who before saying goodbye whispered "Hail HYDRA". Sam Wilson called Sitwell and forced him up on the roof of a tall building. Together with Romanoff and Rogers, they got him to tell them that Zola's algorithm could calculate if a person would be a threat in the future. He also told them that HYDRA was going to use Project Insight as a weapon to eliminate what they saw as threats against the world; mentioning Tony Stark, Bruce Banner and Stephen Strange. This would also mean that millions of innocent people would die.[6]
The gang left, but they were attacked by the Winter Soldier and his men. A battle broke out, and as Captain America and the Winter Soldier fought each other in a one-on-one combat, the Winter Soldier's mask was ripped off, revealing that he was Bucky Barnes. When a horrified Steve said his name, the Winter Soldier said he did not know who that was before attempting to shoot Rogers again until Falcon kicked him over from mid-air and Romanoff drove him off with the grenade launcher he had dropped earlier. They were then surrounded by Brock Rumlow and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Cap, Natasha and Sam Wilson were then arrested by Rumlow. While in the HYDRA van, driving them to an unknown location, one of the guards tased the other one and revealed herself to be Maria Hill. She then used a Mouse Hole to escape with the gang.
Agent Hill took them to a secret facility where Nick Fury was resting, revealing that he did not die, though he was severely injured. Hill and Fury told them that Project Insight was only hours away from launching and that they had to act quickly. The Helicarriers would hover in a triangle, connected, targeting all its targets before firing. The only way to prevent this would be to use three special chips that would take away S.H.I.E.L.D.'s control over the Helicarriers. Having lost his suit earlier, Rogers broke into the Smithsonian Institution museum and stole his suit from World War II. After which, the group went off to stop Project Insight.[6]
"I'm not gonna fight you. You're my friend." "You're my mission. You... Are... My... Mission!" "Then finish it, 'cause I'm with you to the end of the line."
―Captain America and the Winter Soldier fighting aboard the Helicarrier[src]
Captain America, Falcon, and Maria Hill, broke into the Triskelion and took over the control room. Rogers used the microphones to send out a message across the base and informed the staff of HYDRA's infiltration within S.H.I.E.L.D. and that Alexander Pierce was their leader. Rogers told them that they could not allow HYDRA to initiate Project Insight and asked them to stand up against HYDRA with him. Once he had finished his speech, Rogers and Wilson assaulted the Helicarriers and battled the HYDRA guards onboard. When Wilson asked how they would be able to tell the good guys from the bad guys, Rogers told him to look for the ones shooting at him.
Rogers confronting Barnes
They managed to insert two of the chips, with some hardship, but when Falcon was going for the last one, his jet-pack was damaged by the Winter Soldier and he was forced to skydive down to the Triskelion where he got caught up in a fistfight with Agent Brock Rumlow. Now it was all on Rogers. He entered the Helicarrier to put the chip in place before he was confronted by Bucky. Rogers begged Bucky to listen to him, but seeing that Bucky was not going to listen and running out of time, Steve steeled himself for what must be done.
The two former friends fought violently and attempted to take control of the chip; Barnes attempted to shoot Rogers in the side. After a long and brutal battle, Rogers finally managed to subdue Bucky, ultimately putting him in a choke hold. Rogers attempted to get the chip in place with only seconds left before Project Insight would initiate. However, he was shot multiple times by Barnes, including a shot that hit him through the stomach. Using whatever energy he had left, Rogers managed to get the chip in place and Maria Hill took control of the other Helicarriers. Before making them fire upon each other she acknowledged that Rogers was still on-board, but he commanded her to do it anyway.
Barnes walking away after saving Rogers
The Helicarrier that Rogers and Bucky were in was the last remaining one after the other two exploded. It crashed into the Triskelion, causing it to collapse. As the Helicarrier continued to fall, debris landed on Bucky, trapping him. Rogers freed the trapped Winter Soldier who immediately betrayed him. He still refused to fight Bucky, however, and dropped his shield allowing Bucky to secure an easy victory over him. Bucky began to savagely beat Rogers. Before Rogers lost consciousness, he promised Bucky to be with him "till the end of the line"; a promise Bucky gave him decades ago. This caused Bucky to realize what he was doing to his long-time friend. Rogers then fell into the water below and nearly drowned, but Bucky dived in and saved him, disappearing afterwards.[6]
Aftermath
Rogers wakes up in Hospital
"You're going after him." "You don't have to come with me." "I know. When do we start?"
―Sam and Steve just before beginning their search for Bucky[src]
Rogers woke up some time later in a hospital, where Wilson filled him in on what had happened after he was found. S.H.I.E.L.D. had gone through some major changes: Nick Fury was officially dead, and he had destroyed all evidence of being alive, even replacing his eye-patch for sunglasses.
Rogers and Wilson just before leaving to search for Bucky
Standing beside Fury's headstone, Fury ordered Rogers to tell anyone who asked that he was dead as he left to thwart HYDRA operations in Europe. Romanoff went to a Senate hearing to defend Rogers and herself, saying that they could not arrest them because they are the best qualified to protect the world. Now that her secrets were revealed, she needed a new identity. Rogers decided to start looking, with the help of Wilson, for Bucky, so that he could convince him of who he really was.[6]
With the rising threat of HYDRA, the Avengers were officially reassembled, with the financial backing of Tony Stark and Rogers leading the team again. Using the former Stark Tower, now renamed Avengers Tower, as their headquarters, they embarked on several missions to ruin HYDRA's plans for world domination. When he had free time, Rogers continued his search for Bucky Barnes.[27]
While searching through files about Barnes, Rogers was informed by J.A.R.V.I.S. that the team was assembling to help Black Widow in Sudan. Captain America led the team into the battle, where they encountered many HYDRA operatives in Chitauri Armor. Together the team defeated the soldiers, along with their leader, Doctor Jensen.[27]
Rogers led the Avengers in an assault on Baron Wolfgang von Strucker's base, having learned that Strucker was using the Scepter to create an army of enhanced soldiers. Rogers rode his motorcycle into the battle, throwing his shield at his enemies while commanding the Avengers' actions. When Tony Stark cussed while trying to break through the base's defence systems during the battle, Rogers told him to mind his language - much to Stark's amusement. Rogers replied by saying, "it just slipped out," while throwing his motorcycle at a HYDRA convoy. Rogers ignored the continuing teases and fought alongside Thor, using their combined strength to destroy the HYDRA Tanks.
During the battle, Hawkeye was injured. Rogers ordered Thor to take him to the Avengers' Quinjet to receive treatment. Rogers broke into the base and located Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. During his confrontation with Strucker, Rogers was attacked by Wanda Maximoff who used her powers to throw Rogers down a flight of stairs. Rogers quickly recovered from the attack and knocked out Strucker by hitting him with his shield, and took him into custody while the rest of the Avengers defeated the remaining HYDRA army and Tony Stark recovered the Scepter.
With the mission a success and HYDRA officially defeated, Rogers with the other Avengers flew back to the Avengers Tower while Clint Barton and Bruce Banner recovered from their experiences during the battle. Along the way, Rogers, Tony Stark and Thor observed the Scepter and commented on their victory. Stark requested to Thor that he be allowed to keep the Scepter under observation for a few days to study it before they had a party to celebrate their victory. Thor agreed to keep the Scepter on Earth, and Rogers also agreed that a party was a good idea.
Rogers discusses the Maximoff twins
Once they arrived at Avengers Tower, the team was greeted by Maria Hill. While Helen Cho took Clint Barton away for treatment, Hill briefed Rogers on the Maximoff twins. She explained their poverty and how they lost their parents leading to them volunteering for Baron Wolfgang von Strucker's experiments. Rogers expressed his understanding of the twins' decision, comparing his own decision to allow a German scientist to experiment on him, referring to Abraham Erskine's Project Rebirth. When Hill noted that they were not at war like he was in the 1940's, Rogers argued that the Maximoffs were.[28]
"No, Natasha, she… she likes to flirt." "I’ve seen her flirt, up close. This ain’t that. Look, as maybe the world’s leading authority on “waiting too long”, don’t. You both deserve a win."
Later, Rogers joined the other Avengers, plus Sam Wilson and James Rhodes, for a party in Avengers Tower to celebrate their victory over HYDRA. Rogers and Wilson discussed working together and their continued search for Bucky Barnes. When Rogers suggested Wilson could assist the Avengers on missions, Wilson claimed not to be interested in joining the team. They went on to discuss Rogers finding himself a house in Brooklyn.
Later, Rogers and Thor drank thousand year old alcohol from Asgard with a group of World War II veterans. Although Thor deemed only himself and the Super-Soldier Rogers to be strong enough to drink the powerful alcohol, one of the veterans insisted upon having a drink of the Asgardian alcohol. Thor relented with Rogers' nod of approval which resulted in the man having to be carried away from Avengers Tower for instantaneously becoming too drunk.
Rogers then came across Bruce Banner speaking to Natasha Romanoff at the bar. When Romanoff left, Rogers spoke to Banner, telling him that Romanoff was clearly flirting with him. Rogers insisted that as he knew what it was like to leave love too long, Banner should not let the chance for a happy life go past, noting that he had been flirted with by Romanoff in the past and the way she spoke to Banner was more than mere flirting. As Rogers walked away, Banner pondered this before questioning how much Romanoff had flirted with Rogers in the past.
Rogers attempts to lift Mjølnir
After most of the guests had gone home, the group, joined by Helen Cho, took turns trying to lift Mjølnir. Clint Barton was the first to try and when he failed, both Tony Stark and James Rhodes tried using Iron Man Gauntlets but still failed. When Rogers tried, he was able to briefly nudge the hammer, much to Thor's surprise, but in the end was still unsuccessful. Ultimately, Stark suggested that the hammer was imprinted with Thor's fingerprints but Thor insisted that none of them were worthy enough.[28]
"I had to kill the other guy... He was a good guy." "You killed someone?" "Wouldn't have been my first call. But, down in the real world we're faced with ugly choices."
The party was interrupted when a broken down robot stepped forward, calling itself Ultron. The robot claimed that none of the Avengers could ever be worthy, as they were all killers who wanted to protect the world but not allow it to change. Ultron then claimed to have killed someone to get to them, but refused to tell Rogers whom he had killed.
Announcing that the only path to peace on Earth was the Avengers' deaths, Ultron and some hijacked Iron Legion drones attacked the group, proclaiming humanity inferior and ready for extinction. Rogers and the rest of the group engaged in a violent battle with Ultron. Rogers used his strength to pull one of the drones apart with his bare hands to protect those who could not defend themselves. The Avengers eventually came out victorious and Ultron's first form was destroyed by Thor. However, Ultron managed to escape by accessing the internet.[28]
Argument
Rogers and the Avengers discuss Ultron
"How do we cope with something like that?" "Together" "We'll lose." "Then we'll do that together."
As the team regrouped, they discussed what had occurred, and Tony Stark admitted his involvement in the creation of Ultron; although he still strongly defended the idea as he believed it was a beneficial plan to save the world. Thor, clearly furious at Stark's recklessness, stepped in and grabbed Stark by the throat, but Rogers was able to calm him down. Stark explained there was a war coming they were not ready for, but Rogers insisted that they would fight and die together as a team.
Rogers spoke to Maria Hill shortly afterwards and was told that Ultron's attempts to launch nuclear missiles had been stopped by a mysterious ally. The team later learned that Ultron had sent them a message by murdering Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, leaving the word "PEACE" written in his blood. Rogers collected Clint Barton to hear the update. The Avengers soon learned that Ultron had wiped out their computer files on Strucker. Together, they went through their paperwork and discovered that Ultron would be going after Vibranium which he would get that from Ulysses Klaue in Johannesburg.
"I know you've suffered." "Ugh, Captain America, God's righteous man, pretending you could live without war. I can't physically throw up in my mouth but..."
They traveled to Klaue's location and found Ultron along with Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, the powered twins who had attacked the team earlier. The Avengers learned that Ultron had already purchased the Vibranium from the now injured Ulysses Klaue. Rogers attempted to gain the Maximoff's trust but they seemed to have no interest in siding with the Avengers and Ultron simply mocked Rogers.
When peace negotiations quickly failed, the team engaged in a fierce fight with Ultron, the Maximoff twins and Klaue's soldiers. While Iron Man and Ultron fought over the skyline, Captain America and Thor teamed up to destroy many of the Ultron Sentries while Black Widow and Hawkeye took out Klaue's soldiers. Eventually, Rogers was able to knock Pietro Maximoff to the ground with a hit from his shield, ordering him to stay down.
Rogers sees his vision
Rogers took a direct punch to the face by Pietro Maximoff before Wanda Maximoff used her powers to make Rogers see visions of the life he could have had with his former comrades and Peggy Carter after World War II. Rogers saw himself in a ballroom in the 1940's when Carter approached him and told him he could finally stop fighting. When he turned around, however, everyone had vanished and Rogers stood alone. The tactic was used in an attempt to break Rogers' heart when confronted by his tragic situation.
Rogers recovers from his vision
With most members of the team suffering from these visions and Iron Man fighting the deranged Hulk in the middle of Johannesburg, a decision was made for the team to escape. While onboard the Quinjet, Clint Barton flew the team to safety while Maria Hill updated them on the public's perception of the Avengers after the Hulk's destructive rampage. While Rogers, Thor and Romanoff tried to cope with what they had seen, Barton made the call for them to hide out at his homestead where they could not be found and could rest up for a brief period.[28]
When the team arrived at Clint Barton's Homestead they discovered that Barton was married with two children and one more on the way. Clint Barton explained that the reason the team were unaware of his family was due to Nick Fury helping him to have this second peaceful life outside S.H.I.E.L.D. where his family could be safe. Once introductions had been made, Thor informed the team that he intended to try and learn more about the vision he had had, and left the farm to look for answers.
Rogers and Tony Stark went outside and chopped wood together. They discussed how Wanda Maximoff had been able to use her powers to pull the team apart. When the conversation moved to how Stark and Bruce Banner inadvertently created Ultron, they began to argue and debate whether or not Stark should have ever experimented on the Scepter. As the argument became more intense Rogers ripped a log in half with his bare hands. Rogers told him that trying to end wars before they start results in the deaths of innocent people.
The team were later joined by Nick Fury who motivated them to gather together and restart the fight against Ultron, noting that they only had their wit and their will to save the world but must stand and fight together. Bruce Banner worked out that Ultron's plan would be to create another body made of synthetic tissue using the Cradle, and would likely do this with the help of Helen Cho. Rogers spoke to Stark and Fury before they left as Fury requested the help of Maria Hill.[28]
The team tracked down Ultron at Helen Cho's lab in Seoul where he was attempting to build a new being. When Rogers entered the lab he found Cho lying injured on the floor after being shot by Ultron. She explained to him that the being in the Cradle that Ultron had stolen had a powerful gem on its head, which could not be destroyed without creating a massive explosion which could destroy all of Seoul.
Rogers fights Ultron
As Ultron attempted to escape in a truck, Rogers engaged him and they began an intense battle with Ultron insisting that the being in the Cradle had the potential to create real change which was the Avengers' nightmare. Rogers threw his shield at Ultron but the robot was able to knock it off the truck. As Ultron gained the upper hand and began to strangle Rogers, Natasha Romanoff caught up with them on her motorbike and threw Rogers his shield back which he used to knock Ultron's hand back before continuing to battle the robot.
Soon Rogers and Ultron were thrown onto a train and continued their fight; Rogers was helped by Pietro and Wanda Maximoff who had betrayed Ultron after learning Ultron's plan to eradicate all human life. Seeing that he was outnumbered, Ultron destroyed the controls of the train and escaped. Rogers ordered the Maximoffs to assist him; he sent Pietro to move people out of the way of the train while Wanda used her powers to successfully stop the train, saving thousands of lives.
By the end of the battle, the Avengers took control of the Cradle with the being inside but Natasha Romanoff was taken prisoner by Ultron. Rogers recruited the Maximoffs as temporary members of the Avengers, seeing their willingness to stop Ultron's plans. Before they left, Rogers spoke to Wanda Maximoff, who expressed her fears of Tony Stark getting possession of Ultron's new body, making the comparisons between the war mongering A.I. and Stark as they both intended to save the world but could not see that they were destroying it.[28]
Back at the Avengers Tower the team began searching for Romanoff and discovered that Tony Stark and Bruce Banner were attempting to transfer J.A.R.V.I.S.' consciousness into the being Ultron had created. When Rogers saw this he and the Maximoff twins confronted them and they engaged in a short fight. Their fight was quickly interrupted when Thor arrived and used his lightning to activate the Cradle and give life to the being.
The being launched out of the Cradle and briefly attacked the team, causing Thor to throw it across the room. The being stopped mid-flight when it stared out of the window at the city. The being apologized for its mistake and called itself the Vision, giving itself a uniform and cape based on Thor's uniform and promised to assist the Avengers in their war with Ultron. In an attempt to show its worthiness to the team, as Rogers and the others questioned it, the Vision casually lifted Mjølnir and handed it to Thor, proving his trustworthiness.
The Avengers then teamed up with the Maximoff twins and regained their weapons ready to go into war with Ultron. They discovered that Ultron was heading back to Sokovia with a plan to destroy the world. Rogers gathered with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner to discuss their plan of attack, Stark noted that it was unlikely that they would all survive the battle but Rogers did not let this stop him, noting that he had no other plans. As they flew to Sokovia in the Quinjet, Rogers gave a speech where he informed the team that their priority was to get the people of Sokovia away from the battle before engaging Ultron.[28]
Once the Avengers arrived in Sokovia, Rogers sent the team to evacuate the civilians from the danger. Eventually, Ultron made his move and used a device to levitate Novi Grad and to drop it on Earth to destroy the planet. Rogers led the Avengers in the battle against the Ultron Sentries. They knew that if Ultron was able to activate the device's engine he would destroy the entire city, so they defended it against a seemingly endless horde of Ultron Robots.[28]
Rogers tries to save a car
As the army of machines continued to attack the civilians of the city, Rogers spotted a woman in a car dangling on the edge of the broken bridge. Rogers attempted to save her but was seconds too late as the car fell from a bridge, tumbling hundreds of feet. Thor came to their aid and flew down, pulling the woman out of the car and throwing her to Rogers, who was able to pull her back to safety. Another Ultron Sentries then attempted to kill them but Rogers was able to use his shield to rip it in half before throwing its mangled body off the bridge, mocking it as it fell.
Rogers destroys an Ultron Sentry
While Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver battled the Ultron Sentries in the city centre, Captain America and Thor fought the incoming army on the outer limits of the city, protecting the citizens from harm. When Black Widow arrived she and Rogers fought side by side, assisting each other until the first wave of Sentries were all destroyed. During this time Iron Man flew outside the city to try and work out how to stop Ultron, when he suggested that they destroy the city, Rogers insisted that they would not leave the city and risk the lives of the thousands of citizens.[28]
Eventually, Nick Fury and Maria Hill arrived onboard a Helicarrier and used it to enact Rogers' plan and evacuate the civilians while War Machine joined the battle. Rogers was surprised yet delighted at Fury's surprise arrival, jokingly calling him a son of a bitch, to which Fury teased if he spoke to his mother the same way. Fury sent out a squad of rescue boats to evacuate the citizens while Rogers and the Avengers ensured no one was left behind.[28]
Seeing the Avengers were winning the battle, Ultron attempted to activate the key and destroy the planet. Captain America and the rest of the team arrived in the church and surrounded the key in order to protect it. When Thor mocked Ultron, the robot showed off his army of hundreds of Ultron Sentries. Rogers then turned to Thor and commented on how he had to provoke Ultron. As Ultron continued to monolouge about how he intended to destroy them, Iron Man said they would defeat him the way Rogers had suggested, together.
With the challenge accepted, Ultron unleashed his army of Ultron Sentries upon them. Rogers and the Avengers put all their force into destroying the seemingly endless horde of Ultron Sentries, with Rogers ripping off their heads and crushing them under his shield, until finally they were pushed back. When Ultron attempted to join the fight in his strongest form, the Vision, Iron Man and Thor nearly destroyed him with their combined powers.
With the battle almost won, Rogers ordered the team to get to a rescue boat and leave the city before Iron Man and Thor stayed behind and destroyed the city, despite knowing that there was a strong chance of their deaths. Scarlet Witch agreed to stay behind to protect the key and Rogers made his way to safety. However, before they left, Ultron took control of their Quinjet and used it to fire a hail of bullets upon the Avengers, killing Quicksilver in the process.
Rogers quietly carried Pietro's body onto the rescue boat while Hawkeye saved a young boy and reunited him with his sister. Without warning, Ultron managed to activate the key and Rogers was barely able to escape onto the Transporter as Novi Grad fell towards the Earth. Thor and Iron Man were able to destroy the device, saving the earth. With the battle won, Vision was able to destroy the final Ultron body, effectively killing him.[28]
The Avengers were disbanded in the aftermath of the Battle of Sokovia, with Tony Stark and Clint Barton retiring and Bruce Banner still missing in action. Rogers, Stark and Thor met at the New Avengers Facility where they discussed the Vision keeping the Mind Stone in his head, Thor insisted that he could as he had proven himself worthy by lifting Mjølnir, although Rogers questioned if this counted as Vision was a machine. Thor then returned to Asgard to learn more about the Infinity Stones.
After the Battle of Sokovia, Captain America led the new team in a mission in Lagos, Nigeria to stop Crossbones - now severed from HYDRA and working as a mercenary - from stealing a virus. The mission reaches its pen-ultimatum when Captain America and Crossbones dueled in a market. Captain America spots a truck from the window of a building he was standing in that would not stop. He tells Falcon to go after the truck. Falcon drops Captain America from the sky as he proceeds to take out some of Crossbones' mercs. Revealing his identity, Captain America then interrogated him about the information of his buyer. Crossbones then goes ahead to taunt Captain America about his friend, Bucky, who had been under HYDRA's control. Then he proceeds to tell Steve that Bucky said to tell him that when it's time to go it's time to go. Crossbones triggered his suicide vest to kill himself and Captain America in an act of suicide-revenge. Captain America attempts to absorb the blow to protect the civilians, as he did so many years ago with the grenade at boot camp. However, Scarlet Witch used her powers to to save Steve and the immediate civilians by throwing Crossbones into a nearby building. Upon seeing the carnage, Steve Rogers instructs Sam Wilson to call fire and rescue to the scene.The result was the death of many in the building, presumably including Crossbones himself, although he has survived worse.[29]
The death of many innocents and destruction of property in Nigeria was only the latest in a series of similarly devastating events, including The Battle of New York, The Battle at the Triskelion, the Battle of Sokovia, and to a lesser extent, several other skirmishes over the the years. As a result, the Sokovia Accords drafted to regulate super heroes and were signed by 117 nations. Former General Thaddeus Ross, now Secretary of State, calls the active Avengers together at the New Avengers facility to tell them about the Accords. Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Falcon, and War Machine are present.
The team is divided on the issue, with each member beginning to take sides. Tony fully supports the bill, feeling the regulation is necessary to do good and protect people- a mother of an exchange student approached Stark after a lecture, making Stark aware of her son's death in Sokovia. Tony tries to convince Steve, but the latter is hesitant. Steve feels that the Avengers are successful because they don't have a government to which they answer; deliberation of when to deploy the team would render the Avengers to slow to act in emergencies and prevent them from determining when and where to act. While Stark feels guilty over creating Ultron, Rogers feels that the intervention of another party could have similar results to the S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltration by HYDRA. Ross informs the team that refusing sign the Accords is tantamount to resignation.[29]
Death of Peggy Carter
During the meeting, Steve receives a text telling him that Peggy Carter has passed away. At the funeral in London, Rogers' beliefs on the Accords are affirmed by a eulogy given by Sharon Carter, who reveals her relation to the former Carter; she is Peggy's niece. Roger stays in the church after the funeral, alone, much like when another close friend was assumed deceased in the past. Romanoff arrives and consoles Steve. They discuss the Accords, and what it will mean for Rogers in the team. Romanoff feels it is necessary to sign, but Rogers is unmoved. [29]
Hunt for Winter Soldier
The Accords are underway to be signed in Vienna, and Stark, Romanoff, Rhodes, and Agent Carter are present with members of the United Nations. Among them are T'Chaka, aging king of the reclusive African nation Wakanda, and his son, prince T'Challa. During the meeting, a bomb is detonated outside the building, killing T'Chaka. The perpetrator is facially identified to be James Barnes. When a man sees Barnes shopping in a market, he identifies him as the terrorist whose face was broadcast on television and calls the authorities. Barnes flees as the Austrian forces are dispatched to capture him. Against the warnings of Romanoff, Steve and Sam pursue Bucky in an attempt to detain him and prove his innocence. Likewise defying the Accords, T'Challa, suiting up as his alter ego, the Black Panther, also pursues Barnes, but with a very different motive: kill him to avenge his father.
As the Austrian authorities pursue Barnes with the order to shoot on sight, Captain America and Falcon race to find him. Captain America eventually finds his friend in an apartment he had inhabited, and the two discuss and finally make amends- Bucky has enough awareness of his situation to trust Steve. Bucky tells Steve he had nothing to do with the bombing and his friend believes him. But the Austrian special forces are closing in. Captain America and the Winter fend them off as they escape- with no casualties occurring.
Cap, the Winter Soldier, and Falcon flee the Austrian forces and Black Panther. Panther is hot on their trail as he chases them through an automobile tunnel. Panther stops the Winter Soldier, who is riding a borrowed motorcycle, by tackling him to the ground. War Machine is officially dispatched , and along with the Austrian forces, stops the four superhumans just outside the tunnel. Rogers, Wilson, Barnes, and T'Challa are arrested and taken to Ross in Berlin.
In Berlin, Barnes is held in a containment cell and Rogers, Wilson, and T'Challa are offered exoneration on the condition they sign the Accords. T'Challa is released, but Rogers and Wilson refuse to sign. Stark arrives, extending an olive branch by offering Rogers a set of antique fountain pens, and asking his friend once more to sign. Steve values his friendship with Tony, but he feels he must stand by his principles. They argue, but Steve still refuses to sign the Accords. An incensed Stark leaves; their friendship straining further.
Rogers and Wilson, with Sharon Carter, sit idly in the glass box that contains them behind Ross and the other significant individuals, who watch the interview of a contained Barnes by a yet-unknown psycho-analyst. Using her abilities, Sharon hacks into the feed to allow Rogers and Wilson to see and hear the interview over the T.V. screen in the room.
Suddenly, the power across the entire city goes out, including the lighting and computer feed in the headquarters. This is the doing of the psychoanalyst- whose true identity is Helmut Zemo- who had an e-bomb detonated at a Berlin power plant. While the power is out, Zemo producse the Winter Soldier Book, and begins to read the trigger words aloud to Barnes. Although Barnes tries to resist, the words eventually trigger him. Zemo extracts from Barnes the location of the facility in which he was detained by HYDRA, receives his answer, and turns the Winter Soldier loose before leaving. The Winter Soldier breaks out of his cells and flees in a rampage.
Stark, Romanoff, T'Challa and Carter attempt to intercept the rampaging Winter Soldier, but he proves too capable and evades them. Rogers and Wilson escape to follow him, once again going against regulation, but this time there will be no going back. The two manage to catch Barnes, who is fleeing in a helicopter. Testing the upper limit of his strength, Steve manages to hold the helicopter to the landing platform and prevent the escape.
The duo take Barnes to an abandoned building and subdue him. They question him and deliberate their course of action; telling Stark or the others would get them back where they started, but doing otherwise could make them wanted men. Bucky elaborates the potential motives of Zemo. He believes that Zemo is travelling to the Siberian HYDRA facility that formerly kept the Winter Soldier when he was in Cryosis. There he will create more Winter Soldiers, based on a formula that Bucky, under HYDRA's control as the Winter Soldier, stole in 1991 from a motorist he assassinated; he made the killing look like accidental death by car crash. The formula was originally used to create other Winter Soldiers in said facility; Barnes believes he was the only survivor.[29]
New Team
Knowing the threat an army of Winter Soldiers poses to the world, Rogers, Wilson, and Barnes weigh their options. They know that reporting this to the authorities or Stark will only land them in custody and action would not be taken soon enough to stop the threat, but trying to stop Zemo and the hypothetical Winter Soldiers alone wouldn't be enough. The trio decide: Stark and the authorities can't be trusted to help, so they must put a team together to stop Zemo.
Rogers and co. meet with Agent Carter in a parking lot. She gives them their armor and weapons, and she and Steve share a long overdue moment of intimacy, to the cheers and howls of Steve's friends. She leaves them, as she is still officially allied with the Accords. Clint Barton, who Rogers ordered out of retirement to retrieve Scarlet Witch from the New Avengers training facility, having been kept their by Vision, per Stark's orders, arrives with Maximoff as well as a new recruit of whom Sam had informed him.
Scott Lang, reformed cat burglar who has assumed the mantle of Ant-Man, was eager to meet Captain America and the other heroes, and agreed with their plight; even though it meant he would once again be a criminal. Lang would provide a critical asset for the team.[29]
Stark's Avengers
Meanwhile, an aggravated Stark convinced Ross to let him and his team of heroes bring Steve, and the rest of their former allies, in on their own, on the condition it could be done within thirty six hours. Stark brings together the remaining available Avengers: Black Widow, War Machine, Vision, and Black Panther to stop Captain America's team. Much like Cap, Iron Man realizes that his time could only benefit from a deterrent to put the tide in their favor. He recruits Peter Parker, a teenager from Queens. For the last six months, Parker has operated under the identity of Spider-Man, protecting the people of NYC from the threats of evil. The young man, who idolizes the Avengers as a whole and has great admiration for both Stark and Rogers, ha amazing abilities; super strength, speed, and reflexes; the ability to stick to and climb various surfaces; pre-cognition; and wise-cracking. In addition, he has used his own scientific knowledge to create wrist-mounted gauntlets that shoot "web" fluid, which sticks to most services and has many practical applications.[29]
Captain America and his companions arrived at the Leipzig/Halle Airport to take a Quinjet to find Zemo. There, they are intercepted by Iron Man and his Avengers, who offer Captain America and his team one last chance to surrender. Steve once again weighs his choices, ultimately deciding he needs to stop Zemo immediately. Thus, the two teams of former allies clash. Captain America and his team fight the battle fiercely. As the tide begins to turn in Iron Man's favor, Hawkeye shoots an arrow at Iron Man- carrying an miniature Ant-Man, who penetrates Iron Man's armor and damages it. During the battle, Captain America and Spider-Man meet, and the two introduce themselves. They bond over their similar backgrounds (Queens and Brooklyn) and Captain America confides to Peter that he is a good kid. Later on in the fight, Ant-Man unleash his secret weapon, he used the Pym Particles to grow in size and strength. This upperhand puts said team in the lead- until the ingenuous Spider-Man defeats Ant-Man by trapping his legs in webbing, a tactic inspired by the movie The Empire Strikes Back. With a final push by the recently-arrived Vision, Giant-Man is felled into a plane. This distraction allows Captain America and the Winter Soldier to run to the Quinjet hangar unnoticed.
However, they are intercepted there by Black Widow. Steve and Natasha, close friends, do not want to have to fight. To Steve and Bucky's surprise, she lets them leave, repeatedly shocking Black Panther, who was about to stop them, to keep him in place, giving Steve and Bucky the chance to reach the jet. As they depart, Iron Man and War Machine follow them through the air as they attempt to fly away. In turn, Falcon follows the two armored Avengers to try to stop or at least slow their pursuit. From the ground, the Vision sends a beam to so stop the jet, but Falcon prevents him, and the beam is inadvertently redirected, hitting War Machine and knocking him out of the air. As War Machine falls to his possible death, Iron Man cancels his pursuit and flies after War Machine in an attempt to catch him, as does Falcon. They are to late and War Machine crashes into the ground. Stark cradles his possibly dead friend in anger, giving Rogers and Barnes an opportunity to leave. As a result, the rest of the team are captured and Stark now has a vendetta against Rogers.[29]
Battle of the HYDRA Siberian Facility
As Rogers and Barnes make their way to Siberia, Stark evaluates the series of events. He first talks with Romanoff, who is incensed with Stark's adherence to the regulations and leaves the team, going in to hiding. Fortunately, Rhodes survived, but he is at the least paralyzed. The rest of Captain America's team is held in the Raft, a superhuman prison. Stark discovers that Barnes was not responsible for the bombing, and visits Wilson at the Raft to tell him. With this information, Wilson tells Stark where Rogers and Barnes are going. Stark then follows them, alone, without the consent of Ross. Stark flies to meet Rogers. As does Stark, but known to no one else, Black Panther pursues Barnes and Rogers, intent on killing the former.[29]
Zemo Ultimatum
Stark arrives at the HYDRA base shortly after Rogers and Barnes- as does T'Challa. As Captain America and the Winter Soldier make their way through the base, Iron Man finds them and declares a truce to stop Zemo. Panther lurks after them. The trio find the Winter Soldiers, all deceased; Zemo never planned to use them. Zemo reveals his true nature: at the time of battle of Sokovia, he was living with his wife, child, and father in said country. He believed that his family, residing in the country, would be safe from the Avengers' battle as it took place in the city. Counter to Zemo's predictions, his family were among the casualties.
Blaming the Avengers, he has orchestrated a plot to tear them apart from the inside. He then starts a video of a car on a dark road. Stark knows the road. He becomes concerned. Steve and Bucky warn him not to watch the video. The video reveals Bucky, under HYDRA's control, killing his targets from 1991 and stealing the formula. The targets were Tony's parents, Howard and Maria Stark.
An enraged Tony demands Steve tell him if he knew that Barnes killed his parents. Steve revealed that he did know. The furious Stark attacks Rogers and Barnes, who attempt to tell him it was out of Bucky's control. He is too enraged to listen and continues to fight them as they attempt to flee. Eventually, they are locked in confined battle. Stark barks at Rogers in anger that he defends the man who killed his mother and father, but Rogers says he has to stand by his friend. Stark was Rogers' friend too, of course. The three savagely fight, Barnes and Rogers having no other choice but to harm the latter's friend. Stark gains the upper hand on one numerous times for the other to defend the former. Eventually, Barnes savagely beats Stark to save Rogers. In the process, Stark destroys Barnes' robotic arm. In the climactic duel, Steve savagely strikes Tony, and the fight culminates in Stark blasting his repulsors at Rogers, who valiantly deflects with his shield. After the blast, Rogers disables Stark's armor, renderiing him a non-threat.
Rogers leaves with Barnes, dropping his Shield, feeling he no longer deserves it. Meanwhile, Black Panther confronts Zemo, and the two open a dialogue about the concept of revenge. Panther decides that he will not follow the same path as Stark and Zemo, regardless of who killed his father. Zemo tries to kill himself, but T'Challa intervenes and brings him to the authorities.[29]
Conclusion
Black Panther puts Zemo in the custody of agent Everett Ross. Zemo is not finished with his actions, but is unable to cause further harm from his cell. As Rhodey recovers, Tony receives a package sent by Steve. The package contains a letter and a cell phone. In the letter, Steve apologizes for the events that transpired, withholding the knowledge of the Stark's death, and the fact that he cannot accept the Accords. He gives Stark control of the Avengers, and assures him that if he ever needs him, he will be a phone call away.
Not long after, Steve and Bucky free the other Avengers from the Raft and flee.
Later, Steve and Bucky are under refugee in Wakanda, courtesy Black Panther. Bucky decides to go back into cryo-sleep until the Wakandan scientists- far and ahead of those in any other country- determine a method to deprogram his HYDRA controls. T'Challa and Rogers have come to be allies, and for the time being, Rogers will be safe in Wakanda.[29]
Personality
"You ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?" "Hell no. That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb to run away from a fight, I'm following him."
Considered by many as the world's first and greatest superhero, Captain America has been defined by his courage and righteousness.
Steve Rogers has always had a noble and honest spirit, intolerant towards injustice and abuses of power. Since he grew up weak and small, he learned on his own that true strength is having the courage to fight against abuse no matter one's power and having compassion for the innocent. Despite being transformed into a perfect human by the Super Soldier Serum, he maintained his original spirit and character. Since his reawakening, Rogers was saddened by losing so much from his time but still retains the same values he had since the 1940s. Due to his famed past exploits and his continued works to save the world, Rogers is generally respected by many; even if he doesn't seek acknowledgement for his deeds.
What separates Steve Rogers from the other Avengers is his humanity and morality. Steve Rogers is an extremely dedicated person. Despite being physically weak and small, and rejected many times due to his frail health, he still tried to enlist in the Army during World War II. Steve tried to be of service in whatever way he was allowed; even when his talents were wasted when he was ordered to inspire the American soldiers and support the American war effort by starring in U.S. propaganda. When he heard that the 107th battalion, including Bucky, was captured in a nearby HYDRA facility, Rogers disobeyed his superior's orders and went behind enemy lines in a seemingly suicide mission and rescued them. Rogers finds the courage to defend the weak and innocent, not hesitating to stand up to corrupt bureaucrats or powerful beings like Loki. A true hero, Rogers is more than willing to sacrifice himself to protect others.
Rogers is not afraid to do what's right for the greater good and make the tough choices, even if it might be costly to him personally. As a soldier and an Avenger, Rogers knows full well that war has its casualties and some of his dearest friends or even himself may need to make the ultimate sacrifice. Rogers once had to tell Natasha Romanoff to close the Chitauri portal, despite Stark not being out yet. Rogers was also willing to fight his best friend Bucky Barnes when the latter was preventing Steve from saving over three million innocent lives. Nevertheless, Captain America will always prioritize civilian lives. For example, Rogers would not abandon Novi Grad until all of its citizens were evacuated; even when Ultron was planning on smashing the city to the ground to create more damage to Earth.
As seen during World War II and the Chitauri Invasion, Captain America has demonstrated impressive charisma and leadership skills. He is able to command respect from his fellow Avengers and the undying loyalty of his Howling Commandos. Rogers' extraordinary ability to not only inspire the nobility in others, but also assess combat situations and come up with effective strategies made his fellow Avengers recognize him as the leader of their team. During the Chitauri attack on New York, Captain America focused on directing civilian authorities in order to keep the citizens safe and off the streets while the rest of the Avengers focused their efforts on taking out the Chitauri's military assets.
Even when outnumbered by the forces of HYDRA within S.H.I.E.L.D., Steve was able to get Wilson, Hill, Romanoff and even Fury, along with the loyal agents within S.H.I.E.L.D. to fight back against HYDRA and stop Project Insight from being achieved. As a result, Rogers dealt HYDRA their first devastating blow in decades, since he fought against them in World War II.
Captain America's uncompromising sense of morality and selflessness sometimes puts him at odds with Tony Stark, who is more comfortable with a grey morality to protect people. This has led to several moments of bickering, arguments, and almost physical fights over the direction of the Avengers in how to protect people. Despite their differences, however, they both respect each other, work well together, and have even formed a friendship.
Captain America's sense of duty exceeds his personal feelings; however, his sense of loyalty is difficult to surpass. After realizing the Winter Soldier was his long thought to be dead best friend, he only fought him to disable HYDRA's Helicarriers. However, once the Helicarriers were destroyed, he immediately stopped fighting the Winter Soldier in an attempt to reason with him and help him remember their friendship.
Since being defrosted by S.H.I.E.L.D., Steve was lost in a world he no longer knew. The world had changed; though technology had greatly advanced, humane morals were constantly being compromised in favor of political expediency. To make matters worse, most of the people he loved from his past were gone, or greatly aged. Even while working with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers, Steve still had no real life outside of being a soldier. Steve did not know how to belong, and strives to uphold his code of honor in this new complicated world. Although he eventually met both Peggy and Bucky, Steve was still a "man out of time". However, after the battle against Ultron, Steve finally realized that he was no longer the man he was before he was frozen. Hence, Steve decided to focus his life on just helping people, taking a permanent role as the leader of the second incarnation of the Avengers.
Powers and Abilities
"Did I beat Captain America's time?" "Not even close."
Artificially Enhanced Physiology: As a Super Soldier, Steve Rogers possesses enhanced human abilities, such as formidable intelligence, strength, speed, durability, agility, stamina, dexterity and reflexes, as well as an accelerated healing factor, which healed all of his ailments & genetic imperfections quickly. It also prevents him from being drunk. The serum metabolized and enhanced all of Steve's natural anatomical abilities beyond the peak of human potential, pushing into the early levels of superhuman condition. It transformed a frail and sickly Steve into the "perfect" specimen of human development and conditioning. Captain America frequently exhibits superhuman abilities as a result of the Super-Soldier serum. Captain America is extremely intelligent, strong, fast, agile, and durable as well as physically functions at superhuman levels. Although the SSS has definite limits, even without training Rogers' physiology surpasses that of any human being trained to their physical & mental peaks. Rogers maintains an overall healthy lifestyle including a regular extensive exercise regimen and a balanced diet. This appears to have increased his capabilities further, much like how it increases strength, physical performance & muscle control in non-enhanced humans.
Enhanced Intelligence: Steve's mental performance has been greatly enhanced to the very peak of human potential and beyond, thus allowing his mind to operate in the most efficient and rapid manner possible. Some manifestation of this is his exceptionally perfect charisma, eloquence, leadership skills, deductive/analytical skills, and tactical genius. Rogers has demonstrated the ability to quickly process multiple information streams (e.g., threat assessment) and rapidly respond to any changing tactical situations, by creating perfect winning strategies rapidly. He possesses perfect memory as demonstrated when he was able to perfectly replicate the locations of all HYDRA bases on a map, despite "only getting a glance." He is able to learn anything- he can memorize, understand and recall all kinds of information and skills in extraordinary capacity and in limited time. Even with his limited knowledge of modern technology, he was still able to help Tony repair a Helicarrier and prevent it from crashing, or when he quickly gave the Avengers and the first responders an efficient plan to minimize and contain damage from the Chitauri invasion. Since the Super-Soldier serum amplifies personality aspects as well, Rogers' brain chemistry is also altered. Though he was brave, determined, and compassionate before, the SSS has also amplified those character traits.
Enhanced Strength: Rogers' strength is enhanced beyond the peak of human potential, moving into the early levels of superhuman condition. His strength allows him to overpower average combatants, including well-trained humans, extraterrestrial troops, and robot sentries. He can bend metal bars, slam through solid walls and reinforced glass, and pry open steel doors. In combat, his strength allows for him to send enemies, such as fully equipped soldiers, flying several meters in the air from mere punches and kicks. He can even generate enough force to have his shield pierce the metal frame of a Quinjet. His strength is, however, inferior to high-level super-humans like Hulk, and beings from other realms like Loki or Thor. Nonetheless, his combination of strength, pure muscle control and combat skills makes him an incredibly formidable opponent to those that would try to attack him. During his USO tours, Rogers was able to lift a motorcycle frame with three show girls sitting on top without any strain. With one hand, Rogers can lift a grown man over his head and throw him like a rag doll. He was also able to pull himself away from the immense magnetic force applied on his hand by a magnetic lock, which most others cannot achieve. Steve Rogers was able to lift a massive metal support beam to save a trapped Winter Soldier, while he was critically injured. He also supported falling debris from a collapsing building to save Black Widow and himself from being crushed. When chopping wood, Rogers ripped apart a block of wood trunk in half with his bare hands. He has been able to throw a moving motorcycle at a jeep, toss Ultron, who was in his second body, through a concrete pillar during their fight in Seoul and support the weight of an entire car during Ultron's initial attack on Sokovia. He has also shown he is strong enough to stop a helicopter from lifting off, by pulling on the landing gear.
Enhanced Durability: Steve's bones and muscles are denser and harder than a human's, above the highest level of human potential, which makes him much more durable than any human being. Though he is not completely bulletproof, he can survive blunt force trauma such as being hit with solid objects like his own shield, or contact with superhuman opponents like Loki, the Winter Soldier, and the Red Skull. With his vibranium shield, he is capable of surviving falls from heights that would absolutely kill a human. Steve was tasered, shot, stabbed, caught in several explosions, and took several beatings including: being blasted through a city bus by a launched grenade, falling from the 30th floor of Triskelion, and getting beaten by the metal arm of Winter Soldier in the face multiple times. With his enhanced physiology, Rogers was able to recover and continue fighting after taking such blows in efficient time. Another great example of his durability is when Rumlow tried to taze him with the Taser Rod. He was able to resist it for more than 5 seconds with endurable discomfort whereas normal humans would become unconscious within a second of contact. He also dropped down to one if Project Insight's helicarrier at a considerable height. Steve was able to dive out of a Quinjet without a parachute into open water. Steve was also able to take the full power of both Ultron's blasts and Iron Man's repulsors straight in the chest, as well as Scarlet Witch's telekinetic bolts and a super-accelerated punch from Quicksilver, all without any noticable damage whatsoever, while he got back up immediately after all of these.
Enhanced Speed: Steve can run and move at speeds that are superior to the finest Olympic athlete. He can keep up with most standard vehicles and cover a small area such as city blocks within a short period of time. Sam Wilson stated that Steve ran over 13 miles in less than 30 minutes, during their first encounter. Even while completely unmatched, Steve was quick enough to surprise Quicksilver and knock him out with his shield. However, Winter Soldier and Black Panther are able to rival his speed, while the latter could easily outrun him in a chase due to their head start, forcing him to resort to hijacking a car to catch up.
Enhanced Stamina: Steve's musculature produces less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of an ordinary human. Rogers' body eliminates the excessive build-up of fatigue-producing chemicals in his muscles, granting him exceptional endurance and lung capacity, greater than of normal humans. He can function in peak capacity for hours before showing fatigue.
Enhanced Agility: His agility is greater than that of an Olympic gold medalist and leagues above even the worlds greatest acrobats. He can coordinate his body with perfect balance, equilibrium, flexibility, and dexterity. He can reach very high places with great ease. While escaping the destruction of the HYDRA base that Bucky was held captive in, he was able to leap from one end of the complex to the other side in order to escape. During his chase of the Winter Soldier, Steve was able to leap outside his apartment into the building across the street. He can leap over cars with simple running moves. Steve uses his enhanced agility to perform amazing parkour and gymnastic moves that would be impossible for a normal human to accomplish.
Enhanced Reflexes: Steve's reflexes are superior to those of the finest athlete. It is beyond human potential which allows him to dodge rapid gunfire in close range. Rogers was once able to evade a gatling gun's gunfire from a Quinjet as he was accelerating towards the airship on his motorcycle. His auto-reflexes allow him to easily dodge gunfire and respond quickly to fast pace combat. Soldiers are subdued by Captain America before they can even align their weapons on him. His immense reflexes can also be used to attack and counter instead of just defensive purposes, allowing him to punish attacks with devastating counters when fighting extraordinary quick opponents.
Enhanced Senses: Steve's five natural senses have been enhanced. This allows him to see further, hear with amazing clarity, detect specific persons, objects, substances with his smell, etc. He was able to notice little things such as sweat coming to a man face to cue him off on danger[6]. He has also spotted a HYDRA soldier high up in a tree completely hidden when platoons of soldiers had no idea[2]. His other senses may also be enhanced.
"Your metabolism heals four times faster than the average person."
Regenerative Healing Factor: The super-soldier serum caused Steve Rogers' physiology possesses accelerated healing & regeneration. He is immune to all infections, diseases and disorders; also Rogers cannot become intoxicated by alcohol, drugs, toxins, or impurities. For Steve, large cuts and bruises heal within minutes and even fatal gunshot wounds and fractures will mend within an hour or less. Rogers was able to regenerate from being shot by a Chitauri Gun directly to the abdomen in a matter of minutes. Any and all injuries will heal and regenerate rapidly and perfectly without leaving a trace of injury.[citation needed] Steve regained consciousness in a short amount of time after nearly dying. His accelerated healing powers also helped him to rapidly rejuvenate to his prime conditioning & capabilities after he was defrosted, as well as it kept him alive when he was in cryo-stasis. It also seems to be rapidly regenerating already very healthy slow-decaying cells. Thus in theory, Rogers has a form of semi-immortality.[citation needed]
Master Martial Artist: Rogers is a master at combat and the field of martial arts. He has an extensive knowledge of melee combat. He also displayed a variety of martial arts in his fighting style. Rogers' combat style composed of a mixture of American Boxing, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, Taekwondo and Aikido. In addition, Rogers also showed refined fighting techniques, applying characteristics of Muay Thai, Karate, Savate, and Wing Chun. Captain America's combat skills are considered legendary, making him one of the greatest fighters in the world. Even in World War II, when still inexperienced, Captain America already proved to be a great fighter, having used his knowledge of combat, his enhanced attributes, and indestructible shield to defeat hundreds of Nazi soldiers and even the Red Skull himself. After being revived in the 21st century, Rogers was quickly put into action again; he proved able to keep abreast with Loki in combat for a short period, and also managed to defeat hordes of Chitauri aliens at the Battle of New York. When a police officer questioned why he should take orders from Captain America, the latter defeated several attacking Chitauri soldiers with ease, inducing the impressed officer to follow his orders without question. When he joined S.H.I.E.L.D., Rogers received more extensive training, proving more than capable of defeating several armed pirates, soldiers of HYDRA, a dozen STRIKE agents (while limited by the confined space of an elevator), as well as also having Georges Batroc knocked out in a one on one fight. Captain America also defeated the notorious Winter Soldier in combat, ultimately putting him to sleep in a choke-hold. His combat level is at least on par, if not better, than that of the Winter Soldier, Black Panther and Black Widow. Rogers is even able to use his combat skills to hold his own against considerably stronger opponents, with him defeating an armored Crossbones, battling evenly against and defeating Spider-Man, temporarily holding his own against Loki, giving Ultron a prolonged fight, and even ultimately defeating Iron Man in a vicious duel, despite the latter also having the aid of F.R.I.D.A.Y.'s advanced combat analysis. Rogers also managed to defeat hordes of Ultron Sentries during the Battle of Sokovia.
Shield Mastery: Over time of training and experience with his unique shield, as well as its physical properties, allow him to accomplish amazing feats with the item. Aside from bashing foes and blocking incoming attacks, he is able to throw it with nearly perfect aim, managing to slice Spider-Man's webbing with it mid-air. Rogers can hit multiple targets with the same throw by means of ricochet, and could even achieve a boomerang-like return effect, allowing him to strike enemies from behind or retrieve the shield without objects to ricochet from.
Expert Marksman: Rogers can throw most projectile weaponry with great aim and is well-versed in the use of firearms like the military-issued Colt 1911 or the Tommy Gun during World War II and eventually modern firearms, picking up an assault rifle and using with ease. While he knew how to use the modern assault rifle, he was not use to it and missed his targets each time he fires and even slipped from the platform he was and grabbed a wire to stay on the ship when caught in a hail of gunfire from the men that he was fighting on the Helicarrier. Rogers also shows expertise in knife throwing.
Master Spy: Aside being a veteran soldier and one of the world's greatest fighters, Rogers is highly skilled in espionage, intelligence gathering, infiltration, and sabotage. During World War II, Rogers and the Howling Commandos successful raided several HYDRA bases, rescued Allied POWs, and captured top HYDRA scientist, Dr. Arnim Zola. After being revived in the 21st century, despite his lack of knowledge of the current technologies, he managed to sneak around in the Hellicarrier and discovered S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Tesseract-based weaponry. When Rogers received additional training from S.H.I.E.L.D., he became an accomplished spy in his own right. He participated several black-ops missions with STRIKE, and helped thwart the HYDRA Uprising. He evaded capture from authorities when he became a fugitive twice (During HYDRA Uprising and the Avengers Civil War). However, Rogers' most impressive feat was breaking into an underwater highly-secured prison, the Raft, and freeing his fellow Avengers.
Master Tactician: Rogers is an accomplished strategist. He is able to formulate battle strategies and his brilliant tactical sense allows him to alter any strategy to fit the changing need of the situation. A prime example is when he formulated the plan to go in first by himself in "the front door" of the Red Skull's hidden base. After taking out the Red Skull's defenses and feigning a surrender, the assault team and then the full force of the Strategic Scientific Reserve came in and raided the base following Rogers' initial assault. His tactical brilliance also came into play during the Chitauri assault on New York, first in organizing first responders to protect the civilian population, and then re-deploying other members of the Avengers to best defend the city with their limited resources (even the usually anti-authoritarian Tony Stark recognizes Rogers' tactical abilities and accepts his assignment).
Master Acrobat: Rogers' years of training and experience have made him an expert acrobat, gymnast, and aerialist. He often utilizes these talents in combat for both evasive and offensive purposes. Combined with his enhanced agility, Rogers has shown expertise in utilizing flips in his attacks and takedowns.
Multilingualism: Rogers speaks his native English, as well as fluent French.
As a weapon of choice, Rogers uses a round shaped Vibraniumshield, which can be used as a throwing weapon and is able to absorb any kind of impact. Also in combat, Rogers also uses canon weapons like guns and other firearms.
Vibranium Shield: A concave disk about 2.5 feet in diameter, weighing 12 pounds painted in its familiar red-white-and-blue pattern with a five-pointed star design in its center. Constructed by Howard Stark and made from Vibranium. The Vibranium alloy can absorb and reflect kinetic energy from impacts therefore making it nigh-indestructible. Nearly every kind of human weaponry can not even dent it, as bullets normally bounce off it. The shield is also strong enough to combat magic and mystical weapons, such as Thor's hammer Mjølnir. It also withstood Iron Man's repulsors, deflecting them in a coordinated team attack. The shield's shape makes it a superb throwing weapon. It can cut through the air with minimal wind resistance. It is also able to bounce off solid objects, such as walls and floors, when struck on its edge and can be ricocheted off of multiple surfaces. It also makes a formidable and devastating hand-held weapon. Combined with Rogers' strength and combat skills, it enables him to plow through virtually any opponent. The Vibranium in the shield also enables Rogers to withstand great falls and devastating blows that he couldn't otherwise.
M1 Garand: Steve Rogers was issued a M1 Garand rifle for his training maneuvers in Camp Lehigh. However, he never used it for actual combat during World War II.
Colt M1911A1: Rogers was issued a M1911A1 as his sidearm during World War II. He took one of them in an unathorized mission to liberate his friend Bucky Barnes in a HYDRA facility in Austria, and continued to use it during the rest of the war, especially in his attacks against HYDRA all over Europe and the capture of Arnim Zola.
M1921 Thompson: Before joining World War II, Rogers played a colourful character named Captian America in a series of live shows and films. In those films, he used a M1928A1 Thompson to attack Nazis and protect America, inspiring soldiers to join the United States Armed Forces and citizens to buy war bonds.
Noveske N4 Diplomat: Captain America took one of these rifles from one of the mercenaries that attacked the Helicarrier, and used it to defend his position while helping Tony Stark to restart the aircraft's propellers.
M67 Grenade: Rogers obtained a grenade from one of the HYDRA operatives patrolling one of the Project InsightHelicarriers, using it to attack a group of operatives while infiltrating the aircraft.
Other Equipment
Uniform: Rogers and Howard Stark both designed the original suit he wore during the war. It was made of carbon polymer and it offers a medium level of resistance to gunfire. The helmet also served as a mask. It also allowed for a sidearm. The shield could be attached to the back. However, upon his reawakening and him joining the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., along with input from Phil Coulson, designed his new upgraded suit. It has more flexibility and mobility than his previous suit. The new suit carries a wireless communicator. The uniform is composed of a Nomex and Kevlar fiber. While it doesn't allow for him carrying a sidearm (it is unknown whether this was intentional or not at this time), nonetheless, it is possibly bulletproof and fireproof. It could also withstand blunt force trauma and energy blasts from alien weaponry.
Utility Belt: Captain America wears a utility belt containing tactical devices and equipment for battle.
Grapple Gun: A line cable firing device that automatically entangles a limb of a flying or fleeing culprit, thus preventing their escape. It is kept in Captain America's utility belt. Captain America used it on Iron Man when Stark was chasing the Winter Soldier.
Before Rogers gets his signature circular Shield, he is seen using three different shields. The first time, he uses a garbage can lid as a shield when he's getting beaten up by a bully in an alley. The second time, he uses a cab door as a protective shield when Heinz Kruger fires a gun at him. The third time, he uses a triangular shield during a musical tour and later ends up using it as a weapon on his first mission.
Due to the Super Soldier Serum, his metabolism burns four times faster than the average person. Therefore, he cannot get drunk.
When Bucky takes Steve to the World's Fair near the beginning of the film he says, "We're going to the future" - a foreshadowing that Steve Rogers and Bucky will actually go to the future, at the end of the film and in the sequel, respectively.
According to Steve's WWII enlistment form, his birth date is July 4, 1918, making him twenty-five in 1943. Decades later in 2011, when he wakes up after 66 years, he is ninety-two. However, due to being frozen for so long and his fast metabolism, he still appears young.
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of Captain America's date of birth is listed as July 4, 1918, the mainstream comics version's date of birth is July 4, 1920.
Steve Rogers originally drinks the Super Soldier formula, while in the movie Steve is transformed into Captain America with a large set of special equipment, designed by Abraham Erskine and Howard Stark.
Steve Rogers was an artist before becoming Captain America; Adolf Hitler was also an artist before he became Führer of the Third Reich. This is an ironic coincidence, as Captain America was fighting Nazis.
The helmet he wears on his first mission is a homage to the Ultimate Universe WWII Captain America's helmet.
His triangular shield is based off of the character's original shield , as well as the Ultimate version.
When Steve wakes up for the first time in almost seventy years in the 1940's-style 'recovery room,' he hears the broadcast of a baseball game from May, 1941, on an old-fashioned radio and recognizes the game because he was there. This is a reference to an actual baseball game played at Ebbets Field on May 25th, 1941, where Pete Reiser of the Brooklyn Dodgers hit an inside the park grand slam. Actor Michael Swan recorded the dialogue portraying the Dodgers announcer.
In an alternate opening to The Incredible Hulk, Bruce Banner is attempting to commit suicide on top of a glacier, instead transforming into The Hulk before he can do it, smashing the glacier. A freeze frame shot of the crumbling glacier shows Captain America in the ice, but this is odd considering that he was in the Valkyrie when he was frozen. However, ice shifts are common in that area, and his body could have easily fallen though a hole in the cabin in one of the shifts, and later ended up back in the plane due to another shift.
In The Incredible Hulk, when Tony Stark is talking to General Ross, Stark says the Super Soldier program was "put on ice," referring to Captain America's frozen body.
Captain America has the most screen-time in The Avengers with nearly thirty-seven minutes. He also has the most screen-time in Avengers: Age of Ultron with just over fifty minutes.
Chris Evans made a cameo in Thor: The Dark World as an illusion created by Loki.
