Saturday Showcase: US Agent

 

Greetings NERDs and NERDettes, 

How the hell have you been?  In case you missed my post last weekend, I stated that I will start showcasing characters from the hit series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier starting with the "new" Captain America, John Walker.  Little did I know, that the second episode would introduce at least three more characters that I will need to fill you in on.  If you were a comic fan in the 80's and 90's, then you should be familiar the characters that appear in the series, but when I see some of the reactions, I realized there are a lot of fans who only have knowledge from the films and nothing else.  So, feel free to share the knowledge that I drop today and every Saturday.  First, let's discuss US Agent as promised.  (Next week I plan on discussing Isaiah.)

U.S. Agent aka John Walker first appeared in Captain America #323 (November 1986) as Super-Patriot. He was later redesigned as an incarnation of Captain America and, a few years later, as U.S. Agent.  This was during a time when Steve gave up the mantle as Captain America.  

FUN FACT: The original US Agent suit was actually Steve's costume hw wore when he returned to action before becoming Captain America once again.

John Walker as Super Patriot

Origin:

John Walker was born in the town of Custer's Grove, Georgia. He grew up idolizing his older brother, Mike, a helicopter pilot who died in the Vietnam War in 1974. John wanted to live up to Mike's memory, who was idolized by their parents, and so he later enlisted in the military. John served at Fort Bragg, unfortunately for John, he served during peacetime and so never became the hero that he perceived Mike to have been.

After John received an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he was told by a friend about the Power Broker, a mysterious individual who gave people superhuman abilities. This is were John acquires his super strength.

Super Patriot:

To catch national attention, John keeps asking Steve for a fight to prove who is the best defender for America.  When Captain America repeatedly refuses his challenges to a fight, Super-Patriot attacks Captain America. Although Captain America proves to be a more skilled fighter and lands blow after blow, the trash-talking Walker manages to absorb the attacks. With neither man falling after a lengthy brawl, Super-Patriot flings a number of throwing stars at Captain America, one hits in the chest, embedding into Captain America's uniform but doing little to no actual physical damage. With the successful strike, the gleeful Super-Patriot claims victory and promptly departs. 

Captain America:

Soon after, Steve Rogers abandons Captain America's costume and identity there was a debate who should be the new Captain America, with Nick Fury and Sam Wilson both being considered as candidates.

Dr. Valerie Cooper, a member of the Commission, suggests that Walker should be made the new Captain America as a U.S. government operative. Though repulsed by the notion of giving up being Super-Patriot and taking on the Captain America identity he has criticized so much, Walker ultimately answers, "Ma'am, if Uncle Sam wanted me to be Mickey Mouse, I'd do it." 

FUN FACT:

When John first became Captain America, his sparing partners were a band of pardoned mutants calling themselves the Freedom Force.

US Agent:

Walker soon resurfaced as an adventurer known as the U.S. Agent, wearing a variation of the Captain costume and using a vibranium disc as a shield. He was first seen as the U.S. Agent, battling an Iron Monger as a test for the Commission. He was then placed as a watchdog of the West Coast Avengers and the Vision by the Commission, as a condition to possibly get their government clearance reinstated.

While with the West Coast Avengers, he had many conflicts with each of the members, especially Hawkeye, who had similar values to that of  Captain America.  That alone made John's tie a living hell which ended up in a brawl between the two.

Although the West Coast Avengers knew he was there to keep an eye on them, John was allowed to stay and ended up being a key member of the team.  Sure, his temper would lead to some heated situations, he was a warrior for the USA, and as long as the missions didn't counter that belief, he would always be accepted to fight along side with.

Publication Information:

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

First Appearance:

As Super-Patriot: Captain America #323 (November 1986)

As Captain America: Captain America #333 (September 1987)

As U.S. Agent: Captain America #354 (June 1989)

Created by:  Mark Gruenwald & Paul Neary

Background Information:

Alter Ego:  John F. Walker

Species: Human (empowered)

Team Affiliations:

Mighty Avengers

Omega Flight

New Invaders

S.T.A.R.S.

The Jury

Force Works

Secret Defenders

West Coast Avengers

Dark Avengers

Commission on Superhuman Activities

Bold Urban Commandos

Astonishing Avengers

Partnerships:  Battlestar

Notable Aliases:  Jack Daniels, Super-Patriot, Captain America

Abilities:

Exceptional hand-to-hand combatant

Highly trained acrobat and gymnast

Superhuman strength, agility, reflexes/reactions and endurance

Peak-level speed, dexterity, coordination and balance

Use of nearly indestructible shield and firearms

There is so much more that I can write about John Walker, this is just the tip of the iceberg,  I have been a fan of US Agent for years, and I am excited about how his is portrayed in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.  The background may not be the same, but the story is there.  My only question is will we see the Commission get involved or do they even exist in this reality.  Tune in to find out.  Please make sure to come back to see my showcase about Isaiah.  If you don't know who I am talking about, you will.

Until next time, get your READ on!