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Avengers: Age Of Ultron Primer – Captain America’s Shield

By Steve Lam

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Continuing our daily Avengers: Age of Ultron Primer, we bring you a quick rundown of Captain America’s famous Vibranium shield.  The iconic boomerang shield really needs no introduction as it is as symbolic as the hero who wields it — Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America.

One of the curious things about the the Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer is that we see Captain America’s shield virtually destroyed.  Wait, isn’t this thing supposed to be impervious to all damage?  I guess not.  We explore Captain America’s shield and the times it has been damaged in the comics.

The shield was originally created accidentally by Dr. Myron MacLain in an attempt to turn an indestructible alloy into Adamantium (the material that makes up Wolverines claws and skeleton).  Later, Dr. MacLain took out Wakandan Vibranium and the third material from the formula and was able to create Adamantium.

Captain America’s shield is composed of Vibranium, steel, and a third unknown material (sometimes called proto-Adamantium).  It was first introduced in Captain America Comics #2 (April 1941).  The shield absorbs most kinetic energy and is resistant to penetration, temperature, and radiation.  It can cut through the air with very little friction and resistance.  The wielder will feel very little momentum or force when defending against objects of great force (e.g. The Hulk’s punch, Mjolnir’s strike from Thor).

Aside from Captain America, the people who have wielded the shield have been Bucky Barnes, Ian Rogers / Nomad, Sam Wilson, Wonder Man, Clint Barton, Major Victory, Nathan Dayspring, Crusader (the alternate reality daughter of Steve Rogers and Rogue), Superman (the guy sure does love his Avengers weapons, see Steve Rogers vs. Mjolnir), Kelsey Leigh, and John Walker.

Next: There's always a backup shield

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