Want to know who John Walker a.k.a. U.S. Agent a.k.a. “Captain America” is in comic books? Here are some cool facts to know as you watch The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
No matter what comic book movie and show you’re watching, you’re likely going to find characters that you dislike. It’s inevitable. However, the disdain that people have for John Walker (the new Captain America) in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has been hilarious. The first episode of the new Disney Plus series ended with the reveal of the newly-christened Cap and the internet went crazy, with fans turning him into memes and posting their playful outrage online.
Avengers: Endgame concluded with Steve Rogers (the original and best Captain America) bestowing the mantle to Sam Wilson. Sam seemed honored and fans were very happy. Sam became Cap in Marvel Comics under similar circumstances. Unfortunately, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sam didn’t feel like he was worthy of the title as he gave the shield to the U.S. government and they made a new Captain America.
Who is John Walker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier?
So, who is John Walker? Is he worthy of being Captain America? Will he be liked as a character? There are so many questions surrounding him. Most of which can’t be answered until the series progresses. What this writer can do is give you some facts about him from Marvel Comics.
4. He actually was Captain America
Comic book movies and TV shows aren’t always comic-accurate. A lot of time they will change certain aspects from characters to fit their project while adapting them to the screen. Things like Ego being Star-Lord’s father in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 or Thor going to Earth and remembering his godly lineage in Thor. This isn’t the case for John Walker as he actually was Captain America in Marvel Comics.
There was a time when Steve Rogers didn’t feel like he could proudly wear the Captain America uniform. When he resigned, the uniform and the shield went to John Walker who then became Captain America.
Like you would assume, he was nothing like Steve Rogers. John Walker blindly follows the orders of the United States Government regardless of what he’s told to do. This could be the case in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. That said, don’t be shocked if he switches sides in the end. It’s usually what happens in shows like this. However, this is how he could become a U.S. Agent.
3. Trained by Taskmaster
John Walker was in the U.S. Military and trained by some of the very best that the government had to offer. Among them was Taskmaster.
Taskmaster’s power of photographic reflexes allows him to perfectly mimic anything that he sees. Among these moves are Spider-Man’s web-swinging, Iron Fist’s kicks, and Captain America’s fighting style. The latter is the most important. It’s how John Walker learned how to throw Cap’s shield with such accuracy.
Walker is almost as good as the original himself (and possibly better than Sam Wilson when he was Captain America in the comics). Maybe we’ll see a training sequence between Taskmaster and John Walker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier… you know, the former is in Black Widow.
2. Worked with Luke Cage as a warden
During the final fight with Norman Osborn, H.A.M.M.E.R. and the Dark Avengers in Siege, one of John Walker’s legs and arms were cut off (Thunderbolts No. 142). After that, Walker became a warden on the superpower prison called the Raft. A job he was more than suited for – something that he proved this during an attempted breakout.
When the security system went down, the inmates tried to escape. Among the heroes that the villains encountered was Walker. They assumed that this would be an easy fight but they were wrong. Walker easily beat them with one leg and his prosthetic arm. After taking out five inmates, Walker stood tall and asked if anyone else wanted to be, “top dog in here.” No one accepted their challenge. In fact, one of them held John Walker’s wheelchair for him.
1. Not exactly a bad guy
It may be difficult for people to not look at John Walker in the Captain America uniform and despise him. The last person to wear it was someone beloved by the masses. Not just in character, but the actor as well. And while the character may have become oddly detestable, John Walker isn’t a bad person. He’s just an extreme believer.
Throughout his time in Marvel Comics, John Walker has proven that he’s a hero. Sometimes he makes mistakes, but who doesn’t? His problem is that he’s often impulsive. Recently, Steve Rogers was sent to jail for a murder he didn’t commit. Instead of talking to him, Walker attacked Rogers as soon as he saw him. He thought that everything that Steve said to him was a lie. Obviously, he was hurt. Eventually, Rogers showed him the truth and Walker believed him.
John Walker will likely show this side of him in the MCU. He’s going to do a lot of impulsive things as the show progresses. And, of course, we will probably boo him for it. Hopefully, he’ll get some redemption as well. However, if this show follows the comics, John Walker will become U.S. Agent under nefarious means.
What do you think about John Walker in Marvel Comics? Do you have certain expectations of him in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier? Let us know in the comments below!