Alternative versions of Captain America

Alternate versions of Captain America
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941)
Created by	Joe Simon Jack Kirby
See also	Captain America in other media

In addition to his mainstream incarnations, Captain America has also been depicted in other fictional universes.

Alternative continuities

1602

The Marvel 1602 limited series presents an alternative history, Earth-311, in which a Captain America from the late 21st century is transported to the year 1602 after the Purple Man takes over the world- his enemy wanting to dispose of Rogers in such a way that there is nothing left of him in the present to inspire others-, where he assumes the identity of "Rojhaz", a white Native American who is presumed by the Europeans to be of Welsh ancestry. His arrival causes numerous alterations in reality, causing analogues of various Marvel Universe characters to appear in the 17th century instead, speculated by Uatu to be the result of the universe attempting to generate a means of repairing the damage caused to reality. Rogers refuses to return to the future because he wants to nurture a new United States free of prejudice from its very beginnings, but the 1602 version of Nick Fury forces him to return, accompanying him on the journey. Rogers noted that in his version of the late 21st century, he was the last true super-hero and was left alone fighting his own country - the United States - which had fallen under the rule of a tyrannical life-term President.

Captain America Guardian of Freedom

A story told from the first hand account of Rick Jones when sent back in time to the Second World War. Captured by Nazi troops, he is rescued by Captain America and Bucky. While initially believed to be Shell Shocked, he convinces them he is from the future when he reveals he knows their secret identities of Private Roger Stephenson (a brunette) and Bucky Barnes. When Barnes is murdered by the Red Skull, Jones takes his place as the new Bucky for a mission to stop Zemo's missile. At the end, with another time jump, Jones encounters a President Stephenson who needs his help.

Captain Colonies

A member of the Captain Britain Corps, Captain Colonies (Stephen Rogers)^[1] appears in Excalibur #44.

Bullet Points

The five issue limited series Bullet Points, written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by Tommy Lee Edwards, tells of an alternative reality in which Doctor Erskine is killed the day before implementing the Captain America program. Steve Rogers, still frail, volunteers for the 'Iron Man' program, which bonds him to a robotic weapons-suit. He uses this to achieve victories against the Nazis on many fronts. He is eventually killed by Peter Parker, who is the Hulk of the reality.

Deadpool Merc with a Mouth

In the 7th issue in the series, Deadpool visits a world where Captain America is known as General America, and is after a female version of Deadpool called Lady Deadpool. Deadpool intervenes and sends Headpool (the zombie version) after him, and Headpool bites him on the arm. To prevent the zombie plague from affecting that earth, Deadpool cuts off Cap's arm and leaves with it. In promo's for Deadpool Corps, General America is shown to have a robotic arm.

Earth X

In the 1999 Earth X series, in a post-apocalyptic alternative present, Captain America is a war-worn hero, with a bald head, a ragged United States flag for a top and an A-shaped scar on his face, but still holding on to his shield and well built. In the Universe X: Cap one-shot comic, he sacrificed himself to save the reborn Captain Mar-Vell. He later transformed into an angel of sorts, with blue skin, a white star on his chest, an "A" shape on his face, a U.S. flag draped around him, and a blade of light from his right arm. It is during this series that Doctor Erskine is revealed to be a Nazi, using his work with the Americans as a cover to help the Nazis create an army of "super soldiers." The Bullet that killed Dr. Erskine was meant for Steve Rogers.

Elseworlds

Captain America and his sidekick Bucky star in Batman and Captain America, a title that appeared in the DC Comics Elseworlds series. The story is set in an alternative World War II, with Captain America and Bucky meeting Batman and Robin in the course of a mission and working together as a result. The two heroes' principal arch-villains, the Red Skull and The Joker, also work together, in a Nazi plot to steal the American Fat Man atomic bomb. When the Joker realizes that the Skull is actually a Nazi (saying "I may be a criminal lunatic but I'm an American criminal lunatic!"), he double-crosses him and causes the atomic bomb to be detonated off-target, killing the two villains. In an epilogue set approximately twenty years later, Dick Grayson, who is now the new Batman, with retired Bruce Wayne's son Bruce Jr. as Robin, discovers Captain America frozen in an iceberg in the ocean decades after the war. When thawed out by Batman and Robin, Captain America, though aggrieved by the death of Bucky in their final adventure (the same as in the main Marvel storyline), decides to again fight in the name of justice.

Exiles

In the Exiles arc Forever Avengers, a different timeline where Captain America was turned into a vampire by Baron Blood, and later turned the Avengers, he becomes the new Vampire King. The now Cursed Avengers (composed of Hawkeye, Wasp, Giant-Man, Falcon and Polaris) plan to turn New York's population into zombies, but their plans are thwarted by the Exiles with the help of that Earth's Union Jack Kenneth Crichton. One of the Exiles, Sunfire, was bitten by one of the vampires. Before she could completely turn, Baron Crichton destroyed Captain America and later revealed himself to be the grandnephew of the original Baron Blood and a vampire as well, and he becomes the newest King of the Vampire by blood right.^[2]

JLA/Avengers

Captain America is seen as the leader of the Avengers during the JLA/Avengers story. His mind affected by subtle incompatibilities between the two universes, he sees the Justice League as overlords who demand praise and worship in return for heroic actions. He especially gets angry at Superman, who (likewise affected) sees the Avengers as heroes who don't do enough and let their world down. During the first confrontation, Cap and Batman battle but reach a standstill. The two decide to team up to solve the mystery of their merging universes. They figure out the plan, but their intervention in the last battle causes the villain Krona to go mad and cause the two universes to merge. Cap is the only Marvel hero to sense reality changing and his attack on Superman shatters the fixed reality. The two teams find the Grandmaster, who shows them the way their realities are supposed to be. Despite seeing shocking revelations, the two teams decide to face Krona. Cap leads the teams as a battle tactitian, communicating orders through the Martian Manhunter's telepathy, and gives Superman his shield. During the battle Cap is confronted by Prometheus, whom he defeats.

House of M

In the altered world of the House of M, Steve Rogers lived through World War II and the years afterward, not frozen in suspended animation. Rogers became an astronaut and was the first man to walk on the moon in 1956. As a result of not going into suspended animation, Rogers is said as being nearly 100 years old during the House of M, by Emma Frost, and thus his Earth-616 memories are not reactivated, unlike the other heroes. This spared him from a severe mental shock. According to Marvel editorial, the House of M is not an alternative reality, but a period of time in which everything in the 616 reality was profoundly altered by the Scarlet Witch.

Last Avengers Story

The two-issue limited series The Last Avengers Story (November-December 1995) tells of a possible alternative future for Captain America and the Avengers. Appalled with the American government after the "Villain Massacre", Captain America leaves his life as a superhero and runs for President instead. His presidency is a large success, but he is shot and seemingly killed in his third term, causing the other heroes to lose faith. However, Cap is not dead, but placed in suspended animation in a secret location until the technology to heal him can be developed. Using a sophisticated series of computer monitors, Captain America watches his friends win their final battle and records it for historical purposes.

Marvel vs DC

Captain America appears in the Marvel/DC crossover Marvel vs DC. He first appears to be fighting with HYDRA before being summoned to the DC Earth. He is later shown in a brawl with Bane, winning when he throws his shield so that it strikes Bane in the back of the head before Bane can break his back. He is then seen fighting with Batman in the sewers of Manhattan, in which he ultimately loses. After a pitched hand-to-hand standoff, they both end up throwing their respective weapons (shield and batarang) with Batman scoring the only hit, and subsequent, knockout blow. Afterward, they team up with each other to stop the entities, the fundamental similarities between the two- unique men who trained themselves to the peak of human development - and their lack of interest in 'proving' their superiority over their counterpart forcing the Brothers to halt their conflict.

Amalgam Comics

In the Amalgam Comics community, Captain America was combined with DC's Superman to create Super-Soldier.

Marvel Mangaverse

In the Marvel Mangaverse reality, the original Captain America is decapitated and killed by Doctor Doom, but Carol Danvers assumes the identity. This is done mostly out of a desire of self-defense, but she is encouraged to keep it for the foreseeable future by Sharon Carter. The original Mangaverse Captain America is both the leader of the Avengers and the President of the United States. His costume gives him the power to generate and manipulate energy shields.

Marvel Zombies

In the 2005–2006 miniseries Marvel Zombies, and the follow-up 2007 Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness, Captain America is known as Colonel America, and he has served as President of the United States. He is among the superheroes turned into zombies. He is seemingly killed by a zombie Red Skull, who scoops his exposed brains out. Ant-Man then steps on the Red Skull. As his intellect was partly retained in the remaining portion of his brain, he was transplanted into Black Panther's son's dead body. The transplant is successful, but the resulting brain damage turns Colonel America into a battle crazed zombie, manageable but unable to focus on anything that's not related to war and battle.^[3]

In Marvel Zombies 3, another version, Captain Mexico, is also infected.

MC2

In the alternative reality MC2 universe, Captain America leads the original Avengers on a mission to yet another alternative reality, which claims the majority of the team. He stays behind to aid the rebels in that reality, thus adding to the list of the dead / missing in action. The next iteration of MC2 Avengers aids him in A-Next #10-11, at the end of which he gives American Dream the shield that had belonged to that universe's Captain America. Captain America and Thunderstrike return to their home universe to aid in the fight against Seth in Spider-Girl #59.

In the 2005 limited series Last Hero Standing, the MC2 Captain America is fatally injured leading a group of young heroes in battle against the Norse god Loki. Thor uses his power to transform Captain America into a new star. In the sequel, Last Planet Standing, Galactus states that this new star is the key to his escaping his world-devouring hunger^{[citation needed]}.

Mutant X

In the Mutant X universe, a mutant succeeds Rogers as Captain America, joining Havok's team of superheroes, "The Six", in order to protect mutants from a deranged Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. He has powerful energy manipulating abilities which manifest when America is threatened. Using that power he managed to kill a platoon of Super Soldiers and the Avengers, which consisted of Black Widow, Deathlok, Typhoid Mary, Hawkeye and Iron Giant Man (Tony Stark). He's defeated by Havok and is then drawn below the earth by The Beyonder who kills him after he finds out what he needs to know.

Marvel Apes

In the Marvel Apes Universe, Captain America leads the Ape-vengers (which contain a lot of reformed supervillains). Secretly, he is a vampire along with his version of the Invaders, and plots to enter the 616 universe for sustenance. To accomplish this, he has already killed his world's version of Mr. Fantastic. However, it is revealed that the vampire Captain America was really Baron Blood, who took on Cap's form and increased his strength through the Super Serum inside him. The real America was still frozen in ice up to the modern era, and helped Gibbon, Wolverine, and Speedball fight off the vampire Namor. Afterwards, they set out to stop Baron Blood.

Old Man Logan

Captain America appears to have his eyes gouged out, and afterwards is killed, by the Red Skull in the ruins of the U.S. Capitol after all the heroes have fallen to his coalition of supervillains. The Red Skull subsequentally takes his costume and wears it as President of the United States.

Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E.

Captain America is mentioned several times in Nextwave, usually by Monica Rambeau (who constantly talks about her time as an Avenger). At one point, Monica theorizes that Captain America is secretly gay, as he was the only Avenger who never hit on her (Tabitha Smith agrees that it would be cool if that were true and explain why "people always dress like him at gay pride marches")

He appears in a flashback Monica has, when the Avengers are attacked by naked enemies. He tells her to "cover your eyes, go back to the mansion, and make my dinner".

Larval Earth

In the Spider-Ham comic books, the funny animal version of Captain America is Steve Mouser, an anthropomorphic cat who works for the Daily Beagle and is also secretly Captain Americat.^[4]

Truth: Red, White & Black

Main article: Truth: Red, White & Black

In the 2003 limited series Truth: Red, White & Black, black soldiers act as test subjects for the WWII Super Soldier program of 1942. Most of the subjects die, or become deformed with the exception of one, Isaiah Bradley. Isaiah substitutes for Captain America on an assignment, discovering Jewish concentration camp detainees subjected to experiments.

In Captain America vol. 4, #28, an Isaiah Bradley from an alternative Earth became Captain America and never married. Later, he is elected president and serves two terms. He travels back in time, accidentally crossing to Earth-616, and bringing the mainstream Captain America and Rebecca Quan forward into his own time to prevent his daughter, Rebecca "Becky" Barnes, from traveling to Earth-616.

Ultimate Marvel

Main article: Ultimate Captain America

• 1960s Captain America (aka "Captain America of the Vietnam War"). An Ultimate Universe parallel to the Captain America of the 1950s who succeeded Rogers in the role during his original time frame. The 1960s Captain America is in fact Frank Simpson better known in the 616 universe as Nuke.

Weapon X: Days of Future Now

What If?

Alternative versions of Steve Rogers are seen within several issues of the What If? series.

In What If Captain America and Bucky had both survived World War Two?, events change when Steve is able to latch himself onto the drone plane with Bucky and manage to deactivate the bomb in time. Both men thus survive and go onto assist the Allied Forces in the remaining days of the war. Baron Zemo is shot by the Red Skull for failing to kill Captain America and Bucky, but it revealed that the Skull shot him with a weapon which would merely put him to sleep for twenty years, and he tosses Zemo's body into an abandoned castle's dungeons. Meanwhile with the assistance of the Howling Commandos, Steve and Bucky help capture Berlin for the allies. Bucky and Cap continue to fight in the 50's and 60's against Communists, though tragically Nick Fury is killed in the Korean War.

After several years of working together, Bucky opts to go his own way in the mid-60's leaving Steve on his own. Contacted by President Lyndon Johnson, the aged Steve is offered to become head of the newly created S.H.I.E.L.D. against the terrorist group HYDRA, but Steve declines and suggests the younger Buck Barnes instead, who accepts.

SHIELD forces under Barnes continue to battle HYDRA but fail to capture their mysterious leader the Supreme Hydra. Joining Steve on one of his missions to catch up, the pair run into the Hulk and Rick Jones. Steve is knocked out, forcing Bucky to use Cap's shield and rescue Rick from the Hulk's rampage. Bucky tells Cap that maybe it is time that he takes on the role of Captain America, and after some thought Steve agrees. Overhearing the conversation allows Rick the opportunity for light-hearted blackmail and the chance to be the new Bucky. Steve meanwhile becomes SHIELD leader.

Tracking the final large group of HYDRA to an uncharted island, Steve and SHIELD agent Sharon Carter team up with the new Cap and Bucky, with Sharon having recently fallen in love with Bucky Barnes. The group disguise themselves as Hydra spies and infiltrate the island's volcano, which turns out to be fake and created as a hideaway for HYDRA forces. Discovering the existence of a brand new life force draining weapon created by the Supreme Hydra, the four fighters are unfortunately caught and captured. The Supreme Hydra is revealed to be none other than Baron Zemo, who has not aged for twenty years due to the Red Skull's weapon. Believing that Captain America is still Steve Rogers he prepares to kills Bucky Barnes, but Steve escapes his cuffs and frees the others. A fierce battle ensues, resulting in Zemo's death as he is hit by fake lava... but unfortunately a shot from Zemo's gun hits and kills Bucky. The story ends with a distraught Steve mourning the loss of his friend, and the possibility of Rick Jones becoming the new Captain America.

What If Captain America lived in the American Civil War?

A What If comic was published starring Captain America, featuring a continuum where Captain America was made during the American Civil War. His name is still Steve Rogers.

Captain America is a corporal attached to a Northern force called the Redlegs, and led by Colonel Buck Barnes, called Bucky by his troops. Captain America's first mission was supposed to be against soldiers, but he was led against civilians, and refused to harm them. He hid in a barn, and got stabbed in the leg by Southern children with a pitch fork, but still refused to harm them. Bucky ordered him to execute the Southerners and he refused, trying to shoot Bucky unsuccessfully.

Bucky was about to kill Steve Rogers, but Rogers was saved by an eagle, who was shown watching the massacre earlier. Steve managed to get the children onto the colonel's horse, but got shot by Bucky before being dragged off by two runaway horses. While unconscious, Steve Rogers had a dream of We-pi-ahk the Eagle-Chief, he woke up to a black man, Private Wilson, in a Northern uniform, and was brought back to an Indian reserve. Steve Rogers seems to have given up on life after the massacre he saw, professing that "After what I saw today, I... I don't even care which side wins. Blue, Gray... It's all the same. We're all going to Hell by the time this is over." The doctor said he'd be dead by morning.

Wilson starts a ceremony with Steve because he was the man that We-pi-ahk led him to find, the one that would bring union to all people. During the ceremony Bucky comes to the reserve, and demands "the traitor," referring to Steve Rogers. The ceremony was to make Steve Rogers "as you are on the inside, so shall you become on the outside." Bucky kicked in the door at that moment, and saw We-pi-ahk, and became as he was on the inside as well. He now has nothing but a skull for a head.

Bucky ordered his men to open fire and kill everyone in the camp. Wilson rushed at Bucky, exclaiming him a murderer, and was shot quickly. It is hinted that all the Indians were massacred. A streaking light blew away a group of Redlegs, from an unknown source. There appeared Steve Rogers as Captain America.

Bucky attempted to shoot him, but his bullets were deflected by Captain America using his shield. Captain America said he felt no animosity towards Bucky, only pity. When he threw his shield to stop Bucky, it turned into a golden eagle spirit. While it did not seem to act upon its own will, it did fly back and perch on Captain America's arm, before turning back into the shield.

As a side effect of Captain America's involvement, the Civil War ended earlier than in our history, and Abraham Lincoln was never assassinated. He helped the South rebuild after the war, and suppressed the rise of the K.K.K. As a representative of the Indian people, he was able to prevent the Indian wars of 1870. Sadly, Buck Barnes, the White Skull, was not done, and reformed a group even more dangerous than the K.K.K. The descendants of both would continue fighting each other up to the present in this alternative universe.

What If? Age of Apocalypse

In the 2006 What If Age of Apocalypse one shot, Captain America becomes the leader of The Defenders (the reality's version of The Avengers), alongside Logan (not bonded with any adamantium), Captain Britain (who uses Iron Man's armor), Brother Voodoo (this reality's Sorcerer Supreme, after Dr. Strange's death), Colossus, The Thing (who uses a prosthetic arm), Molecule Man, Sauron, and Nate Summers.

This reality's Captain America no longer wears a mask, and wields Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, aside from his shield.

See also

• Captain America in other media

References

1. ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #2 (May 2008)
2. ^ Exiles #31-32
3. ^ Marvel Zombies 2 #3 (February 2008)
4. ^ "Larval Earth". Marvel.com. http://www.marvel.com/universe/Larval_Earth.