The Falcon and The Winter Soldier - Official Clip (Sam Wilson, Joaquin Torres)

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Falcon
Joaquin Torres Infobox
Real Name
Joaquín Torres
Alias(es)
Codenames
Falcon[1]
Species
Human
Citizenship
Flag of United States of America American
Gender
Male
Blipped
No[2]
Title(s)
1LT First Lieutenant
Affiliation
US Air Force United States Air Force
*547th Intelligence Squad 547th Intelligence Squadron
Status
Alive
Appearances
Movies
Captain America: Brave New World (unreleased)
TV Series
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (5 episodes)
Games
Captain America: Brave New World - Take Flight Today
Books
Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You (figure)
Actors/Actresses
Portrayed by
Danny Ramirez
"All we can do now is sit tight and just chill. Sometimes, there's nothing to do until there's something to do."
―Joaquín Torres to Sam Wilson[src]
Lieutenant Joaquín Torres is a United States Air Force intelligence officer and a friend of Sam Wilson.

Contents
1 Biography
1.1 Air Force Career
1.1.1 Surviving the Snap
1.1.2 Rescue of Captain Vassant
1.1.3 Discussing Flag Smashers
1.1.4 Robbery of Gasel Bank
1.1.5 Heading to Munich
1.1.6 Helping Sam Wilson
1.1.7 New Mantle
2 Personality
3 Abilities
4 Equipment
4.1 Weapons
4.2 Other Equipment
4.3 Vehicles
5 Relationships
5.1 Allies
5.2 Enemies
6 Appearances
7 Trivia
8 Behind the Scenes
9 References
10 External Links
Biography
Marvel Database Logo
This is an in-depth biography of Falcon. For an abridged overview, see Marvel Database's article on the same character.
Air Force Career
Surviving the Snap
"They think that the world was better during the Blip. Trust me, it wasn't."
―Joaquín Torres to Sam Wilson[src]
In 2018, Torres survived the Snap. For the next five years, he witnessed firsthand the hardships it brought.[2]

Rescue of Captain Vassant
"All right, heads up! You're about to fly into Libyan airspace."
"And I assume they have a problem with that."
"Yeah, yeah. A big problem."
―Joaquín Torres and Falcon[src]
First Lt
Torres does ground control during the rescue

In 2024, Torres teamed up with his new friend, Sam Wilson, to rescue Vassant, who was kidnapped by the terrorist organization known as the LAF before they were able to get him over the Tunisian border where the U.S. could not be seen operating. While driving a Humvee, he helped assist Wilson from the ground and watched as the mission was successful. He then leapt in the air in gleeful excitement.[2]

Discussing Flag Smashers
Torres talks about the Blip
Torres speaking to Sam Wilson

Afterwards, he and Wilson went to a café together in Tunisia: Torres tried to help Wilson fix Redwing, but Wilson told him he had it. Two locals then walked up and thanked Wilson for his role in bringing about the Blip. Torres then told Wilson about a new terrorist group called the Flag Smashers, who believed life was better during the Blip, and showed him their symbol on his phone. Torres then told Wilson that conspiracy theories had popped up online about Steve Rogers living on the moon as the general public didn't know what happened to him. Wilson told him not to believe everything online. When Wilson got up to leave, Torres asked why he was going to Washington, D.C., only for Wilson to smile at him and say moon stuff.[2]

Robbery of Gasel Bank
Torres tries to infiltrate Flag Smashers
Torres tries to infiltrate in Switzerland

"I don't know how jurisdiction works here, but I'mma have to place you under arrest."
―Joaquín Torres to Dovich[src]
Deciding to go investigate himself, Torres travelled to Switzerland in order to track down the Flag Smashers and found a group of people sliding on masks. Confused, Torres put one on, but soon realized that he had wandered into the middle of a bank robbery led by the same terrorist organization he was searching for.

Torres attacked
Torres is brutally attacked by Dovich

A local policeman attempted to arrest the masked Torres, but he easily got away from him. He then filmed a Flag Smasher knocking away another policeman with superhuman force. Torres tossed aside the mask and brought out his handgun confronting the terrorist. He tried to arrest him; however, the terrorist was no match for him and knocked him unconscious. After regaining his consciousness, Torres texted and then video-called Sam Wilson, updating him on what happened with the Flag Smashers.[2]

Heading to Munich
Torres & Wilson
Torres and Sam Wilson talking in the terminal

Returning to the United States of America to the USAF base, Torres met with Sam Wilson and walked alongside him as they headed to the aircraft, and asked him what he thought of the new Captain America.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier 36
Torres and Sam Wilson flying into Germany

Torres took Wilson and Bucky Barnes to Germany on the military aircraft and watched Wilson jump out of it. He was surprised when Barnes followed without any flight gear.[3]

Helping Sam Wilson
Upon being asked by Sam Wilson to look up a woman named Donya Madani, Torres called Wilson telling him that she died and that she was residing in Riga, Latvia, prompting Wilson to travel there for clues.[4]

Joaquin Torres & Sam Wilson
Torres and Sam Wilson in Latvia

Later, Torres met with Wilson and Bucky Barnes at the former Latvian GRC Resettlement Camp in Riga. Torres greeted Barnes and mentioned to him that he noticed he had gotten his sleeve back after ripping it off on the aircraft in Munich. After Barnes left them, Torres informed Wilson that Karli Morgenthau has been hiding since the brutal murder of a member of one of her teammates at the hands of John Walker. Torres also took an interest in looking at Wilson's wings. Walking away with Captain America's shield, Wilson passed on his Falcon mantle over to Torres leaving him with the EXO-7 Falcon suit.[5]

Torres calls Sam
Torres video-chats with Sam Wilson

Two months later,[6] Torres video-called Wilson and told him that the Flag Smashers were planning an attack in New York City. Wilson deduced that the Flag Smashers were planning to attack the New York Global Repatriation Council building and thanked Torres for his intel.[5]

New Mantle
TF&TWS Pilot EP6
Torres watches his friend on the news

Still at work with the USAF, Torres watched from his laptop as his friend gave a speech as the new Captain America, in his new Captain America suit, following the defeat of the Flag Smashers and smiled, motivated by the speech.[7]

Personality
"Sometimes you gotta get your hands dirty, or a broken orbital."
―Joaquín Torres to Sam Wilson[src]
Torres is a genuine, friendly man. This is shown with his friendship with Sam Wilson, providing answers that help him on his missions and helping with transportation means. Torres is also very motivated and courageous, going to Switzerland on his own to investigate the Flag Smashers instead of waiting for backup.

Abilities
Expert Investigator: Having found many Flag Smashers pop-ups, Torres took it upon himself to investigate these locations. He went to Switzerland himself and posed as a Flag Smasher, only to get beaten by Dovich.
Expert Combatant: Due to extensive military training, Torres became a capable combatant. He easily overpowered a policeman with a jiu-jitsu movement.
Expert Marksman: Torres is skilled in wielding firearms, particularly pistols.
Multilingualism: Torres is fluent in his native English, as well as Arabic and German.
Equipment
Weapons
Handgun: Torres used a handgun to try and arrest Dovich in Switzerland.
Other Equipment
Bulletproof Vest: Torres wears this military vest as his standard armor. He used it while providing ground support for Sam Wilson during the Rescue of Captain Vassant.
"Wait, yo, you forgot the wings."
"Keep 'em."
―Joaquín Torres and Sam Wilson[src]
EXO-7 Falcon: After Sam Wilson took Captain America's Shield from John Walker's possession, he gave the damaged EXO-7 Falcon over to Torres.
Vehicles
Humvee: Torres drove a Humvee while providing ground support for Sam Wilson during the Rescue of Captain Vassant.
Relationships
Allies
United States Air Force
Vassant
Hill
Alonso Barber
Sam Wilson/Falcon/Captain America - Friend and Predecessor
Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier
Enemies
LAF
Georges Batroc †
Flag Smashers
Karli Morgenthau †
Dovich †
Gigi †
DeeDee †
Appearances
In chronological order:

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Icon The Falcon and The Winter Soldier | Episode 1.01: New World Order
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Icon The Falcon and The Winter Soldier | Episode 1.02: The Star-Spangled Man
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Icon The Falcon and The Winter Soldier | Episode 1.03: Power Broker (voice)
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Icon The Falcon and The Winter Soldier | Episode 1.05: Truth
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Icon The Falcon and The Winter Soldier | Episode 1.06: One World, One People
Marvel Books Icon Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You (figure)
Captain America Brave New World Icon Captain America: Brave New World (unreleased)
Marvel Games Icon Captain America: Brave New World - Take Flight Today (concurrent events)
Trivia
In the comics, Joaquín Torres was a young man who was genetically infused with the DNA of Redwing by the Serpent Society, changing him into a human-falcon hybrid. When Sam Wilson became Captain America, Torres became the new Falcon.
Lieutenant Torres is a member of the 547th Intelligence Squadron, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Behind the Scenes
Craig Henningsen was a stunt double for Danny Ramirez in the role of Joaquín Torres.
References
Transparent Endgame Logo
The Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Falcon.
Sam Wilson Takes Flight in First 'Captain America: Brave New World' Trailer
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: 1.01: New World Order
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: 1.02: The Star-Spangled Man
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: 1.03: Power Broker
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: 1.05: Truth
As revealed in the Marvel Studios' The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline book
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: 1.06: One World, One People
External Links
Marvel-favicon Joaquín Torres on Marvel Database
Marvel-favicon Falcon on Marvel Database
Categories
Categories:Snap SurvivorsCharactersCaptain America: Brave New World CharactersThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier CharactersVideo Game CharactersHumansMalesBlack HairBrown EyesHeroesUnited States Air Force OfficersMultilingual Characters
Joaquín Torres was teased to be the MCU's new Falcon in Phase 4, and Captain America: Brave New World's trailer has confirmed this.
Marvel Studios has made many significant changes to Joaquín Torres for his live-action adaptation in the MCU.
Danny Ramirez returning as Joaquín Torres' Falcon could set the character up for a huge future in the MCU, perhaps even as an Avenger.
Danny Ramirez's Joaquín Torres has been confirmed to be the new Falcon in the MCU, taking to the skies for the first time in the trailer for Captain America: Brave New World. The mantle of the Falcon was first introduced to the MCU in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson joined Captain America and Black Widow in the battle against HYDRA with the help of his high-tech wing-suit. The Falcon has been a prominent hero and Avenger since then, but Sam Wilson relinquished the mantle after becoming the MCU's new Captain America.

After proving his worth throughout the MCU's Infinity Saga, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson will be returning to the big-screen as Captain America in 2025. This means that a new character will need to take over as the Falcon, and the perfect candidate was already teased to be donning the wing-suit back in 2021's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Marvel Studios has made many changes to Joaquín Torres in the MCU, but he will certainly make a formidable Falcon in Captain America: Brave New World and beyond.

Falcon's MCU Appearances

Year

Version

Actor

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

2014

Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie

Avengers: Age of Ultron

2015

Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie

Ant-Man

2015

Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie

Captain America: Civil War

2016

Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie

Avengers: Infinity War

2018

Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie

Avengers: Endgame

2019

Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

2021

Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie

Captain America: Brave New World

2025

Joaquín Torres

Danny Ramirez

The MCU's New Falcon Is Joaquín Torres
Joaquin Torres smiling in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
The first teaser trailer for Captain America: Brave New World has confirmed that Joaquín Torres will officially take up the mantle of the Falcon in the MCU's Phase 5. Torres first appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as an ally to Sam Wilson during his time as the Falcon. Torres is a United States Air Force lieutenant and intelligence officer who helped Sam Wilson rescue Captain Vassant from the LAF, gathered information on the Flag Smashers, and prepared Sam for his fight against Karli Morgenthau.

Play Video
After Sam Wilson finally decided to embrace his new role of Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, he left his former wing-suit with Joaquín Torres. This teased the latter's evolution into the Falcon, following in his Marvel Comics counterpart's footsteps. Captain America: Brave New World's trailer has now confirmed this transformation, as Joaquín Torres will receive a superhero suit of his own, and can be seen investigating strange goings-on alongside Sam Wilson as Captain America.

Joaquín Torres Falcon's Marvel Comics History Explained

Joaquín Torres is very different in Marvel Comics in comparison to his MCU counterpart. Most notably, Marvel Comics' Joaquín Torres is not a member of the United States Air Force, but is just a regular teenager who had just graduated from high school and was volunteering as something of a Samaritan, delivering food and water across the Mexican border, when he was abducted by the racist group Sons of the Serpent. Torres was abducted to be used as a subject in Dr. Karl Malus' experiments.

Malus performed genetic experiments on Torres using genetic material from Sam Wilson's vampiric falcon Redwing. This transformed Torres into a human/falcon hybrid, with huge natural wings, clawed hands, enlarged eyes, and a psychic link to Redwing. His psychic connection to Redwing means he is also connected to Sam Wilson, so he quickly becomes Captain America's sidekick. He helps fight Serpent Solutions, formerly the Serpent Society, and even teams up with a young superhero team, the Champions.

Joaquín Torres Falcon's Powers Explained
The Falcon in his comic costume in Marvel Comics
Joaquín Torres being a subject of Dr. Karl Malus' experiments gifted him a hybrid physiology, as his genetic material was bonded with that of the falcon Redwing's. However, Redwing was revealed to be vampiric, meaning Torres was granted extra abilities, including a regenerative healing factor that made the reversal of his physical manifestations, his wings, enlarged eyes, and talon-like hands and feet, impossible. Along with his flight, Torres' regenerative ability is his most impressive power, as he can survive even potentially fatal attacks.

Joaquín Torres debuted in Marvel Comics as part of the All New, All Different run following 2015's Secret Wars, after Sam Wilson had become the new Captain America.

Joaquín Torres Falcon's Comics Changes Explained
Sam Wilson laughing with Joaquin Torres in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Several huge changes have been made to Joaquín Torres for his live-action career in the MCU. Instead of being the subject of genetic experiments that transformed him into a human/falcon hybrid, Danny Ramirez's Joaquín Torres is just a regular human who uses a wing-suit to fly, just like Sam Wilson did as the Falcon, and still does as Captain America. The MCU's Torres is older than his Marvel Comics counterpart, works for the United States Air Force, and, despite having no innate superhuman abilities, has more trained skills.

Joaquín Torres showed off his courage, confidence, and investigative skills in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He was able to banter with Sam Wilson, where most would perhaps be intimidated to speak to an Avenger. Torres also gathered a great deal of information on the Flag Smashers, and ran recon on their actions by himself, though this did lead to him becoming seriously injured. He is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, an expert marksman, and is fluent in multiple languages, so he will surely prove to be a huge asset in Captain America: Brave New World.

Joaquín Torres Falcon's Role In Captain America: Brave New World Explained

Sam Wilson as Captain America will clearly be the lead of 2025's upcoming Captain America: Brave New World, but every good hero needs a sidekick. What Sam Wilson was to Steve Rogers' Captain America, Joaquín Torres will be to Sam Wilson. In fact, the pair seem to be much closer in Brave New World than they were in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as Torres appears to be embarking on several different missions with Sam Wilson following the attack on Harrison Ford's President Ross.

Sam Wilson and Joaquín Torres seem to be breaking into what is presumably the Leader's facility, perhaps setting up a great battle between the pair and Tim Blake Nelson's returning The Incredible Hulk villain. Captain America and the Falcon, both in their wing suits, can also be seen flying past the statue of the Celestial Tiamut together, perhaps after the missile strike seen earlier in the trailer for Captain America: Brave New World. Danny Ramirez's Phase 5 return could set Joaquín Torres up for a much bigger role in the MCU's future, perhaps even as a member of the Avengers.

Captain America- Brave New World - Poster

Movie
Captain America: Brave New World
Fantasy
Adventure
Action
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.

Director
Julius Onah
Release Date
February 14, 2025
Studio(s)
Marvel Studios
Writers
Dalan Musson , Malcolm Spellman
Cast
Harrison Ford , Liv Tyler , Giancarlo Esposito , Rosa Salazar , Takehiro Hira , Anthony Mackie , Tim Blake Nelson , Shira Haas , Carl Lumbly , Danny Ramirez , Rachael Markarian , Jacqueline Loucks , Tony Mareno , Zo'Anne Mckinstry , Phuong Kubacki , Colby Lopez , Xosha Roquemore
prequel(s)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier , Captain America: Civil War , Avengers: Infinity War
Expand
Upcoming MCU Movies

Release Date

Deadpool & Wolverine

July 26, 2024

Captain America: Brave New World

February 14, 2025

Thunderbolts*

May 5, 2025

The Fantastic Four

July 25, 2025

Blade

November 7, 2025

Avengers 5

May 1, 2026

Avengers: Secret Wars

May 7, 2027

Movies
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Marvel Cinematic
Marvel Studios has shared the official Captain America: Brave New World trailer for the latest installment of its blockbuster superhero franchise. The film is currently slated to arrive in theaters on February 14.

“In the film, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red,” reads the official synopsis.

Check out the Captain America: Brave New World trailer below (watch more trailers):

What happens in the Captain America: Brave New World video?
The video begins with Harrison Ford‘s Thaddeus Ross asking Anthony Mackie‘s Sam Wilson about working together for the sake of the country. It also highlights some of the action-packed sequences, including the titular hero’s fight against the Red Hulk. Joining Ford and Mackie are returning Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly, who are once again playing the roles of Joaquin Torres and Isaiah Bradley, respectively.

Captain America: Brave New World is directed by Julius Onah from a screenplay by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier head writers Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson. Additionally, The Incredible Hulk stars Tim Blake Nelson and Liv Tyler are so be reprising their roles as Marvel villain Samuel Sterns/Leader and Betty after 15 years since the Edward Norton-led film’s theatrical debut. New World Order will also include the introduction of MCU newcomers Shira Haas, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosa Salazar, Xosha Roquemore, and Seth Rollins.
Captain America: Brave New World gets an exclusive ScreenX poster to celebrate its imminent arrival in that format. The upcoming movie is the first to star Anthony Mackie as its titular character after Chris Evans retired from the role in 2018’s Avengers: Endgame. Also starring in the film are Harrison Ford as ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross/Red Hulk, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder, Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, and Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph.

ScreenRant is happy to offer a first look at the ScreenX poster art for Captain America: Brave New World. The poster showcases key Captain America: Brave New World characters in Sam Wilson and Red Hulk, as well as a clever star-shaped look at a cityscape. Take a look at the poster, below, and get ready to see Captain America: Brave New World in ScreenX starting February 14. Below are the vertical, standard, and square sizes of the Brave New World key art.

Captain America Brave New World ScreenX Poster
Captain America Brave New World ScreenX Poster (Standard)
Captain America Brave New World ScreenX Poster (Square)
What To Expect From Captain America: Brave New World (& ScreenX)
And Some High-Res Close-Ups of Captain America, Red Hulk, Redwing, and a pair of F-35 Lightning IIs

Captain America: Brave New World is one of the final movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 5 but looks to harken back in some ways toward what is arguably the best Captain America film in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Like that movie, Captain America: Brave New World appears to make the most of the character’s ties to the Washington, D.C. area and incorporates political thriller elements. The movie’s director, Julius Onah, has even cited political thrillers like All The President’s Men and The Parallax View as inspirations.

Even as Captain America: Brave New World is sure to see Sam Wilson fully embrace and own his role as Captain America, it is also set to introduce a long-awaited character to the MCU. Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus E. “Thunderbolt” Ross will transform into Red Hulk in the movie, pitting Sam Wilson against one of Marvel Comics’ most dangerous entities. Other heroes will join the fray as well, so even as the focus stays on its hero, Captain America: Brave New World will surely continue to expand the MCU in a big way.

The unique format of ScreenX is designed to give audiences even more immersion into their most anticipated movies. Using multiple projectors, ScreenX theaters offer viewers a 270-degree panoramic view of the action with enhanced content to suit the format. With Sebastian Stan’s buddy Anthony Mackie bringing flight to the repertoire of Captain America’s powers and Red Hulk sure to cause massive spectacle, there are plenty of opportunities for ScreenX to make an already big movie feel even bigger.

Captain America: Brave New World comes to theaters on February 14.

Captain America- Brave New World - Poster

Movie
Captain America: Brave New World
Fantasy
Adventure
Action
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.

Release Date
February 14, 2025
Main Genre
Superhero
Franchise(s)
Captain America , Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cast
Harrison Ford , Liv Tyler , Giancarlo Esposito , Rosa Salazar , Takehiro Hira , Anthony Mackie , Tim Blake Nelson , Shira Haas , Carl Lumbly , Danny Ramirez , Rachael Markarian , Jacqueline Loucks , Tony Mareno , Zo'Anne Mckinstry , Phuong Kubacki , Colby Lopez , Xosha Roquemore
Character(s)
Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross / Red Hulk , Betty Ross , Sidewinder , Rachel Leighton / Diamondback , Prime Minister Ozaki , Sam Wilson / Captain America , Samuel Sterns / The Leader , Ruth Bat-Seraph / Sabra , Isaiah Bradley , Joaquin Torres / Falcon , Presidential Aide , Secret Service Agent #2 , Navy Seal , White House Press
Director
Julius Onah
Writers
Dalan Musson , Malcolm Spellman
Studio(s)
Marvel Studios
Distributor(s)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Expand
The following contains spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 5, "Truth," now streaming on Disney+.

Much of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier deals with the weight behind the legacy of Captain America's shield and who should inherit it, and the series' hero Sam Wilson struggles with whether or not to accept that burden. But as Sam comes to grips with his responsibility, he leaves behind a legacy of its own, and possibly sets up a new hero in his wake.

Joaquin Torres has his own superhero history in the comics, the seeds of which have already been planted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This episode pushes him another step toward becoming the next Falcon.

RELATED:
Falcon and Winter Soldier Creators Had Big Plans for Marvel's OTHER Falcon

Torres from the MCU vs the comics
Sam Wilson does not seem to think of his own symbolic status as the Falcon throughout much of the series. While his position as a hero and an Avenger earns him the treatment of a celebrity, it never seems to come up that he may be leaving something behind if he were to move into the mantle of Captain America. That's probably why he discarded his wings so readily in the latest episode.

To be fair, the wings had seen better days. While in battle with John Walker, enraged following the death of his partner Battlestar and empowered by the Super Soldier Serum, the crazed Captain managed to rip Falcon's wings off in their skirmish. Joaquin showed great interest in the wings as he looked over the aftermath, in awe that they were even destroyed. As Sam moved to leave them behind, Joaquin's own interest seemed to linger, and this could be the perfect setup for a new hero.

The MCU's future is currently rife with potential new heroes and successors to the current Avengers, but this is a particularly sly introduction on Marvel's part. Having only been around since 2015, Joaquin Torres is a relatively new character whose name could easily slip many fans by, and thus far in the Disney+ series, he is already serving as the tech-savvy backup role in support of Sam's missions. If Sam were to move on to the role of Captain America, as he seems well primed to do at this point, Joaquin could easily take up his old mantle.

RELATED:
Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Who Is Joaquín Torres, Marvel's OTHER Falcon?

An inevitable rematch with John Walker is bound to happen, as the misguided hero creates his own shield in the episode's post-credits sequence, and Sam unlatches a high-tech briefcase Bucky gave him, a package from Wakanda that could easily be a new iteration of the Captain America costume. After practicing doggedly with the shield to be able to wield it effectively, it seems that Sam Wilson is ready for the role. But exactly what training Joaquin will need with the wings remains to be seen.

It may be too early to expect Joaquin to immediately fill Falcon's boots, but the set up is clearly there. Whenever he is needed most, the heroes of Marvel can expect some backup from their next high-flying hero.

Directed by Kari Skogland, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Noah Mills, Carl Lumbly and Daniel Brühl. New episodes debut on Fridays on Disney+.

KEEP READING:
A Falcon and Winter Soldier Guide: News, Easter Eggs, Reviews, Recaps, Theories and Rumors

TV News
CBR Exclusives
TV
Falcon

Falcon and Redwing as depicted in Captain America and the Falcon #1 (May 2011). Art by Greg Tocchini.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance As Falcon:
Captain America #117
(September 1969)
As Captain America:
Captain America (vol. 7) #25
(December 2014)
Created by Stan Lee (writer/editor)
Gene Colan (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego Samuel Thomas Wilson
Team affiliations Avengers
S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Defenders for a Day"
Heroes for Hire
Mighty Avengers
Avengers Unity Squad
Partnerships Captain America
Bucky Barnes
Notable aliases "Snap" Wilson
Falcon
Blackwing
Blackbird
Abilities
Empathic and telepathic link with all birds
Flight via wing harness
Skilled martial artist, aerialist, and acrobat
Proficient tactician and strategist
Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
Expert bird trainer
The Falcon (Samuel Thomas "Sam" Wilson) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was introduced by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan in Captain America #117 (Sept. 1969)

Samuel Wilson, known by his superhero alias Falcon, uses mechanical wings to fly, defend, and attack. He also has limited telepathic and empathic control over birds. After Steve Rogers retired, Wilson became Captain America in All-New Captain America #1 (Jan. 2015) and the leader of the Avengers. Wilson's deceased nephew was the Incredible Hulk's sometime sidekick Jim Wilson, one of the first openly HIV-positive comic-book characters. Jim Wilson's father Gideon Wilson would go on to join the Gamma Corps.

Falcon was the second Black superhero, after Black Panther, and the first African American superhero in mainstream comic books. Wilson as Falcon and Captain America has made several media appearances, including in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where the character is portrayed by Anthony Mackie in the films Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), the television miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), and the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World (2025) as Captain America.

Publication history
Samuel Thomas Wilson, known as Falcon, was the first Black American superhero in mainstream comic books.[1][2][a] The character first appeared in Captain America #117 (Sept. 1969).[3]

Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan,[3] he came about, Colan recalled in 2008,

...in the late 1960s [when news of the] Vietnam War and civil rights protests were regular occurrences, and Stan, always wanting to be at the forefront of things, started bringing these headlines into the comics. ... One of the biggest steps we took in this direction came in Captain America. I enjoyed drawing people of every kind. I drew as many different types of people as I could into the scenes I illustrated, and I loved drawing black people. I always found their features interesting and so much of their strength, spirit and wisdom written on their faces. I approached Stan, as I remember, with the idea of introducing an African-American hero and he took to it right away. ... I looked at several African-American magazines, and used them as the basis of inspiration for bringing The Falcon to life.[4]

In mainstream American superhero comics, the only Black characters who preceded Falcon were Gabe Jones (debuted in 1963), Black Panther (1966), Bill Foster (1966), Spider-Man supporting characters Joe Robertson (1967) and his son Randy (1968).[citation needed]

He was introduced as an unnamed former resident of New York City's Harlem neighborhood, who had adopted a wild falcon he trained and named Redwing. His own name, Sam Wilson, was not given until the following issue. When a group of men on an island "in the tropics" wanted a hunting falcon, Wilson answered the ad, only to discover that the self-dubbed "Exiles" were former Nazis in league with the supervillain the Red Skull. He escaped, but remained on the island to organize the natives to confront the Exiles, who had turned them into serfs. At the urging of Steve Rogers, whom he later learned was Captain America, Wilson took on the costumed identity of the Falcon and underwent training with Rogers to better inspire the villagers and lead the fight.[5][6]

Through most of the 1970s, the Falcon and Captain America were a team in New York City. The series was cover-billed Captain America and the Falcon from issues #134–192 and 194–222 (Feb. 1971–June 1978),[7] though still copyrighted as Captain America. In issue #186 (June 1975), writer Steve Englehart retconned aspects of the Falcon's past. Originally depicted as a former social worker, motivated by a desire to better the lives of inner-city youth, the Falcon was revealed as a mob-connected thug whose memories were altered by the reality-warping Cosmic Cube.

The Falcon briefly joined the superhero team the Defenders, appearing in issues #62–64 (August–October 1978), and was a member of the Avengers from issues #183–194 (May 1979 – April 1980). During this time he also starred in a solo adventure in issue #49 of the try-out series Marvel Premiere; however, the story was not a try-out for a Falcon series, but an intended fill-in issue of Captain America which was shuffled into Marvel Premiere when the editors objected to having an issue of Captain America with someone other than the title character as the star.[8] He starred in his own four-issue miniseries in 1983, written by Jim Owsley (later known as Christopher Priest). Its first issue was illustrated by Paul Smith with the final three issues by Mark Bright. The series revealed that the Falcon was a mutant, although this development was later retconned in The Avengers 2001 Annual.[9]

After regularly appearing in Captain America vol. 2 (Nov. 1996–Nov. 1997), the Falcon rejoined the Avengers in The Avengers vol. 3, #1 (Feb. 1998). This time, he remained with the team, becoming one of its most prominent members by issue #57 (Oct. 2002). Concurrently, he was also a supporting character in Captain America vols. 3–4 (Jan. 1998–Feb. 2002 and June 2002–Dec. 2004). The Falcon next appeared in the short-lived Captain America and the Falcon series, in 2004 and 2005. After the events of the storyline "Avengers Disassembled", when the Scarlet Witch temporarily restored his criminal personality, the Falcon became a supporting character in Captain America vol. 5 (Jan. 2005–July 2009). The Falcon continued to play a significant role in the series after it returned to its original numbering, beginning with Captain America #600 (Aug. 2009).

Falcon was a member of the Avengers in the 2012 Marvel NOW! relaunch.[10]

On July 16, 2014, Marvel Comics announced that Sam Wilson would relinquish the mantle of Falcon and would become the new Captain America, succeeding Steve Rogers in the role.[11] During this run, it is established that Sam Wilsons's "Snap" backstory as a drug dealing pimp was fake memories implanted by the Red Skull to discredit Sam through racism.[12]

An ongoing series starring Sam Wilson as Captain America launched in October 2015, as part of Marvel's post-Secret Wars relaunch, written by Nick Spencer and Daniel Acuña.[13]

Wilson temporarily returns to the role of Captain America in the 2017 miniseries Marvel's Generations.[14]

Wilson resumed the identity of Falcon in a series written by Rodney Barnes that debuted in late 2017, the character's first solo series since 1983.[15][16]

Fictional character biography
Early life
Samuel Thomas Wilson was born in Harlem, New York City, to Paul Wilson, a prominent minister, and Darlene Wilson. Wilson had a happy childhood and finds he has a natural affinity for birds. He takes up training pigeons, and has the largest pigeon coop in Harlem.[17] In his teens, however, encounters with racism leave him jaded.[18] When he is 16, Wilson refuses to join the church, believing his deeply religious parents to be ignorant for their faith. To his surprise, rather than put up a fight, his parents provide him with books on different religions and comparative theology. The next night, however, Sam's father is killed trying to break up a neighborhood fight (originally Paul was said to have been killed when Sam was 9 years old).[19] Two years later, his mother is shot and killed by a mugger one block from their apartment.[20][21] The tragic death of his parents does not stop Sam from being a respected community volunteer.[12]

As a grown adult, Sam continued doing social work and meets Captain America on Exile Island (years later, he would say "I actually loved this place quite a bit. It's where I met my two best friends," referring to Captain America and Redwing).[22] The once-peaceful island had been taken over by the Exiles, a group of would-be world conquerors who had collaborated with the Nazi supervillain the Red Skull during World War II. They had been betrayed by the Red Skull and were forced to remain in hiding on the island, enslaving the natives. Wilson finds and befriends Redwing, a falcon with which he feels a remarkably strong bond.[23]

Becoming the Falcon
Wilson is an upright and cheerful social worker who is eventually lured to the Exiles' island and organizes the natives to fight for their freedom. Steve Rogers (Captain America) befriends him there and convinces Wilson to adopt a persona to inspire the natives in their rebellion. The two create the costumed persona the Falcon and train together extensively before attacking and defeating the Exiles and the Red Skull.[17] The Falcon becomes Captain America's regular partner in crime-fighting,[24] and briefly even takes on the Captain America costume and identity when Rogers is believed to have been killed.[25]

Later, again as the Falcon, Wilson receives help from Black Panther, who creates a harness for him, allowing him to fly.[26] When Rogers briefly abandons his Captain America identity, others attempt to take up the mantle, including a young man named Roscoe whom the Falcon mentors. When the Red Skull eventually kills Roscoe, Rogers again becomes Captain America.[27]

Soon afterwards, the Red Skull tricks Sam into believing that he had a secret past as Snap Wilson, a professional Los Angeles criminal and gang member persona created out of grief and "angry at the world" following the death of Sam's parents. Red Skull makes the untruthful claim that the Cosmic Cube was used to erase the memories of this Snap Wilson past so that Sam could be used as a mole for Red Skull. Red Skull then unsuccessfully attempts to use the Cosmic Cube to make the Falcon kill Captain America.[28] Believing in the existence of this fake criminal past but deciding to continue as a hero, the Falcon is eventually named head of the Super Agents at the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D.[29][12]

US government superhero liaison Henry Peter Gyrich then recruits Wilson, one of the few active black superheroes, to fill a mandated racial quota for the venerable team the Avengers.[30] Resentful of being a "token", the Falcon quits at the first opportunity. He debuts a new costume when he fights the supervillain Taskmaster.[31]

2000s
Falcon becomes a member of the new team of Avengers assembled to fight the international menace Scorpio as a United Nations peacekeeping agency. By this point, Falcon had discovered that he could extend his telepathic bond with Redwing, allowing him to control other birds and "see" through their eyes. He uses this ability to spy on Henry Gyrich (now the Avengers' liaison with the United Nations) and discovers that the United States' Secretary of Defense, Dell Rusk, has been pressuring Gyrich to spy on the Avengers and turn over their secrets. Although initially hostile to one another, Falcon convinces Gyrich to help the Avengers spy on Rusk, feeding him false information while gathering evidence to expose him. They discover that Rusk is actually the Red Skull, who has launched a biological weapon attack on the United States, intending to use the ensuing panic to gain control over America's government and start a war with other countries. Falcon is instrumental in defeating the Red Skull.[32]

It is around this period of time that, a new "Captain America" secretly created by the Office of Naval Intelligence (O.N.I.) goes rogue and begins eliminating anything and anyone he sees as a source of terrorism. To draw out this agent (dubbed "The Anti-Cap"), O.N.I. leaks information about their involvement in a biological weapons project with the notorious Rivas Family, powerful Cuban drug lords. Reporter and social activist Leila Taylor investigates this rumor and attempts to smuggle a sample of the virus into America, but she is arrested by U.S. forces in Cuba. Falcon, who is a friend of Taylor, breaks her out of prison and investigates her claims, destroying the Rivas Family's biological weapons lab and obtaining a sample of the mysterious virus they were developing for O.N.I. Falcon is able to fly Leila back to America (although his flying harness is destroyed in a hurricane) while Captain America follows Falcon's directions and retrieves the virus sample. The Anti-Cap kills the head of the Rivas family, and pursues Leila, Falcon, and Cap, intent on obtaining the virus sample. After reuniting, Falcon and Captain America are able to barely defeat the Anti-Cap. Realizing that O.N.I.'s goal was to draw out their rogue agent to execute him, Captain America arranges to have the Anti-Cap secretly imprisoned in the Wakandan embassy until O.N.I. agrees not to kill him.[33]

Since Captain America and Falcon now possess both O.N.I.'s rogue agent and the last remaining sample of O.N.I.'s virus, O.N.I. begins to put increasing amounts of pressure on the heroes. Falcon is especially targeted – he had broken Leila out of Federal Custody, and his alleged criminal history makes it easier for O.N.I. to create further false charges against him. Falcon soon finds himself on the run from O.N.I.[volume & issue needed]

Meanwhile, the superheroine the Scarlet Witch, having gone insane, begins using her powers to recreate many of the Avengers' greatest trials and tragedies. She destabilizes the Falcon's mind, causing him to act increasingly like the "Snap Wilson" persona. He begins carrying a gun, keeps secrets from his friends, assaults Leila's boyfriend Norman when he protests they go into hiding, and uses a high power rifle to shoot at his friend Robbie Robertson (to fool Robbie into thinking O.N.I. was threatening to kill him). Although they succeed in exposing the illegal activities of O.N.I. and clear Wilson's name, Sam's methods cause his relationship with Captain America to become strained. Cap confronts Falcon about his recent actions, and Falcon, angered at what he sees as an ultimatum, terminates their partnership. As they are walking away, Norman (who blames Falcon for the end of his relationship with Leila) appears and shoots at Falcon. Captain America is seriously injured by the stray bullets, and even appears to die. The shock of watching his best friend seemingly die because of his actions has a powerful effect on Sam, who briefly gives up being Falcon and reexamines his life.[34]

Sam Wilson reappears as Falcon in the 2005 "House of M" storyline and in the 2006–07 "Civil War" storyline.[35] In the latter, he supports Captain America against the Superhuman Registration Act. When the Captain becomes incapacitated, Falcon temporarily assumes leadership of the "Secret Avengers" rebel group.[36] Following Captain America's assassination by the machinations of the Red Skull, the Falcon registers with the government and is made responsible for Harlem, although he continues to maintain contact with the underground The New Avengers.[37] He is also called upon to investigate the Captain's assassination by locating Winter Soldier and tracking down the Red Skull.[38]

Becoming Captain America

Wilson as Captain America on the cover of All-New Captain America #1 (November 2014). Art by Stuart Immonen.
Wilson appears in the 2010 "Shadowland" storyline as Falcon, after which he becomes an operative in the new incarnation of the Heroes for Hire team, in the book of the same name.[39] He later appears in the 2012 "Avengers vs. X-Men" storyline, helping She-Hulk and several other Avengers contain the students at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning.[40]

As part of the 2012-2015 Marvel NOW! relaunch, Wilson rejoins the Avengers after Iron Man and Captain America choose to expand the team's line-up.[41] After Rogers is aged into an old man, he appoints Wilson as his 'official' replacement as Captain America.[42] During a confrontation with the Red Skull's daughter Sin, it is revealed that the "Snap" identity was a fake memory implanted into Sam by the Red Skull in an attempt to discredit the hero through racism.[12]

As part of the 2015 All-New, All-Different Marvel initiative, Captain America investigated the disappearance of Mexican teenager Joaquin Torres after he was abducted by the Sons of the Serpent.[43] After fighting Armadillo and capturing the leader of the hate group,[44] Captain America discovered that Joaquin was being used in the experiments of Karl Malus who turned Joaquin into a bird/human hybrid using Captain America's pet bird Redwing. When Karl Malus was defeated, Captain America took Joaquin in.[45] When it was discovered Joaquin's bird/human hybrid condition wasn't temporary, Captain America learned from Claire Temple that Joaquin's condition was permanent due to Redwing being vampiric and sporting a healing factor.[46] When Captain America was captured by the Serpent Society and thrown out the window by Viper, he was saved by Joaquin.[47] Using his link with Redwing, Captain America telepathically sent Joaquin the knowledge on how to fight where he held his own until Misty Knight and Demolition Man showed up. After the Serpent Society was defeated, Captain America allowed Joaquin to become his sidekick, enabling him to become the new Falcon.[48]

During the 2016 "Avengers: Standoff!" storyline, Sam, after defeating the Green Skull, is contacted by Whisperer (an alias of Rick Jones). After meeting Whisperer, he learns that S.H.I.E.L.D. never discarded the Kobik project as he thought they did. He meets with Steve Rogers, where they follow a lead to a town in Connecticut and are later picked up by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.[49] He then meets the Winter Soldier and rescue S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Avril Kincaid from the Blood Brothers, who informs them of a super-weapon hidden in the town that Baron Zemo and the other villains are looking for. They then head to the bowling alley where Kobik uses her powers to restore Steve Rogers to his prime when he was about to be killed by Crossbones. They begin looking for Kobik again only to discover that Baron Zemo had Fixer invent a device that would help find Kobik as Kraven the Hunter rallies the villains to help with their goals. Upon not being able to successfully locate Kobik, Steve Rogers decides to rally the heroes so that they can take the fight to Baron Zemo.[50] In the aftermath of the incident, Steve and Sam plan to keep what happened at Pleasant Hill under wraps at the time being.[51]

After the "Standoff!" storyline, Sam begins to face public pressure to return the shield and mantle of Captain America to Steve, as does Maria Hill for the consequences of her actions on Pleasant Hill. He and Steve then begin to secretly plan for a way to get Hill to face her crimes publicly. During a press conference, Sam encounters the mercenary Chance who was about to kill Steve in the middle of his speech. After defeating him, Sam receives a hero's welcome when Steve announces him to the public as Captain America. While getting arrested, Chance tells Sam that he was on Pleasant Hill and that he didn't agree with the heroes' actions.[52]

During the 2016 "Civil War II" storyline, Captain America attends War Machine's funeral, where he delivers an inspirational speech. He then has private conversations with Iron Man and Captain Marvel, over which side he should choose. Months later, Wilson watches a TV broadcast about former New Warrior Rage engaging in a fight with the Americops, a private police force funded by Keane Industries, in Brooklyn. Intending to stop the fight, Wilson, along with Redwing and Falcon, try to contain the situation. Sam manages to stop the fight, although not without fighting the Americops, for which he knew the media would portray him negatively. As he leaves, he is attacked from behind by U.S. Agent. After a brief argument, Captain America and U.S. Agent begin to fight, with U.S. Agent gaining the upper hand, until Sam drags him into a tunnel where the darkness and the great horned owls that reside in it allow him to win the fight.[volume & issue needed] After defeating U.S. Agent and receiving an argument from Rage, Wilson returns to his headquarters where he decides to put a tiny implant in his brain that will enhance his ability to see what birds see, enabling him to transmit them into a data storage facility that converts them into images and videos. He decides to further investigate the Americops to find proof of their violent activities.[53]

While accompanying Steve Rogers on a mission to stop Flag-Smasher from leaking America's nuclear launch codes, Wilson fails to save a senator from being shot by the villain, further compromising his current public image. This is subsequently revealed to have been deliberately staged by Rogers who has been converted to believe he is a Hydra sleeper agent since childhood. Using his greater familiarity with the shield, Rogers deliberately put Wilson in a position where he would be unable to use the shield to save the senator, with the final goal of demoralizing Sam to the point where he will return the shield to Rogers of his own free will (not wanting to kill Wilson and risk creating a martyr).[54]

After discovering that Rage was arrested and accused of robbing a pawn shop which Man Mountain Marko and Speed Demon committed, Sam offers him professional help from other heroes, but Rage turns it down, preferring that he should be the one to prove his innocence. After consulting with his brother and Rogers, Sam posts a video on the internet showing footage of the Americops beating up Rage, exposing their violent activities. During Rage's trial, a frustrated Sam leaves the courtroom and captures Speed Demon, who confesses to his and Man Mountain Marko's involvement in the pawn shop robbery. Upon returning to the court, Misty tells Sam that the verdict was already given. While people protest over Rage's arrest, Sam tries his best to calm them. Sam leaves a letter which explains he is ending his role as Captain America and returning the shield to Steve Rogers[55]

During the 2017 "Secret Empire" storyline, Sam has spent time alone in a desert and returns to the city where he discovers Hydra's takeover of the United States and that Steve Rogers is their leader. Sam rescues a woman and her Inhuman daughter from Hydra enforcers, Sam reluctantly helps them to safety. He reunites with Misty Knight and Demolition Man and helps smuggle other Inhumans out of the country. He helps Ant-Man smuggle his daughter Cassandra Lang then declines their offer to join the underground resistance.[56] When Hawkeye and the Tony Stark A.I. reveal that Kobik was responsible for Steve's change, Sam agrees to help smuggle them out of the country so they can find the Cosmic Cube's fragments.[57] Sam takes the group through an abandoned subway tunnel where they encounter Mole Man, with whom Sam strikes a deal when they are attacked by Dreadnoughts sent by Hydra. After crossing the tunnel, the group departs in a jet plane.[58] They arrive in a mansion where Ultron resides, since he is in possession of the shard. They encounter Steve Rogers and his Avengers until Ultron captures them. After a brief battle, Ultron allows them to leave and gives the shard to Tony's team. Steve muses that he is unconcerned about who will acquire the fragments as he has an inside man in the Tony Stark A.I.'s team.[59]

After a series of dead ends, the team returns to the hideout, where Sam reunites with Misty, until Hydra forces arrive and begin their assault on the base. During the battle, Sam helps the other heroes in protecting the refugees and battling Hydra's Avengers and a revived Bruce Banner as the Hulk until the base explodes.[60] In the aftermath of the attack, Sam appears standing on top of the rubble as Captain America to inspire America's superheroes not to surrender.[61] It is later revealed that Sam had a conversation with Misty Knight and Rayshaun Lucas, the new Patriot, which has persuaded him to reassume the role of Captain America, leading the resistance and wielding Rogers' original round shield as a symbol of hope.[62] Sam uses the Cosmic Cube fragment acquired by the resistance to help destroy the Darkforce dome surrounding Manhattan and the planetary defense shield, releasing all the trapped heroes. Liberating all the imprisoned Inhumans, the Underground attacks the Capitol which attracts the attention of Steve Rogers, who arrives wearing Cosmic Cube-powered armor. During the final battle, Sam fakes surrender and gives the fragment to Steve, only for Winter Soldier to intervene and bring Kobik and the real Steve Rogers back. The restored Steve Rogers manages to defeat the Hydra Steve Rogers with Thor's hammer and Kobik restores reality back to normal.[63]

Return as Falcon
Upon taking the second Patriot on as his sidekick, they travel to Chicago to deal with an outbreak of gang violence, unaware that Blackheart is posing as the city's Mayor.[64]

Powers, abilities, and equipment
Powers and abilities
In his earliest appearances, Wilson exhibits a close bond with his bird Redwing, which is confirmed as being a telepathic link by Professor X in Captain America #174. The Red Skull later claims that he had used the Cosmic Cube to create a "super-normal mental link" between Sam Wilson and Redwing.[65] Falcon later recalled memories of such an experience, stating he "Hurt like hell. Being mentally fused with that falcon. Able to see through his eyes".[66]

Wilson eventually revealed that he has been able to extend this empathic link. "I'm always psychically connected with Redwing, but through concentration, I've recently tapped into another ability - I'm able to link-up with other birds. I have over six billion pairs of eyes in the United States alone". He used this ability to quickly search New York City when the criminal Scarecrow kidnapped two children,[67] as well as to spy on Senator Dell Rusk (actually the Red Skull in disguise) and Henry Peter Gyrich.[68] He is also apparently able to access the memories of birds, and see things they had witnessed in the past (although birds have a different concept of the passage of time, which makes it difficult for him to know when any events they witnessed occurred).[69]

Wilson is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, having been trained in Judo[70] and Karate[71] by Steve Rogers. Wilson is also highly skilled in the use of Captain America's shield.[volume & issue needed]

Uniform and flight harness
Wilson's original Falcon wing harness featured detachable jet-powered glider wings made of lightweight titanium ribbing and Mylar. The wings were covered with wafer-thin solar power receptors that convert sunlight into electricity to power miniature high-speed electric turbine fans in his uniform and boots. The wings detached and reattached to his uniform cybernetically. The uniform was made of synthetic stretch fabric lined with a steel-alloy mesh.[volume & issue needed]

After the harness was destroyed in Captain America and the Falcon #2 (2004),[72] the Black Panther supplied Falcon with a new costume and wings. An emitter array on Falcon's back creates holographic "hard light" wings with a maximum wingspan of up to 50 feet (15 m). Controlled by a cybernetic link, the wings can be instantly reconfigured into "dozens of different cruise configurations". A "magnetic drive", in turn, provides the thrust needed to get Falcon airborne. The emitter also possesses GPS jamming devices that prevent satellite tracking, while the hard-light wings interfere with infra-red tracking. A vibranium microweave was added to the costume itself, making Falcon resistant to small arms fire.[73] The entire system is controlled mentally through cybernetic circuitry in the Falcon's mask. The costume has in the past featured a hidden "talon", a cybernetically controlled grappling line built into the gauntlets of his costume which he uses to entangle opponents, hook objects or for swinging and climbing when his wings are detached. The costume's visors come equipped with various capabilities, including infrared lenses, giving him the ability to see objects by their infrared signature at night, magnification capabilities, and remote imaging sensors that allow a full 360 degree of vision when activated. The cowl also has a wideband receiver and transmitter with an unspecified range. The suit was originally built by the Black Panther,[74] with costume modifications by Desmond Burrell.[volume & issue needed]

Reception
Accolades
In 2012, IGN ranked Sam Wilson 96th in their "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes" list.[75]
In 2012, IGN ranked Sam Wilson 45th in their "Top 50 Avengers" list.[76]
In 2018, CBR.com ranked Sam Wilson 3rd in their "20 Versions Of Captain America Ranked Worst To Best" list.[77]
In 2020, CBR.com ranked Sam Wilson 3rd in their "Marvel: Every Version Of Captain America" list.[78]
In 2022, Collider included Sam Wilson in their "10 Strongest Superhero Sidekicks in Marvel Comics" list.[79]
In 2022, Newsarama ranked Sam Wilson 9th in their "Best Avengers members of all time" list.[80]
In 2021, CBR.com ranked Sam Wilson 5th in their "10 Smartest Marvel Sidekicks" list.[81]
in 2022, Screen Rant included Sam Wilson in their "10 Best Leaders Of The Avengers In Marvel Comics" list.[82]
In 2022, CBR.com ranked Sam Wilson 1st in their "10 Best Marvel Legacy Heroes" list[83] and 4th in their "10 Coolest Avengers" list.[84]
Other characters named Falcon
Joaquin Torres
As part of the 2015 All-New, All-Different Marvel branding, Captain America (Sam Wilson) investigated the disappearance of Mexican teenager Joaquin Torres after he was abducted by the Sons of the Serpent.[43] Captain America discovered that Joaquin was being used in the experiments of Karl Malus who turned Joaquin into a bird/human hybrid using Captain America's pet bird Redwing. When Karl Malus was defeated, Captain America took Joaquin in.[45] When it was discovered Joaquin's bird/human hybrid condition wasn't temporary, Captain America learned from Claire Temple that Joaquin's condition was permanent due to Redwing being vampiric and sporting a healing factor.[46] When Captain America was captured by the Serpent Society and thrown out the window by Viper, he was saved by Joaquin.[47] Using his link with Redwing, Captain America telepathically sent Joaquin the knowledge on how to fight where he held his own until Misty Knight and Demolition Man showed up. After the Serpent Society was defeated, Captain America allowed Joaquin to become his sidekick, enabling him to become the new Falcon.[48]

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Falcon II and Ironheart join the Champions when they join up with the Underground.[85]

Adrian Toomes
Main article: Vulture (Marvel Comics)
In a 2017 storyline, Adrian Toomes developed a modified version of his electromagnetic wing harness with a reinforced helmet and lightweight, razor-sharp, nano-woven wings that responded to his mental commands. He temporarily took the name Falcon, believing it was vacant at the time, and robbed a location in East Village. He fought Spider-Man until they were both immobilized by a new Trapster, who made off with Toomes' loot.[86]

Carl Burgess
A similar, unrelated character of the same name and powers was created in 1939 by writer-artist Bill Everett for Marvel Comics' predecessor company, Timely Comics.[citation needed]

Other versions
Amazing Spider-Girl
An alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson appears in Amazing Spider-Girl #7.[87]

Avengers: The Children's Crusade
An alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson appears in Avengers: The Children's Crusade.[88]

Daredevil: End of Days
An alternate timeline variant of Sam Wilson who became President of the United States appears in Daredevil: End of Days.[89]

Heroes Reborn (1996)
An alternate variant of Sam Wilson from a pocket dimension created by Franklin Richards appears in Heroes Reborn (1996). This version gained superhuman abilities similar to Captain America after receiving a life-saving blood transfusion from him.[90][91]

Heroes Reborn (2021)
An alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson from Earth-21798 appears in Heroes Reborn (2021). This version is Nighthawk's sidekick before being succeeded by Miles Morales.[92]

Marvel Zombies
A zombified alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson / Falcon from Earth-2149 appears in Marvel Zombies.[93]

"Once and Future King"
An alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson from Earth-11236 who became the mayor of New York City appears in the "Once and Future King" storyline.[94]

Secret Wars
An alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson from Earth-15513 who became a member of the Thor Corps appears in Secret Wars.[95]

Spider-Gwen
Main article: List of Spider-Gwen characters § Samantha T. Wilson
Samantha T. Wilson, a gender-flipped alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson / Falcon from Earth-65, appears in Spider-Gwen. This version became a super-soldier and her universe's version of Captain America during World War II when the other candidates Bucky, Steve Rogers, and Isaiah Bradley, were injured by Nazi agents. Following this, Wilson battled the Nazis before being trapped in another dimension from which they planned to release an army of monsters. After returning to Earth in the present, Wilson becomes an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.[96]

In addition, a clone of Wilson, Sam-13, appears as her sidekick and his universe's version of Falcon who is assisted by the robotic falcon Redwing.[96]
U.S. War Machine
An alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson from Earth-112001 appears in U.S. War Machine.

Ultimate Marvel

The Ultimate Marvel version of Falcon on the cover of Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates #7 (April 2012). Art by Kaare Andrews.
An alternate universe variant of Sam Wilson / Falcon from Earth-1610 appears in the Ultimate Marvel universe. This version is an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. whose wings are controlled via nanotechnology and can self-repair and hack into machines.[97][98][99]

What If?
Alternate versions of Sam Wilson appear in the What If? series:

In an alternate reality of a 1983 What If? story, Wilson – under his gang name "Snap" – is a member of a secret rebellion force in the United States turned fascist who aids Captain America in beating an impostor and leading the chastised nation back to its democratic roots.[100]
In a 2006 comic What If Captain America had fought in the Civil War?, the

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