Falcon (comics)
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The Falcon (Sam "Snap" Wilson) is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in Captain America Vol. 1, #117 (Sept. 1969). Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, the Falcon most frequently works with Captain America, and became a member of the superhero team the Avengers.
The Falcon is Marvel's first African American superhero, following the company's first African-American co-starring character, the non-superpowered World War II soldier Gabe Jones, and first regular supporting character, The Amazing Spider-Man's Joe Robertson. Marvel Comics' first black hero, the Black Panther is an African native. The Falcon debuted nearly three years before Luke Cage, Marvel's first African-American series star. The Falcon is also the first superhero of African descent not to have the word "black" as part of his superhero name, preceding the John Stewart Green Lantern by over two years. (The first black starring character in comics is Dell Comics' Old West gunfighter Lobo, introduced in 1965.
The Falcon's deceased nephew was the Incredible Hulk's sometime-sidekick Jim Wilson, one of the first openly HIV-positive comic-book characters.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
[edit] Early Life
The Falcon originated as a hoodlum known as Sam "Snap" Wilson in Harlem, New York. One day, on the way to Rio de Janeiro, he crash-landed on Exile Island. There, he was found by the Red Skull, who used the Cosmic Cube to turn him into an ideal partner for Captain America as part of one of his schemes. They defeated the Skull, and the Falcon became Cap's partner for a long time.
In a two-part retcon story[1] set in his early career as Captain America's partner, the character briefly takes on the "Captain America" costume and identity.
[edit] S.H.I.E.L.D
Back in his "Falcon" name and costume, Wilson later receives help from the Black Panther who creates a harness for him which allows him to fly. The Falcon ultimately left as Cap's partner when he was named the leader of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Super Agents.
[edit] Avengers
Later, as one of the few black superheroes active, he was drafted to join the Avengers by Henry Peter Gyrich to fill a quota. Resenting being a "token," he quit at the first opportunity. However, he teamed with the New Avengers during a battle against Transformers Autobots.
At one point, a Sentinel chased him, believing him to be a mutant, but this was later debunked and the Sentinel is presumed to have been malfunctioning.
[edit] Missing
In mid-2000s stories, the insane Scarlet Witch destabilized the Falcon's mind, reverting him to his "Snap" persona. While he continued to work with Captain America, their relationship became strained and Captain America eventually severed it. In an antagonist's attempt to shoot the Falcon, Captain America was instead hit in the back. After eventually recovering from his wound, Captain America searched for the now-missing Falcon. After being told that the Falcon had been assassinated by the supervillain the Anti-Captain, Captain America found the Falcon's costume abandoned in a field.
[edit] House of M and Civil War
With nothing explaining his reappearance, the Falcon was subsequently seen on the way to Genosha[2] as well as later in subsequent appearances.[3][4] He supported Captain America against the Superhuman Registration Act, and, when Cap was incapacitated, temporarily assumed leadership of the "Secret Avengers"[5].
[edit] The Initiative
Following Captain America's assassination by the machinations of the Red Skull, the Falcon registers and is made responsible for Harlem, although he continues to be in contact with the underground New Avengers.
[edit] Fallen Son: Death of Captain America
Falcon is one the pallbearers carrying Captain America's coffin. He also gives an inspirational speech at Captain America's funeral.
[edit] Powers, abilities, and equipment
The Falcon's only super-power is his mutate empathic link with his bird Redwing, enhanced or bestowed by the Red Skull using the Cosmic Cube. Recently, the Falcon has been able to extend his empathic link to other birds making it possible for him see through their eyes.
For a time, he flew using a specially built harness that resembles wings. After its destruction, the Black Panther supplied him with a new harness with hard-light wings, which can be configured into several different modes.
He is also an excellent bird trainer, and has been trained in gymnastics and hand-to-hand combat by Captain America.
[edit] Other versions
[edit] U. S. War Machine
In the Marvel MAX series U.S. War Machine, Falcon appeared alongside Captain America and Hawkeye; he and Hawkeye served as Captain America's backup and wore no costumes, only being addressed by their real names. In this reality, Captain America was actually Bucky wearing the Captain's uniform as here the Captain had died in World War II in his stead.
[edit] MC2
In Amazing Spider-Girl #7 Falcon was revealed to be dead. However, the Ladyhawk twins wear attire strikingly similar to his first costume (Before he got his wings).
[edit] Ultimate Falcon
Falcon appears in the mini-series Ultimate Nightmare, which takes place in the Ultimate Marvel continuity. Not much is known about the Ultimate version of Falcon, except that he appears to have an entirely different origin than the original Falcon, is a scientist, has served with or under General Nick Fury, and wears a pair of metal wings similar to the harness given to the original Falcon by Black Panther. This version appears to be an accomplished combatant, especially when using the sharp edge of the metal wings he wears as a weapon. His wings are controlled through the help of nanotechnology with which he can communicate and which can also send and retrieve computer information.
Ultimate Falcon also appears in the second Ultimates annual, where he teams up with Captain America, and in the Ultimate Vision miniseries.
[edit] What If?
In the 2006 comic What If Captain America had fought in the Civil War?, the Earth-717 version of Wilson was an orphan raised by a Shawnee medicine man, and grew up to fight in the American Civil War as part of an Indian volunteer regiment. He performs a ritual to give Steven Rogers the power of We-Pi-Ahk, the Eagle Spirit, and has a red eagle painted on his chest for this ceremony. He is killed by Colonel Barnes, the White Skull.
[edit] In other media
The Falcon has appeared as a member of the Avengers in the television series The Avengers: United They Stand, voiced by Martin Roach.
Falcon appears in the Robot Chicken episode "The Deep End" voiced by Seth Green. He is seen in the segment called "The Real World: Metropolis."
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
Categories: Articles lacking sources from November 2006 | All articles lacking sources | Marvel Comics superheroes | Black superheroes | Comic book sidekicks | Fictional Protestants | Fictional African-Americans | Fictional characters from New York City | Marvel Comics supporting characters | Marvel Comics characters who can fly
