Captain America doesn’t wear stars and stripes for fashion – he is supposed to be the embodiment of American ideals. He represents values, sacrifice, and the undying will to fight for what is right, no matter the odds. Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, embodied these ideals to an unparalleled degree. He was introduced as a sickly, frail orphan. But what he lacked in physical strenght, he made up for in heart. Steve didn’t fight because he thought he could win – he fought because it was the right thing to do. Whether it was bullies in an alley or Nazis in Europe.
The serum that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America didn’t just make him stronger - it amplified what already made him extraordinary: his core values. Steve’s kindness, courage, humility, and an unshakable moral compass became his defining traits. He gave up everything for the greater good. He lost his best friend Bucky. He missed out on the life he could’ve had with Peggy Carter. He sacrificed himself, crashing a plane into the Arctic and spent the next 70 years as a popsicle. When he woke up in a world that had left him behind, he didn’t let it break him. He stayed true to his values and become a symbol of an old fashioned idea – hope, proving time and again why he is the perfect Captain America.
Now let’s talk about Sam Wilson. Don’t get me wrong – Sam’s a good guy. He’s loyal, brave and great with his fancy mechanical wings. But without those wings, he’s just… a guy. A guy who happened to be in the right place at the right time to become close to Rogers. Steve was literally the perfect soldier. Sam? He was the the guy who hung out with perfect soldier.
One of Sam’s most questionable choices was refusing the Super Soldier Serum. It may sound noble on paper, but it wasn’t the serum that created Steve’s character. It simply enhanced what was already in there. By rejecting it, Sam limited himself in a role that demands more than human abilities. Instead, he tried to close the gap by using advanced technology, as if he was Iron Man. Steve only had his heart and shield to rely on. By leaning on vibranium wings and high-tech weaponry, Sam moved further away from what it means to be Captain America. The suit made him feel less grounded, less human and less relatable – qualities that defined Steve’s tenure as Cap.
Sam’s time with the shield wasn’t exactly inspiring, either. He sympathized with the Flag Smashers, a group of so called freedom fighters who thought blowing things up was a valid way to start a conversation. Rather than embodying the clear-cut heroism o Steve Rogers, Sam’s tenure felt muddled and indecisive. And let’s not forget the time he was denied a loan. Because that’s what we think when we see Captain America: I wonder what’s his credit score?
Steve Rogers earned the title of Captain America through a lifetime of sacrifice, resilience, and moral excellence. He represented an ideal - a man who, despite overwhelming adversity, stood firm in his convictions and fought not for himself but for the greater good. Sam Wilson, while a loyal friend and a skilled fighter, simply does not measure up to the legacy of the original Captain America. The shield and the title demand more than good intentions; they require an unshakable sense of justice, a willingness to sacrifice everything, and the ability to inspire a nation. By these measures, Sam Wilson falls short.
What do you think makes Captain America? Let us know in the comments below!
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World opens in U.S. theaters on February 14, 2025.