is for Falcon.
The Falcon was created by Stan Lee and Gene Colon in 1969 and holds the distinction as the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics.
Samuel Wilson was born and grew up in Harlem. A rebellious youth, it took the death of his parents to make him leave New York and move to Los Angeles. There he becomes "Snap" Wilson, an up and coming criminal.
While on his way to Rio De Janeiro for a "big deal", his plane crashes on a place called Exile Island. The island isn't deserted, though, it's been taken over by the Nazi supervillain....The Red Skull. Sam comes across the natives, who are in hiding, as well as large falcon he calls Redwing. Sam develops a good bond with Redwing and they meet up with a certain Star Spangled Avenger....Captain America.
In the ensuing showdown with the Skull, Sam is blasted by the Cosmic Cube (a device of considerable power) and is mentally 'fused' with Redwing. The fusing effect strengthens the connection they two already had and, eventually, would give Sam wide power over any bird.
With help from the Wakandan king T'challa (also known as the Black Panther), Sam gets a 'flying harness' which....you guessed it....allows him to fly. With combat training from Captain America, he fashions a costume and becomes Cap's crime fighting partner.
Thanks to Captain America, Sam is a trained hand to hand combatant as well as a natural trainer of birds. A natural leader and free thinker, Falcon also is just as comfortable in a team dynamic.
Sam is still flying high in the Marvel Universe, as far as I know. Guest starring in various other books and even getting his own mini-series back in the 90s.
Rumor has it that the Falcon will be in the next Captain America movie and played by Anthony Mackie. We'll have to wait and see about that one...
Head on back over here Monday for a hero of colossal proportions!
53 comments:
Falcon is truly a piece of comic book history. And he fought alongside the Cap? Awesome.
Since Captain America is my favorite, I think Falcon is pretty cool. It would be very interesting to have him in the next Captain America movie! Which I'm very excited for! Too bad we have to wait so long.
Cool! His seems like a good character. I remember reading about an early African American comic book character who was not a well-done character, and was actually fairly offensive, if I recall correctly. I wish I remembered his name, but I don't. Glad to hear this one's still around.
Shannon at The Warrior Muse
I didn't know he fought with Captain America! How awesome!
Hugs!
Valerie
I never knew that there was a superhero called 'The Falcon' fighting with Captain America. He's an interesting sounding hero.
At first I thought you were writing about a car.
There were so many crime fighters, why is the world now in such a pickle?
See you Monday.
I've always wanted to fly. It might even be worth wearing that horrible outfit for.
Here's hoping the Falcon makes an appearance in the next Captain America movie!
Falcon has a great look. I've really enjoyed getting to know these guys. Any girls coming up?
@Sheena: I agree and I think he was one of the more underused characters.
@Krista: I know, but hopefully it will be worth the wait :)
@Shannon: Yeah, I'm sure there were a few that weren't well done, but I think they got it right with Falcon :)
@Valerie: I know, cool eh? :)
@Imogen: Yep, he was pretty interesting, for sure.
@Manzanita: Funny you should say that because my very first car was a Ford Falcon :)
@S.P.: To fly? Yeah, I'd wear it too :)
@Alex: I'm hopeful! :)
@Regina: I have a few coming up, but not until "M".
I don't remember the Falcon, but then I barely remember Captain America. I guess I just didn't read enough comics, sigh. Fun information to have and share with my grands. Too bad we don't have super heroes now. Thanks for being on the A to Z support team.
They could do something neat with a loyal friend for Cap, given that the villain is probably going to be a friend who's no longer loyal. I'm always surprised at how many fans Falcon has. He's really had a resurgence in the Millar/Bendis era.
I am a Stan Lee fangirl, through and through. I'm mad about just about everything he has ever done. I just think he is the shiz!
Makes me want to see him in a movie! :)
I know that one, I know that one! At last one hero I did see at least once. I was beginning to feel like the dumb of the class, hahaha.
that is so cool! I love the story of how Falcon came to be. it would almost be like becoming one with your patronus.
I've heard of Falcon! *pats self on back*
I didn't know his back story though. That's pretty cool that he's super involved with Captain America. I hope he's in the next movie!
Have a great weekend :)
Interesting post!
Nice to meet you.
I wonder if they will make the next Marvel hero movie based on him?
Kids Math Teacher
This is my favourite hero story from your A-Z postings so far! I'm intrigued. Does Redwing travel around with him? Power over birds seems like it would be super useful.
Allison (Geek Banter)
i read that falcon is in the next captain america film, he was cool enough to have his own mego action figure... those were the coolest.
Some fellow, who wished to remain anonymous, gave up his collection of 60000 comic books to an auctioneer in Vancouver this past week. I'm not when it begins, but can you imagine? He's been collecting since he was 5 years old. It we weren't 700 klicks north, we'd go.
Great post, Mark. As a kid I don't think my brother or I realized the significance of the Falcon.
Sounds like a great character and it's good that he was well presented as an African American. Never knew there were so many superheroes out there!
It sounds like they could make Marvel superhero films for years.
So cool. I will be looking forward to seeing that! How many people will think it's a new idea, a sign of the times?
But I don't think "Snap" Wilson will send the same message these days! :)
I'm delighted to know all this history. I'm also glad that Marvel brought out a black superhero in '69. But doesn't it seem a little weird that he was a criminal who went straight? Seems kinda un-pc to me.
Falcon is pretty awesome. I love his outfit, too. Those wings are super cool. Another great post!
It must be exhilarating to fly like a bird.
I had no idea there were so many different superheros!
@devotedtoquilting: Well, if you don't much remember Captain America then it's a good bet you didn't read many comic books. Nothing wrong with that, though :)
@John: I know what you mean. I've been a Falcon fan since way back when Cap shared billing with him on his own book.
@jaybird: I knew I liked you! :)
@Trisha: Me too and I hope that rumor is true.
@Al: See? You know more than you think :)
@mshatch: Haha...very true. Nice analogy.
@Samantha: Well done and thanks, you do the same :)
@Jianne: Thank you and nice to meet you, too!
@Lucy: I don't know if has the recognition to get his own movie, but I'd settle for seeing him in Cap's next film :)
I really like Falcon and I never saw any of the cartoons! How can that be?
@Allison: Can't say I blame you...he's a pretty cool characters. Yes, from what I've always seen, Redwing is pretty much around all the time.
@Jeremy:That's right, almost forgot about the action figure...it was very cool, as well.
@Joylene: Thanks and, wow, 60K comics? I can only imagine what he had in there!
@Nick: Oh yeah, there are a ton of them :) 26 isn't even scratching the surface.
@Diane: Most definitely and I'll bet Marvel is hoping so :)
@Nancy: I think you're right "Snap" was pretty stereotypical, but those were different times, too.
@Lexa: Oh, I don't know...there are plenty of characters, of all cultures, who went from criminal to hero :)
@Shell: Thanks and I agree....I wouldn't mind giving that harness a try!
@Spacerguy: No doubt!
@Carol: Oh, there are tons of them, for sure.
@Lee: Maybe you were watching the wrong channels? :D
I hope he is in the next Captain America movie. He sounds like cool hero.
WE LOVE Captain America !!! and therefore, we LOVE the Falcon!
awesome entry!
jean yates #186 or so these days
OK OK I'll admit I like the outfits. All men should have a wear your tights day... well, all heroes anyway. ;)
I take it this Falcon dude had no need for a car. As in a Ford Falcon.
There you go, a brief comment.
Happy alpheting, Mark.
Gary :)
This guy seems really cool. I love the first pic. It would be great if he is included in the next movie.
Happy weekend, Mark!
I feel like I am really learning some things about the Comic Universe. I hope that you are right about The Falcon being in the next movie with Captain America... I will actually know the Backstory thanks to you.
How awesome is this! I absolutely love your theme!
I wouldn't mind combat training from Captain America... :)
men and their comics... j/k!! my husband would probably know who this is though :D
@Susan: Me too and I agree! :)
@Jean: Thank you very much!
@Kate: lol....well, you might re-think that after you see some guys in tights...hehe
@Gary: Actually, my very first car was a Ford Falcon..unfortunately, it couldn't fly :)
@Julie: I hope we do see him in the next Cap film, that'd be awesome. Thanks and you do the same :)
@Robin: Here's hoping!
@Ashley: Thank you very much, I appreciate that :)
@Carrie: Haha...most wouldn't, I'm sure.
@Tammy: I know...hehe. I was telling my wife about a lot of the comments I get where a woman mentions that she's never heard of this or that character, but her husband probably has. She said it must be a 'guy' thing :)
Oh my gosh, Falcon is going to be in the next Captain America movie? YAY!
Okay, it's just a rumour... I'd better not get my hopes up too high!
(Suziehunt.co.uk)
Mark, you are determined to make me go to a comic book store, aren't you? I love this! You're theme is awesome and these characters are awesome. I can't even wait for this movie. I'm already going to be in line for Iron Man. Love it!
Karen
@Suzie: I know what you mean...I'm hoping, though!
@Karen: Haha...yes...get thee to the comic store! :)
I never would've guessed that there were so many heroes I didn't know about.
I don't remember the Falcon, but I loved Captain America.
I'm African American. An African American superhero is cool. Thanks for the education.
@Melanie: Don't feel bad...there are a ton even I haven't heard about (though I am, by far, not an authority on the subject)
@Melissa: I've always been a huge Cap fan, too :)
@Jolie: My pleasure!
They need to put Falcon in the next Avenger movie. Wonder who could play him?
I'm so ready to see the Falcon in the next movie!!! That would be awesome. Anthony Mackie just might be handsome enough, because you have to admit, the Falcon in the comics is one HANDSOME dude!!! Anthony needs to be a little more "manly" looking to live up!
I knew about Falcon but I didn't think he had such a pivotal role as being Capt America a few times. I would definitely look forward to his appearance in the next movie.
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