Retire the Title: The Answer to "Who Will Wield the Shield?"

Welcome back to another edition of Comic Relief! where we talk about all things going on in the world of nerd!

I know what you're thinking, "hold on, you said the last post was your last one," or "WOW that was a very short hiatus." First off, this is not an end to the hiatus, and this will truly be the last post for a while. However, there is something that has come up, that I have really wanted to talk about, and honestly should have been my final article. However, with Black Panther releasing tonight, I figured now would be a good as time as any to talk about this. Before we get to that though, I would like to dedicate my final post of Comic Relief! to my son James who was born at 2:36 pm on Friday, February 9th. James, if you ever find yourself reading this in the future, I want you to know that while I hope that comics serve as much an inspiration to you as they did to me growing up, that I won't expect you to follow down the same footsteps. I want you to pursue things in life that inspire you, whatever they may be (within reason). I love comics, that's why I started this blog, but you are my son, and at this point there is no greater passion of mine than being your father. So this last article is for you. It may not be my final one ever, but until there is a time where I feel like one won't infringe upon the other, you have my undivided attention.

That being said, let's move on to the purpose of this article. Ever since it has been stated that Chris Evans' departure from his role is imminent, fans have argued over who should succeed him as the Sentinel of Liberty. A large part of the community, including myself, really wants to see Bucky take up the mantle as he did in the iconic Death of Captain America arc: Burden of Dreams written by Ed Brubaker (probably one of the best authors to write for Cap since his inception). While there has also been petition for Sam Wilson to take up the mantle as he did briefly over the past few years, a third option has presented itself.

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler stated in an interview, a week back or so, that initially he intended to introduce Elijah Bradley, The Patriot (if you recall I wrote a character appreciation of him), in the film. Now, I was very excited when I heard this, but I also wasn't disappointed that it didn't happen as Eli Bradley honestly has no place in a Black Panther. I mean for one, he lives in New York city, and for another, he has very little connection to Black Panther in the books. No, Eli Bradley has far more of a place in a series like Luke Cage, or perhaps maybe even his own film altogether. The Patriot could take the mantle that Cap had in his films, a leader and a representation of the spirit of his country.

Times have changed, and it's about time Marvel start to focus on bringing in a next generation of heroes to the spotlight. Perhaps the answer to Cap is that Cap is actually done, his chapters are over, however that does not mean he didn't inspire so many others. The great thing about Eli Bradley is that while most people associate him to a Captain America protege, it's not the one you would think. He wants to be like his grandfather, the black Captain America, and while he has come to look up to Steve as well, he still aspires to be the man he grew up seeing as his hero.

If this film is made, I do hope that Ryan Coogler is tapped to direct. His formula he used for Creed, the Rocky spinoff about Apollo Creed's son, is an amazing template for a film about The Patriot. Having a young Eli Bradley seek mentorship from Steve Rogers, or Sam Wilson because of the damage the super soldier serum did to his grandfather's mind later in life would be a great premise for a film and would provide a nice contrast to what they do with Tony Stark and Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Not only that but you could use the film as a commentary on more localized issues such as gang violence, police/minority relations, and social activism. There is a quote I have used about Captain America in several of my articles at this point:

He was the American Truth. The face behind the mask was our own

However, Steve Rogers may not be the best representation of that truth anymore. The current truth of America is far more diverse, so maybe it is time for a new champion to arise in his place. Perhaps the mantle of Captain America should retire, perhaps it is time for the rise of The Patriot.

This has been my final post of Comic Relief! AGAIN! I hope you have enjoyed all that I have had to say over the past year and a half. Stay nerdy!