American Dream in Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes?

 

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes animated series is often regarded by fans as one of if not the best adaption of the Avengers on the small screen. It’s a little-known fact that the MC2 Universe character American Dream showed up in Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes…well, kinda.

 

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes series led to spin-off media including a tie-in comic which published brand new stories in the continuity of the show. Thus, within the pages of Marvel Universe: Avengers Earth’s Mightiest Heroes #11 in a story aptly titled ‘The Last American Dream,’ a version of the MC2’s own American Dream makes an appearance. While at first it appears to be a tale set in the future following an elderly retired Captain America aka Steve Rogers watching on as a team composed of James Buchanan ‘Bucky’ Barnes aka The Winter Soldier, John Walker aka U.S.Agent and a Werewolf version of Captain America led by Shannon Carter aka American Dream known as the Captain Americorps battles an army of Doombots, it soon becomes clear things are not as they seem.

 

The heroic Sleepwalker reveals to Steve Rogers that he is in fact ensnared within a dream being influenced and manipulated by the villainous Fear Lord entity known as Nightmare. The Sleepwalker succeeds in breaking Steve out of his dream, one in which he wasn’t frozen for decades and instead grew old and raised a family with Peggy Carter. Empowered by the Sleepwalker’s guidance, Rogers manages to fight off Nightmare’s influence and awakens.

 

It's interesting that the fictional Captain Americorps shares some members with the Captain America Corps seen in the mini-series of the same name: U.S.Agent, Bucky (formerly The Winter Soldier) and American Dream. Considering Steve would have no knowledge of Shannon’s superhero identity it’s would seem Nightmare was responsible for inserting a version of American Dream into the dream reality. Maybe he’s a fan? Another small point is Shannon’s costume including the little wings on the side of her head, as they appeared in her own mini-series.

 

Not quite a case of the MC2 in the animated Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes shared universe, but a case of a character crossover that I considered consequential enough to cover! I think it was neat to see American Dream pencilled in the show’s art style even if only for one page. Let me know what you think of these shorter, simpler posts.

 

Until I forget my hypnocil and fall asleep, I remain

 

frogoat

 

 

Where is Bucky in the MC2?

 

I know, I know! I said I was taking a break, but this is a quick one and I won’t find a better time. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is out on Disney + and I know someone out there is just asking: Where is Bucky in the MC2? So, let’s take a little trip down comic history to find out.

 

James Buchanan ‘Bucky’ Barnes first appeared alongside Captain America in Captain America Comics #1 way back in 1941. When Captain America made his big return in the Avengers #4 it was without his loyal sidekick and friend Bucky. We learn in this issue and later issues such as Avengers #6 and #56 that Bucky died in their final battle with Baron Zemo when an experimental drone plane exploded.

 

As I’m sure you know by now, for the most part the MC2 diverges from the Main Marvel Universe around 1998. Which means the death of Bucky depicted in the 60’s remains his canonical fate unless otherwise indicated. So, the events of Ed Brubaker’s Captain America run, which started in 2004 likely did not occur.

 

Here’s the only reference to Bucky in the MC2 I could find, from the pages of Last Hero Standing #1. I think this aligns more closely with the character’s classic demise, but of course, if anyone wanted to revisit the MC2 and utilize the Winter Soldier retcons, the door remains open.

 

Until I find a way to lose a limb and keep going, I remain

 

frogoat