Patriotic Parallels: A-Next 10 and Captain America Corps 1

Consider today’s post a sequel to a spin-off entry to the Spider-Symmetry series, because I’m looking at the visual parallels between other MC2 comics and their related fellow Marvel titles. I’m calling this particular spin-off Patriotic Parallels because this entry is about both the Captain America Corps and A-Next.

 

The first issue we need to look at today is the MC2’s own A-Next #10 which was first published in May 1999. The new team of Avengers (including Shannon Carter aka American Dream) have journeyed to an alternate universe where the entire world is ruled by Victor Von Doom (designated Earth-9907) and must prevent his use of a Universal Cube to conquer the entire multiverse. Upon arriving, the Avengers find themselves in a very different Times Square, New York.

 

Now, let us look at Captain America Corps #1 which was first published in June 2011. Shannon Carter aka American Dream would later be recruited into the ‘Captain America Corps’ by one of the Elders of the Universe known as That Ki aka The Contemplator. Alongside other time-displaced patriotic heroes including Earth-616’s Captain America aka Steve Rogers from World War II, Earth-616’s James ‘Bucky’ Barnes during his time as Captain America, the 25^th Century’s Kiyoshi Morales aka Commander A, Shannon Carter aka American Dream also works with Earth-616’s John Walker aka U.S. Agent who is taken from a point in time shortly after his brief stint as Captain America.

 

The Corps find themselves on the altered Earth-11418, where the Americommand rule over a dystopian America thanks to the manipulations of the time travelling Deidre Wentworth aka Superia. Where do they first arrive? Why, a dystopian alternative present day Times Square, New York, of course!

 

Have a great day, everyone.

 

Until I find myself suffering déjà vu will journeying across the multiverse, I remain

 

frogoat

 

John Walker in the MC2

Marvel Studios is set to release the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe entry with the Thunderbolts* movie. What better way to get into the spirit of things than to look at the most patriotic of the film’s protagonist characters through this blog’s usual MC2 lens? Today, we’ll take a brief look at U.S. Agent aka John Walker in the MC2.

 

Johnathan ‘John’ Walker first appeared in the pages of Captain America #323, first as Super-Patriot, assuming the mantle of Captain America in Captain America #333 before taking on his long-standing role as U.S. Agent beginning in Captain America #354.

 

Now that we’ve briefly brushed up on the Main Marvel Universe or Universe-616 John Walker, let’s transition over to John Walker in the MC2…sort of. When the newly reassembled Avengers team’s investigation into the last mission of the original Avengers leads them to an alternate universe ruled by Doom and the threat posed to all universes by his Universal Cube. It is here we learn that many of the Avengers died during their final mission, with Iron Man (among the few to return) declaring there were no other survivors (A-Next #7).

 

However, when the new team of Avengers arrive in the alternate world, they discover the rumours of Captain America's demise were greatly exaggerated. Cap reveals he chose to stay behind and aid the rebel underground, allowing his teammates to add his name to the list of the dead to discourage any would-be rescuers (A-Next #10).

 

Captain America details the history of this alternate world (which the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005 designates as Earth-9907) which was roughly identical to their own until World War II. Whereas on the Main Marvel Universe and MC2’s Earth the Red Skull was trapped in suspended animation within a hidden bunker until the modern era, on Earth-9907 he escaped and killed Adolph Hitler and led the Axis Powers to victory, killing Captain America and conquering the entire planet. Many years later, the Red Skull spared a young Victor Von Doom, making him his heir only to be murdered and replaced as ruler by him. Needing new worlds to conquer, Doom spent billions to produce a Universal Cube capable of opening portals to other realities which led to the original Avengers team becoming aware of this universal threat (A-Next #10).

 

The rebel base is attacked by members of Doom's Thunder Guard, including the twisted version of John Walker known on this world as the SS Agent, forcing Cap to order the rebels and Avengers to retreat before he destroys the jump portal to cover their escape. When Steve tries to send the new and inexperienced Avengers team home to save them, believing they are not prepared for the upcoming battle, the heroes refuse, declaring they are staying (A-Next #10).

In A-Next #11, Captain America leads the Avengers in a mission to stop Dr Doom's use of his new Universal Cube. The team separates into groups and combat the various members of the Thunder Guard, with Cap, Thunderstrike and American Dream's aiming to destroy the Cube itself. When American Dream is pinned by Walker, Cap throws her the shield of his deceased counterpart, allowing her to free herself and knockout SS Agent. In the end, Doom is defeated when Crimson Curse sacrifices herself to banish him.

Shannon Carter aka American Dream would later be recruited into the ‘Captain America Corps’ by one of the Elders of the Universe known as That Ki aka The Contemplator. Alongside other time-displaced patriot heroes including Earth-616’s Captain America aka Steve Rogers from World War II, Earth-616’s James ‘Bucky’ Barnes during his time as Captain America, the 25^th Century’s Kiyoshi Morales aka Commander A, the MC2 or Earth-982 Shannon Carter aka American Dream also works with Earth-616’s John Walker aka U.S. Agent who is taken from a point in time shortly after his brief stint as Captain America (Captain America Corps #1).

 

This is notable as this U.S. Agent shares the same history as Shannon’s own John Walker on Earth-982. In fact, Captain America Corps #3 depicts the moment John was recruited by The Contemplator which includes an editors box specifying it occurs ‘circa Captain America #360’. For reference, here are the relevant scenes as depicted in the original story alongside U.S. Agent’s aforementioned ‘recruitment’ by Tath Ki (Captain America #360-#362).

 

The Captain America Corps are tasked with stopping an Entropy Wave from wiping out all of existence. The Entropy Wave is the result of someone excising various Steve Roger’s from across the multiverse before he could join the Avengers, causing unnatural alterations to those realities. The Corps find themselves on the altered Earth-11418, where the Americommand rule over a dystopian America thanks to the manipulation of the time travelling Deidre Wentworth aka Superia. Liberating the incarcerated superhuman population, the Captain America Corps lead an attack against Americommand and with the aid of Tath Ki, the team set reality back on its natural course (Captain America Corps #1-#5).

Following the Captain America Corps return to their respective points in time and space, only Bucky, Shannon and Kiyoshi retain memories of the event, having occurred in the past from their perspectives. Much like the young Steve Rogers returning to April 1941, John Walker is returned to the past, to the instant he left and recalls none of what transpired.

 

And with that, it’s a cap on John Walker in the MC2. Hope you didn’t mind that I cheated somewhat!  Special thanks to my buddy Jesús Arias for the spark that ignited this one, like a thunderbolt from the blue. 😉

 

Until I get my name from an alcoholic drink, I remain

 

frogoat

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