Marvel Comics: The History of Falcon II

Sam Wilson Passes the Torch, or the Wings, in the MCU

The mantle of Captain America fits Sam Wilson like a glove, but it left a significant gap. Sam hung up his Falcon wings, creating room for a fresh face. Step into the spotlight, Joaquín Torres. At the thoughtful finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam entrusted his iconic gear to his trusted ally, U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer Joaquín Torres.

Although the show marked this transition beautifully, Torres’s journey continues. He returns in Captain America: Brave New World, played by Danny Ramirez. However, like any Marvel story, the differences between comic books and the MCU intrigue fans and creators alike.

Joaquín’s Comic Book Debut

Torres appeared in the comics with a splash in Sam Wilson: Captain America #3, back in 2015. There, Joaquín was not the mature officer we know. Instead, he was a young Mexican immigrant, crossing into the U.S. with his grandparents at age six.

Growing up in Arizona, Joaquín emerged as a standout honor student, yet his heart never strayed from his heritage. His passion for community shone as he aided those traversing the border. This altruism gave him a local hero status, but it also put him on the wrong radar.

Tragically, his mission to help led to an encounter with the notorious Serpent Society. This evil entity courted trouble by abducting migrants for sinister deeds. The victims vanished into the clutches of Dr. Karl Malus. Marvel enthusiasts might remember Malus’s notorious DNA experiments from the Spider-Woman comics of 1980.

Transformation and New Beginnings

Sam Wilson, donning the shield of Captain America, eventually learned about Joaquín’s plight. The rescue mission revealed Joaquín trapped within Malus’s eerie lab in New York. The twisted experiments crafted a falcon/human hybrid from Joaquín’s genetic makeup.

Paralleling Sam’s bond with Redwing, Joaquín developed a similar connection with the avian. The young man discovered wings replacing his arms, and his new falcon eyes increased his perception. Despite these transformations, Joaquín found the changes permanent.

With Malus out of the picture, Sam took Joaquín under his wing, in every sense. Unlike Sam, Joaquín didn’t rely on a suit to fly. His newfound resilience echoed tales of vampires, thanks to the shared bond with Redwing’s own strange history. Training under Sam, Joaquín swiftly became a new Falcon, donning a costume that honored the past yet looked to the future.

Charting Joaquín Torres’ MCU Course

The big screen paints Joaquín’s backstory with different brushes. In the MCU, he’s portrayed as an adult who soars not by mutation but with Sam’s old wings. Unmuddled by mad scientists, his story stands distinct, for now.

Yet, with evolving narratives, we ponder how Joaquín’s tale will grow. Will upcoming mutants shake up his reality?

Joaquín remains a fledgling character in the grand Marvel tapestry. This provides Marvel Studios the freedom to shape his journey, offering fresh surprises for fans. Regardless of the direction, the anticipation builds as we await Joaquín, the youthful Falcon, to spread his wings. The pages are still being written, and the ink isn’t dry in this remarkable saga.