The Unsurprising Return of Steve Rogers as Captain America

With the Captain America: Civil War movie fast approaching, and the Civil War II crossover to go with it, the return of Steve Rogers to (physical) youth and the Captain America name was basically inevitable. And now Marvel has officially announced that Steve is getting his own Captain America: Steve Rogers series this spring, written by Nick Spencer, with art by Jesus Saiz, and featuring a new version of his costume and a brand new shield designed by Daniel Acuña.

Sam Wilson will remain Captain America as well, Marvel is quick to point out. The Captain America: Sam Wilson series will continue alongside the new Steve Rogers book. It's still hard to escape the impression that Sam's being pushed to the side a bit. He can still be a Captain America, but it'll become much harder to argue that he's "the" Captain America.

Here's the thing about multiple heroes having the same name: Kate Bishop/Hawkeye is one of my favorite characters. But when I talk about her, I say "Kate Bishop," because if I said "Hawkeye," everyone would think I meant Clint Barton.

Even with Steve out of the role, the same never really stopped being true of Sam Wilson and Captain America, but now any chance that people will get used to it and start thinking of Sam by that name has pretty much evaporated. And even as someone who has loved comics about Steve Rogers being Captain America since I was a little kid, I'm pretty dismayed by that. Marvel's press release talking about how "only one man who can challenge the threat of Hydra – Captain America himself – Steve Rogers" certainly doesn't help.

Daniel Acuna

Here's that Marvel press release:

“It's an exciting time to be writing Captain America, for sure-- this year is the character's 75th Anniversary, not to mention the upcoming release of Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. And with CIVIL WAR II approaching in the Marvel Universe, it felt like the perfect time to restore Steve Rogers to his former self,” says series writer Nick Spencer.
Recently drained of the Super Soldier Serum that gave him his strength, speed and endurance, Steve Rogers was no longer fit to wield the shield and he passed the title of Captain America to his closest ally, Sam Wilson, a.k.a. Falcon. So what happens to Sam Wilson now that Steve has returned? Enemies of freedom beware – there are now two Captain Americas protecting the people!
“CAPTAIN AMERICA: STEVE ROGERS and CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON will act as great counter-points to one another,” continues Spencer. “If you're digging the topical, ripped-from-the-headlines approach we're taking in Sam's book, we've got plenty more of that to come. And if you're up for a more timeless take, with Captain America facing off against Hydra and his classic rogues gallery, Steve's book will be just the thing for you.”
The All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe is in turmoil. The threat of impeding Hydra forces grows by the day worming their way into Marvel’s Super Hero community. Anyone can be a threat, and no one is to be trusted. But what is Hydra’s ultimate goal? There is only one man who can challenge the threat of Hydra – Captain America himself – Steve Rogers!