What Would the New Captain America Read?

It's been a few years since Steve Rogers gave Sam Wilson the shield in Avengers: Endgame, and we are finally getting to see the new Captain America in action on the big screen this Valentine's Day. Even though Sam has been in multiple Marvel projects already, there's still much more to learn about him. Sometimes the best way to get to know someone is to read the books they enjoy. If you're trying to learn more about this character before rooting him on in theaters, check out these books that Sam would have on his favorites list. 

Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers have been partners for years and friends. Their bond was admirable to many, constantly supporting and inspiring each other when the other felt beaten down. This bond is similar to that of naval officers Jesse L. Brown and Tom Hudner during the Korean War which is what Adam Makos's book Devotion is about. Both the comic and MCU versions of Sam would connect deeply with the story and the men it follows, and they would appreciate the thrill of the combat sequences.  

Sam taking on the mantle of Captain America was not an easy decision in both the movies and the comics. He was hesitant to carry the shield because of the history America has in how it treats the Black population. He would appreciate a book like Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill because it shines a light on what biases can do to an innocent Black man. In the book, 17-year-old Amir is accused of murdering a classmate, and the police don't seem too eager to find the actual culprit when Amir claims innocence. Similarly, when he was Falcon, Sam would get locked up instead of the criminal he was taking down simply because he was Black and the criminal was white. 

Having been raised by a preacher, Sam understands the importance of words and saying the right thing in the right way – as Captain America, he is always expected to have a speech prepared to rally the people. Because of this, Sam would use Poemhood, Our Black Revival as inspiration to remember who he is fighting for and how to get through to those having a hard time. Since this book is a poetry anthology featuring poets from the past and present writing about the Black experience, Sam would also view it as a source of pride for what the Black community is and what they have accomplished. 

The TV series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, introduced Sam's new sidekick, Joaquin Torres, though his army origin story is a bit different from the comics. In the comics, Joaquin ends up on Sam's radar after going missing while helping people who were crossing the border. Before meeting Joaquin, Sam, like many Americans, was not fully aware of what crossing was like. He would like the graphic novel Through Fences by Frederick Luis Aldama which shows the struggles of border-crossing from different perspectives. It also shares opposing viewpoints to promote a better understanding across the community as a whole - something Sam hopes to do as Captain America too.

Though it is not seen in the MCU, in the comics Sam has a telepathic link with a Falcon named Redwing (MCU fans may know it as a flying robot) who he would consider one of his most loyal companions. Sam also has a psychic link to all birds allowing him to see what they see and follow his command. Because Sam has such strong connections to these animals, he would appreciate Black Wings Beating by Alex London because the novel understands the power and importance of birds in society. This book is about a world that is centered around birds of prey. Almost everything, from their religions to their economy, relies on their partnership with the birds that fly among them, just like Sam relies on his connection with Redwing. 

Do you think these are accurate book choices for our new star-spangled hero, or do you think you know a book he'd enjoy more? Let us know in the comments below.