The Interesting Concepts Behind the Significance of Captain America's Costume

By Esteban Cepero

Captain America, if you can't tell by his name alone, is one of the most patriotic superheroes ever created. In his early days, he began as an icon for America during the time of World War II. Captain America's costume itself stood out brightly with the American colors red, white, and blue. In 1941, when Captain America made his first appearance in Captain America Comics #1, each issue followed stories of Steve Rogers and his fight against the Axis Powers and any threat to the U.S government, such as Hydra. Steve Rogers is originally a kid from Brooklyn, New York that had the spirit to be a patriot and participate in the war effort as a regular American soldier. Steve was first known to have a noticeably small and frail body despite his unbreakable determination but this would soon change when he was inducted into an experiment that was going to be carried out by the U.S to create the perfect soldier. The experiment was successful when Steve was pushed to the perfect human form, creating Captain America.

When Steve Rogers became Captain America on-screen in the MCU film Captain America: The First Avenger, he first suited up in a cotton-fabricated costume solely meant to be entertaining during USO shows as he promoted the purchasing of war bonds and became the comic-book and 40's film character that everyone perceived him to be. This Captain America costume design was undoubtedly a tribute to the Golden Age Captain America costume.

Captain America's costume soon underwent an interesting change, taking on a concept that would make him more fit for battle instead of being in is own hero films and punching Hitler in the face to make an audience laugh. It was when his best friend Bucky was captured and taken behind enemy lines that led Captain America to go on a rescue op and fight off some Germans. In the mission, Captain America used his iconic shield which then permanently became a part of his look and choice of weapons.

Captain America's story truly began when he was awakened after being frozen in ice for decades. When Captain America woke up, he was introduced to the modern age and became one of the first members of the Avengers. With a huge change in scenery, came a change in Captain America's costume with more of modern "battle armor" style touch to it but still keeping the "superhero" originality with the colors and the shield.

It pushes this concept throughout future films with it leaning more towards a battle uniform rather than shining brightly as a patriotic hero, giving off a more serious vibe. Something to note is that Captain America's costume will always go down as one of the most iconic costumes in comic-book and movie history. This is because of how much it displays the character of Captain America and what he stands for through the experiences he faces. Captain America, with a majority of his life being a scrawny kid from Brooklyn, has pushed through many challenges throughout his life, being intimidated by those stronger than him. This never killed his spirit though as he pushed to prevail against any force that dares to come his way, a factor shown throughout every Captain America and Avengers film.

In the 2016 Marvel film, Captain America: Civil War, we saw a side of superheroes that most fans aren't too happy about witnessing. It's common for people to speculate on which superhero would win if they were to go up against each other. Many of those questions were answered in Captain America: Civil War but not in the way people would've hoped. This film had a much darker tone compared to the Marvel films before it, leaving the whole theater shaken at the end. To see superheroes go up against each other in an all-out brawl is entertaining but the ultimate divide that was the result of it was quite heartbreaking. It was in this film where we would see Captain America in his iconic patriotic costume for the very last time. This is also the last time we see Captain America as "Captain America". Captain America's costume is meant to portray him and his morals, while he has a duty to serve his country and protect the people, he made his departure from his patriotism and solely became a hero for the people only. Captain America is a superhero that always fights for what's right, even when higher powers try to hold him back. As he refused to sign the Sokovia Accords, a legislation that requires all superheroes to reveal themselves and be regulated by the government, Captain America became one of the most famous fugitives in the country. This is what led to him feuding with Iron Man which resulted in the sad breakup of the very loved Avengers. At the end of the film, Captain America gave up his title as he threw his shield down after his battle with Tony Stark. After this, many have begun to wonder what Captain America will become and how Captain America's costume will be affected. This question was answered in the release of Avengers: Infinity War.

Captain America maintains his status as a wanted fugitive in America but that doesn't affect what he stands for and who he is, a superhero that's always ready to face the greatest threats the Earth has ever seen. Captain America's costume takes on a much different concept than before with him wearing the costume from the previous film, Captain America: Civil War but with a couple of changes. The white star in the middle of his chest is completely gone, only with the outline left, most likely ripped off by Captain America himself. What's also noticeable from Captain America's costume is the darkening of the colors to the point where the red, white, and blue doesn't stand out as much and is faded. As Captain America runs into battle to fight off an army of aliens that seek to steal the soul stone, he couldn't do it without the most essential and only weapon in his arsenal, his shield. Though, instead of carrying the loved patriotic shield, he takes two advanced Wakandan shields, one for each arm. To compliment Captain America's costume, he grows out a beard, mostly to symbolize his title as an experienced warrior. Captain America's costume also greatly represents the tone of Avengers: Infinity War, with him facing off against someone, who has been an influence in the evils he's encountered in previous films with the Avengers, that may be the most powerful being in the universe with the collection of the infinity stones. Captain America's greatest challenge could end up leading him to meet his end of the line.

To make a correction, by looking at this set photo from the production of the newest Avengers film, Captain America's costume concept from the first Avengers film is coming back to the big screen. It's hard to tell what the Avengers have planned to defeat Thanos but there's a reason for Captain America is back in his prime and it's exciting to think about why that is.

Captain America's costume has gone through many changes throughout the years of him battling powerful villains on-screen but he's still the same old Cap! Don't forget to stay tuned with news of the newest film to see what's next for the Avengers in their quest to save half of the universe!