Captain America: Brave New Worldjuggles a lot during its runtime. Not only is it picking up from the events ofThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which saw Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) picking up Captain America’s mantle, but it’s also taking on the climax ofEternalsand the events ofThe Incredible Hulk.However, it also hints at a bigger story that needs to be told with one character, and that’s Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly).Isaiah is one of the few super soldiers created after Steve Rogers' transformation into Captain America, and he served in the Korean War before being wrongfully imprisoned and experimented on for 30 years. This story was only touched upon briefly inBrave New WorldandThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but Marvel Studios should explore it further via a certain format.
What Role Does Isaiah Bradley Play in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’?
Isaiah Bradley first appeared inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s second episode, “The Star-Spangled Man,” which revealed his history. Later, Isaiah would give Sam Wilson his thoughts on Sam taking up the mantle, before his story was finally revealed to the world.Captain America: Brave New Worldreveals that Sam trains with Isaiah to hone his skills as Captain America.
Sam’s also able to persuade Isaiah to go to the White House with Sam and Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez). ButIsaiah suddenly opens fire on President Thaddeus Ross and makes an escape,while seemingly having no memory of doing it. Sam and Joaquin eventually learn thatSamuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson)brainwashed Isaiah and a number of other figures in his attempts to gain revenge against Ross. They eventually re-capture Sterns and free Isaiah before he can stand trial.
The ‘Truth: Red, White & Black’ Miniseries Expands on Isaiah Bradley’s Backstory
Isaiah’s story was first told in full during theTruth: Red, White & Blackminiseries byRobert MoralesandKyle Bakerin 2003. The premise is fairly dark: years before Steve Rogers would undergo the experiments that transformed him into a super-soldier, the super-soldier serum was tested on a platoon of Black soldiers including Isaiah.Less than ten men survived,with Isaiah being one of the few to actually develop superhuman abilities.
The First Captain America Movie Totally Botched This Part of the Avenger’s WWII Storyline
Where are the Nazis?
He eventually ends up stealing Captain America’s uniform and conducts a one-man raid on aNazi concentration camp, but is briefly captured until he’s freed and makes it back to the United States. But upon his return, Isaiah was incarcerated until 1960 for going against orders. Morales toldEntertainment Weeklyprior toTruth’s release that he was surprised Marvel agreed to his original pitch, saying: “I wrote a proposal that was so staggeringly depressing I was certain they’d turn it down. But they didn’t.”
Marvel Studios Should Give Isaiah Bradley’s Story a Special Presentation Like ‘Werewolf by Night’
There is one avenue that would be perfect for an Isaiah Bradley story, and it’sa Marvel Studios Special Presentation. While there have only been two Special Presentations so far withWerewolf by NightandThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, they’ve managed to tell complete stories that stand out from the rest of the MCU fare. A Special Presentation focused on Isaiah could do the same; not only could it expand upon his mission to rescue his fellow soldiers, butit could also introduce the rest of Isaiah’s family. He mentions his wife Faith inBrave New World, andThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierfeatures Isaiah’s grandson Eli (Elijah Richardson), who eventually becomes the superhero Patriotand joins the Young Avengers. Isaiah’s son Josiah also inherited his super-soldier abilities, and joined the vigilante team known as “The Crew,” which was under the leadership of James “Rhodey” Rhodes, better known as War Machine.Captain America: Brave New WorldandThe Falcon and the Winter Soldieronly scratched the surface of Isaiah Bradley’s story, and the rest of it deserves to be told.
Captain America: Brave New Worldis in theaters now.
Buy Tickets
Captain America: Brave New World
