mikeymagee

[mikeymagee]

*Sees that Anthony Mackie is trending*

Me: Oh cool, Mackie's getting some love!

*Sees why Anthony Mackie is trending*

Me: ...wow, fuck off Feige.

[mikeymagee]

Whoops, can't believe I left out Eyes of Wakanda. Coming out in August

Year of the Black Superhero 2025

[mikeymagee]

Year of the Black Superhero 2025

[mikeymagee]

Hey...listen...MCU fandom...I'm just wondering here.

We're gonna ship Sam Wilson with Simon Williams, right? I mean...

Like...it pretty much writes itself. Right? They're both in the MCU and they're both sexy and I've seen this fandom ship people together over less....

Actually, you know what? Fuck it...I'll do it myself.

[mikeymagee]

"No one asked for Ironheart. No one asked for a Black Captain America."

[mikeymagee]

Ooooh...Ironheart was EXACTLY what I needed. Riri is the GOAT, and I can't wait for the rest of the series to drop! Go watch this if you haven't already!

I haven't felt this seen since Luke Cage S1

[mikeymagee]

Themes within the MCU's Black Superhero Franchises

Luke Cage--African American resilience, history and culture. The importance of and preservation of community.

Black Panther--Afrofuturism and unhealed intergenerational trauma

Wakanda Forever--How the Black community handles grief

Into the Spider-Verse--Creation of one's own unique identity

Across The Spiderverse--Defending one's own identity against conformity

Cloak and Dagger--Black spirituality and how the past guides the present

Secret Invasion--?????? (Haven't seen it yet)

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur--????? (Haven't seen it yet)

Falcon and the Winder Soldier-- The erasure of Black history and learning to navigate microaggressions

Brave New World--Dealing with Double Consciousness

Ironheart-- (Not out as of yet) However, from what I can tell, it seems like this show will be a celebration of Black womanhood.

Eyes of Wakanda-- (Not out yet)

Wonder Man-- (Not Out yet)

[mikeymagee]

with the ongoing ICE raids and anti-ICE protests in LA, please consider donating to bail funds for protesters through Jail Support LA. JSLA is a grassroots collective dedicated to helping people who face arrests at protests in los angeles.

as of today, june 9th, a US official has confirmed that 500+ marines will arrive in LA in the next 24 hours, arrests will only ramp up. please donate and reblog!

[mikeymagee]

I hope its alright if I add to this.

Steve Rogers represents a nostalgia for a time when America believed its own hype. The United Sates loves to use WWII as justification for everything it does, right or wrong. Whether it be forcing its will on other countries or exporting its media to everyone else, trying to force the concept that America is "The Best Country" in the world. Steve Rogers, a blonde haired and blue eyed man, represents America's belief that every thing it does is the right move. It's interesting that, Steve Rogers is often seen as above reproach within the general population in the MCU. I think people (Americans, mostly) respect him because he allows them to believe the hype of the country, without the need for further introspection or thought. And the narrative of WWII allows Americans to solidify their belief in this county's "greatness."

WWII allows Americans to think, "America can't be sooo bad if it saved the world from facism back in the 40's" all the while ignoring the fact that Nazi Germany and America have a lot of similarities.

John Walker is that same nostalgic ideal, but placed in a time where America is facing its own reckoning. John Walker was meant to be Steve's heir apparent (after all, they're both two blue eyed, squared jawed American men). But John has control problems. He has anger problems. He has difficulties putting himself in the shoes of others and really leaning into their points of view. Much like America is a country that doesn't think about the consequences of its actions, John is the same. And much like how America tends to feel "guilty" about its actions after the fact, it still demands forgiveness without really doing any soul searching to attone for its actions. John Walker did a lot of horrible things and as a consequence he felt really REALLY bad for it. But what exactly has he done to make amends for it? How did he grow and change and become better? America has always had a strange relationship with its own citizens. When it comes to Black people (and other POC) America refuses to acknowledge the intergenerational harm that it has done, refuses to extend empathy to the people harmed, yet still demands forgiveness. John Walker has the same entitlement that America has. And American still uses WWII as an excuse for its lack of accountability. After all, America beat the Nazi's and saved Europe, so its alright if the country is extra cruel to its citizens. It's not as though America is putting its citizens in gas chambers, right? And John Walker wears the Captain America moniker in the same way that America wears its WWII victory: As an excuse to never reflect and become better.

Isaiah Bradley. Isaiah Bradley, to me at least, has always represented America's strange relationship with its own history. America would rather forget its past and hide it, than learn from it. Isaiah Bradley also represents the folly of white supremacy and American exceptionalism. How exactly can America claim to be any different than Nazi Germany if it is also caught experimenting on Black soldiers for militaristic gain? How exactly can white supremacy exist if there is a Black man who does the exact same things as Steve Rogers. In TFATWS Isaiah says something interesting:

"They've been chasing that great white hope for so long..."

The Great White Hope is a loaded term. It comes from a time in the 1900's when a Black boxer, Jack Jefferson was World champ and white people were constantly searching for a white boxer to take Jefferson down. Isaiah Bradley existing as a Black man with super soldier serum was an affront to the idea of Steve Rogers and the "natural" superiority of whiteness. Which is why he had to be hidden away, and even when his legacy was brought out into the light, America still had to deal with the weight of its own actions. Isaiah Bradley is both a stain on the idea of white superiority AND he's a stain on the idea of American morality. And they can't simply use WWII as a way of smoothing the misdeed over. America acted unethically and it has to carry that.

As for Sam Wilson, I've already written about his role with the mantel

I've always seen Sam as someone that exists to guide America towards its better angels. Because Sam is the last of the men to take the mantel of Captain America, he has a full view of the country's victories (Steve), its failures (John) and its shames (Isaiah) and because Sam has this perspective he can help position the country towards the path it needs to go better help ALL Americans.

But that's just my two cents. I hope I didn't hijack your post.

Had this thought.

Steve Rogers = What America pretends/wants to be

John Walker = What America is

Isaiah Bradley = What America did

Sam Wilson = What America should be

This seems right in my head but I don't have an idea of how to word it better. I would love some thoughts.

Any racism will be blocked!

[mikeymagee]

Just saw the Ironheart trailer.

Looks like Riri is going to be the hood superhero that everyone wanted Luke Cage to be.

I'm sat.

[mikeymagee]

Yeah, just FYI I plan on stanning Riri when here shows comes to Disney+

Like, I've been in and out of the MCU fandom since Avengers 2012, and I still remember how so many of us were waiting for positive BIPOC representation within this fandom.

We went from "No one wants a Black Panther movie" to Black Panther being one of Marvel's top franchises.

We went from people erasing Sam Wilson to Sam Wilson having his own TV Show and movie

We went from #NickFuryLies to Nick Fury having his own Disney+ show (granted the results weren't great but it exists)

We went from people calling James Rhodes "Rhodney" to potentially getting an Armor Wars film.

We went from #DonaldForSpiderman and "Donald Glover doesn't deserve to play Spiderman" to "Miles Morales leading one of the best animated film franchises in the history of comics.

We went from Daredevil beating up nameless POC to Luke Cage breaking Netflix.

We went from "Where are the Black women?" to Valkyrie, Shuri, Okoye, Nakia, Monica Rambeau, Claire Temple, Evita, Hunter B-15, and a whole host of others can't name right now.

If you had told me back in 2012 that Iron Man's heir apparent would be a young Black girl who proudly calls herself "Young Gifted and Black" I wouldn't have believed you.

If you had told me back in 2012 that Sam Wilson would be the leader of the Avengers I wouldn't have believed you.

If you had told me back in 2012 that Luke Cage would break Netflix, I wouldn't have believed you.

If you had told me that Black Panther would have a spin-off show (The Eyes of Wakanda), let alone a super successful film, I wouldn't have believed you.

We went from "No one wants to see Black/Nonwhite superheroes" to a Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur cartoon.

And that's not even counting all of the LGBT heroes we have, and the other characters of color who are centered in their own narratives (Echo, Shang Chi, Ms. Marvel, hell even Blue Beetle from DC)

Hell, we went from "The Ancient one is going to be Celtic, so chill" to Shang Chi

Listen, I know the MCU is pulling back on its diversity and inclusion and it's really disappointing to see but let's not forget how far we have come as a fandom. From what I understand, there are people who entered this fandom with its diversity in full display and that makes me happy.

So yeah, when Iron Heart comes out, I'm gonna watch it hard. When Wonderman come out, I'm gonna watch it HARD. When these shows/movies come out, you can trust and believe I will be there.

We've been through much nonsene not to support and celebrate the diversity that we have now.

[mikeymagee]

The 2025 Met Gala centered Black Dandyism and raised a record number of money!

So, just to recap the year so far...

Sam Wilson as Captain America

Beyonce winning Album of the Year with Cowboy Carter

Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl performance

and Ryan Coogler's Sinners making bank and starting conversations.

[mikeymagee]

Sam Wilson: The American Redeemer

Why Sam Wilson is the only choice for the mantel

"No super serum, no blond hair, or blue eyes. The only power I have is that I believe we can do better" --Sam Wilson,

I think one of the main things that separates Sam Wilson's tenure as Captain America from Steve Rogers's is how they functioned within the role and what they were expected to do.

During World War II, Steve Rogers was expected to protect the country from foreign dangers. He was the American protector. Keeping citizens safe from international (and interdimensional) threats. Steve protected American against "The Other" (Nazis, foreign terrorists, aliens, etc).

But Sam Wilson is someone who is tasked with protecting the country from itself. Sam stands firm against America's worst impulses (its inability to emphasize, its lust for power and status, its refusal to deal with its own history, etc,) and guides this country towards its better angels.

Sam Wilson origins in Marvel Comics

Sam Wilson was created as a result of the Civil Rights Movement back in the 1960's. It's no accident that he was created to be the partner for a superhero that represented America, and its values. The first African American superhero paired with a man who represented everything this country believed about itself. Sam Wilson was created as a kind of redemption for America, or at least, the beginnings of redemption. African Americans in this country have fought side by side with white Americans in every war and every conflict. From the American Revolution to World War II and beyond. And yet Black Americans were never allowed to take part in the American dream, whether through unjust laws, or the denial of economic growth, Black people have always been shunned from the country they helped defend. Sam Wilson's creation and inclusion was a (small) way to make up for that lack justice. And even through his friendship with Sam, Steve Rogers gained a new perspective on the American identity. Sam brought America's failings into light and gave it the opportunity to correct itself.

From the very creation of the character, Sam was an opportunity for America to rid herself of her sins.

Sam Wilson in the Winter Soldier

Its notable that the first interaction we get with Sam in the MCU is as a counselor for veterans. America is notorious for touting to "Love its soldiers" but always ignoring its veterans. Many men and women who go off to fight in wars often times come back home to a country that is less willing to put the time and effort into understanding and helping the heal. You can see this with the lack of funding for Veterans Affairs offices, the housing crises that a lot of returning veterans face, the lack of adequate mental and physical healthcare that veterans are afforded. Veterans are an underserved community in a country that claims to love its military. There is a hypocrisy in this.

Yet, Sam took on the work of helping veterans heal.

The History of Isaiah Bradley.

It's no secret that America is a country that was built off of antiblack racism. I could cite multiple books, articles, documentaries, and studies that prove this. However, the narrative of Isaiah Bradley not only showcases America's antiblack racism, but the removal of Bradley's story showcases America's refusal to acknowledge its own faults. There have always been efforts in this country to remove Black history (and the histories of other marginalized groups of people). Sam Wilson, when he found out about Isaiah, not only had to reconcile with this country's racism, but he also had to reevaluate how he viewed the country as a whole. Bradley was not only court martialed and jailed, but he was experimented on and his story was scrubbed away.

The United States has always had a habit of rewriting its own history to maintain a certain image. Whether it be one of liberty and equality, or one of militaristic might and pride. America loves the image of the strong soldier, going off into the world but hates the image of the war torn veteran who still hears gun shots at night. Sam, during his conversation with Bucky in Maryland, had to reconcile America's image of itself (a bright beautiful country that welcomes all) with the reality he had just been exposed to (a Black man who did the exact same thing that Steve Rogers had done back in the 40's and was punished for it).

America's treatment of Isaiah was a sin against veterans and a sin against Black Americans, and Sam bringing Isaiah's story into the light was a reckoning that helped to redeem the country's past actions. Actions that America has no one to blame for but itself.

Karli and the Flag Smashers.

Sam's handling of Flag Smashers in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was controversial, but the one thing he was correct about was the usage of simple labels to justify inhumane treatment of others. The United States has always been a country that others its enemies to justify violence of disenfranchisement. Black slaves in the US were called animals. Post 9/11 Muslims (and really, anyone from the middle east) were called "terrorists", Latino immigrants were/are dehumanized and called criminals to justify ICE raids and the breaking of families. During the 90's, America created the "Super Predator" narrative that painted a target on Black men and accelerated the militarization of police officers.

The government's reactions to Karli and the Flag Smashers represents the same line of thinking. Take a group of people and label them as something that is easy to hate/vilify and then take them out. We can argue that Karli's actions were extreme, and we can argue that Karli's actions were violent but we also have to understand were these feelings came from. Empathy and understanding has always been something America has refused to engage with. It's easy to say that Black people don't work hard and are poor when you refuse to acknowledge how America has burned Black neighborhoods and undermined Black education. America has always worked to eliminate the symptom rather than treating the disease.

And Sam, through his speech about Karli and the Flag Smashers, reminds America of its own failings. And again, this isn't some conspiracy that was created by HYDRA or a Nazi organization. This wasn't some evil plan, it was simply The United States turning its back on its own ideals. The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the country.

But Sam's handling of Karli is a reminder to the country as a whole that we must choose to be better. And note how his speech isn't just for the senators, it's for the American people too. Notice how Isaiah Bradley and his grandson are watching, notice how the crowd of people are listening, notice how Torres is watching from his computer feed.

Sam is offering every American a shot at redemption.

Ross and the War with Japan

"Diplomacy must be hard for you, a man in a country to used to taking what he wants by force."

-Prime Minister Ozaki

In Captain America Brave New World, President Ross is facing an international crises with Japan over the adamantium that is found in the middle of the ocean. Originally, the world leaders, lead by President Ross, wanted to share the new resource evenly, however as negotiations breakdown between America and Japan, Ross's first instinct is to lead the country to war over the adamantium.

American Imperialism is no secret, in fact, everyone in the world is aware of America's dedication to consuming resources. In many instances (ones highlighted by Sam himself) America has a lack of understanding of how the world works, and how to decenter itself for the good of its allies. President Ross even says as the international conflict reaches a head,

"If any country is going to control adamantium, it's going to be us." --President Ross

Ross leans right back into American imperialism, and its perceived entitlement to resources. You can even draw parallels with Erik Killmonger's usage of Wakanda's vibranium and how Erik (an American man) uses American imperialism in the same way. To take whatever he wants by force. Damn the consequences.

Ross was not thinking about how the impending conflict could harm American citizens, or harm other people in the world. Ross's only concern was with the securing of international power.

But Ross's actions speak to a broader pattern of behavior that Sam has seen throughout his tenure in the MCU. The tendency for Americans to fall into simple definitions that justify a lack of empathy. When diplomacy with Japan fell through, Ross pivoted to conflict without further introspection. When Isaiah Bradley's existence threatened the ideals of American equality, America hid their shame away without needing to reflect on its own mistakes. When Karli and the Flag Smashers became a threat, America became incentivized to neutralize that threat without understanding reasons behind the Flag Smashers in the first place.

America is a country that prioritizes action over introspection, and violence over understanding. If not for the intervention of Sam Wilson, America would have fallen to its worst impulse and dove into a war that didn't need to be had.

"The fight you're taking on ain't going to be easy, Sam." --Isaiah Bradley

Perhaps this is where Steve's fight and Sam's fight differ. Steve was a warrior when America needed one. He was a man who fought whatever threat came to our shores. It was easy to root for Steve because Americans could understand that the "bad guy" was some foreigner.

But Sam's fight is with America's soul itself.

Sam isn't fighting to "save the country", he's fighting to redeem it. He's fighting to make this country live up to its ideals. And how exactly do you redeem a country that sends it soldiers off to war, but shuns them when they return? How do you redeem a country who's first instincts are to dehumanize and disregard anyone who doesn't fit the idea of America? How do you redeem a country that refuses to learn from its own mistakes, and instead works to shift the blame to someone/something else?

Bucky has said that Sam gives people something to aspire towards. But aspiring towards something takes work. It takes introspection. It takes being brave enough to look at one's own mistakes and being humble enough to do admit wrong doing, and then being strong enough to make it right.

In every instance in the MCU Sam Wilson gives this country a chance to be its better self. Most critics of Sam in TFATWS and BNW is his tendency for political messaging over character. Critics say that Sam is more interested in giving lectures over being a 3-dimensional character and to that I disagree. Even in isolated narratives (such as BNW), Sam is still faced with the conundrum of holding this country accountable to itself. And the narrative seems repetitive because each time America refuses to live up to itself. If Sam Wilson's story arc seems repetitive it is because the country he represents refuses to grow. It is not Sam's failing as a character, but America's failing as a nation. Sam Wilson lives James Baldwin's words:

"I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually"

Patriotism without introspection is simply stagnation. Love without growth is simply indulgence, and Sam Wilson reminds us of that everyday.

Sam Wilson may not be the Captain that this country wants, but it is certainly the captain this country needs.

But whether or not America deserves a redeemer like Sam Wilson, is a question that many are too afraid to ask.

[mikeymagee]

Spoilers for Thunderbolts under the cut

So, when Sam Wilson (a Black man) saves the day by reminding the villain of their humanity, it's stupid and unrealistic

But when a group of white people do the same thing, it's revolutionary and important.

Is...is that what ya'll are trying to tell me?

[mikeymagee]

So, just to recap the year so far...

Sam Wilson as Captain America

Beyonce winning Album of the Year with Cowboy Carter

Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl performance

and Ryan Coogler's Sinners making bank and starting conversations.

[mikeymagee]

It's my 12 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

[mikeymagee]

Does anyone else think it's kind of cute that they made Danny's Joaquin Torres come from Miami because Anthony's Sam Wilson comes from Louisiana?

The director was very direct about this, he wanted to Danny Ramirez's character to have the same roots that the actor had, so they made it MCU canon for Joaquin to come from Miami, and this was done because during Captain America: Winter Soldier, the director decided to made Sam's Louisiana origins a nod to Anthony Mackie's origins.

It's kind of cute that Danny Ramirez is not only Anthony's heir apparent for the Falcon mantel, he's also Anthony's heir apparent as an MCU performer, and Ramirez even said he took many cues from Mackie when it came to taking on a mantel.

I've loved the Joaquin Torres character since his first appearance and its really cool to see Danny Ramirez bring him to life right along side Anthony Mackie.

I dunno, I just think that's kind of a neat detail.