Sam Wilson began his costumed career as The Falcon when he began working alongside Captain America, though that was only one of many impressive accomplishments Wilson has had over the years. The high-flying Avenger earned his place as one of Steve Rogers' most trusted allies as well as a dedicated defender of the public and his community.
Wilson's growth as a costumed hero has led to a number of equally monumental moments across his career that saw him become a leader of his fellow Avengers as well as star in an all-new chapter in the long legacy of Captain America. We'll explore a few of Sam Wilson's greatest accomplishments in the comics that celebrate his long career as the heroic Avenger.
10 Sam Started His Career As A Social Worker After Helping Raise His Siblings
While Sam Wilson's past and origins have been called into question over the years due to tampering from the reality-altering cosmic cube, his true past was restored as a dutiful brother who cared for his siblings after his parents were violently murdered.
Sam not only helped his siblings, but he also volunteered around his community to help others in need as well. One of his biggest accomplishments in his life before the Falcon, besides successfully caring for his family, was to become a social worker and an international aid worker so he could continue helping other families like his own.
9 Overcame The Doubt Created By Red Skull's Creation Of "Snap Wilson"
Captain America's oldest enemy is the Red Skull, who has played an important role in the life of Sam Wilson as well. It was Red Skull who first lured Sam Wilson to his private island where he subjected him to experiments with the cosmic cube that first gave him the ability to communicate with his bird Redwing.
Red Skull also used the cosmic cube to mess with Wilson's memories and origins by creating an alternate history and criminal persona named Snap Wilson that was created to discredit Falcon and cause him to doubt his own past. He eventually learned the truth about Red Skull's schemes, but he had already moved past the initial doubt to become a better hero.
8 Quickly Mastered The Ability To Fly After Black Panther Invented His Wings
When Sam Wilson first became the Falcon, he took on the avian name due to his empathic connection with birds like his partner Redwing and relied solely on his fighting skills that were further honed by training from Captain America. However, Black Panther helped evolve Falcon's crimefighting gear by creating his first wingsuit that finally brought the hero to the skies.
However, since it was new technology it came with a huge learning curve that had already hospitalized some of T'Challa's test pilots. Sam Wilson spent hours running through a training course to get his handle on the wings, impressing both Captain America and Black Panther with his quick mastering of the ability to fly.
7 During His Tenure As Cap He Had A New Falcon As His Own Sidekick
Sam Wilson has grown quite a bit since he first became the Falcon, though things became to come full circle for the character after he took over for his long-time friend and partner Captain America. He had a good team behind him when he took on the role, though he eventually gained his own sidekick who had taken over his old role as The Falcon.
Joaquín Torres was kidnapped and experimented on by the twisted Dr. Karl Malus, who spliced his genetics with Wilson's avian partner Redwing. Torres took on the new costumed identity of Falcon and briefly worked alongside the original in his new role. Wilson also outfitted and worked with the new Patriot during his time as Captain America as well.
6 Joined The Avengers When They Became A United Nations Task Force
While Falcon had been invited to the Avengers previously by the team's liaison in an attempt to fill "racial mandates," he decided to quit instead of joining the team as their "token" Black superhero. He stayed away from the Avengers for years as he preferred to fight crime that directly affected his community.
He later returned on his own terms to join the Avengers when they became an authorized task force for the United Nations. He helped discover that the Red Skull had infiltrated the U.S. government as the Secretary of State named Dell Rusk in the "Red Zone" storyline, and was integral in his defeat.
5 Sam Became Captain America's Partner After They Defeated Red Skull
One of Sam's greatest accomplishments is also one of his earliest, as he was asked to join Captain America as his partner when he became the new hero known as the Falcon. The two first met each other on Red Skull's island Exile where they teamed up to take down the Nazi criminal.
Captain America helped train Sam Wilson further after he took him on as his sidekick, and he was the one who asked Black Panther to upgrade Falcon's suit with wings initially. Sam not only became one of Steve Rogers' closest friends, but he was also his longest-lasting partner despite the two splitting up a few times over the years over various disagreements.
4 He Saved The World From Baron Blood's Global Release Of An Inhuman Poison
Sam helped save the world on a number of occasions over the years, through his association with Captain America and the Avengers. However, after Wilson took over as Captain America, he was faced with a few enemies that hoped to challenge the new Sentinel of Liberty.
Baron Zemo allied with the vampire Baron Blood in his plan to poison the world. Sam was able to stop Baron Zemo and his Masters of Evil from unleashing an Inhuman's poisonous blood that would have sterilized the human population. It was one of his biggest wins as Captain America, though it appeared to cost the life of Ian Rogers/Nomad.
3 Led The Avengers Underground Against Evil Captain America In Secret Empire
When an evil version of Steve Rogers who became known as Hydra Supreme took the reins of both Hydra and the U.S. government in Secret Empire, a number of Avengers and other heroes went underground in an attempt to build the resistance.
Sam Wilson had stepped down as Captain America after a series of events caused him to doubt his role. After Hydra Supreme besmirched the legacy, Sam stepped back into the role and took a leadership position with the Avengers Underground. Sam was an integral part of the victory against Hydra Supreme that freed the country from his control.
2 He Was Chosen By Steve Rogers To Take Over As The New Captain America
Steve Rogers served as the Sentinel of Liberty for decades, though he kept his vitality thanks to the super-soldier serum in his system and the fact that he spent a few of those decades frozen in a block of ice.
However, an encounter with the Iron Nail drained Rogers of the super-soldier serum and he reverted to around his actual age, forcing him to retire as Captain America. His chosen successor was Sam Wilson, who took over as the All-New Captain America to add another chapter in the long legacy of the Sentinel of Liberty.
1 Inspired New Heroes To Form The Captains Network As New Sentinels Of Liberty
While he shares this accomplishment with Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, it was Sam Wilson's time as Captain America that really served to inspire a wave of new heroes who operated as their own versions of Captain America.
The United States Of Captain America introduced a few new heroes who had formed The Captains Network to help their communities using the mantle of the Sentinel of Liberty. Wilson worked alongside Rogers and Barnes to further investigate the Network and learn more about the heroes they helped inspire.