The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is the Disney+ show currently receiving rave reviews with its mix of spy play and political commentary. Episode two “The Star Spangled Man” introduces us to a Marvel hero many have not heard of before, Isaiah Bradley.

Isaiah Bradley
Isaiah Bradley

The Falcon & The Winter Soldier

*Small Spoilers for The Falcon and The Winter Soldier ahead*

In TFTWS Bradley (played by Carl Lumbly) is at the heart of things. Samples of his blood are the basis for the new and improved supersoldier serum. The formula that the Flag Smashers stole and the Power Broker wants back. So while the shadow of Steve Rogers looms in the background of the show, Bradley is at its core whether he wants to be or not.

Marvel Comics

The limited series Truth: Red, White and Black brought Isaiah into the Marvel Comics fold. He was one of a group of African American soldiers who were subjects of the Super Soldier program in 1942. We will examine the real parallels later on.

In the comic Bradley becomes a super soldier shortly after Steve Rogers takes up the mantle of Captain America. Out of three hundred African American soldiers only five survived the process, with Bradley being the only one to survive the war.

There are threads in common with both versions of Bradley. Both are “rewarded” for their service and sacrifice by being imprisoned and further experimented on by the US Government. They both allude to the infamous Tuskegee experiments. Where poor black sharecroppers with untreated Syphilis had promises broken about treatment.

The fact that in the MCU Bradley is entirely unknown is a sad reflection of reality where it is all too common for people of color to be written out of Western History. It also follows the theme of the Disney+ looking at modern politics.

Legacy

This whole article feels a little dour so let’s look to a big potential positive, when we met Isaiah we also met his grandson Elijah who was taking care of him. In the comics, Elijah is Patriot the leader of the Young Avengers. It has been widely teased though that the MCU would like to introduce their own version of the Young Avengers in Phase 4.

Maybe we will see the legacy of Isaiah Bradley live on with his grandson.

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