When Captain America Quits: The History and Meaning of a Super Soldier’s Protest

Covering every instance of Captain America quitting his superhero role, from Steve Rogers being upset that Sharon Carter won't marry him to Sam Wilson resigning out of protest and more. This video discusses Captain America by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Steve Englehart's run, Mark Gruenwald's Captain America, Mark Waid's run, Marvel's Civil War, Captain America by Ed Brubaker, Nick Spencer's Captain America: Sam Wilson and Secret Empire, and the most recent Ta-Nehisi Coates run on Captain America.

#CaptainAmerica
#MarvelComics
#FalconandTheWinterSoldier

0:00 Intro
1:35 The First Time
3:10 Watergate and Cap
5:52 The Captain and John Walker
9:56 Captain America: Expatriot
11:30 Civil War's Fallout
14:26 Sam Wilson and Beyond
19:07 Outro

Music:

"Captain America: The First Avenger" OST by Alan Silvestri

"Avengers: Endgame" OST by Alan Silvestri

"This is a Jazz Space"

"Hyper Gradient Symphony" by Vanilla

"Laridae" by Hello Meteor

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" by Henry Jackman

"Dusk" by M.O.O.N.

Sources:

[matti.]

"We want Captain America to be more like The Punisher" guess even then, comic fans had the dumbest demands. I love how they embraced how bad of an idea that was.

[OomaGooma]

It saddens me when people think Cap is boring and totally uncool. Captain America is someone who we all should strive to be like. So to me he is the epitome of a true hero. Also, Mark Gruenwald’s writing was way ahead of its time. His Work on Captain America and Squadron Supreme are great examples of this.

[eldiablodelsur]

I can't help it; I absolutely love Captain America, especially when he takes a stand on principle. On more than one occasion, Cap has been the "conscience" of the Marvel Universe. He exemplifies the very best principles that this country offers, and he stands iconic as their standard-bearer. I remember his appearance during the "Daredevil Born Again" storyline, where Steve earnestly tries to mitigate the ever-heightening situation between Matt Murdock, the Kingpin, and Nuke. He always chooses to stand and fight for what he sincerely believes is the greater good.

[zemox]

Cap does not get enough credit or respect. Like Superman and Optimus Prime, he is a beacon of hope in a cruel and cynical world.

[TevyaSmolka]

It really breaks my heart that people think captain America is boring and not interesting which is bullcrap because like superman Captain America is the symbol of hope for the marvel universe.

[sebastienvondoom]

"I'm loyal to nothing, general. Except the dream."

[Xehanort]

3:01 That's one weird reason to quit being a superhero. "My girlfriend said no when I proposed to her so I'm gonna quit and reveal my identity to the world."

[keithgehman]

Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Eugene Debs quotes AND the captain america theme, it's like matt draper can read my mind and knows exactly what I want lol

[noxidninja]

I've been struggling to focus on reading over lockdown so these essays are reminding me why I love comic books, thank you Matthew Draperino

[yvngdende]

I could be laying dead in my coffin, only to instantly wake up when a new Matt Draper vid releases

[BlueCruzader]

Sweet Lady Liberty, I love these essays

[derekgreen]

The mark gruenwald run is so underrated. It's criminal that it hasn't been collected into an omnibus.

[Xehanort]

7:32 The Commission going "You have to protect America and only America instead of the world" is similar to a JSA comic where after World War II the government told the JSA to unmask to prove they weren't Communists. Demanding heroes who helped them win the war in the DC universe reveal their identities or else they'd accuse them of being Communists was stupid.

[Ashguy]

"It must be wonderful to live in a world of black and white. You tell me to 'be a king' but you have no idea, Rogers. No idea of the sacrifices I've had to make, the gray areas where- " Namor

" How can you even say that? We fought in the war together! Everyone sees Captain America as some "moral compass, " but its just me, Steve Rogers, making up were there. You know both of us had to make impossible decisions on the battlefield. We both lost men.... I know things aren't 'black and white.' But you and I both know Good when we see I know you are good." Captain America

[dr.s]

"When Captain America drops his mighty shield!"

[TheEliera]

This is so awesome! And even when Brubakers run was rushed it still my favorite. And I really like Bucky as Cap.

[angelwing]

The section explaining why the real life quotes are necessary is extremely powerful and I'm really glad you pointed that out cuz I prolly wouldn't even thought of why it's important to recognize these people more than a comic book character.

As always, amazing video!!

[JoshuaSkaar]

This gets a thumbs up a 0:01 because of the use of Alan Silvestri’s theme.

[williamjohnson]

Cap has always been fascinating to me because, while all superheroes are an exaggerated representation of some part of our values, Cap in particular extrapolates that further into being a representation of America. Your video illustrated very well how the definition of "America" used for Steve constantly shifts, whether that be nationalist loyalty to the flag, the real-world US government's agenda or the writers' own snapshot of ideal American values (which are also subject to the culture of their time).

Yet another absolute banger, my dude.

[llamas]

Truly the best comic book channel on youtube, thank you for the fantastic work you do!