Not My Captain America: A Look At John Walker as Super-Patriot!
Apr 23, 2021
Since he was introduced as the new Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, John Walker has become pop culture’s favorite punching bag. Nearly 35 years before Wyatt Russell stepped into the role, John Walker went by another name. Before he was Captain America, and before he was U.S.Agent, Walker went by the name Super-Patriot.
A creation of Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary, John Walker was introduced in Captain America #323 (November 1986). He grew up in the small town of Custer’s Grove, Georgia where patriotism was bred into him. John idolized his father, an army veteran, and his brother, a military pilot, who died on a combat mission.
Walker joined the army and met his future best friend Lemar Hoskins during boot camp. He also became friends with Hector Lennox and Jerome Johnson, and a rivalry with Kali Vries that turns into a romantic relationship. Vries moves on to work for SHIELD, while Walker, Hoskins, Lennox, and Johnson spent two years on unfulfilling missions. Frustrated by the lack of action, the foursome quit the army to pursue new opportunities.
The Power Broker approaches them with offers to give them radiation treatments that will give them super strength. To pay for the treatments, the guys become pro wrestlers with the help of talent scout Ethan Thurm. Seeing that Walker is very patriotic, Thurm suggests that he take the name Super-Patriot with the other three called the Bold Urban Commandos (or Buckies).
Thurm soon convinces Super-Patriot to become a hero instead and even secures financial backing from a corporate sponsor. It is then that Walker learns how to work a crowd with his impassioned patriotism, which often included criticizing Captain America. They held a rally in Central Park where he expounds on Cap’s flaws before a preplanned attack by the Buckies. Super-Patriot defeats them in the orchestrated fight and is later confronted by Captain America who points out that people could’ve been hurt during the staged attack. Walker refuses to listen, insisting that his actions are justified because he wants to replace Cap as the patriotic hero.
Emboldened by his own rhetoric, Super-Patriot repeatedly challenges Cap to a fight. When the hero continues to refuse, Super-Patriot attacks Cap, and they engage in a lengthy fight. Super-Patriot chucks throwing stars at Cap and after seeing them hit their mark – Cap’s chest – Walker claims to be the winner and leaves.
He gains national attention after stopping the terrorist Warhead from detonating a nuclear weapon in DC. Using the newfound celebrity status, Walker claims to be the future of America. Presidential advisor Valerie Cooper is among those who become fans of Super-Patriot and when the US decides to name a new Captain America, she suggests Walker. Though he was initially unwilling to take on the name that he’d been relentlessly criticizing, Walker agrees, believing it is the way to serve his country.
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112 PGS./Rated T+
248 PGS./Rated T
"American Zealot" Chapter 1 of 5: John Walker, the former Super Patriot, has been stripped of his official USAgent status and is now operating as an independent government contractor protecting government covert interests. His latest protection detail draws him into a conflict between a small town and the corporate giant trying to destroy it. John acquires a new partner and new enemy along the way while being haunted by ghosts from his past and confronting challenges to his future.
32 PGS./Rated T+
