Warning: Spoilers for Captain America: Symbol of Truth #11It may be easy to compare the two Captain Americas together, but surprisingly, Sam Wilson may have more in common with Peter Parker's Spider-Man than Steve Rogers. Especially now that both Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers share the Captain America mantle at the same time, it is understandable that readers would find themselves compelled to compare and contrast how both men carry that name and what they represent under that mask. Naturally, the two heroes' lives perfectly parallel one another, but not more so than a recent Sam scuffle parallels a famous Spider-Man fight.
The fight in question takes place in 1985's Amazing Spider-Man #270 by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz when Spider-Man fights a former herald of Galactus named Firelord. Taking place during Spider-Man's black suit phase, the issue sees Firelord go on a rampage throughout the city that nearly gets several citizens and Spidey himself killed. The fight ends with an enraged Spider-Man pummeling Firelord within an inch of his life. Ironically, it's Steve Rogers' Captain America who intervenes just before Spider-Man has a chance to beat Firelord to death.
Sam & Peter Share a Burning Rage
Similarly, Captain America: Symbol of Truth #11 by Tochi Onyebuchi and R.B. Silva sees Sam in a bitter fight with White Wolf that parallels Spider-Man's fight with Firelord, both ending with the hero needing to be pulled back before beating the villain to death. Knowing that the original Captain America was the one to hold back Spider-Man and seeing how Sam's fight is also surrounded by fire and destruction, it's hard to deny the parallels, regardless of whether they are coincidental or not. Much like how Peter is furious with Firelord's complete disregard for his or anyone else's life around them, Sam reaches his breaking point in seeing how badly White Wolf has endangered everyone around them. The final trigger is White Wolf being critical of Sam's intentions for his country as Captain America.
Peter Parker and Sam Wilson are both characters who can't help but wear their emotions on their sleeves. That isn't to say that Steve Rogers isn't the same, but unlike Steve, Peter and Sam wears one specific emotion on their sleeves that not even the best poker face can hide: rage. Both hold immense regard for human life and when that regard is tested by someone who takes the safety of others lightly, that's when they can be pushed past their limits by pure anger. At their most enraged, both characters can be hard to hold back.
For Sam Wilson to show such a fit of ionate anger especially seems timely as the Cold War event will see Sam and Steve battle over the Captain America mantle. Sam reaching his breaking point with the White Wolf causes Steve to question his friend's undivided love and dedication to America, promising that the country is bound to turn on him as Captain America. Rejecting this idea, Sam snaps. Clearly, he thinks highly of his role as Captain America and what he can do for the country. If that idea conflicts with how Steve views his own role and intentions as Captain America, this could be a small bit of foreshadowing for what could trigger their battle. This arc could show just how different these Captain Americas actually are, as this moment shows how one is closer to being like Spider-Man than the original Captain America.
Captain America: Symbol of Truth #11 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
