But X-23 was not advertised in Logan as Wolverine. She was advertised as X-23 in the movie, who was a clone. But there was not a hint of her adopting Logan's name and moniker. Bucky can carve his own legacy as Winter Soldier and Sam as Falcon. The second you put the name "Captain America" on there, they're living in Steve's shadow. This is a thing that is cool for fans and such, but I find this a disservice to their characters. You're trying to honor Steve Rogers by basically removing the chance for Bucky or Sam to carve their own legacies in their own identities. How does that serve Sam or Bucky? All that does is make people think "Gosh, I miss Steve Rogers." In the case of Into the Spider-Verse, Miles was created to be a legacy to Peter Parker in the Ultimate universe. Bucky and Sam were not created to that end. They got shoehorned into those roles because they killed Steve Rogers and wanted to move Captain America merch still. Also at this point, Bucky and Sam have been in many movies. Does it really feel like they earned that type of upgrade? Sam has barely been developed, and Cap's spent 2 movies saving Bucky from being arrested or killed for past mistakes. Bucky would be viewed as Captain America-lite. He would never get the development or importance Steve did. So there is no point in saddling him with a legacy he ultimately cannot live up to. Let him carve out his own legacy as Winter Soldier or White Wolf. That serves the character of Bucky better than a marketing gimmick of passing the mantle. Steve Rogers is Captain America. When he is gone, Captain America should go with him. 90% of legacy characters gain nothing by taking the mantle of a character we liked more.
Completely agreed.
Though I wouldn't put Black Panther in the Capt. America/Iron Man/ Spider-Man bracket. The BP moniker/concept wasn't created by T'Challa, it's been around for a long time before T'Challa and will be around a long time after he's gone. Someone else taking up/earning the mantle is natural to the mythos.
That's the same kind of bracket I'd put Green Lantern in.
It's the self-made heroes I don't like becoming legacy acts.
Spider-Verse taught us that ANYONE can wear the mask.
That's a lesson I fundamentally disagree with. To put it in musical terms, I see most legacy characters as being akin to Tribute Bands. Sure you can dress up like [insert iconic band], and learn to play their music note for note, you can even make some money if you're really good at it, but you will never actually be the real deal. And all people are thinking of when they're listening to you play is the original band -
"These guys are good... but they're not ______, ....man I wish I could go see a real _____ show right now."
What makes you (insert Cap/Panther), makes you (Insert Cap/Panther). When Wolverine dies, X23 should take his place, Logan illustrated this perfectly by positioning Laura as the next Wolverine.
What makes Capt America is Steve Rogers. There is only one Steve Rogers.
Legacy characters exist for a reason --
Yep --> Money!
these characters are symbols meant to represent an ideal/concept, they don't die with the current proprietor. That's what makes them so powerful and that's why kids from all walks of life see themselves in these characters. I'd argue that it would be a disservice to Steve Rogers' legacy to let the idea of Captain America die with him. Bucky is the perfect successor to carry on the legacy. The Falcon/Bucky show I'm hoping will end with Barnes realizing that he must honor Steve. And coming back to the movies as the new Captain Marvel
The idea of Cap wouldn't die with him though. Jimi Hendrix's music didn't disappear when he died.
Falcon and Winter Soldier are far more interesting as Falcon and Winter Soldier than as Captain America Jr. You're taking away something that makes than stand out on their own, and killing that just to make them an imitation of somebody else.
I also think it sends a bad message. That these characters (often visible minorities) aren't "real heroes" unless they are pretending to be some other guy/girl (usually white) and stealing his/her look, name, and mannerisms.
Completely agreed. Bucky or Sam taking on the Capt America moniker is just pushing them into Steve's shadow and doing them a disservice because they will never be Steve Rogers. There's only one Gary King!
As you say, and I've said it before myself, it's a bad message to send. It's like,
"hey kid, see that iconic hero up there? Yeah? Don't be you, be him." Being a pale imitation of someone else rather than the best version of yourself is not a good message.
Using the tribute band example again, which is better - Idolizing a band, say Metallica, and being inspired by them to go on to:
a) - Start a Metallica tribute band, dressing up like them and playing their songs
OR
b) - Start your own original band and write your own music.
For me it's option B, all day every day.
That's the first time I've seen anybody put anything that specific on it, but they just throw it out there without any attribution.
