With Captain America: Civil War set to hit theaters on May 6, we take a look at Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, The Avengers, that have decided to align themselves with either Captain America or Iron Man. First, we will take a look at those siding with Team Cap, the members of whom appeared Monday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Those who have decided to align themselves with Captain America share the mindset that the superheroes should not have to sign what has been designated as the Sokovia Accords, in which superheroes must be officially registered by the government and only take action at their behest when they deem it necessary to do so.
Team Captain America see this as an infringement on their own rights as human beings, and refuses to cooperate with the Accords. Captain America has seen the results limitations can have on the world and, given the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Cap certainly is not wrong in being reluctant to report to the government when he has been betrayed by them in the past. Much of his team shares similar sentiments in regards to their own individual freedoms. With that said, let’s take a look at the makeup of Team Cap:
Steve Rogers, “Captain America”:
The iconic image of justice in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Cap essentially becomes a wanted fugitive once he refuses to comply with the Accords. Now, he leads a group of insurgents fighting for the rights of superheroes to remain free of a governing body. We are all well aware of Rogers’ high moral character, superb fighting ability and leadership, particularly on the battlefield. While Tony Stark may have been in charge of designing suits, weapons, and gear, Cap was the general in the field, directing Avengers and making effective use of their abilities in the line of fire. We see that leadership well in an exclusive clip when he fights alongside Falcon and Scarlet Witch.
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This leadership ability in the field is crucial, one that it doesn’t seem like Iron Man and his squad will have, especially to this degree. Having a vibranium shield, enhanced strength and reflexes and being one of the best Avengers in hand-to-hand combat certainly works wonders too.
Bucky Barnes, “Winter Soldier”:
An unknown factor in regards to his motives and his future, this isn’t the same Bucky Barnes we remember from the first Captain America film. A very changed man as a result of being converted into a mindless, steel-armed assassin for Hydra, Barnes is in a very different state of mind now that he is free of Hydra’s infuence.
As far we can tell, Barnes is still on the run from the government, and it appears Rogers is bent on protecting his best friend. As a result of his training and experience with Hydra, Barnes is capable of matching Cap in combat, and boasts a powerful cybernetic left arm given to him by Hydra in place of the original arm he lost during World War II. Barnes is easily the second powerhouse in Team Cap, and taking this duo down is going to be a tall task for Team Iron Man.
Sam Wilson, “Falcon”:
Another former soldier, Wilson came on the scene in Winter Soldier and became an Avenger at the end of Age of Ultron. In Civil War, we can consider him an Avenger in more than just name, and he looks to be putting on some new moves and gear. Falcon, with the use of his jet-pack and drone Redwing (sorry comic fans, no bird), gives Team Cap an ability to fight in the air. Coupled with his improved flight tech, Wilson looks set to put on some pretty good moves.
With the majority of the team landlocked, Falcon’s duties become that much more important, especially with the flight capabilities of Team Iron Man. Out of everyone on the team, he certainly has the closest bond with Rogers outside of Barnes, and it will be interesting to see how the two interact with one another.
Clint Barton, “Hawkeye”:
A veteran of both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers, Hawkeye is certainly not willing to sacrifice or put the personal life he managed to keep away from prying eyes in danger. As highly trained as Black Widow, Hawkeye provides a pretty stable veteran presence on the team. He exemplified such leadership in Age of Ultron with both Maximoff twins and was the lone voice of reason in getting them to help the Avengers. A skilled marksman with a bow and arrow, Hawkeye is a certified role player, and while he’s certainly not the main powerhouse of the team, his experience and skills as an archer are second to none. He’s been around the block and seen plenty of fights as an Avenger, but this will be a fight where his skills could shine brightest.
Scott Lang, “Ant-Man”:
A newbie recently introduced near the end of Marvel’s Phase Two wave of films and the beginning of Phase Three, Lang is another wise-cracking, yet smart new rookie Avenger who thinks quickly on his feet and whose movie became pretty successful, given his lower profile amongst the Marvel heroes. Ant-Man’s ability to shrink and grow in scale provide him enhanced strength, thanks to the Pym Particles, and makes him an invaluable asset for scouting and sneak attacks. In addition to his powers, he has experience working with technology and cracking electrical systems. When it comes to sabotage and an ability to match up against the high-tech powerhouses of Team Iron Man, Lang is a capable asset. Plus, many superhero fans will finally get their dream of the Lang-Barton team up moment from the comics :
Wanda Maximoff, “Scarlet Witch”:
Maximoff, whose powers center on reality manipulation and chaos magic, is a game-changing addition for Team Cap. What she lacks in hand-to-hand combat skills, compared to the rest of the team, is made up through the complex nature of her untapped abilities and potential. She supplies the much needed “mystic factor” for the team that provides a counter measure for Vision, the mystic factor powering Team Iron Man.
Maximoff is perhaps the most integral member of Team Cap. When the initial rosters were revealed without Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, or Ant-Man, many wondered how Captain America’s team would stack up against a seemingly loaded and overpowering Iron Man team that featured Vision. But since her reveal on Team Cap, the balance has stabilized, especially given that, out of all its members, she looks to be the only one capable of keeping Vision at bay. And based on the trailers, they will have their share of interactions throughout Civil War. Scarlet Witch was plenty dangerous in Age of Ultron and could be what effectively turn the tide in favor of Captain America.
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Conclusion:
Overall, Team Captain America’s strength lies in its skills with hand-to-hand combat, stealth, and overall field experience as a unique combination of former soldiers (Cap, Wilson) and assassins (Bucky, Barton). When it comes to a bare-bones fist-fight, this is a team that’s going to be hard to overcome for Team Iron Man.
Team Cap is an interesting mix of rogues, soldiers and assassins, all of whom are crafty and often unorthodox. Against the more methodical, planning, and inventive mind of someone like Iron Man, this could quickly become an advantage. Battle experience is certainly a plus for most of this roster, and new additions like Scarlet Witch and Ant-Man allow Team Cap to throw in some superpowered wild cards. And with a leader like Captain America, victory is always possible.
