Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here. Captain America: Brave New World was released yesterday, so we figured we would compile a list of Sam Wilson (Falcon and Captain America) starter stories if you were interested in getting to know Sam better as a character. Today’s post will feature one story with a single comic book issue. The rest will be story arcs composed of multiple comic books. Enjoy!

Single Issue

Sight Unseen (Avengers #64, written by Geoff Johns/art by Ivan Reis; 2003)

The events of Sight Unseen mostly take place in Avengers #64. Falcon has recently been drafted into the Avengers. Sam Wilson serves as a diversity hire—the rest of the Avengers more or less make him feel this way—so Sam never truly feels like he’s part of the team. Sight Unseen shows Sam finding his voice and cementing himself as a member of the Avengers. He gains a lot of respect, and this becomes a defining moment in his Avengers career. I don’t want to spoil too much of the plot, but let’s say that Henry Gyrich and Scarecrow make an appearance.

Story Arcs

The Coming of…The Falcon (Captain America #115-119, written by Stan Lee/art by Gene Colan; 1968)

The Coming of…The Falcon technically starts in Captain America #115, but Falcon doesn’t make his first appearance until #117. Before Falcon steps into the action, there are some Cosmic Cube shenanigans where Captain America and Red Skull have a Freaky Friday situation and swap bodies. Sam Wilson sees beyond the exterior and teams up with the Red Skull body-trapped Captain America. Cap teaches Sam some fighting skills and encourages Sam to take on a hero identity. Sam impresses Captain America enough that he becomes Cap’s new sidekick Falcon.

Falcon Miniseries (written by Jim Owlsey/art by Paul Smith; 1983-1984)

The Falcon Miniseries marks the first time Falcon stepped out of the sidekick role. Sam Wilson returns home. He witnesses a peaceful march resulting in protestors dying. Incensed, Sam shows the world that he is a hero to everyone, even those the government and police refuse to protect. Though written in the 1980s, the Falcon Miniseries remains culturally relevant.

The Burden of Dreams (Captain America #31-36, written by Ed Brubaker/art by Steve Epting; 1990)

Relationships aren’t the only thing that breaks in the wake of Civil War. Despite surrendering, a gunman kills Steve Rodgers before he can stand trial. Afterwards, Sam Wilson registers his identity per the Superhuman Registration Act, but that’s immediately followed by a new Captain America program, and the person tasked to fill this role is Bucky Barnes. But no one knows where Barnes is; Wilson must find him. When he does, he finds the Winter Soldier in the grip of the Red Skull and Doctor Faustus. It’s up to Falcon to rescue Bucky.

American Psycho (Captain America and The Falcon #13-14, written by Christopher Priest/art by Dan Jurgens; 2005)

Sam Wilson usually assumes the role of a hero in Marvel Comics, but in 2005’s American Psycho, his loyalty gets called into question. During much of this series, Sam gets involved in criminal activities when something happens that reverts him back to his pre-hero way of life. As one of Captain America’s greatest allies, Steve tries to stop Sam but can’t. When someone shoots Falcon, he snaps out of his trance. The damage has been done, and Sam begins a redemption arc.

Not My Captain America (Captain America: Sam Wilson #1-6, written by Nick Spencer/art by Paul Renaud; 2010-2011)

Not My Captain America is the first storyline that features Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. Much like the end of Avengers: End Game, Steve Rodgers rapidly ages and can no longer continue as Captain America. Sam Wilson is the obvious choice to replace Steve as Cap. Throughout the story, fewer and fewer people accept Sam, adopting the slogan, “Not My Captain America.” Like many other great Sam Wilson stories, Not My Captain America didn’t flinch when addressing racism in America.

Falcon and Winter Soldier Miniseries (written by Derek Landy/art by Federico Vincenti; 2019)

The Falcon and Winter Soldier Miniseries was released in 2019 to prepare fans for the 2021 Disney+ series of the same name. It serves as a fun buddy cop series. While Falcon and Bucky don’t tend to click as well as Bucky and Hawkeye, the Falcon and Winter Miniseries provides a great look at the odd couple. An assassination attempt on Winter Soldier prompts Bucky to call Sam Wilson for help. The two seek out the new leader of HYDRA before the organization can regroup.

I’m sure I missed a story or two on this list. Let me know which Sam Wilson stories you’d choose instead and make sure you note whether the Sam stories are ones of him as Cap or Falcon. And wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.