Falcon and Winter Soldier's Forgotten Captain America: The Vile History Behind Isaiah Bradley

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is quickly shaping up to be one of the darker MCU projects to date. As the dust of Avengers: Endgame settles, the world needs Captain America more than ever. But as Sam Wilson discovers in Episode 2, the same government that created Captain America has some skeletons in its closet, and one of them is named Isaiah Bradley (played by Carl Lumbly) -- a Black Captain America who also received the super soldier serum, or a version of it, as an attempt to recapture the success of Project Rebirth.
Who is Isaiah Bradley, and how does his MCU debut foretell dark days ahead for the friends and admirers of Steve Rogers in Falcon and the Winter Soldier? In this video, we explore what we know and why the series is revealing the dark truth behind the myth that is Captain America.
The Isaiah Bradley origin also ties into the Young Avengers and the hero known as Patriot, a.ka. Elijah Bradley. Isaiah is the main protagonist of 2003's Truth: Red, White & Black. Written by Robert Morales and drawn by Kyle Baker, the series reveals Steve Rogers was far from the only soldier the government attempted to transform into a superhuman propaganda tool. Because the formula for the Super Soldier Serum is lost when Dr. Abraham Erskine is killed by a German spy, the scientists of Project Rebirth have no choice but to attempt to recreate it through trial and error. They do so by experimenting on hundreds of African American soldiers, men seen by the eugenics-obsessed Dr. Josef Reinstein as expendable tools for the cause. This in time leads to the creation of the first Black Captain America.
The series draws heavily on the real-world Tuskegee Syphilis Study, an infamous program wherein researchers studied the long-term effects of untreated syphilis in hundreds of African American men without their full knowledge and consent. Similarly, Truth shows hundreds of soldiers being subjected to experimental serums without fully understanding what they've been recruited for or the significant risks involved. Isaiah is one of only five test subjects to survive the process. The remaining untreated soldiers and researchers are executed, ensuring only a handful know the origin of these new super-soldiers. And after his comrades are killed in the line of duty, Isaiah becomes the only survivor and the only living proof of this twisted attempt to create a new Captain America.
We delve into all this and more in this video!

[@diegoperezcotto7938]

The fact that Isaiah won a fight against the Winter Soldier,even breaking the metal arm is just badass,but its so tragic how he was treated after

[@jao999]

Indeed.

[@Ghost-Matrix]

It ain't real mate

[@oneilhowell8569]

@@Ghost-Matrix Yeah, but it is based on real-world wicked acts like the Tuskegee experiments and WW2 mustard gas testing on African Americans. So let's not downplay the message to be learned.

[@ha-kh7ef]

@@oneilhowell8569 too bad it gets down play by the supposed wokeness afterwards with the cops. They wanted a message which was well done with Isiah but then ruins it with cops pulling over Sam.

[@emmanueljoseph6702]

@@Ghost-Matrix It's real since Marvel recognize Bradley Isaiah as canon.

[@Heraldo_Del_Mar]

After Isaiah made his onscreen debut in TFATWS, it makes some of us realize that Steve got off easy being in suspended animation for over a century compared to Isaiah being locked up and expermented on.

[@novadselir1068]

This series proves how you can handle mature subjects with respect and not unnecessary edge.

[@andrewjazdzyk1215]

That seems subjective

[@champjames2869]

Would love to see a mini series based on his character

[@RileyWritey]

Marvel's been doing a lot for black representation in their films lately so he most likely will

[@jayarikishii]

Like Agent Carter and The Young Rock

[@davidvega462]

Is no one gonna talk about how Carl Lumbly who is the amazing actor, who plays Isaiah Bradley, played a superhero once before in the awesome short-lived fox series Mantis 🤔

[@polyrolemodels7265]

Also the voice of Martian Manhunter in the JL cartoon.

[@Me-tp6ll]

Also he Played Martian Man hunter Father In Supergirl

[@rawonfeng2398]

Dayum, Marvel really know how to make intriguing stuffs, it is real notion of human aspects in a way

[@nayeebG]

Marvel Studios has fulfilled the line- "The world outside your window." 💖

[@johancakep]

It's just a shame if Isaiah only appeared as an example of superhuman experimentation in just one episode.

[@auberginemanproductions1608]

His grandson will pop up at some point I'd wager

[@johancakep]

@@auberginemanproductions1608 I'd like that.

[@getrichcam3136]

@@johancakep that’s what’s most likely going to happen it seems that the young avengers will form at some point and I’m betting that Isaiah will be apart of that team

[@yatokami2449]

New episode check it out

[@marshallhuffer4713]

He shows up again in episodes 5 and 6.

[@Biswanil]

Issiah Bradley story is more interesting than anything else in the mcu right now

[@CensorTube84]

That’s some cool back history

[@luisprod.1771]

black*

[@brianhale3678]

Back fantasy...

[@luisprod.1771]

@@brianhale3678 black*

[@Marvelfanatic3658]

@@brianhale3678 what? What do you mean "fantasy"?

[@brianhale3678]

@@Marvelfanatic3658 In the library you have two sections fiction and nonfiction. Superhero comics belong in the fiction section. History books belong in the nonfiction section.

[@DrDirtyLeggz]

Oh *NOW* people wanna talk about Isaiah

[@Internal_radio]

To be fair. Most people wouldn’t know about him.

[@DrDirtyLeggz]

@@Internal_radioit's insane how this was downplayed for so long. They never kept even the trades in circulation as if they were trying to bury a dirty secret.

[@jao999]

I’m a comic book fanatic and I’ve never heard about him.

[@defjux760]

Don’t be that guy.

[@kianrangassamy8461]

Tbh no one knew about him

[@Thewolverine0865]

They picked the right actor to play Isaiah Bradley. He played a superhero named Mantis back in the day.

[@solblackguy]

He also voiced Martian Manhunter in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

At least his grandson gets a slightly better deal...Slightly...

[@EvilRidingHood]

Hi Jellal.. do you use up-vote bots?

[@MariNate1016]

@@EvilRidingHood he does

[@melaniey.5596]

Found you!

[@thesparks00]

You changed your pfp?

[@weavah312]

Carl Lumbly is amazing. One of my favorite and very underrated actors

[@thesparks00]

Isaiah, Josiah, Elijah. Can't wait for more of their storyline in the MCU.

[@wickdaline8668]

Wonder if Marvel Studios has plans for an Isiah Bradley movie?

[@kevkeisha]

That would be absolutely dope! Just a standalone movie with lots of Easter eggs!

[@bobbytaraantino]

Yes, Him vs Winter Soldier and him vs the other super soldiers that appeared in civil war movie.

[@Frosty_tortuga]

I’d settle for a show where his grandson becomes the patriot how it’s supposed to.

[@linksey]

@@Frosty_tortuga well they’re setting up a Young Avengers show/movie bc we got Wiccan and speed in WandaVision, we got a glimpse of Eli already, we’re getting Kate bishop in the new Hawkeye show, and I’m thinking we’re getting Hulkling in secret invasion. We also already have Scott’s daughter, Cassie, who becomes stature in the comics in the young avengers. Also it’s been confirmed that Miss America, another young avenger, will be in the next doctor strange. So I’m assuming this phase is setting up the young avengers

[@sontho6995]

@Daz Macca Keep coping.

[@savoy4636]

Helluva video! Excited to see what’s in store for Sam as Cap. A Captain America and Wolverine crossover would be insane!

[@smashboogietheilladelic5740]

Great segment well done!

[@mledra1]

Not to be that guy, but the title is very misleading. Isaiah Bradley was created in 2003. So Marvel didn’t forget about him, but was created way after the inception of Captain America. Also, if they truly wanted to do a black character as cool as Isaiah Bradley justice, they would have gotten a better artist. The art is horrendous and shows a disservice to the story.

[@BrenoGF144]

2003 is 18 years ago so if he isn't that mentioned he is indeed forgotten, also the art was made to be like hip hop art style to attract black readers

[@blaquemann9398]

Are you 60? Thats more than a decade ago.

[@mmasque2052]

It doesn’t matter if the story was told in 2003, it was told. And told in a way that fits it into the Marvel Universe and taking its cues from actual history. Black men fought in World War Two, mostly in their own divisions and usually with poor support and equipment and in areas where high body counts were expected in order to achieve the goals. So, when the story was told does not matter; that it was told is both necessary and an indictment of issues we still have to face.

[@xTemperszz]

that’s kinda messed up

[@Omni-King2099]

That was deep and informative. A story and arc that needed to be told and enriches the marvel universe. Just like reality, it ain't all pretty 😒

[@cnovalles73]

This looks like a great story to read in detail. Not a fan of the "Charlie Brown" artwork at all though.

[@ElNegroAca]

Thank you for this.

[@mattpiers4589]

If you want to read a comic about him, go get. Captain America: Truth. It’s one of the deepest editions you’ll read!

[@aliquidgaming1068]

I've had this theory for years now. I've said WeaponX/+ could bring in mutants if not wolverine. However why is noone still not talking about how Ghost and Janet from Ant Man and the Wasp are mutants. Janet even says her powers are due to evolution....in Marvel comics when evolution is brought up in that context it means mutants are involved. The quantum realm and the two ways in which ghost and Janet got their powers along with Wanda changing people's DNA are going to be how mutants come into play in the MCU. Helps explain why there may only be a handful up until Wanda starting making more. Maybe in the MCU mutants are very rare and only some like Magneto, Prof, X, Deadpool, wolverine, cyclops and Jean exist. Could be too like in the ultimates universe both the xmen and brotherhood set aside their fued to help find a sanctuary for mutants on Genosha. We already saw a flying asteroid in the MCU in age of ultron. Maybe the crater will be genosha or latvieria

[@daltotho01]

Interesting expansion story on super soldiers syrum.

[@ChicagoMade]

This would be a great limited series

[@wilcoxtam810]

Deep

[@OldSchool3pts]

Him and Blue Marvel got did dirty

[@collinsdarkwa281]

Very Interesting

[@blackzwe]

Thank you for this. Was very moving...

[@OrigamiMouthWash12]

"He's not even the first black man" 😂 it just sounds so funny

[@keonbaileylink5859]

How old are you like really

[@OrigamiMouthWash12]

@@keonbaileylink5859 old enough to find this funny,obviously.

[@keonbaileylink5859]

@@OrigamiMouthWash12 you the type of person that make other countries hate america lol. it's obvious you kid

[@OrigamiMouthWash12]

Lol na brother. Current day America mkes other countries hate America

[@justsimplegamer]

who is that guy, didn't know he existed till today

[@EKspeed]

This guy's voice does not go well with this video.

[@garthduncan5861]

Thank you for this !!!!! Greatly appreciated.

[@malcomalexander9437]

Todd Ziller needs to show up in the MCU.

[@malcomalexander9437]

For those who have no idea who that is: Todd Ziller was subject to yet another attempt at a Super Soldier Program. This program involved Mutant Growth Hormone, the Connors' Lizard formula, Pym Particles, and an infusion of Gamma Radiation. This turned Todd Ziller into The American Kaiju. In other words he turns into Godzilla with a scale pattern that looks like the American Flag on his chest

[@ronaldearly9963]

Of course...........................This is why we can’t have anything nice.

[@Postcoital_Clarity]

Is he...Is he rocking A durag!???

[@thesparks00]

Ffs, Steve is the literal grandpa of the MCU. I'm definitely on board with him being Stan Lee in the cameos.

[@user-se8wv1xo4h]

Well researched

[@cinematicplays2644]

The ending was amazing

[@myherosupreme3963]

Isaiah Bradley was the the first and original Captain America before Steve Rogers came into to the picture.

[@ryon6438]

@@myherosupreme3963 no he was created after while Steve Rogers was in ice

[@myherosupreme3963]

@@ryon6438 if that’s what you choose to believe 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@OptimusForTrains117]

5:23 GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!

[@cokdeindra8627]

who does the voice over? it sound frustrating

[@GalaxyKane]

People in the comment section dont want be painted as the bad guy.

[@MrKhho100]

I'll save you guys some trouble. Go watch @Comicsexplained 's take on the character. He will give you a better insight as well as give you a more indepth comparison between comic and tv adaptation. He'll even cut to the chase.

[@thebarbariansasquatch8108]

Anyone else Remember that time he was a Zombie?

[@docregsportsmd]

Give the shield to luke cage :)

[@jeremyalbert9194]

guatemelan men not african americans

[@zerocool5395]

Don't forget that Jordan Peterson in Red Skull 🤣

[@Dr._Atom]

Pheewww, the MCU is really dead with Endgame

[@fraserduffy4576]

What do you mean?

[@Kenfromig]

How

[@taterboob]

Totally agree. For crying out loud, you’ve had like 20 movies, it’s time to let go.

[@fraserduffy4576]

@@taterboob you could say the same about any successful long running TV series.

[@itsjay6655]

Crazy

[@franklynsmith6968]

Seriously, you are an underpaid man. It could be six figures, and it's still too little.

[@donaquiles495]

Thanx ig for finally showing forgotten black superheroes or anything black related for that matter

[@bearkimhongwit3735]

ยกโล่ไหว ก็เป็นได้

[@firdaus125]

Why's the artwork so bad lol

[@rajmodi3107]

👍🏼

[@ZaGoudou]

Man, that is some garbage art

[@StealthyWDYM]

Isaiah is a weird name

[@cringeaholic4082]

Lol

[@rikuriku1645]

japan flag?

[@loser18777]

Of course this came in 2000s haha why even retroactively make this kinda story up.

[@anthonymisenti523]

First comment

[@muddershmucker7374]

Frist

[@warlockofbluecheesesmither2517]

Lowl what lame fan fiction

[@LukeMotionz]

He's a comic book character that's been a thing for 15 years, quite the opposite of "fanfiction".

[@tacobell4968]

Tf is this? Where's gta 6?

[@gimmeurshibaquik7]

shut ya mouth kid, gta 6 will come out when you'll be 16 years of age

[@tacobell4968]

@@gimmeurshibaquik7 so next year?

[@NoonyJW]

We aren’t hearing anything about that until atleast 2023

[@cam4748]

Put some respect on Isaiah Bradley’s name

[@rocopoco1361]

Why its so important to say That he is black

[@cam4748]

Because this is a specifically black story. It’s based on the real life Tuskegee experiments that were carried out on black Americans by the U.S. government. A lot of black figures throughout history get stepped on and erased by the U.S. so it’s culturally important that we recognize their stories as being specifically black, even the fictional ones like with Captain America - otherwise there’s not really much stopping us from completely whitewashing our global narrative.

[@YoungYahtz94]

Cuz it actually kinda matters in the context of the story and it parallels real life occurrences that have been forgotten/swept under the rug

[@deejmalik]

Because it’s relevant

[@teamelitedefeat6130]

Because the character is black thats why. Pretty simple to understand he has been around since 2003

[@mattafrack5613]

You do know this story was created in 2003. People have to have read it for it to be forgotten. People didn’t buy any of these crap comics. Another poorly done rewrite of story that ruins legacy characters.

[@danilobriz8499]

So when black Thor is coming ? -_-

[@DrDirtyLeggz]

Take your hairline to the back bro, Isaiah been around for decades.

[@GothamThotSlayer]

Cry more ❄❄❄

[@tacobell4968]

We need a black batman hood orgins

[@NoonyJW]

@@DrDirtyLeggz sheesh you ain’t have to do him like that 😂😂😂

[@thebravewolf9195]

As soon as we get a White Panther.

[@StevieT2411]

its not really vile, remember this is all a fictional story. give me a break

[@SirNerdly]

So is Handmaid's Tale but you'd still call that vile.

[@Kingdomkey123678]

It’s inspired by several horrific acts committed on the African American population and soldiers by the US government

[@Frosty_tortuga]

It’s based off the Tuskegee experiments which is why it’s vile.

[@Saiputera]

Lmao they tryna bla*k washing captain america

[@trelltootrill7413]

Nah

[@jw1415]

You're not a Marvel comics reader huh?...

[@ok-vr7by]

They really aren't.

[@taterboob]

Color me shocked that it’s something involving race-baiting. From Marvel and Disney? Get outta here!

[@sontho6995]

Yes, because using a comic book character & putting them in a comic book tv show is "race-baiting".