THIS. So Much. Thank You

The thing about "Steve stuck in the past re: Bucky/Peggy/life in general" is that, by itself, I think it's a valid writing choice. There are scenes that could support that interpretation, and it's a plausible way to add depth to Steve's character and create some conflict. But it's so often done in a "Steve should just get over himself" kind of way, rather than a "Steve is understandably struggling here" kind of way, which sucks.

Point. It’s presented as this unhealthy thing…almost a character flaw that Steve is ‘stuck in the past’. As if he’s an old man whining about the good old days and not someone who is grieving the destruction of his entire world. And it’s not just done in a way where “Steve should just get over himself” but also in a way that Steve being stuck in the past makes him toxic to Bucky/Tony/the team/ and he needs to get over himself because he’s hurting someone else. It’s never about what that grief is doing to him.

Sometimes I think the magnitude of Steve’s loss is what makes his trauma so completely incomprehensible to fandom while they sit and churn out overused childhood abuse tropes for Tony or Loki. Or it could just be the fact that Steve is a stoic character because Bucky’s trauma should also be absolutely incomprehensible but fandom sure manages to give a tonne of shits about it. 

Posts like this one are the best

Steve Rogers vs. Captain America

It’s the duality that has plagued Steve Rogers’ double life since he first donned the star-spangled tights, but has he ever found the answer to the question: Is Steve Rogers and Captain America one and the same?

As a fan, you must have asked yourself: Can one truly love Steve Rogers without loving Captain America? Can one truly love Captain America without loving Steve Rogers? Even some say that you’re not a true Captain America fan if you don’t love Steve Rogers as much as, or more than, you love Captain America. 

What about the character himself? Steve has always referred to himself as Steve Rogers when he lives his private life, and as Captain America when he’s out wearing a red, white, and blue costume, saving lives and helping people. 

For us fans, it’s just a matter of geek knowledge. Elitists don’t consider you a fan when you don’t know the history of Steve Rogers. Heck, comic book elitists don’t consider you a “true fan” when all you know about Captain America and/or Steve Rogers came from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Why take pride in loving Steve Rogers more than Captain America when the only Steve Rogers you know is the one in the movies? Such elitist questions, I cannot even.

But what about Steve? What does the man himself think of his own dual identity? Let’s find out (note: this is my own opinion, with a few snaps from the comics to back it up).

Steve Rogers thinks he and Captain America are one and the same, vice versa.

For even without his shield and red-white-and-blues, he is still Captain America.

“I’m still Steve Rogers, but Steve Rogers is Captain America! Perhaps the super-soldier formula does make me stronger, faster, but it doesn’t change who, or what, I am! If my search for my forgotten past has taught me anything, it’s that Captain America and Steve Rogers are one, as inseparable as life and death!?”

The 70s was a turbulent time for Steve Rogers’ identity, but as the crisis came to a close, he finally embraced the idea that he and Captain America are one and the same, inseparable, you cannot love one without loving the other, you must love both. But that means he acknowledged that Steve and Cap are different because you must love them both (which means there’s two) at the same time, right? No. There’s only one man but you just have to accept the nature of his job, whether you’re a friend or a lover.

Here’s what happened when Steve’s ex-girlfriend couldn’t accept the fact that he is Captain America. Steve imposed a catch-22 (great novel if I might add) upon himself: He can’t tell his loved ones his secret until they become close enough, and he can’t become close enough to them until he tells them his secret. Now that’s tough, but why do people like Nick Fury, Sharon Carter, and others not have a problem with that? Because they know Captain America’s secret identity and have no problems with Steve being Captain America. They know and accept both parts of his life wholeheartedly.

Connie: It’s like… your job… as Captain America… is what comes first. And there’s no room for anyone else. Steve: Yeah. I hate to admit it to myself, but I guess that’s true.

When asked what he thinks of himself, his daily life, whether he pictures himself as Steve Rogers or Captain America, he couldn’t answer.

“Instead of Steve Rogers looking for a relationship, maybe it’s Captain America who should.”

But then Steve suddenly thanks her for helping him realize who he really is (Captain America) and who he really wants (Sharon Carter). Steve finally embraced his destiny as Captain America, that he doesn’t want the wife, kids, and white picket fence dream. Steve wants to be with someone who loves Captain America as much as he does, but knows that he’s Steve Rogers and sometimes, he too can also make mistakes.

Sharon: You went back to who Captain America really was. What about Steve Rogers? Steve: I’m not sure… there’s a difference. It’s not like there’s two of me. There’s just… me. Powerful as this symbol is… it’s a uniform. Beneath it, I’m still the same man.

Next time you see someone wearing a Captain America shirt but doesn’t know who Steven Grant Rogers is, just be glad there’s someone who believes in Captain America, and anyone who believes in Captain America, believes in Steve Rogers (…though they’re unaware of it).

Wow.

Coming on briefly to squee… there *is* going to be a new Captain America run after Secret Empire, starting with Captain America #695, and Mark Waid is writing it (with Chris Samnee doing the art)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awww. Steve would be embarrassed. Poor guy.

today I learned the Avengers’ Chinese nicknames and now I’m crying

I’d like Cap 3 movie

petition to rename captain america civil war avengers civil war and finally make the real cap three (food for thought: captain america: the nomad, following fugitive steve rogers as he struggles between following his morals and disobeying the world, while balancing new/old relationships and taking down whats left of hydra)

Today

Steve Rogers returned. The real deal. And so it is a good day.

“You’re keeping the outfit, right?”

My Captain America Stuff  | Redbubble | Commissions

Steve Rogers + the ‘Captain America" fandom

100 DAYS UNTIL ‘AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR’!

incorrigible.