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The current limited series The United States of Captain America is introducing new, local versions of Captain America as part of what's called the 'Captains Network' - and the next issue will debut Nichelle Wright of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"The thing I can say about Nichelle is that she is working day and night to bring change into a world where she feels defeated," says writer Mohale Mashigo in the announcement. "Nichelle is a light in a dark time and she wants to take ownership of her community and space in America."
Mashigo and artist Natacha Bustos' new hero will debut in July 28's The United States of Captain America #2, both in a back-up story by them and in the lead story by series writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Dale Eaglesham.
"There are very few occasions when you have the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a character as genuine and powerful as Nichelle," Bustos says. "She is undoubtedly one of the characters that I am most proud to have designed, for all that she represents and what she means for the community."
Bustos is modest - she also co-created the Marvel character Moon Girl, who is slated to co-star in the Disney Channel animated series Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur.
(And if Nichelle's one pant leg design is a homage to Florence Griffith Joyner's iconic track and field attire? Even better.)
The overall arc of United States of Captain America is about Steve Rogers and his fellow Captain Americas (or is it Captains America) uniting to recover the iconic Captain America shield, which has been stolen. Along the way, the 'professional' Caps discover someone is targeting this new crew of grassroots Captain Americas.
Here's a preview of United States of Captain America #2:
Here are the rest of the new local Captain America-inspired heroes who will debut in The United States of Captain America:
- Aaron Fischer, an LGBTQ+ teen who protects unhoused, runaway teens on America's Railways (debuted inUnited States of Captain America #1)
- Joe Gomez, the Captain America of the Kickapoo Tribe, is a construction worker by day (United States of Captain America #3)
- Ari Agbayani, a Filipino-American college student who is inspired by Bucky Barnes (United States of Captain America #4)
- Jeremy Merrick, an active Captain in the US Air Force, is a government agent for NORAD (United States of Captain America #5)
The United States of Captain America #2 (of 5) goes on sale on July 28.
It's a little early, but someday Nichelle Wright could join our list of the greatest heroes to wield Captain America's shield.
