The Shield’s Legacy: The Evolution of Captain America

Post-Civil War (2007-2011) – Bucky Barnes as Captain America

• After Civil War (2006-2007), Steve Rogers is seemingly assassinated in Captain America (Vol. 5) #25 (2007).
• Bucky Barnes, formerly the Winter Soldier, takes up the mantle in Captain America (Vol. 5) #34 (2008).
• Steve Rogers returns in Captain America: Reborn #1-6 (2009-2010) but allows Bucky to remain Captain America.
• Instead, Steve becomes Commander of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Secret Avengers #1 (2010), wearing the stealth suit that inspired Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014).

---

2011 – Steve Rogers Becomes Captain America Again

• During Fear Itself (2011), Bucky is seemingly killed by Sin (Red Skull’s daughter) in Fear Itself #3 (2011).
• Steve Rogers reclaims the Captain America mantle in Fear Itself #7 (2011).
• However, Bucky survives and secretly continues operating as the "Man on the Wall" in Winter Soldier (Vol. 1) #1 (2012).

---

2014 – Sam Wilson Becomes Captain America

• The Iron Nail depletes Steve Rogers’ Super Soldier Serum in Captain America (Vol. 7) #21 (2014), causing rapid aging.
• Steve Rogers appoints Sam Wilson as the new Captain America in Captain America (Vol. 7) #25 (2014).
• An elderly Steve Rogers becomes a strategist and advisor while Sam operates as Cap.

---

2016 – Steve Rogers Rejuvenated, Secret Empire Begins

• The sentient Cosmic Cube, Kobik, restores Steve Rogers' youth in Avengers: Standoff – Assault on Pleasant Hill Omega #1 (2016).
• Steve Rogers resumes his role as Captain America in Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 (2016), while Sam Wilson also continues as Captain America.
• However, Hydra manipulates Kobik into rewriting Steve's history, making him a Hydra sleeper agent. This is the infamous "Hail Hydra" moment in Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 (2016).

---

2017 – Secret Empire and the Return of the Real Steve Rogers

• During Secret Empire (2017), Hydra Steve takes control of the U.S., forcing Sam to reclaim the shield and lead the resistance (Secret Empire #0-10).
• Kobik realizes her mistake and restores the real Steve Rogers, who defeats his Hydra counterpart in Secret Empire #10 (2017).

---

Post-Secret Empire (2017 – Present) – Dual Captain Americas

• After Secret Empire, both Steve Rogers (Captain America (Vol. 8)) and Sam Wilson (Captain America: Sam Wilson #25, 2017) continue to share the Captain America mantle.
• Sam briefly returns to being The Falcon in Falcon (Vol. 2) #1 (2017) but later resumes the Captain America title in Captain America: Symbol of Truth #1 (2022).