Meet a New Captain America Coming in UNITED STATES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA #4
Marvel Comics recently shared a little bit of information about a new Captain America that will debut in United States of Captain America #4 named Ari Agbayani. Ari was created by writer Alyssa Wong (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra) and artist Jodi Nishijima (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) who is out to serve justice on her college campus. “When her school turns a blind eye to fellow students behaving badly, she springs into action—and she’s not afraid to fight dirty.” Talking about creating Ari, Wong said:
When editor Alanna Smith approached me about creating a new, local Captain America for this series, I immediately knew I wanted to write a Filipino-American girl. There just aren't very many of us in comics! I grew up without a Filipino-American community for the most part, so every time I see a Filipino character, I get excited. And getting to create one--a Captain America, even!--feels incredibly special.
Ari Agbayani is a scholarship student at a small, private university. When she finds out her best friend is being victimized by a wealthy legacy student, Ari is determined to make things right. But what can she do when her college is only concerned with keeping its donors happy, and half the buildings on campus are named after her best friend's abuser? In order to take him down, she'll have to get creative.
Like the other Caps, Ari has a strong sense of justice and admires the ideals Captain America embodies. But the Captain America she's inspired by isn't Steve Rogers--it's Bucky Barnes. Someone who hates bullies as much as Steve does, but is willing to use sneakier, shadier tactics to deal with them. Ari's a vigilante, and she knows that you can't always win by playing by the rules. Bucky's influence is reflected in her costume, designed by the incredible Jodi Nishijima.
Jodi has done such a great job bringing Ari to life. Her art is so playful, charming, and fun. It's been an honor to co-create Ari with her!
Nishijima added her excitement:
I'm honored that my debut at Marvel could coincide with such an important and unique project. To be able to lend my thoughts and experiences to a property and concept I greatly admire, as well as work alongside such talented and diverse creators, brings me an excitement that cannot be understated. Ari's design was inspired by all the girls I've known in my life who in their day to day appear very sweet and empathetic, but when challenged can be terribly fierce. Her style is very much what I and my friends would feel comfortable and confident in wearing as well! I hope that her youthful design is well communicated and relatable, but no matter what I'm so glad that I could help bring her to life!
Fans can meet Ari in United States of Captain America #4 which is set to release on September 22 with a main cover by Gerald Parel, a variant cover by Peach Momoko, and a design variant cover by Nishijima. The series as a whole is written and illustrated by Christopher Cantwell and Dale Eaglesham respectively with new creative members aiding them each issue. You can pre-order digital copies of the first three issues now through comiXology (affiliate link).
The shield has been stolen! No one understands the value of the shield like those who've wielded it, so Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson set out on a road trip across America to chase down the thief. But instead, they find the Captains, everyday people from all walks of life who've taken up the mantle of Captain America to defend their communities. And for some reason, the shield thief wants them all dead. Can Sam and Steve get to them first? Christopher Cantwell and Dale Eaglesham lead a can't-miss miniseries to celebrate Captain America's 80th Anniversary, joined by a rotating series of creative teams to tell the stories of each new Captain.
