Sam Wilson is our Captain America, Joaquín Torres is our Falcon, and we couldn’t be happier about the successors of both mantles. Both heroes showed off their high-flying heroics and dedication to doing good in Captain America: Brave New World. The movie primarily showcased Sam firmly in the Captain America mantle, but it was also Joaquín’s debut as Falcon.
Danny Ramirez’s Joaquín Torres/Falcon first appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but the love for the character is greater than ever. Fans love him because he’s a charismatic and charming addition to the MCU. But Joaquín’s appeal goes beyond that. In Captain America: Brave New World, he proved Sam made the right choice — that he’s the perfect fit as the next Falcon.
This post contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.
Another Everyman Falcon
Superpowers are cool, but there’s something to be said about having heroes who are, at their core, just everyday people. One of the best lines in Captain America: Brave New World regards Sam being a Captain America for people to aspire to. But Sam was someone to aspire to before inheriting the Cap mantle. Joaquín is proof of that. He said it himself when he told Sam, during the hospital scene, that he grew up in Miami wanting to be like Falcon. Now, Joaquín can become that Falcon — that hero to aspire to — for the next generation.
Joaquín Torres is a Falcon Who’s a Fellow Soldier
Being a superhero in the MCU is not for the lighthearted. From working with other heroes to protecting the world from threats, heroes need to keep up and hold their own in battles. A member of the Air Force, Joaquín knows how to fight. He has training in combat, weaponry, and flight — not to mention tech skills. In Captain America: Brave New World, Joaquín showed off a vast range of skills just at Camp Echo One. Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers have proven that military training can translate well to superhero-ing, so the same can be expected from Joaquín.
Beyond the physicality of military experience, it’s a commonality Joaquín shares with Sam. They’ve worked together in the Air Force and can bond over it, which can help them better understand each other. That sense of belonging can serve them both well.
Joaquín Torres Offers Youth and Potential as Falcon
Anyone who’s a fan of team sports knows having a balance of youth and experience in the roster is a good thing, and the same thing can be said for the Avengers. We’ve yet to see what the new iteration of the Avengers will look like in the MCU, but Captain America: Brave New World revealed that, despite Thaddeus Ross being imprisoned, Sam knows he was right in wanting to re-form the superhero group. The end of the movie suggests Joaquín Torres is Sam Wilson’s first recruit for the Avengers, and he’ll add valuable youth to the team.
While Joaquín now has some experience as a superhero, he also has room to grow. He’s open to learning and not set in certain ways. So there’s less concern that he’d choose what he is used to versus what needs to be done. With time, Joaquín can not only become a leader on the team but also truly become one of Earth’s mightiest heroes.
A Falcon Who Knows to Be a Team Player
More often than not, superheroes won’t be effective at their job if they can’t be a team player. Everyone has an ego, but every hero needs to be able to put others before themselves. We all know the chaos that can ensue when the Avengers can’t put their egos aside for the betterment of the world.
Joaquín’s experience as Falcon is, so far, limited to helping Captain America. But he works well with Sam and has no issue backing him up. Captain America: Brave New World showed Joaquín’s eagerness can be a flaw, not backing off the missile and not listening to Sam. But he didn’t make the mistake because he didn’t respect Sam or his authority. Joaquín was simply overconfident and too willing to impress his hero. But that situation is now a lesson.
Joaquín’s experience in the Air Force serves him well, too, because he had to work with others as a soldier. So it’s easy to think his eagerness to do good and be a hero and his experience as part of something bigger will serve him well as a Falcon set to join the next iteration of the Avengers.
Joaquín’s Lovable Dynamic with Sam
Though he’s his own person and hero, Falcon is a partner in heroism to Captain America. First, it was Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson. Now, it’s Sam Wilson and Joaquín Torres. Captain America and Falcon are a dynamic duo that is perhaps even more dynamic than ever because of, well, Sam and Joaquín’s dynamic.
The two enjoy each other’s company, trust each other, and accept each other for who they are. They have a relationship reminiscent of a mentor and mentee as well as a little brother and big brother. They joke around. It seems kind of cheesy (then again, we’re talking about a fictional universe with superheroes), but those are all important to consider in regard to superheroes who work together. If Sam is going to lead the Avengers and Joaquín is his first recruit, they need to lead by example. What better example than seeing them get along and working well together?
Joaquín and Sam’s dynamic is also easily one of the best parts of Captain America: Brave New World, so it’s exciting to think about seeing more from them moving forward.
Captain America: Brave New World is now in theaters.
