Rewatching the Timeline, Reconsidering the Hero
Superheroes are always going to be a major part of my life. While I grew up being predominantly team DC Comics, I ignored most of Marvel with a few exceptions. I believed the idea of a “Captain America” was too patriotic. The MCU movies changed that belief.
I’ve been watching the MCU movies, which I’ve done many times before, but for the first time in timeline order. It has reminded me that I was never just here for the explosions, the team-ups, or the post-credit scenes. I was watching different versions of heroism collide — and somewhere along the way, I realized I was still Team Captain America.
This is a post about how the MCU changed my mind — and how one shield-carrying hero quietly became one of my favourites.
The Little Guy from Brooklyn
The first movie in timeline order was Captain America: The First Avenger. In it, we see a young man named Steve Rogers who was trying to enlist in the army. He wasn’t in it for the glory or to kill. He wanted to serve because he didn’t like bullies, no matter where they came from. The problem was Steve was weak and had some health issues that kept him out of the army.
Even in those early scenes, we got to know Steve as he began training. He showed incredible strength of character, his morality, and showed people how he worked smarter, not harder. That strength of character is exactly what made him the right candidate for the super soldier program.
I’m not going to tell the whole stories here as you can watch them all on Disney+ whenever you see fit.
What I noticed was how kind he was. That’s not just because he’s from the 1940s. You could tell he was raised to be polite and courteous to others. Even though he was the little guy from Brooklyn, he didn’t shy away about standing up for what he believed to be right.
These movies gave a great example of who Captain America was, and why I was so wrong in my initial thoughts of this character.
The Kind of Strength I Trust
Something I have noticed about the MCU heroes is that they are all flawed, damaged people. They have fears, doubts, and personal troubles that haunt them. Hell, one of them literally becomes a huge, green monster when he gets really angry. I mean… Who doesn’t?
All kidding aside, while I like all the characters and their reasons for being Avengers, I felt the strongest connection to Captain America. He reminded me of Dick Grayson, honestly. Even though he became a super-powered soldier, he fought for the morals that he was raised to believe in, even if that meant to go up against his own government to do so. That makes him a true hero.
In this day and age, sometimes I wish superheroes really existed. We could all learn a thing or two about morality from them. Some days, the world can feel uncomfortably Hydra-adjacent. That may be why Captain America still feels so necessary to me.
The Shield as a Symbol
It is interesting that out of all the weapons he could have found useful, that he chose a shield. A shield is not just a weapon — it protects. It absorbs impact. It stands between harm and someone vulnerable.
A defensive weapon is not a sign of weakness. Especially when you can hurl it at someone. It proves Captain America is not interested in power or conquest. He works to protect those who are more vulnerable.
The shield is also a very impactful symbol. Indeed, even the government agency that came up with The Avengers Initiative call themselves “SHIELD.” It’s a symbol of protection from those who wish to do harm to others. A shield can hold the line. Wielding this shield, especially since it’s made of vibranium, is also a huge responsibility.
Team Captain America
While I understand why Tony Stark was afraid, especially after Ultron, I found myself firmly on Team Captain America in Civil War. Tony wanted accountability through oversight. Steve had already seen how easily a trusted system like SHIELD could be infiltrated and corrupted. To him, handing over conscience to a governing body was not safety. It was a risk.
Steve stood for loyalty and conscience. He questioned authority when authority forgot the person. He stood by his friends, even when it made things complicated. I think he understood freedom in a way Tony didn’t — and how easily it could be taken away.
Not Perfect, Still Worth Following
Captain America is not interesting because he is flawless. He is interesting because he keeps choosing according to his values, even when the choice costs him something. He can be just as stubborn as Tony in how strongly he holds on to his morals. Even arguing with Tony and dividing the team into two sides could have been avoided had they all just gotten some therapy after Age of Ultron.
Sure, it seems like Captain Steve Rogers is perfect, but he really isn’t. Despite the enhanced capabilities, amazing physical form, and vibranium shield, he has missed many years. From his perspective, he’s time-travelled. It’s absolutely heartbreaking when he realizes 70 years went by, and he missed his dance with Peggy. His heartbreak would be his major flaw — one that I’m glad he was able to overcome when he went back in time and decided to stay there to be with her. (I know people have different feelings about that ending, but part of me was glad he finally got the dance he lost.)
What Captain America Taught SuperMell
The MCU didn’t just change my opinion about DC Comics being superior to Marvel, or vice versa. It made me realize that I love all stories about superheroes. I love what inspires them to become something bigger than themselves. They are very character-driven stories, and I sincerely hope the Hollywood elite gets over themselves enough to see why these movies appeal to so many people. It’s not the flashy explosions. It’s not even about the costume or special effects. It’s about what makes a hero a person.
SuperMell wouldn’t exist here online, had superheroes not been a huge influence on me. It’s really where I learned my morals from. Bad guys lie, steal, cheat, and hurt people. Good guys don’t — and they will do whatever they can to stop those who would.
You do not need to be the strongest person in the room, nor do you need to be perfect to stand for something. Heroism can be steady, protective, and principled. Values can be a compass when everything feels noisy.
What I find most inspiring is the way Captain America carries himself: with humility, kindness, and a little well-intentioned humour. He taught me that even the little guy from Brooklyn can stand up to bullies, and fight for what he believes to be right. Steve Rogers gives me the courage to believe in myself and fight for SuperMell to get back in my career path.
Diana Loves Vibranium
Well, she loves to vibrate, anyway. Especially when she purrs.
Diana often watches the movies with me. Sometimes she positions herself facing the TV on top of my raised knee, as though she were posing for her own hero shot. I do wonder which hero inspires her. Although, perhaps it’s the flashy explosions that catch her eye.
Final Thought: Still On My Left
Maybe that is why Captain America still matters to me. He is not just the hero at the front of the charge. He is the reminder beside me on the path, steady and determined, calling out that I am not moving alone.
Some heroes inspire me because they can fly. Captain America inspires me because he keeps showing up — shield in hand, values intact, still on my left.
Were you Team Captain America or Team Iron Man? I certainly hope you weren’t Team Hydra…
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