There’s a seriously underrated villain ofCaptain America’sthat needs to make a return sooner rather than later.Captain America has a good benchof villains as far as rogues go, but he’s got one solidly decent opponent that only ever made a single appearance.
For every Red Skullor Baron Zemo, there’s always a handful of villains that are passed over before they ever get a chance to shine. Admittedly, it’s hard to find the magic touch that gives an antagonist the staying power needed to make it past their introductory issue. But there’s an old foe of Steve’s that should come back tochallenge Captain America once again.
Captain America’s Swordsman Rival Needs to Make a Return
Marvel’s Newest Swordsman Was a Great Opponent for Cap
InCaptain America #696by Mark Waid, Chris Samnee, Matthew Wilson, and Joe Caramagna, Steve is traveling the world after his evil doppelgänger nearly took over the world inSecret Empire. He stops off in the small Georgian town, Sauga River, and heads into a diner to get some lunch. However, his arrival ignites a media circus in the sleepy town and a report lets everyone know that Steve is in Sauga River. Unfortunately,the report reaches a mysterious new villain who decides to capitalize on Captain America’s brief visit.
This issue is the second chapter of the “Home of the Brave” storyline that begins withCaptain America #695!
Just as Cap is taking a look at the dam in the center of town, he discovers that the sword-carrying villain has killed several dam’s employees and is threatening to drown the town. Steve gears up and makes his way to the dam where he discovers this isn’t the deceased villain Swordsman, but a new villain who has decided to take the name. Captain America tries to use his shield to take out the Swordsman, but he discovers that the villain’s weapon is made with a vibranium alloy.
Captain America manages to disarm Swordsman and knocks him out with a solid punch.
Captain America and Swordsman continue to fight, but the villain has already pre-programmed the dam to open, endangering all of Sauga River. Captain America manages to disarm Swordsman and knocks him out with a solid punch. There’s only one valve that can close the dam, but it’s too powerful to close manually. Thankfully, Cap manages to use Swordsman’s indestructible foe as a lever and shuts the dam close, saving the town.Swordsman is arrested for his attack on the dam and Captain America heads out to his next destination.
Swordsman Has to Come Back For Another Round with Captain America
Even for non-Captain Americafans, this is a great standalone issue. It does an effective job at introducing his new Swordsman and proved he was a worthy addition to Steve’s rogues’ gallery. But strangely enough, this was the only time he ever appeared.Captain Americahas had at least three volumes since this issue was released(with another on the way), yet not one of them thought to ever follow up on this story.
The original Swordsman may not have been on the level of Doctor Doom or Kingpin’s level, but he was a recurring threat, usually popping up to challenge Hawkeye or the Avengers. The only other continuation of the Swordman legacy came in the form of his daughter, Marjorie, aka the Swordswoman. And she made at least six appearances compared tothe new Swordsman, whose sole appearance is contained toCaptain America #696.
This Swordsman forced Steve to think outside the box a little bit…
Now I’m not saying he needs to come back and become the central villain of a brand-new storyline. But it’d be cool to see these two battle again. This Swordsman forced Steve to think outside the box a little bit and let’s be real, a vibranium sword going up against a vibraniam shield? There’s more room to explore what happens when those two weapons clash. Captain America already has a lot of villains in his rogues’ gallery, butwhat’s the harm in adding Swordsman to it?
It Won’t Hurt Captain America to Give Him One More Villain
Swordsman Would Make a Great Recurring Nemesis
While his first introduction didn’t change everything for Steve’s world, Swordsman made a hell of a first impression, and it’s a shame he hasn’t been back. But it’s never too late and any writer that’s looking to give Steve an occasional battle already has the work done for them. Any time a creative team wants, they can just bring Swordsman back and finally give him a rematch withCaptain America, and who wouldn’t like to see that?
