Character Study: What does Captain America Bring to the Team?

Besides proving himself one of the best soldiers the United States and their Allies had in the second great war, Steve Rodgers, aka Captain America, has become the anchor to the greatest team of super-powered Avengers in the Marvel Universe. In present day lore, he is considered to be a founding member of the Avengers (despite originally written as being thawed out by an already assembled Avengers in the 1960s). Despite that, let's look at what Captain America could possibly bring to an Avengers team.

I'm not a sociologist, but I'll give it a try.

Since being branded in the movie universe as the first hero, he instantly has the developed credibility of veteran experience. He's been there and done that! He's even been a part of another eclectic team, according to movie and comic book lore, during world war 2. The Howling Commandos, though not having any super powers, were a mush-mash soldier team put together by situation and necessity. The movies don't reveal much of the camaraderie between Steve Rogers and the rest of the Howling Commando unit, but it's not too much of a stretch to learn to discern each diverse personality.

Steve is a gentleman. He isn't boastful of himself or take any kind of pride in the battles he's won. As stated in the 2011 movie, he "don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies; I don't care where they're from."

He has also an endless supply of indomitable willpower. So much of it that it's often inspiring others around him.

Steve's personality has always been one that held the Avengers in check. His old-fashioned demeanor and perspective keeps the Avengers from flying around half-cocked or worse by unprepared impulses. His keen strategical foresight that makes him a battlefield leader.

Steve has also the benefits of support. His shield and super-athleticism makes him the perfect companion in battle. He often cares so much about defending other innocents and teammates so much to the detriment of his own well-being. In the most drastic of occasions, this part of Steve's personality could be a liability to the Avengers.

Captain America has in the Marvel universe some of the most compelling and just as charismatic rouges gallery. His arch-rival the Red Skull represents pure evil as a nazi or Crossbones as a neo-fascist mercenary.

Modes of transportation! He can ride a Triumph motorcycle in battle. I bet he's even spent time in the motorpool during the war. He could probably be a good mechanic if needed.

No matter what he does, Captain America will always be an integral and intangible part to the Avengers.

(If I have forgotten anything please leave a comment in the appropriate spaces.) 

Character Study: What does Wonder Woman Bring to the Team?

Other than being a one-woman wrecking crew, throughout the history of the Justice League saga, Wonder Woman has continued to be a valuable member of the team. In present day lore, she's considered to be one of the founding members. But just as team members come and go (sometimes even create factions within the groups), lets examine the potential of what Wonder Woman brings to her Justice League team in DC comics.

I am not a sociologist, but I will give this a try.

The first observation that is made should address the fact that she is sometimes in the female minority demographic. There have been only a few women regularly included in the DC's Justice League (3 by my count.) So, we know she's looking at situations with a different point of view than her male teammates. In battle does she look for innocents to rescue first before battling bad guys? With all the male bravado, Wonder Woman is the first to seek compassion.

In a similar line, Wonder Woman may act as a calming feature to "the boys club" while consorting in the Hall of Justice or satellite outpost.Would the men subconsciously act more civil when Wonder Woman was around? Would the JL be a "locker-room atmosphere" without her?

Even still, Wonder Woman occasionally does find herself in a bind literally and figuratively. It's in my opinion that while war is historically a male pursuit, Wonder Woman's role sometimes calls for rescuing. Chivalrous men often seek the favor of women as their motivations in battle.

But for all the reasons why her gender separates her teammates, there has to be plenty of times where she can cut lose and be "just one of the guys".

Recently, her comic book storyline has surrounded a Greek mythology plot where she's often interacting with ancient gods and goddesses. Ares and Circe have been two formidable antagonists in several DC animated series. When the male JL members act as powerful as they often are, Wonder Woman's rogues gallery is called upon to equal out the scales of justice.

She has also carried with her the seasoned veteran experience. Assuming that she's been kicking butt since her origins in 1943, wisdom and maturity come in handy. Which leaves her fighting skills to range from ancient weapons to modern jet fighters.

Modes of Transportation! I'd bet that any JL member would want to take a spin in Wonder Woman's invisible jet.

No matter what she does, Wonder Woman will always be an integral and intangible part to the Justice League.

(If I have forgotten anything please leave a comment in the appropriate spaces.)

Celebrating Love and One True Pairings