The power levels of most powerful character in Marvel Comics, but this has not stopped him from becoming one of its most recognizable faces. This is largely thanks to him being one of Marvel's first heroes, created in 1940 during the height of World War 2 as a paragon of patriotism before mostly disappearing for a decade in 1950.
Captain America would return in 1963 and become an iconic Marvel mainstay whose overtly virtuous characterization remains one of his defining features. Captain America is no weakling, and his multiple displays of power across Marvel Comics and the MCU illustrate his physical and mental strength.
Captain America's Powers In Marvel Comics Explained
The Super Soldier Serum Gives Steve Rogers Most Of His Superpowers
Of the many super-powered protagonists in Marvel Comics, Captain America is neither the strongest nor the most multifaceted. Steve Rogers owes much of his power to the Super Solider Serum created by Doctor Abraham Erskine, turning him into one of the first successful examples of a super soldier in Marvel Comics. This miracle serum provides Steve Rogers with peak human physical potential, which can never diminish as long as the serum remains in his bloodstream.
Steve Rogers' enhanced physiology is not shared by his predecessor, Sam Wilson, who takes on the Captain America mantle due to his mental strengths above his physical ones - though he still operates at peak human potential within the confines of his distinctly human physiology.
In Marvel Comics, Rogers is often touted as the "perfect human" and the "next step in human evolution." Many other characters have received the super soldier serum in Marvel Comics to decidedly mixed results. Sentry, for example, imbibes a significantly stronger version of the Serum before becoming one of Marvel Comics' most powerful characters. Steve Rogers' powers are decidedly modest by comparison, but his comparative weakness is often what makes him so compelling.
Equipment: Vibranium Alloy Shield
Steve Rogers is inexorably tied to his iconic shield, which has been composed of multiple different materials throughout its Marvel Comics History. Cap's shield was created by Myron MacLain who was (somewhat conveniently) unable to replicate the process of combining vibranium with an experimental steel alloy after falling asleep during the process of making it. Thanks to its composition, Cap's shield can withstand and absorb the kinetic impact of most forces and is shown to be stronger than adamantium - making it nigh-unbreakable.
Superhuman Willpower
Cap's most defining characteristic is his indomitable will, with an unparalleled propensity to persist in the face of any challenge. This is what made him the perfect candidate for the Super Soldier Serum beyond his physical abilities, as he demonstrated a force of will that belied his previously diminutive stature. In fact, Steve's ability to endure the arduous process of receiving the Super Soldier Serum was itself a demonstration of his sheer willpower, breaking through the ordeal where others failed. Other feats of willpower include:
- Standing up to Thanos in a one-on-one fight (alongside multiple other examples of refusing to back down).
- Resisting mind control from Zebediah Killgrave, the Enchantress, and Red Skull.
- Resisting the temptations of the Forever Crystal, destroying it despite the power it offered.
Super Strength
Steve Rogers boasts enhanced strength that is second to none on a human level. Bench-pressing 2,200 pounds as part of his workout routine is an example of his sheer strength, while he has also been seen to lift trees, ground helicopters, and halt a moving truck on the field. His immense strength also allows him to throw his shield with incredible momentum, allowing it to break through materials as hard as metal and toppling enemies far larger than Cap himself.
Super Speed And Agility
Steve Rogers is able to run consistently at 30mph and a mile in under a minute. He also consistently dodges bullets in Marvel Comics, while pulling off acrobatic feats tantamount to those performed by the famously lithe Spider-Man, despite Cap being significantly bulkier. This agility extends to his mind, as Cap's superhuman quick-thinking is often deployed as he deftly navigates battle, which lends itself to his masterful strategic abilities.
Enhanced Durability And Healing
Steve Rogers is dependably durable, having withstood the force of a collapsing building before using his super-strength to crawl from the rubble. He has withstood falls from low-altitude aircraft and direct hits from gunshots and explosions, though he still can sustain injuries. Thankfully, while it pales in comparison to the healing factors of the likes of Wolverine and Deadpool, Steve Rogers boasts the ability to heal much faster than regular humans alongside a higher resistance to diseases and poisons.
Enhanced Stamina
Steve Rogers is almost incapable of fatigue, as willing to continue fighting in Marvel Comics as he is in the MCU, as typified by one of his most iconic catchphrases: "I can do this all day." His consistent running speed of 30 miles per hour also helps to demonstrate his stamina. Meanwhile, as being frozen in ice for several years indicates, he can withstand sub-zero temperatures with little issue.
Decelerated Aging
Steve Rogers ages extremely slowly in Marvel Comics, though he does age. This allows him to operate at peak performance across several decades. This is once again thanks to the Super Soldier Serum affording him perfect cells that do not deteriorate like those of an average person.
How The MCU's Captain America's Powers Compare To The Comics
Captain America Is Nearly Identical To His Comic Book Counterpart
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been pretty comic-accurate with Steve Rogers. The Super Soldier Serum seems to have bestowed the MCU's most powerful beings, however. Here's how MCU Cap compares to his comic counterpart:
Captain America's Powers In The Comics |
Available To MCU Captain America? |
MCU Example |
|---|---|---|
Equipment: Shield |
Yes (altered) |
Cap is synonymous with his shield in the MCU as with Marvel Comics. The main difference between the two is that Cap's MCU shield is composed entirely of vibranium, instead of an alloy. |
Superhuman Willpower |
Yes |
Cap's de facto catchphrase in the MCU is "I can do this all day," as he faces down multiple adversaries - including his past self. |
Super Strength |
Yes |
The MCU adapts a Marvel Comics scene in which Cap grounds a flying helicopter. He is also able to keep Thanos' Gauntlet-wearing fist from closing in Avengers: Infinity War - which is an incredible feat considering how Thanos made short work of Hulk. |
Super Speed and Agility |
Yes |
Cap is seen literally running rings around Sam Wilson at incredible speeds. He also dodges bullets and blasts aplenty throughout the MCU while pulling off some incredible acrobatic feats in the midst of battle. |
Enhance Durability and Healing |
Yes |
Steve Rogers has been shot, stabbed, and in the vicinity of explosions multiple times throughout the MCU and seemingly takes moments to heal from what would otherwise be grievous wounds. |
Enhanced Stamina |
Yes |
Steve's ability to "do this all day" can be seen in every tooth-and-nail fight he's been in. Fighting Thanos one-on-one was followed up by charging into battle alongside his fellow Avengers in Avengers: Endgame. |
Decelerated Aging |
Yes |
Rogers is over 100 years old by the time of Avengers: Endgame, and only ages after living until that same year from the 1940s after traveling back in time. |
Evidently, Captain America's power set is near-identical to that of his comic book counterpart with only a handful of minor changes. This goes to show how compatible Cap is within a more grounded universe, as his powers don't exceed what could be considered feasible. Still, these differences may be all it takes to decide which version of Captain America is more powerful.
MCU Captain America vs Comics Captain America: Who Is More Powerful?
One Version Of Captain America Is Marginally More Powerful
rumored MCU reboot may tread that same ground in the future. Still, all evidence across Cap's multiple MCU appearances suggests that MCU Cap is more powerful than his comic book counterpart - but only marginally.
Both versions of Captain America have also wielded Mjolnir, significantly boosting their power levels.
In Marvel Comics, Cap is described as being at the peak of physical potential, whereas MCU Cap is seen to exceed that peak human potential multiple times in the way he effortlessly pulls off immense feats of strength. His ability to prevent Thanos from closing his hand cannot be understated, while it appears his healing factor in the MCU is conspicuously close in its rapidity to that of Wolverine. While it is likely that the MCU attempted to make Captain America's powers equivalent to his comic book counterpart, he may have been afforded a boost for cinematic effect.
- Created By
- Jack Kirby
- First Appearance
- Captain America Comics
- Alias
- Steve Rogers, John Walker, Sam Wilson
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Race
- Human
- Alliance
- Avengers, Invaders, S.H.I.E.L.D., U.S. Army
Initially debuting in 1940, Captain America is the patriotically themed superhero who has shared the title with only a few individuals. Beginning with Steve Rogers, Captain America's birth resulted from a frail man taking part in an experimental U.S. Army super-soldier trial, which imbued him with super-human abilities. The character is often depicted wielding a nigh unbreakable and aerodynamic shield made of vibranium that they use to defend and attack their foes.
