Following it’s sneak peek episode a few weeks ago, Avengers Assemble had its series premiere Disney XD. In the episode, Falcon stands alone to save his team and stop a full scale invasion of Earth after the Avengers fall victim to the body-swapping Space Phantoms. In many ways, this episode is Falcon’s spotlight episode, as he becomes a more prominent part of the Marvel Universe and to introduce him to the young Marvel fans that tuned in.
Avengers Assemble’s goal as an animated series is to appeal to kids that enjoyed the Avengers movie and bring them further into the Marvel fold. That is why the team roster, which keeps changing in the comics, is the same in the animated series as it was in the film. Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye are all a part of the team. There is one notable addition that officially joins earth’s mightiest heroes with this episode, Falcon. Since Falcon is the only member of the animated team that does not appears in the film, there must be a reason why he is a part of the team while being given the staring role in the premiere episode. I believe there are two reasons the folks at Marvel TV picked Falcon, out of the thousands of options, to be the rookie that joins the team.
First of all, Falcon is about the join the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the upcoming release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier next spring. Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) will portray Sam Wilson, a.k.a. Falcon, in the flesh and blood in his traditional role as Captain America’s ally. One could also presume that his role in the film could eventually land him a role on the Avengers film squad. His appearance on the TV show serves the purpose of getting viewers excited about the character prior to his film debut while helping to develop fan loyalty. (Of course if this helps sell Falcon merchandise when the film’s toy tie-ins are released, even better). To further show that Marvel is trying to spotlight the Falcon, he is a member of the Avengers following the recent Marvel NOW relaunch.
I believe the other reason Falcon was picked was that the folks at Marvel Animation Studios have shown a commitment of showing diversity on TV. In their other show, Ultimate Spider-Man, Peter Parker’s S.H.I.E.L.D. teammates run the ethnic gamut. Power Man, Nova, Iron Fist, and White Tiger, have personality differences while also showcasing the ethnic and gender diversity of the superhero community. The Falcon being on the Avengers adds some diversity to his team by adding a black member to the white and green roster. Having the Falcon break the Avengers color barrier makes sense. The Falcon first appeared in September 1969 in Captain America #117 and was created by comics legends writer Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan. He was the first superhero of African decent to not have the word “black” as part of his name. Sam Wilson was a ground breaking character in print, and while diversity more commonplace now, it is good to see him take a star turn in the Marvel animation.
Marvel has shown a desire to try and cross-breed interest by having films, television, and comics intersect while maintaining distinct “universes”. Phil Coulson has joined the Marvel Comics lineup and is the principal in TV’s Ultimate Spider-Man after his fan favorite performance in the Marvel films. A Nick Fury that resembles Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal has been introduced in the comics and appears in the cartoons. Sam Alexander is the current Nova in Marvel comics after first being introduced in the animated Ultimate Spider-Man. With Falcon emerging from the shadow in the films and comics, I don’t believe it is a coincidence that he is a star of Marvel’s new animated series. The diversity he brings, probably made him an even more attractive addition to the roster.
You can catch Avengers Assemble Saturday mornings on Disney XD as part of the Marvel Universe programming block.
In other news, I saw the following post in the discussion regarding my San Diego Comic-Con preview from kingdefender18: “My brother, Adam Ruckersfeldt, made a documentary a couple years ago Called Devoted to the Dark Side that will be a Comic-Con this year. It is about the 501st Legion. It is not made by Disney but it is Disney related. Check it out if you have a chance, it is really good. My family wishes we could go with him to Comic-Con but we all live over here in FL.” This screening, part of the Comic-Con’s International Film Festival will be held in Hall 2 of the Marriott Marquis & Marina at 6:20 on Saturday, July 20. Thanks to kingdefender18 for pointing this cool screening out.