WARNING: Contains Spoilers for The Ultimates #10!John Walkermay already be frustrating in regular Marvel Comics, but the formerCaptain Americareplacement now has an Ultimate Universe counterpart that pushes him to the worst possible version of himself. If this version of John survives what his Ultimate Universe debut just put him through, he could become a formidable villain.
InThe Ultimates#10 by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri,John Walker undergoes a dark transformation, as he is reimagined as a neo-Nazi who could very well become the next Red Skull.The issue centers around theUltimates breaking into the base of the neo-Nazi successor group, the “Red Skulls.”
Unfortunately, the team’s plan to reactivate the superpowers of those who would have been heroes in the mainstream Marvel Universe backfires when one of them becomes a neo-Nazi. Thankfully,Human Torch is thereto melt John Walker’s face off right then and there.
John Walker’s Transformation inUltimatesIs a Darker, More Dangerous Path
The Ultimates#10 by Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, Federico Blee, and Travis Lanham
This issue takes the core of John Walker and turns it up to 11.John has always been a more extreme counterpart to Captain America, embodying the darker aspects of what a real-life Cap could represent. The difference is that in mainstream Marvel, John is still a hero—albeit a violent, smug, and often unlikeable hero. WhatTheUltimatesdoes is push him further, turning the idea of a more extreme, anti-heroicCaptain Americainto a figure who gets what he deserves.
If John Walker’s face is now scarred, perhaps he’s more literally embodying the “red skull” than anyone else in his group.
In this universe, Earth-6160,the idea of the Red Skull carries significant weight.Originally tied to the Nazi villain, the Red Skull has also become asymbol of a Punisher-like vigilante—a 1970s-era figure in the vein of Travis Bickle fromTaxi Driver. If John Walker’s face is now scarred, perhaps he’s more literally embodying the “red skull” than anyone else in his group. Now that the Ultimates' unintended gift has granted him powers, he’s likely to survive the injury as well.
The Original John Walker from Captain America Lore HatesRight-Wing Extremists
And He’s Got Good Reason
There’s somethingparticularly unsettling about reimagining John Walker as an extremist, especially considering his backstory in mainstream Marvel. In Mark Gruenwald’s originalCaptain Americarun, John’s parents were tragically killed by radical extremists. During Gruenwald’s run, John went undercover to infiltrate the Watchdogs, a militant right-wing group.
Marvel Is Reinventing One Of Its First Ever Heroes With a Change To Crucial Captain America Lore
Captain America’s personal lore in Marvel Comics is about to go through another major change, and it’s all because of one of Marvel’s first heroes.
Unfortunately, the mission went horribly wrong, resulting in the deaths of his parents, which led John to exact brutal revenge on the group. WhileJohn Walker’sportrayal inUltimatesoften leans into humor and tragedy, it’s still a stark reminder of the darker path he could have taken in a different life—one where he could have becomeCaptain America.
John Walker
Captain America
TheCaptain Americafranchise is a crucial pillar of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), chronicling the journey of Steve Rogers, a frail young man transformed into the super-soldier Captain America during World War II. The franchise follows his battles against HYDRA, his adaptation to modern times, and his leadership in the Avengers. The trilogy is praised for its political intrigue, character development, and significant contributions to the overarching MCU narrative.
