HEATHERS (1988) Dir. Michael Lehmann

So, you've got this character, right? And he's introduced in a supporting role, but he's interesting and compelling and has potential as a lead. He leads his own subplots every now and then, but there's room for more.

Then, over the decades, he gets more and more neglected. His characterisation and visual portrayal somehow gets worse and even more racist despite supposedly improving attitudes. But what's this? 2014? And he's captain America. He is declared to be important, a main character. Finally, a chance to shine!

Of course, then, the avengers stories don't focus on him and only some of the writing is good... then they discard him after the secret wars stuff. But what's this? 2022? He's back? He's cap again?

Well, not really. Steve's cap. Sam is off in the background somewhere, in an underwhelming solo run, sequestered from most other comics.

But what if we turn to live action? Sam is introduced as a supporting character but he's fun and he's interesting. What's this? 2019? We're told directly that sam is important, that Sam's going to matter.

2 years later we get a series that's a mixed bag, with his co star getting the more fawning writing and the overwhelming majority of the audience response. But don't worry, he's getting a film.

4 years later, the delayed film comes out. Its release is tarnished by a bonkers decision to adapt sabra and by a reactionary, anti-woke media ecosystem. Despite this, it does well financially and is pretty good. Sam wasn't focused on in the marketing, and his co star bears more thematic focus in the film, but it's promising. Sam as the lead. Sam as important.

2 months later. They say nah again. He doesn't matter. He isn't important.

It'll be another year at least before we see him again. In a film where he is very clearly not going to be the lead.

SAM WILSON & BUCKY BARNES THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER (2021) FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER #2 (2020)

SAM WILSON & BUCKY BARNES THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER (2021) CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON #7 (2016)

sad reality of the fanfic-to-published work economy is that the weirdest people are willing to do it. that's why there's now hundreds of shitty no plot cishet hate-to-love enemies-to-lovers books that are ex reylo fanfic. and it's not even good. that's because the people who wrote book-quality steve/bucky and kirk/spock fic are too normal to think to themselves "i should get this porn published". they're too busy working in local government offices

«We can even do ice skating here»

average nationsibling activities

I can’t believe this has to be said but… you know Sam is upset at the thunderbolts* because he doesn’t want the avengers to be controlled by the government, right? That’s why he was on team cap in civil war. Do you know that? It’s important to me that you know that.

reposting my fav old art this stands at no 1

<3 them.. giggling

I’m convinced that people who keep saying “oh what would Sam’s avengers roster even consist of” just haven’t been paying attention. Anyways.

- Joaquin Torres aka The Falcon. Obviously. Feel like that goes without saying.

- Ant man and wasp. Scott would drop quite literally anything for the chance to gain Sam’s respect. He’s Sam’s number one fan and was mentioned several times in BNW. He and Hope would be there in a heartbeat.

-War machine: also goes without saying. We’ve seen their bond throughout all the movies and his cameo in FATWS. Rhodey has Sam’s back.

- Black panther/ the Wakandans. Sam has kept an incredibly good relationship with the Wakandans (something Bucky somehow fails to do repeatedly) given how he is fully backed by them and they have no problem gifting him suits.

- Hell, by extension of the Wakandans, we can even add Ironheart to the list.

- the young avengers. Not only through Eli Bradley (who I am still holding out hope we are seeing again.) but I have no doubt Clint passed the word about Kate on to Sam as well.

- Thor. most purely because of the recent picture of the 2 of them together, but they were also avengers together at the same time, went to the same parties and trained together. Same can be said about Bruce. Speaking of:

- Bruce and Jen. Sam’s connected to the hulks now, after the whole ting with Ross I think it would be pretty obtuse to believe that Bruce didn’t immediately talk to Sam afterwards. Plus i firmly believe Jen will be the legal consultant to Sam going forward for the new avengers. She also such a fan girl it’s almost impossible for me to believe she would miss out on this opportunity.

- Carol Danvers. Fury respected Sam, Carol respects Fury. It’s not that hard to imagine they would eventually cross paths with one another even after the battle of Endgame. (If ANYONE is co leading the avengers with Sam its her, even though Sam doesn’t need a co leading at all I’m just tired of the Bucky co lead narrative)

- Shang Chi. Mainly because he’s in the cast for Doomsday, there is no where else I can imagine him really going other than with Sam. And why wouldn’t he?

Let’s not pretend that Sam wasn’t fighting side by side with countless of hero’s. He’s a man about connection and finding commonality, you really think he wouldn’t introduce himself to his fellow avengers after the dust settles? There are plenty more I can add to this list, but I’ll leave that up to yall.

Let’s stop pretending like Sam isn’t a well connected man.