“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the son of Isaiah Bradley, Josiah X—the new Captain America!”

And with those words, Steve Rogers, the man known and respected all over the world as Captain America, retired from his position. In his place, he introduced Josiah al hajj Saddiq, also called Josiah X, as the new Captain America. In what is sure to be a memorable image, Rogers handed over the famed unbreakable red, white and blue shield to his successor.

It was a moment that shocked the nation. This is not the first time someone else has taken over the mantle of Captain America, but it is the first time Rogers not only endorsed but hand-selected his successor.

But why this mysterious Josiah X, who was unknown to anyone outside of the crime-ridden and poverty-stricken New York neighborhood known as Little Mogadishu? Who is he and how did he manage to convince Steve Rogers to surrender the mantle of Captain America? More than that, why did Rogers voluntarily retire when he is still in the prime of his life?

These are the questions the entire world are now asking. First, let’s look at the background of Josiah X. Not much is known and he has revealed little else. We do know he is the son of Isaiah and Faith Bradley. Recently, it was revealed that prior to America’s involvement in World War II, the government tested the experimental Super Soldier Serum on various African Americans. There was only one survivor—Isaiah Bradley.

Since then, there has never been an official acknowledgment of Bradley’s existence but the myth of a black Captain America has remained strong in the African American community, with Spike Lee and Denzel Washington once trying to make a film adaptation about the legend, yet they were unable to secure funding.

Josiah grew up in an orphanage and eventually found himself in the military, serving in the Vietnam War. He participated in the Civil Rights Movement and had a short stint as a member of the Black Panthers organization.

Eventually, Josiah discovered Islam and made the pilgrimage to Mecca, becoming a minister in the Muslim faith. Now with the legal name of Josiah al hajj Saddiq, he returned to New York where he opened a mission in Little Mogadishu. Over the past few years, Josiah has been faithfully serving the people of his community, helping wayward youths discover their paths.

A few weeks ago, his mission was attacked by the mercenary called the Taskmaster. Donning his father’s costume, Josiah defeated the villain. According to Rogers and Colonel Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD, Josiah spent the past several weeks training with Rogers for this eventual transfer of power. Recently, Colonel Fury had this to say in a press conference:

“Steve Rogers is the greatest soldier, the greatest patriot, and the greatest hero this country has ever known. But he’s been doing this for half his life and he’s not even in the same century he was born in. The man deserves a rest. He’s left some big shoes to fill, but if anyone can do it, it’s Josiah X.”

A few years ago, Rogers was replaced in the role of Captain America. That man eventually relinquished the title back to Rogers and became the USAgent. We tried to reach the former Avenger to get his thoughts on the situation:

“USAgent, how does it feel to have been passed over for the title of Captain America?”

“I said no comment, now get that damn camera outta my face!”

Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man and recently elected the new Chairperson of the Avengers, offered this: “Steve’s a great friend and I hate to see him go, but I support his decision. I haven’t met his successor just yet, but if Steve selected him, I trust he’s the right man for the job. I’m looking forward to offering the new Captain America a slot on the Avengers.”

Reaction among the American populace, however, remains mixed:

“A Muslim Captain America? What the hell were they thinking? This is borderline treason!”

“What we’re concerned about isn’t the fact that the new Captain America is of the Muslim faith, but that he’s a minister. Isn’t this a clear violation of the separation between church and state?”

“Maybe it’ll be good for us. I mean, it’s hard for Muslim extremists to claim that we’re trying to destroy Islam when the symbol of America is a Muslim.”

“I think it’s great, it shows how far America has come as a country.”

“Now I’m not a racist and I don’t care what religion you belong to, but America was founded on Christian principles. First the War on Christmas and now a Muslim Captain America? This is yet another example of the far left taking affirmative action to extremes.”

“This is nothing but blatant pandering. I think all Muslims and African Americans should be insulted by this sort of propaganda.”

We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.

LEGACY

Part II: Red Tape

By Dino Pollard

Princeton Walk

“Just a minute!” the older woman called out as she rushed to the front door. When she opened it, three individuals stood on the step. One had red hair and sunglasses, dressed in an olive-colored suit. The other was a young woman with long blond hair and the third was an older man with brown hair, gray temples, and an eyepatch.

“Who are you?” asked the redhead.

“Irenia,” she said. “And who are you? You’re the one knocking on my door.”

“Ignore Petey over there,” said the man with the eyepatch. “The name’s Nick Fury, Irenia. This here is Sharon Carter. We’re with SHIELD and Gyrich over there is with the Commission on Superhuman Activities.”

“Come on in,” she said, opening the door.

“Thanks ma’am,” said Fury, offering her a smile as he stepped in first, followed by Sharon and Gyrich.

“You must be Bradley’s housekeeper,” said Gyrich.

“Something like that,” said Irenia. “But Bradley is his father’s name. His name is—”

“I know, I read the file,” said Gyrich. “But I’m not even gonna try to pronounce that name he gave himself. Where is he?”

“I’ll tell him you’re here. Please sit.”

Irenia motioned to the sitting room with a large couch, a love seat, and a leather chair all seated around a coffee table. She then left the room as the three officials took their seats.

“This is crazy,” said Gyrich. “When Bradley gets out here, we’re gonna tell him that not just anyone can be Captain America. That’s a CSA-appointed position.”

“The last person you appointed was a borderline nutcase,” said Sharon.

“Tell that to your boss.” Gyrich pointed at Fury. “He’s the one who recently gave the Agent his own team.”

“Leave Walker out of this,” said Fury. “He may be rough, but he’s good people.”

“Bottom line, this wasn’t Rogers’ choice to make,” said Gyrich. “And I wanna know where the hell he is now.”

“That information is on a need-to-know basis, and guess what, Gyrich? You don’t need to know.”

“Are you gonna put the leash on your insubordinate agent, Colonel?” asked Gyrich.

“If I wouldn’t catch hell from the CSA for doing it, I’d leave you in a locked room with her for an hour,” said Fury.

“A full house, I see.”

The deep, baritone voice carried with it a commanding tone. The man himself was physically imposing, but dressed comfortably in jeans and a t-shirt along with a kufi on his bald head. Josiah X sat in the large leather chair and clasped his hands together. “So, what can I do for you all?”

“I want to know where the hell you get off,” said Gyrich. “This new Captain America crap is just that—and I’m not gonna stand for it.”

“Steve Rogers asked me to do it,” said Josiah. “Who are you to question his judgment?”

“I’m the head of the CSA, that’s who I am!” Gyrich stood from his seat and walked a few paces to Josiah, staring down at the man. “We own Captain America, you understand? That costume, that shield, that name—those things are government property. Rogers had no right to give them to you and we’ll take them back if we have to—by force, if necessary.”

Josiah stood, his frame now towering over Gyrich and casting a shadow. The head of the CSA looked up at the large man staring him down and Josiah simply said, “I’m waiting, Mr. Gyrich.”

“…well…not now, obviously…” said Gyrich, swallowing the lump in his throat. “That’s just a…a last resort, and we don’t want things to come down to that.”

“No, we certainly don’t.” Josiah sat back down and Gyrich breathed a sigh of relief. He moved back to his seat and tried to relax into it.

“But the fact of the matter is Rogers revealed classified information,” he said. “The information he gave out regarding Operation: REBIRTH was top secret, never declassified. By revealing it to the world, he betrayed his country and we will bring him up on charges of treason.”

“You sonnuva…” muttered Fury, beginning to rise. Josiah held his hand up and spoke.

“Wait,” he said. “What Steve Rogers did was shed light on a dangerous secret. The American people had a right to know what their government was doing to its own citizens.”

“That’s not for you to decide,” said Gyrich.

“Nor for you,” said Josiah. “Steve made sure of that.”

“If you think we’re going to let Rogers walk quietly away from all this—”

“Either you do or I’ll use those sunglasses of yours to make you completely air-tight,” said Sharon.

Gyrich pointed at her. “That’s a threat. I’ll have you in front of a court martial, young lady.”

“Neither the CSA nor anyone in the United States government has any authority over SHIELD,” said Fury. “You keep forgetting we’re an international agency, Gyrich.”

“By covering Rogers and endorsing this guy, you’re interfering with American security agencies,” said Gyrich. “Let’s see how your superiors at the UN like that.”

“Maybe we can come to an arrangement,” said Josiah.

“Sure we can,” said Gyrich. “You give us back that uniform and shield and we’ll let you go free.”

“That’s not what I had in mind,” said Josiah. “Steve is gone and you won’t find him unless he wants to be found. You need someone to claim the mantle of Captain America. And since Tony Stark has already offered me Avengers membership, you’ll want representation over there. From what I hear, they’re not your biggest fans, so I doubt you’ll receive any invitations to Avengers Island in the near future. I’ll work for you.”

Gyrich sat back on the love seat. “And what do you want?”

“Autonomy,” said Josiah. “I’ll accept CSA missions but I’m free to work with SHIELD as well and I don’t answer to you or anyone else.”

“That’s a bullshit arrangement. We don’t know jack about you, what if you go rogue?”

“Obviously if I break the law, you are entitled to do with me what you will,” said Josiah. “You won’t find a better deal than this, Gyrich. If you try to find another Captain America, the American people will wonder why you’ve gone against Steve’s wishes. And anyone else you appoint won’t receive Tony Stark’s support.”

“Or SHIELD’s for that matter,” Fury chimed in.

“You won’t control me, but without me, you’ve got nothing,” said Josiah. “So the choice is yours, Gyrich. Are you willing to make a few sacrifices?”

“I have one condition,” said Gyrich. “We’re still going after Rogers.”

“Provided you don’t try to send me after him.”

“What?” asked Sharon.

“I can’t stop you from going after a man who revealed classified information,” said Josiah. “But I won’t be a party to it.”

“You opportunistic piece of—!”

“Easy, Sharon,” said Fury.

Josiah ignored Sharon, just kept his gaze focused on Gyrich. “What do you say?”

Gyrich rubbed his chin and looked down at his feet. After a few moments he looked up at Josiah. “You’ve got a deal.”

“I thought you’d see it my way,” said Josiah.

“But I’ll be watching you like a hawk,” said Gyrich. “You slip up once and your ass is mine.”

“Looks like we both express a similar sentiment,” said Josiah. “You can leave now, Mr. Gyrich.”

“Fine.” Gyrich stood and looked at Fury and Carter. “You two coming?”

“You took your own car to get here, you don’t need us,” said Fury.

“I’m not comfortable with the idea of you two talking to him without my presence.”

“That wasn’t part of the deal, Gyrich,” said Josiah. “Now please remove yourself from my property before I do it for you.”

Gyrich grumbled something and stormed out the front door, slamming it behind him. Josiah couldn’t help but smile a little. “I think I made a new friend.”

“I can’t believe you’re going to let him go after Steve,” said Sharon.

“Gyrich was going to go after Steve either way,” said Josiah. “By consenting to it, I make him think I’m willing to bend on these matters.”

“So you’re not?”

“Of course not. Steve passed a huge honor onto me, I’m not going to screw that up. Besides, do you really think Gyrich is capable of apprehending Steve Rogers?”

“He’s right, it was a smart play,” said Fury. “Now, we’ve got eyes and ears inside the CSA.”

Once Fury climbed inside the Mustang parked in Josiah’s driveway, he immediately heard Sharon’s voice criticizing. “I don’t like this, Nick. I don’t like that Steve’s dropped off the radar, I don’t like that some unknown is taking over for him, and I don’t like these methods Josiah uses.”

“Yeah, but that’s the game we gotta play, Sharon,” said Fury, starting the car. The technology in it caused the car to levitate above the ground before the wheels flipped down and the car flew into the sky. “Look, I don’t like this any more than you do. But getting Steve out of the public eye is exactly what we needed to do. Now we’ve got more freedom to investigate Control and figure out just what the hell is going on.”

“I don’t trust him,” said Sharon. “He just shows up out of the blue? Who’s our source on this, Jack Monroe? Nomad’s got a history of mental illness and he was recently brainwashed. How do we know Control wasn’t involved with that and how do we know Control still isn’t using him?”

“We don’t, but this doesn’t fit in with Control’s goals.”

“And how would you know that? You don’t even know what their goals are.”

“Look, Control has spent the better part of a century keeping these experiments hidden from even the highest levels of clearance,” said Fury. “You’re right, we don’t know what they’re doing or trying to do, but we do know that they don’t want anyone else to be in the loop.”

“Or maybe that’s why they let us in on this,” said Sharon. “To draw suspicion away from Josiah.”

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time to find out,” said Fury. “You’re his liason.”

“What? Oh no, get someone else,” said Sharon. “Get Sitwell or Jones but not me!”

“Agent 13, I’m ordering you to do this,” said Fury. “So either you’ll accept this assignment or I’ll accept your resignation.”

“Y’know Nick, you can be a real asshole sometimes.”

“It’s part of my charm.”