The Falcon & Winter Soldier just ended on Disney+ and a lot of people are wanting more. If you're interested in trying to read some Falcon comics, it might be difficult figuring out where to start! The long history of a 50-year-old character like Sam Wilson can seem intimidating. You probably don't want to start at the beginning and read a bunch of books from the 1960's, but jumping in randomly today seems like you might risk missing important story details. I'm here to help you find a good place to start enjoying Falcon comics.
A Brief Overview of Sam Wilson
The Falcon debuted in 1969's Captain America #117 by Stan Lee and Gene Colan for Marvel Comics. Captain America meets Sam Wilson, Harlemite ornithology nerd, during a rebellion against fascists in the Haitian islands. Wilson decided to don a costume, calling himself the Falcon, after Cap talked to him about the value of becoming a symbol. The reality-warping Cosmic Cube would later give him the power to telepathically communicate with birds, including a deep psychic bond with his pet falcon Redwing. T'Challa, also known as Black Panther, would later design a new costume with a glider harness allowing Sam Wilson to actually fly. He would go on to become a member of the Avengers and eventually take over for Steve Rogers to become the new Captain America.
Sam Wilson is particularly significant in comics history as the first black superhero to headline a mainstream comic book. The first black superhero, Black Panther, was introduced three years earlier in 1966. The Falcon became a headliner in 1971 when the Captain America comic book changed its name with Captain America and the Falcon #134. Later, the first black superhero to get their own solo series would be DC's Black Lightning in 1977.
Recommended Reading
* Christopher Priest's The Falcon - This 1983 four-issue miniseries by Christopher Priest (using his birth name Jim Owlsley) with art by Paul Smith and M.D. Bright is the first time Falcon ever got a solo miniseries. It might not be hugely important in terms of story, but Priest produces an excellent comic that helps establish Sam Wilson on his own for the first time. Priest would go on to notably write the character again in his 2004 "Captain America and the Falcon" series, which is also worth checking out.
* All-New Captain America - Rick Remender's run on Captain America really begins with his 2012 Captain America series focusing on Steve Rogers, but the end of that book sees Rogers retire with Wilson taking over. This 2014 six-issue comic with art by Stuart Immonen deals with Wilson's first big adventure in the new role.
* Captain America: Sam Wilson - Immediately following All-New Captain America, this ongoing series by writer Nick Spencer and artist Daniel Acuña kicks off a whole new storyline. This comic pissed off Fox News so much that Tucker Carlson went on record as supporting the Sons of the Serpent, so you know it's the good stuff!
* Falcon: Take Flight - This 2017 comic by writer Rodney Barnes and artist Joshua Cassara sees Sam Wilson returning to his role as the Falcon, following his temporary role as Captain America. The book sees Falcon, once the junior partner, become a mentor to teen hero Patriot of the Young Avengers. It was published as part of the "Marvel Legacy" event.
* Falcon & Winter Soldier: Cut Off One Head - If you just want satisfying team-up action featuring Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson you can't go wrong here. This 2020 comic written by Derek Landy with art by Federico Vicenti was produced to coincide with the Disney+ series of the same name, and it is a satisfying companion for new readers.
I had to include the Fox & Friends video. This isn't an exhaustive list of the best Falcon stories, just some good jumping-on points! Let me know in the comments if you pick up any of these books and enjoy them! Tell me what your first experience with the Falcon was!
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