The Marvel Cinematic Universe took a little hiatus in 2024; the only entries were the loosely related "Deadpool & Wolverine" movie, the "Hawkeye" spinoff show "Echo" and Disney Magic Series + Agatha All Together (along with the third and final season of the animated multiverse anthology What If...?).

But now in 2025, the MCU is ramping up again in full force, starting with Captain America: Brave New World. Following the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) has officially stepped into the role of Captain America for the fourth film in the franchise. Sam is to be found in an international conspiracy of the Hulk's supporting characters, from President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (Harrison Ford), aka the Red Hulkof the long-lost twisted scientist Samuel Stearns/The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson).

So, of course, it's time for a movie synergy. Sam is Captain America in Jed McKay The Avengers right now (who just recruited a surprise member from the Spider-Man corner of the world). In January 2025, the ongoing Captain America comic was restarted, following the departure of writer J. Michael Straczynski as Sam Wilson: Captain America, shifting the focus from Steve Rogers to Sam.

Written by Greg Pack and Evan Narcisse with Edder Mesias on art duty, Sam Wilson: Captain America transparently invites comparisons to Brave New World — especially since the Red Hulk makes a guest appearance.

Marvel has now shared an exclusive unscripted preview of Sam Wilson: Captain America #1. 2 with /Film. Check out the book's stars squabbling on the issue's cover below, drawn by Taurin Clarke:

"Sam Wilson: Captain America" ​​no. 1 ended with Sam and the Red Hulk about to fight, which is where the preview pages appear. Sam uses both his shield and his mental connection with the birds to play defense against the power of the Red Hulk. Behind Sam is his cousin Billy, who seems to be one of the key supporting characters in the book.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Next, we see Sam imprisoned by Dennis Harmon, who was introduced in the last issue as "the richest man in the Southwest" and supposedly wants to put a dent in poverty and hunger with floating platform farms. Of course, it seems that Harmon was too good to be true. Not to worry, because Josiah X is on the scene to save Sam.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Josiah is the son of Isaiah Bradley, the first black super-soldier (and played by Carl Lumbly in the MCU). Josiah was genetically engineered to be the same super-soldier as his father, but he is very much his own man. The last name "X" is no ordinary superhero alias; Josiah is Muslim and his name is a tribute to Malcolm X (who used "X" to represent the family name that was lost to them when their ancestors were enslaved in America).

No word on Josiah appearing in Brave New World, but his father will (and will apparently be framed for an assassination attempt on Ross). Before Marvel fans can enter this Brave New World, "Sam Wilson: Captain America" ​​may surpass them.

"Sam Wilson: Captain America" ​​no. 2 is scheduled for print and digital release on February 12, 2025. Captain America: Brave New World will hit theaters on February 14, 2025.