One of the biggest questions as an avid MCU and Captain America Pop collector is why did Funko not create a set for Captain America: The First Avenger film? Let’s get a little discussion going on this topic and hope that in the future Funko can give us what could be an awesome set.
Captain America: The First Avenger was released in 2011 and was the last film before Marvel’s The Avengers which would debut in cinemas the following May. First Avenger was very integral in setting up plot points for future films in the franchise. First Avenger performed on the lower end domestically, internationally, and worldwide. It was one of the lowest grossing films in all of the lead ups to the Avengers. Even though the film was seen by less people at during its box office run it still had a massive impact on the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Chronologically, it’s the first film in the franchise taking place in the World War II era. The film is very important because it introduces us to Steve Rogers (Captain America), James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes (The Winter Soldier), Agent Peggy Carter, a young Howard Stark, Dr. Abraham Erskine, Johann Schmidt (Red Skull), Dr. Arnim Zola, HYDRA, Super Soldier Serum, and the first Infinity Stone (Tesseract). We learn about Steve and Bucky’s relationship, the impact Peggy had on Steve, Steve becoming Captain America, and the forming of HYDRA by Red Skull. All of these threads lead into parts of the Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Captain America: Civil War, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
With such a rich history of characters and impactful moments it makes a ton of sense that Funko give Captain America: The First Avenger it’s very own line of Pop Figures.
Let’s get into what we could potentially see if a Captain America: The First Avenger line came to fruition.
First up is the Star Spangled hero himself Captain America/Steve Rogers. If we look at the film there are some amazing costumes and scenes that pops could bring to life. Starting out early in the film we could expect to see a scrawny beat up version of Steve similar to the scene where he’s getting beat up in the alley until Bucky runs off his attacker. The pop would look very skinny with some bruising and blood on Steve’s face. Both arms and fists should be up when he says “I can do this all day”. This would be a great pop showing Steve stand up to bullies.
The next pop for Steve which would be really fitting and I can even imagine a two piece set is when he’s getting transformed with the Super Soldier Serum. The pop would be very muscular showing Steve’s transformation. If there were a two pack it would need to have scrawny Steve in the same outfit right next to Super Soldier Steve so you could see the difference in size and stature.
One of my personal favorite sequences in the film is when they come up with the Captain America gimmick and use him for marketing purposes during the war. They have him on stage being a salesman reciting lines while an actor dressed as Hitler creeps around behind chorus girls. The costume is straight out of the original comics and it’s probably the one I’m most excited to see in pop form. The original design of the shield would also be a nice addition.
Another great design for Captain America is when he gets the final suit he wears in the film while infiltrating the HYDRA base and battling Red Skull. It’s more on the traditional side with the colors and design. He’d also have the shield he received from Howard Stark. The costume and shield should look like they’ve gone through battle.
As for any variations I think Black and White makes the most sense for this series due to the time period. I’d like to see the marketing version Captain America and the Super Soldier Steve Rogers have a black and white variants. Metallic and glow in the dark don’t seem to fit so I’d skip those.
As for all of the other main characters in the film besides Red Skull I think they should each get one pop. Bucky Barnes, Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, Dr. Abraham Erskine, and Dr. Arnim Zola all deserve the pop treatment. Bucky should be in uniform just like when he runs the bully off in the beginning of the film. Peggy should also be in uniform. I’d go with the scenes at the training camp when Steve is first recruited. Howard Stark should be in his trademark buttoned up collared white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the red vest. Dr. Erskine should in his lab coat just like the scene when he was prepping for Steve’s transformation. I’d like to see Dr. Zola in his gray coat with the red bowtie. He’s interacting with Red Skull during most of his scenes with that design.
Seeing as Red Skull is the main villain in the film he deserves special treatment. I’m thinking of three different pops with the potential for a Pop Rides. The first pop should be Johann Schmidt before he officially becomes the Red Skull. I’d like to see him in his normal outfit and then a variant of him holding the Tesseract. Finally we’ll get him in all of his Red Skull glory holding a HYDRA weapon of some kind. I think that’s the perfect trifecta for his character. If they were to do a Pop Rides we’d get Red Skull driving around in his Rolls Royce.
As you can see, there are plenty of characters and material that Funko could work with. There’s so many options and costume choices when it comes to Steve Rogers, Captain America, and the Red Skull. Plus, there are a ton of other characters to include in the Captain America: The First Avenger line of pops.
What are your thoughts on this particular line? What creative ideas can you come up with? Drop a comment below and give us your thoughts.
Matt Norris