Grant Rogers Unmasked: Marvel Officially Announces the Name Behind Captain America’s Return

A familiar face revealed

In Captain America #17, Steve Rogers goes on the run with Vic, a young clone of Doctor Doom. The figure’s unusual views about America lead to a final reveal: he is Grant Rogers, Steve’s duplicate.

Grant takes Steve’s shield

Grant was last seen using the Flag-Smasher identity in West Coast Avengers. He has now taken Steve’s shield while Steve is in a coma and is posing as Captain America on a journey across the country.

Vic was raised in Latveria and fled after learning that Doctor Doom was a dictator. He trusts Steve as his liberator and follows him partly to avoid SHIELD and the possibility of becoming like his creator.

Vic faces a new danger

Grant appears to be grooming Vic to become America’s own Doctor Doom, leaving the young clone vulnerable to manipulation. The issue ends with Steve discovering that Grant has stolen his identity, giving him an opportunity to try to save Vic.

The issue also shows Tony Stark kidnapped by the Knomads, a nationalist group named after Steve’s 1970s codename. The cover for Captain America #18 depicts Grant and Vic in front of Knomad soldiers, suggesting the group was assembled before Grant took the shield.

A wider conflict ahead

Future issues tease that “one of Captain America’s greatest villains has rewritten history,” pointing to Grant’s previous efforts to alter reality. Steve Rogers, Iron Man and Vic will face a world in which Grant has turned Captain America’s identity and Steve’s face into symbols of evil.

Captain America #17 is by Chip Zdarsky, Ton Lima, Rod Fernandes and Joe Caramagna. The cover for issue #18 is by Valerio Schiti and Rod Fernandes.