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Captain America stands out as a prominent super warrior, yet he's not alone in the Marvel cinematic universe.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is rich with super warriors—characters whose physical enhancements surpass the limits of ordinary humans. From the 1940s to modern times, super warriors have been an integral part of Marvel, especially as the number of superheroes and supervillains continues to rise.
While many have undergone Dr. Abraham Erskine's serum experiment, only a few have achieved the expected results. And even fewer possess the necessary strength and endurance to make a significant impact on the world.
In the MCU, the history of super warriors begins with Steve Rogers, who underwent Dr. Erskine's experiment in 1943, becoming Captain America. Subsequently, similar experiments have been conducted both within and outside the United States, leading to the emergence of numerous super warriors with powers differing from Rogers due to the impossibility of reproducing Erskine's original formula.
Red Guardian
The blockbuster Black Widow introduced Red Guardian into the MCU, with origins directly linked to Captain America. Alexei Shostakov was once a Soviet soldier who received Russia's super soldier serum and operated as the superhero Red Guardian during the Cold War, before being imprisoned in a Siberian re-education camp for decades.
Although enhanced by the super soldier serum, Alexei's strength falls short of the original formula, certainly not on par with Captain America. Throughout much of Black Widow, the character mostly showcases his comedic side rather than displaying impressive combat skills to awe the audience.
The Flag Smashers
Karli Morgenthau and her terrorist gang, the Flag Smashers, decided to follow in Steve Rogers' footsteps and utilize a new version of the super soldier serum provided by the Power Broker/Sharon Carter. This serum is considered the perfect replica of the 1943 version crafted by Dr. Erskine and is the most successful product after decades of failed experiments.
This is why Morgenthau and her associates possess strength no less than Steve Rogers himself. However, due to lack of proper training and guidance, the Flag Smashers quickly crumbled before they could fully utilize their power.
Winter Soldier
Transformed into a deadly weapon by H.Y.D.R.A, Bucky Barnes is considered the polar opposite of Captain America and one of the most formidable super warriors in the MCU. After 'dying' in World War II, Bucky was fortunate enough to be saved by H.Y.D.R.A, but unwittingly became an experiment for this nefarious organization.
For decades, Bucky has been subjected to various versions of the super soldier serum. Additionally, he has been equipped with a metal arm to easily carry out any assassin missions for H.Y.D.R.A. Now, having escaped from mind control, Bucky has almost transitioned onto the path of righteousness and continues to accompany the new Captain America - Sam Wilson. Additionally, this character will also join the Thunderbolts team by the end of MCU Phase 5.
U.S. Agent
Following Steve Rogers' retirement, the U.S. government chose John Walker as the new Captain America. However, Walker quickly proved himself unworthy of this title compared to his predecessor, both in character and strength.
To compensate for his shortcomings, Walker stole a quantity of super soldier serum from the Power Broker and used it to enhance his body and strength. Currently operating as U.S. Agent, Walker had the opportunity to showcase his superior abilities when facing both Falcon and Winter Soldier, demonstrating that he is much stronger than other versions of super soldiers created from different serum imitations. U.S. Agent will return in the blockbuster Thunderbolts and is poised to be a key player in the future of the MCU.
Isaiah Bradley
The series The Falcon & the Winter Soldier unveiled that there are many secret super soldiers existing in the MCU, and Isaiah Bradley is one of them. Bradley was once injected with experimental super soldier serum as part of a secret plan to replace Captain America, after the superhero 'sacrificed' in 1945, by the U.S. government.
Before being betrayed by his own country and imprisoned, Bradley participated in many covert missions, including battles with Bucky Barnes and crushing the metal arm of the Winter Soldier. Although Marvel Studios has never directly depicted Bradley's fighting skills on screen, stories from the past indirectly affirm that this character is much stronger than any Captain America imitation super soldier.
Red Skull
The leader of the first villainous group of the MCU, H.Y.D.R.A, and also the first super soldier of the MCU - Johann Schmidt/Red Skull. He worked with Dr. Abraham Erskine before the events in Captain America: The First Avenger to create the super soldier serum.
Schmidt decided to test this serum on his own body before it was perfected. This resulted in him being transformed into Red Skull, with an extremely peculiar and somewhat terrifying appearance. However, he still possesses physical enhancements and strength bestowed by Erskine's original super soldier formula. Nevertheless, Red Skull's strength still pales in comparison to Captain America, who possesses a kind, pure heart that can amplify the serum's abilities and become one of the greatest superheroes of all time.
Captain America
Captain America's legacy in the MCU surpasses any super soldier that has ever existed before or after his time. As the first to successfully receive the original serum crafted by Dr. Abraham Erskine, Rogers has become the benchmark for evaluating all other super soldiers.
Throughout his superhero career filled with ups and downs, Captain America has repeatedly demonstrated his remarkable strength, from single-handedly stopping a helicopter takeoff to facing off against the mad Titan Thanos alone. His strength is continually enhanced by his kind, pure heart. This is also the very reason that helped Rogers wield Thor's enchanted hammer Mjolnir - a relic that only accepts the most worthy.
Captain Carter
If there's any super soldier stronger than Steve Rogers, it's perhaps Peggy Carter, who received the serum from Dr. Abraham Erskine in an alternate reality. With a kind, pure heart but inherently better physique than Rogers, Captain Carter has become one of the mightiest superheroes in her universe. Everything Captain America has done and can do in Earth-616, Carter can do entirely and even arguably better.
As of the current moment, there have been 2 versions of Captain Carter appearing in the MCU, and both are immensely powerful superheroes with particularly important roles. The first version comes from the animated series What If…? and is a member of the multiversal Guardians, who fought against the villain Ultron equipped with 6 infinity stones. The other version appears in the blockbuster Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and is a member of the secret society Illuminati in the reality of Earth-838.
Emil Blonsky
While Hulk and MCU super soldiers have a close relationship, most characters related to the Green Giant aren't considered super soldiers like Captain America. Emil Blonsky, however, is an exception, as he once used a special serum in hopes of becoming as mighty as Steve Rogers, but instead transformed into the monstrous Abomination.
The unintended transformation process helped Blonsky acquire a massive power base and even be able to directly confront Hulk - something even Captain America would find difficult. Therefore, at the current moment in the MCU, when it comes to super soldiers, hardly anyone can be stronger than Emil Blonsky.
Sources: Marvel Studios, ScreenRant
