Steve Rogers’ nomad costume is considered the worst outfit Captain America has ever worn for a long list of reasons, and Marvel Comics knows it.
Warning! This article contains spoilers for Wonders #9
Fans were definitely more than happy to forget Captain AmericaThe absolute worst costume after hanging up the cloak and deep-v for good, but Marvel Comics just called the costume and simultaneously reminded readers how terrible it was. When Steve Rogers became disillusioned with the idea of American values and wondered what the nickname “Captain America” really meant, he gave up the mantle and became the countryless hero, Nomad. While this evolution for the character was a unique and creative development, the costume Captain America chose to don was nothing short of awful.
In Wonders #9 Kurt Busiek and Yildiray Cinar, readers are taken on a journey back in time to when Steve Rogers was known as Nomad. In the issue, Nomad fights alongside the Avengers during the Vietnam War during which he was Nomad. Even though he is no longer Captain America, Nomad tries to support the other Avengers, but halfway through the battle, Nomad is controlled by another longtime Avenger.
As Nomad tries to shout orders to the other heroes, Hawkeye steps in and says, “Hey, hey, Nomad- Remember, you’re not an Avenger, not in this held anyway.” Hawkeye steps in as a proxy for Marvel Comics and its fans telling Captain America that the Nomad suit is terrible and no one sees him as an authority figure while he’s wearing it. The reason the costume is considered Captain America’s worst is due to the overall aesthetic and its stark contrast to Cap’s original costume. The Nomad outfit is black and gold and is cut so that Steve Rogers’ chest and stomach are completely exposed. The costume was also fitted with a mask that only covers Steve’s eyes, leaving his hair and the majority of his face also exposed, and although not worn here, the original costume also came with a long flowing cape.
Steve Rogers made his first appearance as Nomad in Captain America #180 by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema. After discovering the truth that the leader of a terrorist organization known as the Secret Empire was actually a senior US government official, Captain America decided he could no longer represent a country capable of falling into this kind of corruption. His run as the Nomad was short-lived, however, as he again wore the stars and stripes to face the villainous Red Skull, and from then on he never put the Nomad suit back on, ie until this very problem.
While the costume itself isn’t practical, tactical, or aesthetically pleasing, it’s considered Steve’s worst costume because it simply doesn’t capture who he is as a hero. Steve Rogers is Captain America, someone who represents the best of humanity’s values. While the United States is not free from corruption, Captain America is and this vision of freedom, justice and hope is something that inspires all who see it. The Nomad suit stands for nothing and makes Marvel’s most heroic Avenger look like a public domain character. Captain AmericaThe absolute worst costume is called by Marvel, not just because it looks bad, but because Steve Rogers isn’t himself when he’s nomad.
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