Who Is Sam Wilson? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Sam Wilson is a Marvel comic book character, the alter ego of Samuel Thomas Wilson, with over 2,638 comic issue appearances. A social worker turned hero, Sam Wilson's bleak outlook on life was wiped away the day he met Captain America. Using a winged costume and his remarkable combat prowess and avian telepathy, he became the Falcon - defender of Harlem, and eventually bearer of Captain America mantle.

Who is Sam Wilson?

Origin Meeting Red Wing Samuel Thomas Wilson was born in Harlem , New York City to Darlene and Paul Wilson, a prominent minister. Sam was his parents' youngest child with older sister named Sarah and older brother named Gideon . Sam's childhood started out a happy one during which he finds he has a natural affinity for birds. He takes up training pigeons, and has the largest pigeon coop in Harlem. In his teens, however, he encounters racism for the first time which leaves him frustrated, jaded, and disappointed. When he is 16, Wilson refuses to go to church, believing his deeply religious parents' faith could be wrong. To his surprise, rather than put up a fight, they provide him with books on different religions and comparative theology. The next night, however, Sam's father is killed trying to break up a neighborhood fight.

Key facts

Sam Wilson is of human origin and first appeared in "The Coming of the Falcon". The character is published by Marvel. With 2,638 recorded issue appearances, Sam Wilson ranks among the most featured characters in comics.