When looking at the Marvel’s Avengers roster, Captain America might boast the strangest backstory. Though he may be on a team with a literal god and a huge rage monster, their origins are either cosmic or rooted in science. While Cap got his powers through an experiment involving super soldier serum, the character being frozen in ice for decades has always been odd. However, it is far from the strangest part of Captain America’s history.

In 1992, Captain America embarked on a journey to find John Jameson, the son of well-known Spider-Man hater J. Jonah Jameson. The result was a seven-issue arc that focused mainly on werewolves, with Steve Rogers himself eventually transforming into one of the mythical creatures. While the plot is a bit too outrageous to ever make it into the MCU (even if it would make a fun What If…? episode), Marvel’s Avengers has paid homage to the storyline with a Halloween-themed cosmetic. For those interested, here is the story that inspired the unexpected costume.

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The History Of Capwolf In Marvel Comics

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When hunting for John Jameson, Captain America eventually came across evidence of werewolf killings, leading him to theorize that Jameson had become a werewolf once again. Known as Man-Wolf, the transformed Jameson acts exactly like one would expect a werewolf to, as his animalistic instincts take full control. With the Moonstone artifact also missing, the item tied to Jameson’s transformation, Cap was forced to assume the worst.

This investigation saw The First Avenger stumbling upon the plans of several villains. This included Ferocia, a wolf from Iron Fist’s home of Kun’Lun, who was eventually captured and taken to the lair of an antagonist named Dr. Nightshade. Nightshade would use Ferocia and The Werewolf by Night, another Marvel character, to construct the wolf serum. As if there were not enough players involved already, the plot to create this serum was masterminded by Dredmund, The Demon Druid, another lesser-known Marvel villain.

This eventually saw fellow Marvel hero Wolverine getting involved, and while he was captured, his healing factor stopped the serum from taking effect. He was brainwashed by Dredmund, however, with the villain forcing Wolverine to fight and incapacitate Captain America. When Steve woke, he was a werewolf, though his status as a super soldier allowed him to keep free will. This meant that, even as a wolf, Cap was still fighting for good. He is eventually forced to fight Man-Wolf, AKA John Jameson, and his victory earns him the respect of the other wolves.

With this respect, Capwolf leads an uprising, though Dredmund has powered up in the time since. After defeating a character named Dr. Druid and completing a ritual using the Moonstone, Dredmund gains cosmic abilities and becomes Starwolf. However, with his army of werewolves and fellow heroes like Cable, Wolverine, and Moonhunter by his side, Capwolf defeats Starwolf - ripping the Moonstone from his neck and turning him back into Dredmund. An antidote is made soon after by Dr. Nightshade, with Cap and the other werewolves being turned human once again.

While Marvel’s Avengers fans will be able to wear the skin as much as they want, many comic readers were likely thrilled to be done spending time with this goofy version of the character. Still, though it certainly was not the best run of Captain America comics, Mark Gruenwald and Rik Levins’ take on the character was memorable. As such, it is fun to see it being honored nearly thirty years later with this special cosmetic.

Marvel’s Avengers is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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