Warning: Spoilers for Captain America Finale #1!
Everyone knows about his super soldier-engineered strength, but few know about Captain America’s secret power, one which makes a case for Steve Rogers being Marvel’s best fighter. The power was unveiled in the midst of his conflict with the Outer Circle, which in turn put Steve in conflict with Bucky Barnes, after Bucky kidnapped Steve’s son.
Captain America Finale #1 – by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Carmen Carnero, Nolan Woodard, and VC’s Joe Caramagna – found the longtime friends putting aside their differences for one final attack against a common enemy, the Outer Circle. During the battle, Steve Rogers unveiled an ability that had never been fully delved into in the comics prior: photographic memory.
Steve Rogers’ Secret Power Explains What Makes Him Nearly Unbeatable
As seen in Captain America Finale #1, with the battle raging on, Steve has a counter and a response for every move, taking on foes like Taskmaster, Viper, and Crossbones. Regardless of how many enemies are on the field, Steve has some sort of combat-based photographic memory, which allows him to recall every move he’s seen from past enemies, and plan accordingly for future confrontations. From the way Taskmaster braces himself before throwing his shield, to Viper’ reliance on her range, Steve learned from his memories, “and in every one of them: victory.” He also adds how his friends helped him learn these lessons, contributing to him standing a fighting chance.
Steve Counters His Enemies With His Memories
Steve has acquired several skills, abilities, and powers since first taking up the shield, but this was the first time photographic memory was established as a tool essential to his combat abilities. It is almost akin to Taskmaster’s ability to perfectly copy someone else’s fighting style, except rather than copy someone, Steve can recognize and remember someone’s fighting style enough to counter it. It makes sense for him to have this ability as well, especially in a scenario where he’s fighting villains who he’s spent years fighting. Naturally, he’s going to pick up on their recurring cues and old habits long enough to strategize for it and know when it’s coming.
What is most interesting is that Captain America Finale #1 indicates this isn’t a skill that he always had, or naturally acquired, but one he grew into. Before that, the way memories would flood into his mind during battle read to him like “distant recollections of an old, tired man.” Now, perhaps with the help of his friends, who have likely helped him create strategies for each plan of attack, Rogers has maintained a unique power that’s helped him flourish when he needed to most. Considering how frequently heroes tend to battle the same villains, this is the perfect power for Captain America, and gives him an argument for being Marvel’s best fighter.
