Over the years, Marvel Comics’ Captain America has donned some pretty iconic looks. With 80 years’ worth of publishing history, it’s no surprise that some of these different costumes are a little more functional than others. And though Captain America’s TRON variant suit is far and away one of his most interesting designs, it’s also his least practical – at least when it comes to his iconic shield.
Alongside other characters like Wolverine, Quicksilver, or Iron Man, Steve Rogers was one of many characters to receive a TRON-inspired update back in 2010 in anticipation for Disney’s TRON: Legacy. Penciled by Mark Brooks, the variant cover for Captain America #612 by Ed Brubaker, Sean McKeever, and Butch Guice debuted Cap’s digitized design. And despite only appearing in this single variant cover, it no doubt earned its place as one of Steve coolest costumes.
Keeping with the TRON theme, this suit swaps out Cap’s iconic red, white, and blue for a darker and sleeker black design with white and red neon inlayed throughout. The costume is still unmistakably Captain America, but it’s clear that this version of Steve Rogers would be right at home in the Grid. The major change comes in the form of Captain America’s shield design, which features large gaps around the center star. Although the design is clearly inspired by Tron’s famous identity discs, and undoubtedly pulls the entire look together, the changes made to the shield are a lot more impactful than viewers may initially realize.
Steve Rogers – and the Captain America mantle in general – is all about protecting those who aren’t able to protect themselves. By including these gaps to replicate Tron’s identity discs, this upgrade turns the shield into an offensive weapon while sacrificing its defensive capabilities. And in so doing, it subverts everything Captain America stands for as it’s not like a shield with gaps in it is going to be as effective when it comes to protecting the innocent.
This look may have only appeared on a single variant cover, but its existence still raises quite a few questions regarding its practicality or longevity. After all, not all superhero costumes have to be practical – just look at Emma Frost. But when upgrading a look as iconic as Captain America’s shield, that can have some pretty major implications on the character as a whole.
With a standard shield or no, Steve Rogers will never be one to back down from a fight. But practical or not, this TRON variant is definitely one of Captain America’s coolest looks. And if Marvel Comics’ Sentinel of Liberty ever does upgrade to a more TRON-inspired wardrobe, Captain America fans could be in for a major visual treat – even if his iconic shield doesn’t quite work the same.
