Fans of Captain America are grappling with the news that Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. is returning, but the group’s replacement of the United Captains seems to have been pushed under the radar. Without official acknowledgement, the headline-grabbing Captain America-esque international heroes created to support Steve Rogers have seemingly been scrapped.

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While it’s true that comic book publishers don’t often ‘announce’ or even confirm plans have been altered or abandoned completely, the United Captains is a different case. After all, the reveal that a costumed Captain France, Captain Kingdom, Red Widow, and The Star would be recruiting a super-solider mascot from France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China respectively made mainstream headlines.

It’s publicity that can’t ever be matched by word that Nick Fury’s S.H.I.E.L.D. is back in comics, but it is Marvel’s decision to almost completely ignore the United Captains’ existence that now garners attention. Especially with the international task force operatives replaced (or drawn-over) in the updated cover art to Captain America #6, the team’s previously planned debut.

It’s hard to pull off so blatant a change of plans in the best of scenarios, let alone one literally dealing with international politics (with these heroes specifically representing the permanent members of the United Nations Secutity Council). With the official design sketches for the Captains revealed in a Marvel press release alongside artist Valerio Schiti’s personal Instagram, both have now been taken down.

Current Captain America scribe Chip Zdarsky comes the closest to officially addressing the scrapped story and heroes in the official press release, before the opportunity to relaunch a new form of S.H.I.E.L.D. took hold:

“When we first announced plans for the second arc of this Cap run, I had a different idea in mind for the team supporting Steve. But when the possibility of a new S.H.I.E.L.D. came along, we just hit the ground running.”

All evidence confirms it: Marvel is officially un-announcing the United Captains concept planned for Captain America #6 this January. And needless to say, fans are going to have questions.

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The decision by Marvel (and subsequent decision to not discuss the move, let alone explain it) will spark several conversations regarding politics, diversity, and international representation in the company’s comic book spotlight. And while the very idea of the United Captains seems to beg discussion and criticism, it’s hard to imagine Zdarsky, Schiti, or Marvel editorial were blind to that fact.

Early responses to criticism or controversy were handled surprisingly directly and properly, with Schiti even changing Captain France’s logo to better reflect the modern French citizenry. The story seemed primed to dive into what global military landscape this updated take on Steve Rogers would truly face, with Zdarsky even explaining to ComicBook that the United Captains could circumvent UN policy:

“None have real powers, just enhanced humans like Steve. It’s partly why they’re allowed to go into Latveria at this stage. Superhumans aren’t allowed in thanks to a UN resolution, but “super soldiers” are.”

Although the loss of the United Captains will sting those who invested early, the characterizations of the new S.H.I.E.L.D. are largely a mystery. Similar, translated elements can be perceived in Schiti’s former and new designs, and the names of Fury’s first recruits may also suggest some cultural holdovers as well:

[T]he re-formed S.H.I.E.L.D. includes an eclectic group of agents: Joe Ramos, an altruistic soldier from Brooklyn; Charles Castlemore, a retired Marine with strong opinions about the Latverian resistance; Trevor Tambling, a soldier of fortune with unclear motives; and Red Widow, a former Russian agent abandoned by her home country for her questionable loyalty.

If it can be assumed the new “Trevor Tambling” takes the spot of Captain Kingdom (who boasted a visible “Travor” on his former uniform), and the name itself could be telling. If Tambling is derived from the centuries-old Scottish folk tale of “Tam Lin,” his UK heritage may be untouched. The same goes for “Charles Castlemore,” named for the French hero who inspired D’Artagnan of The Three Musketeers.

What that means for the inclusion of non-Caucasian heroes, the de-flagged (but famously Russian) Red Widow, and the apparent removal of China’s national hero, is unknown. And unless Marvel, Schiti, or Zdarsky sheds light on the decision, readers may unfortunately never know.

Captain America #6 arrives on January 21, 2026 from Marvel Comics.