Joaquin Torres's comic origin made Marvel's new Falcon part bird

Sam Wilson's successor as the Falcon, Joaquin Torres, was part bird in the comics. After Sam Wilson became Captain America, someone had to fill Sam's wings, and that person was Joaquin. Here I'm going deep into his origin story and comparing his comic book roots with the version we see on screen.

Joaquin made his MCU debut in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in 2021, with Danny Ramirez bringing him to life, and he then appeared in theaters in Captain America: Brave New World. I need more Joaquin Torres in future MCU projects. He's "charismatic funny very determined and has everything that it takes to be a hero."

Joaquin Torres began as a young man helping migrants in Arizona

Joaquin Torres first appeared in Captain America: Sam Wilson #1 in 2015. Born in Mexico, he moved to the US with his grandmother at a very young age and grew up in Arizona. He had a deep sense of compassion and often helped migrants crossing the US and Mexico border.

He would leave food, water and medicine in the desert for people traveling from Mexico in search of a better life. Because of that, he was often accused of being a coyote, someone who smuggles immigrants across the border. Joaquin always had a deep passion for helping immigrants and people within the Mexican community.

The Sons of the Serpent handed Joaquin to a mad scientist

Everything changed when Joaquin was abducted by the Sons of the Serpent, a white supremacist hate group known for targeting marginalized communities. In issue #1, they were preying on immigrants crossing the Arizona desert, capturing them in coordinated attacks. Joaquin was taken during one of his trips to leave supplies.

He was soon handed over to Dr. Karl Malus, a villainous mad scientist. The Serpents had been supplying Malus with human test subjects for his experiments, and Joaquin became one of his latest victims.

Redwing's DNA turned Joaquin into a bird and human hybrid

Once in Malus's grasp, Joaquin was subjected to a horrific transformation. Malus fused his DNA with that of Redwing, Sam Wilson's telepathically linked falcon. As a result, Joaquin became a bird and human hybrid with the ability to fly naturally, enhanced vision and regenerative healing. The transformation was terrifying, but Joaquin saw it as an opportunity to keep doing good.

His abilities were straight out of a superhero's dream. He had real, organic wings that let him soar like a falcon with no tech needed. His enhanced vision allowed him to spot danger from miles away. His regenerative healing, much like Redwing's, let him recover quickly from injuries and age much slower than the average human. Finally, thanks to his mutated physiology, he no longer needed food or water to survive. With these powers, you can see why he was destined for something bigger.

Sam Wilson became Joaquin's mentor and passed him the Falcon mantle

After Joaquin was rescued from the clutches of Dr. Malus, he found an ally in Sam Wilson, who was Captain America at the time. Joaquin joined Sam in his fight for justice and over time became Sam's trusted partner, the new Falcon.

Their relationship goes beyond hero work. Sam became a mentor, helping Joaquin navigate his identity as a hero. When Sam passed on the mantle of Falcon, Joaquin stepped up to keep fighting for what's right and remained a symbol of hope for his community. His bond with Sam is one of trust, brotherhood and shared values in the fight for justice.

The MCU's Joaquin Torres is a military ally, not a superpowered hybrid

This is the big difference between the two versions. In the comics, Joaquin's origins are pretty wild. He's genetically altered into a bird and human hybrid with natural wings, enhanced vision and regenerative abilities. He's also an undocumented immigrant raised in Arizona who uses his powers to fight for a cause close to his heart.

In the MCU, Joaquin is more of a military ally than a superpowered hero. He first appears in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as a US Air Force lieutenant helping Sam Wilson track down the Flag Smashers. He doesn't have any powers at first, but Sam passes his mechanical falcon wings on to him, hinting that Joaquin could step into the Falcon role in the future. So far, he doesn't have the mutant abilities we see in the comics, but he has since taken up the mantle in Captain America: Brave New World.

Joaquin's commitment to his community is what I hope the MCU keeps

What I love about Joaquin in the comics is that both before and after his transformation, he was deeply committed to helping marginalized communities and those who lack resources. His Mexican heritage is central to his identity and values, shaping his desire to protect others. He eventually became the Falcon, but he was already a hero to Mexican families crossing the border in search of a better life.

The MCU altered his origins, making him a Latino from Miami instead of Arizona. But I hope they preserve the heart of his character as one of the few Latino superheroes in both the MCU and the Marvel universe as a whole. Joaquin deserves more spotlight, and I'd love to see his story continue to unfold.