Captain America's shield is a symbol of his protection for others, but Steve Rogers has also used some more lethal versions of the shield when facing formidable enemies.
As Captain America, Steve Rogers dedicated his life to the mission of protecting the innocent, as evidenced by his one-of-a-kind iconic shield. However, in the more than 80 years since his appearance, the super-soldier has wielded shields that are more lethal than his famous weapon, either powered by dark magic or enhanced by science fiction technology, each of which Steve Rogers personally used and often has a lethal effect.
Below, we'll take a look at the 17 deadliest versions of Captain America's shield in the Marvel Universe, from those engraved with evil runes to those that can transform into a variety of weapons.
1. Magic shields in the cancer universe.
Technically, this version of Steve Rogers' shield is the least lethal of the multiverse, but for very dark reasons. In Kingdom Realm Issue 1, a cancer universe is introduced, a cosmic incarnation of life that conquers the reality of death. In this reality, nothing dies, but life is distorted beyond imagination. Without death, life continues to multiply and mutate, leading to crazy mutations controlled by multiple gods. The gods of pluralism are terrifying alien gods who have turned the heroes of this world into their minions.
In this reality, Captain America leads a team of diabolical Avengers, using a non-weaponized shield similar to his original but engraved with runes connected to his evil master. The magic of this shield reduces Captain America to a puppet of the dark gods of his world, effectively turning Steve into a bane lurking in the multiverse. Fortunately, Thanos later brings death back to the cancer universe, ends the Avengers team, and fights the gods of diversity (although these dark gods are still connected to the reality of countless "triumphs of life").
2. The spiked shield in the Skrullin gladiatorial match.
In Alien Issue 9, a world where the Skrulls invasion of Earth took place earlier is shown, leading to the conquest of Earth by aliens, where there are no Avengers to protect the planet. In this world, superhumans are forced to participate in gladiatorial tournaments, and no one is more feared than Steve Rogers, known as "Captain". He is the result of experiments on human genetics, and his Skrullin master gives him a shield with spikes, with which he defeats and kills many superhuman opponents. This version of Captain America's shield does not appear to be made of Marvel's supermetal, but is based on alien technology and is a tool specifically designed for deadly combat rather than superheroic acts.
3. Photon blade shield in the X era.
In the reality of Generation X, mutants are hated and feared more than in Marvel's regular continuity, and Captain America is part of a team dedicated to hunting down exiled High Humans. This Captain America is armed with a machine gun and a black shield with a photon blade on the shield with enormous cutting power. This shield is actually a sharp blade that, if used properly, can deal fatal damage. For example, in Age X: Cosmos Issue 2, Captain America uses this shield to successfully cut off the alien/mutant Warlock's head, ending his threat to Earth.
4. Wakanda Arm Shield.
Belonging exclusively to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (starring Chris Evans as Captain America), these vibranium arms first appeared in Avengers 3: Infinity War and were used by Steve Rogers to fight Thanos' alien army. Like his regular shield, the Wakanda arm shield can absorb and deflect enormous forces, but also has sharp "claws" that can deal fatal blows. However, unlike Captain America's disc shield, the Wakanda arm shield is not perfectly balanced, making them less flexible as a protective or lethal weapon.
5. Energy blade shield in Hydra undercover.
Before the events of Marvel's "Secret Empire", Steve Rogers was secretly brainwashed by the living cosmic cube Kobick, and reality was twisted into the fact that he had always been a hydra undercover. This version of Steve begins to sabotage for Hydra to take over the United States while wielding a new shield (he gives the original one to Sam Wilson). Steve's new shield has an energy blade that can be split into two parts and used as a blade glove. This version of Steve Rogers is best known for killing Black Widow with his sharp shield, and in Secret Empire Issue 7, it was created by Nick Spencer, Andrea Sorrentino, Rod Reis and Joshua Cassala.
6. Frenzied metal shields made by Nazi scientists.
The shield was introduced in Captain America Comics Issue 2 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, where Steve Rogers is sent to a reality ruled by the Red Skull, created by a mysterious object called the Cosmic Cube. In this reality, Captain America is a loyal subordinate of the Red Skull, who wields a shield made by Nazi scientist Arnim Zola. This shield is made of a substance called "fanatical metal", which can transform into various weapons according to the user's will, such as swords, guns, hammers, etc. This shield can also fire energy waves and missiles, making it a very powerful and versatile weapon. However, after Steve Rogers recovers his memory, he destroys this shield and pierces the chest of the Red Skull with it.
7. Folding laser shield made by future technology.
In Captain America: Rebirth Issue 1, Steve Rogers is shot by the Red Skull with a weapon called the Time Bullet, causing him to be trapped in the Time Stream. As he travels through time, he meets a future Tony Stark who gives him a shield made of futuristic technology to help him return to his own time. This shield not only fires laser beams and electric shocks, but can be folded up and put in a pocket. Although this shield is advanced, it does not have the balance and durability of traditional shields.
8. Inverted pentagram shield in Diablo Avengers.
In Captain America: Diabloc Avengers Issue 1, a team of Dark Avengers led by Norman Osborne is introduced, in which each member is an evil or unstable superhero or supervillain. One of them is Captain Diablo America, who is actually a supersoldier project loser named Scott Proctor. He uses a shield similar to Captain America, but with an inverted pentagram and an "X" shape. This shield doesn't seem to have any special features or attributes, but it's Captain Diablo's favorite weapon to use to beat and kill enemies.
9. Separated energy shield in Ironclad Warriors.
In Captain America: Iron Warrior Issue 1, Steve Rogers is forced to don an iron armor made by Tony Stark because his body is infected by a virus called the "Super Soldier Serum Virus", causing his body to age and weaken. Not only does this ironclad provide the strength and speed Steve Rogers needs, but it can also fire a variety of weapons such as missiles, lasers, and electromagnetic pulses. The biggest feature of this iron armor is that it has a shield that can be separated, this shield can fly like a boomerang, and can be returned to the iron armor by remote control. This shield can also be used as an energy weapon that can emit powerful waves of energy.
10. Death Locke arm shield in the Otherworld.
When Jamie Madrock of the X Factor stumbles across the universe to discover a reality, where Scarlet Witch's "No More Mutants" spell is used on humans. In this world, Steve Rogers is fused by Death Rock technology and becomes an evil mechan/zombie. This version of Captain America replaced conventional weapons with two arm shields. Each arm shield has a smaller clasp for protection and combat, but they also hide powerful energy weapons that rival Harvey in the Overuniverse – a mutant who once knocked out the Hulk with his explosion.
11. Mech shield in Avengers Mech Assault.
Marvel's Avengers Mech Assault toy series and related comic book series (created by Jed McKay and Carlos Magno) give each Avenger a giant mech made by Tony Stark. However, Steve's mech is special because, according to the Marvel headquarters Youtube short explaining the situation of each mech, the entire mech is stored in a shield given to Captain America by Iron Man. This is very impressive, as Captain America Armor is not only a tall mech controlled by Steve, but it can also fire its own giant shield like a cannon and even a few missiles. This suit of armor transmits Steve's own super-athlete-like abilities while giving him an amplified weapon, making it one of Tony Stark's most impressive inventions.
12. Mecha Assault: Biosword Shield in Monster Hunter
MechAssault: Monster Hunter (created by Christos Gage and Paco Diaz), a direct sequel to Avengers Mech Assault, upgrades the Avengers' biomechanical reaction, using the mysterious Eye of Kraken. This caused the armor to transform into new, biotic forms, further enhancing the wearer's abilities. Captain America's armor shield receives a "retractable saber" that can also fire huge mysterious creature energy. Captain America's armor is deadly enough on its own, but with a living knife, it's even more terrifying.
13. Phoenix Flame Shield in Phoenix Gladiatorial Tournament
In the 40th issue of The Avengers by Jason Allen and Javier Garrylon, the Avengers find themselves forced by the Phoenix Force to participate in a gladiatorial tournament that is looking for a new host. To find its perfect partner, it gives everyone a fraction of its power – however, even a small fraction of the Phoenix's power is close to infinity. Captain America's shield is endowed with unprecedented power – wrapped in the Phoenix's cosmic flames and controlled by his psychic. Steve Rogers no longer needs to throw his shield, and if he does, it will fall with the power of Mjolnir. Luckily, Steve was able to avoid being possessed by the Phoenix when it chose another host, but during the Phoenix Gladiatorial Tournament, his shield was transformed into a potential planet-destroying weapon.
14. Eagle Chief's Shield
In Tony Bedade and Carmine di Giandomenico's What If? Captain America" introduces a Captain America who obtains something called the "Eagle Chief Shield", which is the embodiment of a Native American spirit. In this world, the wounded Steve Rogers is empowered by magic during the Civil War and blessed by a supernatural entity. The biggest difference in this version compared to his usual abilities is that he transforms into an energy eagle when thrown and can attack autonomously. This story of strange appropriation of elements of someone else's culture is part of the broader legend of Earth-717, where the modern-age American general (who uses the Captain America regular disc shield) is a descendant of Civil War heroes.
15. Symbiote shield in Venom Captain America
In the place known as the "Venom Universe" in the multiverse subset, various heroes are given their own versions of black and white symbiotes. In the first issue of Edge of Venom, created by Matthew Rosenberg and Roland Bosky, Captain America of Venom is introduced, who has the combined abilities of a super soldier and a symbiote host - and this also extends to his shield. The Steve shield, covered with symbiote matter, is capable of taking infinitely different forms as needed and can be controlled as an extension of his body. Like any symbiote material, Venom Captain America's shield can grow huge teeth, extend its own alien material onto others to physically control them, and transform into complex weapons at the will of its owner.
16. U.S.S. Captain America
Although not a shield used by Steve Rogers himself, the U.S.S. Captain America deserves a mention on this list. The ship is a disc-shaped spaceship, used by the original Guardians of the Galaxy, equipped with advanced weapons from the 31st century, as well as teleportation technology and energy shields. Named and designed after Captain America's legacy, the ship became home to Major Victory, the future user of Steve Rogers' shields. The ship has appeared in different versions of the history of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but the first one appeared in issue 5 of Marvel Two in One, created by Steve Gruber and Sal Bussema.
17. Vibranium steel alloy shield in iron nails
In 2022, Marvel launched a new comic book series called Captain America: Iron Nails, which introduces a new version of Captain America's shield, which is made of vibranium and steel alloys and has retractable claws and blades. This version was created by a mysterious organization called "Iron Nails" who tried to use it to assassinate Captain America. This shield is not only stronger and sharper than ordinary shields, but it can also control its shape and movement through electromagnetic fields.
These are the 17 deadliest versions of Captain America's shield in the Marvel Universe, which one do you think is the most powerful? Have you ever wondered what would happen if you had such a shield? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area to share your thoughts and opinions.
From these versions, we can see that Captain America's shield is not only a weapon, but also a work of art, which reflects different eras, cultures and values. Some versions are modified to adapt to specific environments and enemies, some are designed to express personal style and attitude, and some are created to demonstrate different powers and abilities. In any case, Captain America's shield is an awesome and admirable item that not only protects Captain America and his allies, but also defeats his enemies and threats.