Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness isn’t only about Stephen Strange and his psychological issues; the Sam Raimi film also introduces a fresh new superheroine to the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Black Widow. America Chavez, the star-spangled America Chavez.
Who exactly is America Chavez? What happened to her? Continue reading to learn about the Marvel Comics character that can kick holes in the world.
[Editor’s note: This article includes Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness spoilers.]
In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, America Chavez, Wong, and Doctor Strange all stare nervously towards the camera.
America Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez, attracts Doctor Strange’s attention due to her capacity to build portals between the realities of the universe, creating massive star forms in the air that she can kick or punch in order to shatter them into an open door.
Multiverse of Madness’ rendition of America is remarkably true to her Marvel Comics form — losing some confidence and experience — for a cinematic adaptation dealing with a high-concept superpower and a high-concept origin narrative. But, according to Gomez, this was done on purpose.
“You can clearly see the early phases of what future America may become,” the actress told Marvel.com. “I took material from the comics and lightened it up since she’s less experienced.” She’s younger than any of her known comic book appearances, as far as I can tell. It was a great task to imagine what a younger, less experienced America may be like, while simultaneously foreshadowing the serious leader she would soon become. I wanted to preserve that child spirit and that fake-it-till-you-make-it confidence.”
America’s home dimension and her mothers are only seen in Multiverse of Madness before her abilities appeared for the first time and she mistakenly hurled herself and her family to multiple realms. But we can go to the comics for clues about where America has been and where she’s heading.
IN MARVEL COMICS, WHO IS AMERICA CHAVEZ?
“I’ve been doing this for a while. “I’ve been doing it since I was a child,” America Chavez tells Pulsar/Monica Rambeau in Ultimates #1. (2015). “I’ve seen a lot of realities in that time – and certain things never change.”
Though she was developed for 2011’s Vengeance #1 by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta, America’s past, legendary star-kicking ability, and lesbian identity would not be revealed until 2013’s Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie.
Ward and Gillen established in an issue illustrated by Christian Ward that America came from a realm called the Utopian Parallel, where her parents were a lesbian-couple-slash-co-rulers of a utopian paradise world. With no issues to solve or heroic actions to complete, America utilized her multiverse capabilities to search for a location where her super strength and flying talents might be useful. Because immense power entails enormous responsibility.
America has featured in a number of comic books throughout the years, some of which are better than others. Her team novels, though, are likely among her best hits: Young Avengers (2013), Ultimates (2015), and West Coast Avengers (2016). (2018). America’s whole past was recently retconned to be much more commonplace, but with Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness pursuing the Utopian Parallel path, it’s a reasonably safe bet that her comics will ultimately follow suit. In any case, it sucked and was stupid.
Oh, and! Ms. America is America’s superhero moniker, although she seldom uses it.
ARE THERE FUTURE PLANS FOR AMERICA CHAVEZ AT MARVEL?
At the present, Marvel Studios has made no additional plans to employ America Chavez in a future Disney Plus series or film. But, in true MCU fashion, Doctor Strange in the Universe of Madness nicely positions America for her next adventure: she’s learning how to handle her portal abilities at Kamar-Taj, and she’s got a pair of mothers to find and save somewhere in the multiverse.
