Human/falcon hybrid Joaquín Torres gained his abilities of flight and healing through experimentation. While partnered with Captain America: Sam Wilson, he earned his status as a hero, fighting under the name Falcon to inspire freedom and decency. In addition to an organic set of wings, he also shares a psychic connection to Wilson’s falcon, Redwing.
The newly minted Cap accepts a mission from a concerned grandmother regarding her grandson, a Samaritan for new immigrants at the U.S. border. While distributing crucial supplies in the Arizona desert, Mexican-American Torres was apprehended by the Sons of the Serpent...
After being handed over to symbiotic scientist Dr. Karl Malus, Joaquín forcibly underwent a hybridizing treatment to become Malus’ ideal vision of man—a vampiric human with super-powered animal senses. Captain America’s exchange with Malus turned him into a “Cap Wolf” temporarily, but in Joaquín’s case, the transformation was permanent.
Although becoming a half-vampire falcon-man wasn’t exactly a life goal, Joaquín embraced his new powers of flight, healing, and agility. Malus’ mutations left him in a state of physiological “unrest,” but Torres still soared into action to save Cap from the jaws of the Serpent Society. A Falcon gets his wings!
Following his first turn as the Falcon, Joaquín remained in the care and custody of Sam Wilson, Misty Knight, and Dennis Dunphy, AKA D-Man. As a member of “Team Cap,” Falcon’s enthusiasm and insight made him a natural choice to fill Sam Wilson’s shoes. But when the press began to churn out negative coverage of his citizenship, the all-new Falcon got a nasty dose of public opinion.
Captain America: Steve Rogers—sleeper agent for Hydra! Under the Cosmic Cube’s influence, Rogers used the trust he had gained in Earth’s heroes to shift the United States toward a new order. Read Falcon’s role with the Underground, the coalition of heroes acting as the resistance.
When Steve Rogers was restored as his original (non-Hydra’d) self, Joaquín resumed his work at the U.S./Mexico border as a member of the Champions. Guest-starring Elijah Bradley, AKA Patriot.
The Champions gone global! Joaquín continues the good fight under Ms. Marvel’s collective of young, international heroes. The world needs its Champions... but does it want them?