Marvel introduces a new Captain America-inspired character—and she's half Filipino!

There's a new Marvel character in Captain America, and Pinoy fans would be excited to find out that she's Filipino-American!

Marvel announced on Friday that The United States of Captain America will celebrate the superhero's 80 anniversary with an upcoming limited series featuring Steve Rogers, some Captain Americas of the past, a return of an iconic villain, and a diverse cast of new heroes including a girl named Ari Agbayani.

Writer Alyssa Wong shared that she "immediately knew" that she "wanted to write a Filipino-American girl" for this series. 

"There just aren't very many of us in comics," she exclaimed. "I grew up without a Filipino-American community for the most part, so every time I see a Filipino character, I get excited. And getting to create one—a Captain America, even!—feels incredibly special," Wong said.

In the latest series, the storyline will feature new heroes and the challenges that they go through in their own communities—and Ari is one of them.

Ari is a scholar at a private university, who stands up for her best friend who was oppressed by a fellow student who comes from a powerful family.

“Like the other Caps, Ari has a strong sense of justice and admires the ideals Captain America embodies,” Wong shared. 

Wong, who also wrote Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, shares that Ari is actually inspired by Bucky Barnes, someone who knows how to bend the rules in order to fight for justice.

“(She is) someone who hates bullies as much as Steve does, but is willing to use sneakier, shadier tactics to deal with them,” Wong said.

Nishijima, the costume maker, said that she is “honored” that her debut at Marvel is with a project that is “important” and “unique.”

“To be able to lend my thoughts and experiences to a property and concept I greatly admire, as well as work alongside such talented and diverse creators, brings me an excitement that cannot be understated. Ari's design was inspired by all the girls I've known in my life who in their day to day appear very sweet and empathetic, but when challenged can be terribly fierce. Her style is very much what I and my friends would feel comfortable and confident in wearing as well! I hope that her youthful design is well communicated and relatable, but no matter what I'm so glad that I could help bring her to life,” Nishijima said.

United States of Captain America will hit the stands on September 22.