If you only know Sharon Carter from the movies, you probably think she’s either a forgotten love interest or a weirdly bitter art dealer who broke bad in Madripoor. Honestly? The MCU did her dirty. In the world of sharon carter marvel comics, she isn't just "Agent 13" or the lady who gave Steve Rogers a quick kiss in a parking garage. She is one of the most ruthless, competent, and strategically brilliant spies in the entire Marvel Universe.
People forget that Sharon has been around since 1966. She debuted in Tales of Suspense #75, created by the legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. While the movies made her Peggy Carter’s niece (and then great-niece), the comics originally had them as sisters. Time is a weird thing in comics; as the decades passed and the gap between WWII and the present day grew, Marvel had to "retcon" her into being Peggy’s grand-niece so the math actually worked.
But here is the thing: Sharon isn't a "diet Peggy." She’s her own powerhouse.
The "Death" and Rebirth of Agent 13
One of the wildest things about Sharon Carter is that she was "dead" for almost 15 years in real-world time. Back in the late 70s, writers had her brainwashed by a hate group called the National Force. She supposedly died in an explosion, and for a long time, Steve Rogers just... moved on. He dated other people like Bernie Rosenthal and Diamondback.
Then came 1995.
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Writer Mark Waid brought her back in Captain America #444, and she was different. She wasn't the polite agent anymore. She had spent years surviving in enemy territory, thinking S.H.I.E.L.D. had abandoned her. This Sharon was hardened, cynical, and way more interesting. She actually worked with the Red Skull at one point because their goals happened to align. This "mercenary" era is where the character really found her teeth. If you want to understand the modern Sharon Carter, this is where you start.
What Everyone Gets Wrong About the "Power Broker" Twist
Look, we have to talk about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. When the show revealed Sharon as the Power Broker, comic fans were baffled. Why? Because in sharon carter marvel comics history, Sharon is defined by her loyalty to the "dream," even when she hates the government.
In the comics, the Power Broker is usually a guy named Curtiss Jackson. He runs a business that gives people super-strength for a price. Sharon, on the other hand, has served as the Executive Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. She’s led the "Daughters of Liberty," a secret group of women who have protected the world for centuries. She isn't a back-alley criminal; she’s the person the criminals are afraid will kick their door down.
That Time She "Killed" Captain America
If you think her MCU turn was a betrayal, the 2007 Death of Captain America storyline will blow your mind. Following the Civil War event, Steve Rogers was assassinated on the steps of a federal courthouse. The world thought a sniper did it.
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The reality? Sharon was brainwashed by Doctor Faustus and the Red Skull. She was the one who fired the point-blank shots into Steve’s stomach.
It was devastating. She spent months under Faustus's thumb, pregnant with Steve’s child, and eventually lost the baby during an escape attempt. It’s some of the darkest, most emotional writing in the history of the character. This wasn't some "I'm mad at the government" heel turn; it was a tragedy of the highest order. It took years for her to recover from that trauma, and she did it by becoming even more dedicated to the mission.
Sharon Carter as the Iron Patriot
Fast forward to more recent years, and Sharon has continued to evolve. In the Ta-Nehisi Coates run of Captain America, Sharon suffered a massive blow—her youth was stolen while she was trapped in Dimension Z (a weird, sci-fi wasteland). She came back aged, physically older than she should have been.
Did she retire? Nope.
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She donned the Iron Patriot armor.
Seeing an older, battle-scarred Sharon Carter flying around in a high-tech suit of armor, leading the Daughters of Liberty, is a vibe the movies never even tried to capture. She eventually got her youth back thanks to some mystical intervention, but the message was clear: Sharon Carter is a soldier first, a spy second, and a "love interest" a distant third.
Essential Sharon Carter Reading
- Tales of Suspense #75-92: The classic 60s introduction.
- Captain America (Vol. 1) #444-454: The "Return of Sharon Carter" arc by Mark Waid.
- Captain America (Vol. 5) by Ed Brubaker: This is the definitive modern run. It covers the assassination of Steve Rogers and Sharon's struggle with brainwashing.
- Captain America (Vol. 9) #23: Sharon takes the Iron Patriot armor and saves the day.
Why the Comics Version Matters
The reason people love the comic book version of Sharon is the nuance. She and Steve Rogers work because they are opposites. Steve is the idealist who believes in the best of people. Sharon is the pragmatist. She knows the world is dirty, and she’s willing to get her hands dirty to keep it safe.
They’ve been "together" for the better part of 50 years. Even when they break up, or one of them "dies," or they get trapped in different dimensions, they find their way back. It’s not a "forced" romance; it’s a partnership of equals.
If you're looking to dive deeper into her story, your best bet is to start with the Ed Brubaker run. It’s basically a spy thriller that happens to have superheroes in it. You’ll see the Sharon that the MCU missed—the one who can out-think Nick Fury and out-fight a room full of Hydra agents without breaking a sweat.
To get the full picture, pick up the Captain America: Sharon Carter trade paperback which collects her most pivotal moments. It covers everything from her first mission to her time as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., giving you a much better perspective than any 10-minute Disney+ cameo ever could.