Epic Games' 'Fortnite' Welcomes Legendary Marvel Superhero

The “Sentinel of Liberty” is headed to “Fortnite” as Captain America is on his way to the free-to-play battle royale game.

Epic Games has announced that a Captain America skin is the latest comic book-themed skin to be added to “Fortnite.” The leader of the Avengers costs 2,000 V-bucks (about $20) to purchase from the “Fortnite” in-game store, reports The Verge.

Of course, Captain America wouldn’t be complete without his iconic shield. In “Fortnite,” the disc-shaped shield is more than cosmetic. You can wear it on your back just like Cap does or use it like a pickaxe in the game.

The shield actually appeared in “Fortnite” last year and only for a limited time in an Avengers-themed mode. During that period, however, you could not but the shield or wear it whenever you felt like doing so.

Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in 1941, Captain America has been one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters for the past 79 years. The story of a skinny and oft-bullied Steve Rogers volunteering to serve in World War II but rejected for his size was the story of the quintessential underdog.

When Steve was injected with the Super Soldier serum, he was enhanced to the peak of human perfection and with his red, white, and blue costume became the embodiment of the United States himself, Captain America. Frozen in ice near the end of the war, Cap was revived by the Avengers, eventually being voted as the team’s leader.

The character has only grown in popularity in recent years after Chris Evans gave a rousing portrayal of Cap in the “Captain America” and “Avengers” motion pictures from Marvel Studios.

With Independence Day looming, a new Captain America-themed fireworks emote is also being sold for 300 V-bucks. That would be the perfect way to celebrate on the “Fortnite” island this holiday weekend.

Though Captain America is a welcome addition, this is hardly the first time that “Fortnite” has offered skins based off comic book characters, The Verge reports. “The merc with a mouth,” Deadpool, was part of last season’s battle pass. DC’s own king of the seven seas, Aquaman, will eventually be playable as part of this season’s battle pass.

As part of last year’s “Avengers” crossover and X-Force skins, both Black Widow and Star-Lord were sold by Epic Games. Other skins representing DC Comics characters include Batman, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn.