MCU's Isaiah Bradley vs. Steve Rogers: An Ageing Comparison

In the vast andever-evolving universe of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), two iconic characters stand out as Isaiah Bradley and Steve Rogers. Despite both being enhanced super-soldiers, they age in remarkably different ways. Let's explore why Isaiah Bradley ages better than Steve Rogers.

The Ageing Journey of Isaiah Bradley

Isaiah Bradley, a super-soldier of the 1940s, is a regular old man in his eighties or nineties by the present day. His life span, albeit fragmented, offers a more straightforward trajectory for ageing compared to Steve Rogers. Born in the early 1920s, Isaiah spent a significant portion of his life in active duty. Caught in the horrors of war, he was subjected to experiments and was eventually retired. His post-war life continued without the intense strain of superhero duties, making his natural ageing process a relatively normal one.

Given the super-soldier serum Peter Walker injected into him, Isaiah likely experienced a slower ageing process. However, the long-term effects of the serum were not as prolonged as one might think. Unlike Rogers, who lived a longer life due to various interventions, Isaiah's life was not disrupted by time travel or continued political and emotional battles. His natural ageing process was simply allowed to run its course, making his current age more manageable and realistic.

The Ageing Journey of Steve Rogers

Steve Rogers, Captain America, is a more complex case of ageing. His journey, marked by several significant events, has stretched his life span beyond the norm. When we see him as an elderly man, he lived 27 years before being frozen in an iceberg. After the initial thaw, he experienced 12 more years in suspended animation. Upon resurfacing, Steve continued to live from the late 1940s to 2023. His lifespan totals over 110 years, a remarkable feat by any standard.

The super-soldier serum impacted Steve's body in a way that allowed him to stay in top physical condition well into his later years. However, the constant interventions—such as his time travel to the past, the political battles he faced, and the general wear and tear on his body—contributed to a longer, but arguably more challenging, ageing process. Despite his enhanced resilience, the physical and emotional strain took a toll on his health, resulting in a more complex and extensive life journey.

Why Isaiah Bradley Ages Better?

Several factors contribute to why Isaiah Bradley ages better than Steve Rogers. Firstly, Isaiah's life was less disruptive. After his initial battles and experiments, he enjoyed a relatively stable and less stressful post-war life. His body was allowed to age naturally without the added stress of continuous superhero duties. This stability enabled a more predictable and manageable ageing process.

Secondly, Steve Rogers' long life was marked by significant disruptions. The freezing in the iceberg, the political and emotional battles, and his travels to different time periods introduced variables that made his ageing process more complex and less predictable. These disruptions not only affected his physical health but also his emotional well-being, contributing to a more challenging journey.

Lastly, Isaiah's life, though tumultuous at times, provided a continuous, albeit minimal, observation of his natural ageing process. This allowed his biology to adjust and adapt to normal ageing patterns, while Steve's enhanced and accelerated life span meant that his body had to constantly adapt to new and unforeseen circumstances, leading to a more accelerated and varied ageing process.

Conclusion

In summary, while both Isaiah Bradley and Steve Rogers are enhanced through the super-soldier serum, the differences in their life journeys have led to distinct and contrasting ageing processes. Isaiah's relatively stable life post-war and natural ageing process result in a more understandable and Ageing Better perspective. On the other hand, Steve Rogers' complex journey, marked by significant disruptions and prolonged life, makes his ageing process more challenging and varied.