In the Marvel Universe, there are few weapons as iconic as the star-spangled shield of Captain America. Throughout the Avenger’s long comic book career, the signature shield on his arm has been as unwavering and unbreakable as Steve Rogers himself. However, even if Captain America’s shield defies science in its superpowered abilities, these villains proved that with enough strength, magic, or cosmic plot behind them, the shield could be broken into pieces.
The Living Laser (Melted)
Avengers #35 (1966) by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Don Heck
Certainly not the most well-known of Avengers villains, the Living Laser actually took on the team in one of their first true tests. Proving his gifts in getting the drop on the Avengers, the villain managed to trap both Captain America and Hawkeye inside a shrinking laser field, condemning them to death with a ticking clock. That is, until Cap raised his iconic shield to protect both he and Clint Barton… and forced both heroes to watch as the shield rose in temperature and was obliterated via laser.
Thankfully, the pair would be rescued moments later by backup, but the shield was no more. Technically, this story also took place before Cap’s shield was given its more modern, indestructible backstory and creation with vibranium. Not ones to leave any flawed story untouched, later issues would reveal that the shield wielded by Cap inside the Living Laser’s cage was actually a replica, with the real one offered to Iron Man on a separate mission.
The Molecule Man (Dissolved To Atoms)
Avengers #215 (1982) by Jim Shooter, Alan Weiss, Dan Green, Christie Scheele
As devoted Marvel fans know, the Molecule Man a.k.a. Owen Reece possesses total authority over all matter and energy, granting him a level of power that is almost unparalleled (and fundamental in reconstructing the Marvel Multiverse). Having the power to obliterate or transform all of reality, it is good news to all residents of the Marvel Universe that Reece isn’t intent on becoming a god-tier being. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t enjoy taking on the Avengers every now and then.
The Molecule Man announced his return to prominence with gusto, revealing himself to the Avengers and completely disarming ‘Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ in a split second. Using his powers to dissolve Silver Surfer’s board, Thor’s hammer Mjolnir, Iron Man’s armor, and Captain America’s shield into dust, the heroes were totally at his whim. Thankfully, an appeal to reason and some scheduled therapy were what Reece actually craved and soon reversed his actions, restoring the weapons and shield to full power.
Doctor Doom (Beyonder Blast)
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #11 (1985) by Jim Shooter, Mike Zeck, John Beatty
There is no villain like Victor Von Doom, capable of gaining control of events he didn’t even have a hand in creating. An ability he got to demonstrate in Marvel’s famous Secret Wars event by recruiting the greatest Marvel heroes and villains for one massive confrontation on ‘Battleworld.’ MCU fans are currently dreaming of seeing that exact story play out in Avengers: Secret Wars, but if that’s the case, then Captain America’s shield may be destroyed in one of the most off-the-cuff manners in history.
In the original event, Doctor Doom managed to seize power and control from the mastermind of the battle, the Beyonder, unleashing cosmic levels of destruction. It was Issue #11 that revealed the scale of Doom’s devastation, with Cap’s broken and torn shield representing the heroes as a whole. Beyonder would regain control, returning the heroes to fight again, and Cap would get the chance to repair the shield himself when the event came to a close. Will the same terrifying feat occur on film? Time will tell.
Thanos (Shattered)
Infinity Gauntlet #4 (1991) by Jim Starlin, George Pérez, Ron Lim
Thanks to the MCU, nobody needs to be told about the legendary quest to collect and unleash the Infinity Stones carried out by Thanos the Mad Titan. Unlike the version of this story which played out in Avengers: Infinity War, however, Thanos snapped his fingers as a precursor to a battle against all collected Marvel heroes. While several playful references were made in movies regarding attacks and visuals from Infinity Gauntlet, Captain America got it worst on comic pages.
In this comic version of events, Steve Rogers bravely stands up against Thanos… only to be defeated with a single swipe of Thanos’ hand. The result? The shattering of both Captain America’s shield and Steve himself in an act of total dismissal.
Cul Borson (Torn Apart)
Fear Itself #5 (2011) by Matt Fraction, Stuart Immonen, Wade von Grawbadger
Modern Marvel fans may know very little about Cul Borson—the brother of Thor’s father Odin—and Asgardian God of Fear. Suspected as a constant villain by his family members, Cul was imprisoned by his brother out of fear he would try to kill Thor himself. So it came as no surprise when Cul was finally freed from captivity that he launched into action during the Fear Itself event—unleashing magical hammers across Earth to create new agents of fear.
The result was Cul’s strongest form ever seen—empowered by global fear—allowing him to manhandle even Avengers members while killing Thor and shattering Captain America’s shield. Steve Rogers would eventually lead heroes to victory with Mjolnir in hand while having Cap’s shield reforged by Nidavellir’s Dwarves. However, this does not diminish Cul’s accomplishments.
Ultron (???)
Age of Ultron #1 (2013) by Brian Michael Bendis, Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary
When Marvel Studios announced that their second Avengers film would be titled Age of Ultron, fans were understandably confused upon learning that Ultron would appear but not adapt its comic storyline directly. In this storyline from comics where Ultron rose to power in future timelines—dominating Earth—his effectiveness was demonstrated through Steve Rogers’ experience as Captain America who was beaten down alongside his signature shield.
The comic itself did not reveal how Ultron achieved this feat but considering his expertise with adamantium and vibranium along with other advanced weaponry from Marvel Universe—it’s easy to imagine how he could pull it off. Thanks to time-traveling Wolverine however this horrific future is avoided by end story making it just one more possible nightmare future for Marvel Universe.
