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Who is the Power Broker?

  • Writer: Jordan Croft
    Jordan Croft
  • Mar 30, 2021
  • 5 min read

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Episode 2 of Falcon and The Winter Soldier gave reference to someone working in the shadows, that being the Power Broker. In the comics the Power Broker is a man who owns a company which creates versions of super soldier serums and sells them to paying customers. His involvement during the series looks highly likely and speculation has begun about who he could be. There are some fun and wild theories that fans have come up with and some predictions which could come true. Now we will take a look at the front runners for whom the Power Broker could be and see how likely they are to be true.


Someone New:


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We will start with the boring option here and it’s highly likely that the Power Broker will be entirely new character entirely. In the comics the Power Broker isn’t someone of major importance. The MCU could go down a similar route and make the secret villain someone we haven’t met yet. It’s likely that the person in charge of the company which is also called Power Broker Inc will be someone who has had no involvement in the MCU thus far because if it was someone we have already met its likely someone would have known of their role at the Power Broker.


Ultimately we give strong chances to the Power Broker being someone we haven’t met yet. With the MCU looking to introduce more new characters as each series and movie gets released it would follow the trend if someone new is introduced as the Power Broker.

Karl Malus:


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While the Power Broker could be someone new, that person could be the mad scientist known as Karl Malus. Even though he appeared in the Jessica Jones series this wouldn’t be an issue as the MCU is quite happy ignoring these shows.


As for Malus being the Power Broker we think he has a chance because in the comics he has worked for the company and helped create a number of variations of the super soldier serum. What makes his appearance even more likely is that in the comics he was the man whom altered the appearance of Joaquin Torres which resulted in him taking up the role of the Falcon. With Danny Ramirez playing Torres in the series the question will always be there as to whether he gains his comic book powers. Malus being the one giving them to him and his connection with the Power Broker leads to this speculation.


However, it doesn’t seem likely that Torres will get these powers in the series because of his secondary role and Malus for the most part has never been a leader of an organisation, instead he was the man working for the Power Broker. We are not writing off his appearance in the show, but for him to be the head of the Power Broker Inc there would have to be a big departure from the comics.


Red Skull:


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A return of the Red Skull is easily the most exciting prospect that could occur in the show. In pretty much all of the Captain America comics there have always been a presence of the Skull or Hydra which is why many fans want to see his return in Falcon and The Winter Soldier which is continuing the legacy of Steve Rogers and Captain America.


As for being the head of the Power Broker Inc, we think it is a stretch that Red Skull will be involved. 5 years after being set free from guarding the sole stone is a short amount of time to return to Earth and establish an organisation which produces super soldier serums. Also, would selling the serum really be a motivation of the Hydra leader? His aim has always been global domination. Selling super soldier serums doesn’t fit this motive which is why we don’t believe Red Skull will be the Power Broker.


Arnim Zola:


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After Red Skull’s disappearance at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger it was Arnim Zola whom assumed control of Hydra as he began the villainous group expansion in the shadows inside of S.H.E.I.L.D. Yes, we know Zola was ‘dead’ during Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, there is always the possibility for Zola to return in the robot form he has in the comics, especially when designs for such machine were seen in The First Avenger.


Unlike Skull there is more of a possibility that Zola may be the Power Broker. Zola understands that global domination is a slow process which was proved in The Winter Soldier, so his backup plan may involve Power Broker Inc. Moreover, Zola has a history with the serum as he worked on Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) making him the Winter Soldier which served as Hydra’s master assassin. Power Broker Inc could be an extension of this as he tries to produce more brain washed super soldiers for Hydra. This definitely isn’t the wildest theory we have come up with and we look forward to seeing if it comes true.


Zemo:


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Many fans have suggested that due to Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) returning during the Falcon and The Winter Soldier that he may have some involvement with the Power Broker. However, I completely disagree with this theory for many reasons. Firstly, being the Power Broker completely goes against what Zemo wants which is no more superheroes. Why would Zemo sell serums which have potential to produce heroes? Zemo should be fighting against the organisation not heading it up.


Also, as the final scene of episode 2 showed Zemo has been in prison since Captain America: Civil War. As such there would be no chance that Zemo could lead an organisation from the inside of a jail cell. Even before Civil War he was in the Sokovian military which again wouldn’t have allowed him to run an organisation. Instead it’s likely due to studying Hydra extensively he may have knowledge of the organisation which will link him to the show.


Just because a villain is returning doesn’t necessarily make them the secret villain of the show. Either way we are still excited to see Zemo return and discover what his true motives are when he eventually leaves prison.


Thunderbolt Ross:


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Many fans have placed Thunderbolt Ross as the favourite to be the Power Broker. I am not fully on this train but do believe he will have some connection to the organisation if he isn’t the leader. The reasons for Ross heading up the organisation come through his role in the Incredible Hulk movie. In the movie he tried to replicate the super soldier serum under the Bo-Tech Force Enhancement Project which ultimately failed and led to Emil Blonsky turning into the abomination and Bruce Banner going on the run.


This was an obsession of Ross as he couldn’t seem to leave it alone until the movies finale. An obsession like this doesn’t just disappear and with a new role as Secretary of State he would be in a better position to carry it on.


Now where I have doubt of Ross being the Power Broker is because of his government role. I believe it wouldn’t be achievable to run a company while being Secretary of State. That being said I think that Ross will definitely have contact with the Power Broker and could be the person who allows for the company to run without detection.



Images:

Marvel Studios

Disney+

Universal

Marvel Comics

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Jordan Croft

Email: jordycroft25@gmail.com

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