by guest contributor Enid Doggett
Photo credit: Creative Common
From Farm to Marvel: Jesse J. Holland’s Journey to Writing Captain America
This week, actor Anthony Mackie will play Captain America, bringing Sam Wilson’s story to life on the big screen. But while Mackie wears the iconic shield on screen, another storyteller has played a crucial role in shaping the character’s legacy in literature—local author Jesse J. Holland. Based on the Marvel comic books and produced by Marvel Studios, the film opens nationwide on Friday, February 14.
Holland, a Mississippi native and longtime comic book fan, has carved out a unique space in both journalism and the world of superheroes. Recognized for his deep knowledge of comics and storytelling, Marvel Entertainment invited Holland to write and edit the official companion book for the new Captain America film starring Mackie. Holland’s Captain America: The Shield of Sam Wilson is an anthology of stories that explores Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America. Holland edited the collection and contributed one of the stories, adding another milestone to his impressive career.
Jesse Holland
Holland, a Mississippi native and longtime comic book fan, has carved out a unique space in both journalism and the world of superheroes. His latest work for Marvel is as the editor of Captain America: The Shield of Sam Wilson, an anthology of stories that explores Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America. Holland not only edited the collection but also contributed one of the stories, adding another milestone to his impressive career.
A Life Shaped by Storytelling
Growing up on a farm in Mississippi, Holland was captivated by comics, amassing thousands of them over the years. His love for storytelling led him into journalism, where he spent years covering Congress and the Supreme Court as a reporter for the Associated Press. That experience, he says, gave him a deep understanding of power, responsibility, and leadership—qualities that helped him connect with Sam Wilson’s evolution from Falcon to Captain America.
“I followed Sam Wilson’s adventures closely, first as the Falcon and then later when he became Captain America,” Holland shares. “I wanted to make sure that his image was preserved throughout the anthology.”
Disney, which owns Star Wars and Marvel, first approached Holland to write a children’s book about Finn, one of the main characters in the Star Wars film series. His work impressed the company, leading to an even bigger opportunity—the official companion novel for Black Panther, a groundbreaking film that took the world by storm.
Writing Black Panther and Editing Captain America
Holland’s first major Marvel project was writing the official novel Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther. But despite the film’s global success, he faced a surprising challenge: he never saw the movie’s script before writing the book. Instead, he relied on his deep knowledge of the character and years of storytelling experience to craft a compelling book.
The same challenge applied when Holland took on Captain America: The Shield of Sam Wilson—he did not have access to the film script when editing the anthology or writing his own story for the book. Instead, he drew from his extensive familiarity with Sam Wilson’s comic book history to ensure the stories remained true to the character’s legacy.
Award-Winning Impact in the Comic World
Beyond his work on Black Panther and Captain America, Holland also served as the editor for Marvel’s Tales of Wakanda anthology, a collection of stories celebrating the world of Black Panther and the legacy of Wakanda. His contributions to the Marvel Universe have not gone unnoticed—Holland was honored with an award at Comic-Con for his outstanding work in the industry, solidifying his place as a key voice in modern superhero storytelling.
A Voice Beyond Comics
Holland’s storytelling extends beyond Marvel into history and academia. He has authored books such as Black Men Built the Capitol and The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African American Slaves in the White House, shedding light on untold stories of African American history. He has also served as a C-SPAN weekend host and currently teaches at George Washington University.
His personal life also reflects a commitment to excellence and service. His wife is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, adding another layer of dedication and discipline to their family’s story.
For Holland, storytelling—whether in journalism, history, or comics—is about capturing the truth and giving voice to important narratives. As the son of a farmer, he understands the weight of responsibility that comes with carrying a legacy—something he believes Sam Wilson also experiences as he takes up the mantle of Captain America.
This week, as audiences watch Anthony Mackie soar as the new Captain America, Jesse J. Holland’s words—through his work as an editor and writer—will be right there alongside him, preserving the hero’s legacy for generations to come.
