Captain America 4‘s latest trailer gave fans a brief glimpse of Shira Haas‘ Ruth Bat-Seraph, aka Sabra, who in the comics is an Israeli mutant superhero and Mossad member. However, it was known for a while that MCU would change the character’s background from the comics for Brave New World and make her a former Black Widow. Despite this, there are a significant number of fans curious about the change.
So why did Captain America 4 change Israeli superhero Sabra’s backstory for the MCU? What are the character’s powers in Marvel Comics? Here are your answers.
Why Captain America 4 has changed Marvel’s Israeli superhero Sabra?
The exact reason for Sabra’s change from the comics for Captain America 4: Brave New World is unknown.
However, the change is very likely due to the character’s controversial Israeli roots and ties to the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict. According to Variety, Marvel Studios, known for making significant changes to their characters from their comic book origins, revealed in 2022 that they would take a “new approach” with the character, who first appeared in Marvel Comics 40 years ago. This change was addressed amidst backlash from many fans surrounding the character’s inclusion in the movie, owing to her deep relations with the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Marvel recently revealed that the character would simply be known as Ruth Bat-Seraph. They further added that Sabra is a former Black Widow and now a high-ranking US agent who has managed to gain President Thunderbolt Ross’ trust.
What are Sabra’s powers and abilities in Marvel Comics?
In the comics, Sabra, a mutant, possesses the abilities of superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and stamina. She also has a very strong healing factor. Sabra can also transfer life-force to other people and heal and charge them in the process. Her suit also has a cape loaded with anti-gravity devices. This allows her to fly at great speeds.
However, in Captain America: Brave New World, the character has been changed to be a former Black Widow. Thus, here, instead of being a mutant or superhuman, Sabra is likely a highly-trained combatant, assassin, and spy, whose skills may be on par with other Black Widows like Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova.
