Numerous fictitious characters going by the name of Nomad may be found in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. In Captain America #180 (December 1974), writer Steve Englehart and artist Sal Buscema came up with the Nomad moniker and outfit as a replacement for the original Captain America, Steve Rogers. Writer J. M. DeMatteis brought the identity back for Captain America #261-263 (September – November 1981), a small role titled Edward Ferbel. Later, in June 1983’s Captain America #282, the most well-known claimant, Jack Monroe, received the title from the same writer. Ian Rogers, Steve Rogers’ adopted son, and Rikki Barnes are other contenders for the code name. he original Nomad is an alternate identity that Steve Rogers adopts after he abandons the Captain America costume and title.

In Captain America #180 (December 1974) Rogers becomes disillusioned with the United States government, when he discovers that a high ranking government official (heavily hinted to be the then President of the United States Richard Nixon) is the leader of the terrorist organization known as the Secret Empire. Rogers then decides to abandon his Captain America identity, feeling that he cannot continue to serve America after this latest discovery has shattered his faith in the nation’s status. However, a confrontation with Hawkeye (disguised as the Golden Archer) forces Rogers to realize that he cannot abandon a life of heroism, and he subsequently takes on the name “Nomad” (as it means “man without a country”) adopting a new dark blue and yellow uniform with no patriotic markings on it at all.