'' #4 (1999). Artwork by Ron Frenz & Brett Breeding. Shannon Carter is the cousin of
S.H.I.E.L.D. agent
Sharon Carter. She grew up idolizing Captain America. When the new Avengers team is formed, she is determined to join. She wears a costume based on Captain America's and carries on her arms disc weapons resembling miniature versions of his shield. Her strength and agility are honed by intensive physical training. After joining the team as the American Dream, Shannon soon proves herself to be an effective Avenger, and when the team saves the original Avengers from a dark parallel world, Captain America himself judges her worthy to wield the shield of the alternate Captain. She also proves to be an important character in defeating
Galactus in the
Last Planet Standing limited series. She, along with
Stinger and
Spider-Girl, take down Galactus from the inside. They survive the imminent explosion by shrinking to microscopic size. Carter is the leader of the "Dream Team", consisting of herself,
Bluestreak,
Crimson Curse and
Freebooter. All members of the Dream Team become members of the new Avengers team in
A-Next #4. American Dream is also an ally of Spider-Girl,
Earth Sentry,
Blacklight,
Coal Tiger,
Argo and Captain America. American Dream has fought against the
Sons of the Serpent,
Seth, the
Revengers, Fatal Force and
Loki. When
Superia launches a cross-temporal attack to eliminate Steve Rogers' post-war career as Captain America and take his place herself, American Dream is one of five heirs to Rogers' legacy that were assembled by the
Contemplator to thwart her plans, the others being Rogers early in his career,
John Walker shortly after his own time as Cap,
Bucky during his time as Captain America, and Commander A from the twenty-fifth century. She receives an invitation to join the newly established
Avengers squad. She has designed a suit, made disc weapons that resembled miniaturized copies of
Captain America's shield, and engaged in extensive physical training to become the strongest and most agile person on the planet. ==Powers and abilities==