Creation and Publication
During World War II, a wave of patriotically themed superheroes sprang up. The first of these were heroes such as the Shield, Captain Freedom, and Uncle Sam. Most of these failed, but nearly every publisher had it's own super-American busting Nazis in World War II. Marvel Comics decided to get in on the action, so the Editor-In-Chief told a young writer to make them an America-hero.Captain America was created by Joe Simon And Jack Kirby two Jewish comic book creators. The first issue (which had Cap punching Hitler on the cover) sold nearly one million copies and was published nine months before the U.S Joined World War II. When Bucky came, Cap spent World War II punching Nazis, Japanese, and other Axis members, along with Sub-Mariner and Human Torch. Simon and Kirby did ten issues before moving to DC. Eventually, the war ended and comics declined. Captain America Comics got to issue 75, but it had become a horror book and was ended
Captain America was revived by Stan Lee in 1964, in Avengers #4. He became an instant hit, and this was the start of Cap as we know him. He has gone on as is ever since and, even though he's dead, will probably be back soon.
Captain America
Captain America is probably the greatest symbol of freedom, justice, liberty, and the American Way to ever live. He was the pinnacle of human existence-a good man who fought for what was right and did what he could to make the world a better place. When you think of justice and a symbol of America, the first person to pop into mind is him-the living symbol of America and freedom. Many heroes not only admire for what Captain America stands for, but look up to him as a role. He basically sets the bar for not only what a hero should be, but what a man, and a true American should be. He was on of the greatest heroes Earth had ever known. The world as been saved countless times by Cap's leadership, courage, and pure will. He was one of the greatest combatants, strategists, leaders, and most motivating hero most had ever seen.
But Captain America, Steve Rogers was a man, too, and this is one of the most important things to remember as you look upon his legacy. He did not have powers, only discipline and hard work. He was not an alien and he was not given powers he didn't want. Cap was a man-a man who fought for what was right. And it lasted like that, for a long time. He never backed down from any challenge, or stopped fighting for what he thought was right.
Gandhi was shot. So was Abraham Lincoln. And John Lennon.
And John F. Kennedy. And Martin Luther King Jr. Like them, Captain America was shot-but his legacy lives on as the symbol of truth, justice, and goodness. There are many places to start to hear the full story of Captain America. But the best place is where most smart people begin-right at the beginning, in Manhattan-July 4, 1917.
Origin and Golden Age
War, what is it good for?
On July 4, 1917, a baby was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, to an Irish immigrant woman named Sarah Rogers. Her husband, Joseph, was elated-they had a new baby boy. They named him Steven Rogers-he had no middle name. Steven was always a courageous kid-he tried new things as a toddler all the time. It's notable to mention that he grew up while World War 1 was raging across Europe, giving him a little experience with war. He wasn't very athletic, and was quiet and introverted. Although he would eventually grow to 6'2, he was scrawny and weak-always last in athletic games (much like one Peter Parker that would be born much later before a radioactive spider bite). He possessed a fierce loyalty, a fighting spirit, and a good heart inside him, though-one the world would see later. He had no future in athletics, so he majored in fine arts and was a particularly good artist-he specialized in illustration. His life changed, though, when Nazi forces swept across Europe, starting World War II. The Japanese, who were the Nazi's allies, bombed the U.S in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor-so young Steve Rogers, out of loyalty to his country and his patriotic duty, tried to enlist to fight on the front line against Axis forces.
He was immediately rejected do to being physically frailty, classified a 4-F. Steve was puny-he didn't get anywhere near passing the physical exam to join. Although he wanted with all his heart to serve him country, there was nothing he could do. He made an impression on the Army recruiters and trainers, though-he desperately wanted to join-it was his dream to fight for America. An officer was looking for test subjects for an experimental procedure, part of a top-secret defence plan only known of by less then twelve men. It was Operation: Rebirth. The plan was to create physically superior soldiers with a new serum-the Super-Soldier Formula. If it worked, it would make our soldiers super soldiers-he-men who had the grace, strength, speed, and nerve of two Olympic athletes. After a tough process to choose the lucky subject, Rogers was chosen to be the first one who the Super-Soldier Formula was administered to. One Dr. Abraham Erskine, Dr. Erskine, developed the process and administered it to Rogers. He was injected with the Super-Soldier formula and ate some, and then was hit by Vita-Rays that activate and stabilize the chemicals in his system. The process worked perfectly. Steve Rogers' system and body was boosted to the maximum in human efficiency. He also virtually doubled in size as millions of healthy cells were created almost instantaneously. His muscles and reflexes improved to the peak that a humans could be at. Steve marveled-he had become a specimen of human power as all weakness and deficiencies drained from his body. Just then, a Nazi spy burst in with a gun. He cried "Hail Hitler" in German and shot Erskine through the head. Abraham Erskine died-and he had committed the Super-Soldier serum's ingredients, along with much of the procedure, to memory. The secret died with him-Steve Rogers would be the only super soldier made. He chased after the Nazi spy and broke his neck, killing him. He then vowed to use his power to fight the enemies of America and be a symbol of freedom.
Proud to be Americans.
The U.S government, disappointed at the loss of their super soldier army, decided to use Rogers as much as they can. They re-imagined him as a superhero to fight the Nazis, and be a symbol of freedom and hope against Nazi forces, as well as a counter-intelligence agent. He also would be their main weapon against the leader of the Nazi terrorist operations-Red Skull. They gave him a costume based on the American flag, an unbreakable, perfectly balanced shield, the product of a metallurgical accident that became the strongest known substance on earth, a sidearm, and the name-Captain America. From now on, Steve Rogers was Captain America. He traveled to a camp in Virginia, where he used a secret identity-Steve Rogers, clumsy soon-to-be soldier. There, he met Bucky Barnes (see Bucky Barnes)-a young teenager who accidentally found out that Steve Rogers was Captain America. Steve lets Bucky be his sidekick, and trains him. Captain America and Bucky become a formidable force in World War II-they fight crime on their own and in the Invaders, a superhero team against the Axis. They later got a comic book in the 1970s. (Recently it has been said that Bucky was already being trained at the military base, hence, his being able to fight side-by-side with Cap without having any super-powers).
A few years passed, and largely due to the efforts of Captain America, World War II was nearly won in 1945. Cap and Bucky were on a routine mission-they were trying to stop the evil Baron Heinrich Zemo from destroying a drone plane. Zemo finally shot the plane up in the air, with a huge bomb tied to it. Bucky jumps on and tried to defuse the bomb, but it exploded and he was believed dead. Captain America was thrown into the Atlantic Ocean, which was freezing, and presumed dead. He was believed to be dead for many years-and efforts to replace him failed. This is how it was for many years...
1950s Commie-Bustin' Caps
During the 1950s, Captain America was gone-frozen in a block of ice. But the government still needed a Captain America, even though the war was won. This was when Communism was at a huge high, and we were all scared to death by, and hated, the Commies. The government needed a Captain America busting Russian Communists on the front lines, and they figured that if America found out Cap was dead, then morale would drop like a stone. So they hired the Spirit of '76, a patriotic hero who operated during World War II and whose abilities were similar to Cap's-to be the new Captain America. Bucky was Fred Davis, a relatively normal young man. Cap and Bucky operated very well (working with the All-Winners Squad), but Adam II (an android) killed Cap in 1946. He was replaced by The Patriot, another Golden Age hero, but two years later, "Bucky" was shot to death. Golden then became Bucky, until they both quit to marry each other. Seeing that replacing Cap was hard, the government let the idea fade and there was no Captain America and no Bucky.
Later, in 1953, a man found the lost formula for the Super-Soldier Serum in Nazi files in a German warehouse. This wasn't any man-this man idolized and almost worshiped Captain America. He had a P.H.D. in American History-and he had done his thesis on Captain America. He immediately told the government-in exchange for becoming the next Captain America. He underwent plastic surgery to look like Steve Rogers and was to be the symbol for the Korean War fighting Communism instead of Nazism. However, the project was never finished, so "Steve Rogers" became a teacher.
While teaching, he found a young student who also was a huge Captain America fan. They used the formula on themselves and became the new Captain America and Bucky. They fought Communism-but they didn't know of the Vita-Ray process that's part of the super soldier project. Since they didn't take it, it affected their minds and they became overly paranoid, attacking anyone they even had the slightest suspicion was a Communist. They hurt people until the government caught them and put them in suspended animation. The formula was lost forever.
However, they were revived in the early 1970s, when Steve Rogers (the real Captain America) had come to life and was operating. They went on a rampage, but Captain America defeated them.
Revival and Modern Age
Cap and Nick, together again.
The 1960s started, where Vietnam came and the peace movement started. Superheroes popped up, like the X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Hulk. The Avengers were a superhero team that consisted of Ant-Man (Hank Pym), Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk. Their roster changed and Hulk left in the second issue, and Namor the Sub-Mariner was their ally. Sub-Mariner found an Inuit tribe worshiping a frozen figure, in a block of ice. He was enraged that they were worshiping an inanimate object, and he hurled it into the sea. It melted, and the frozen figure was a man-Steve Rogers, Captain America! They revived him, and realized he was the war hero of their childhoods. He was out of his own time, but was valuable in combat, was a great tactician, and was a natural leader. They invited him to join, and he quickly became team leader. Captain America led the Avengers for a long time, fighting their enemies and some of his old enemies-such as Baron Zemo. He found out what had happened to Bucky, his young comrade-and was devastated. He would be stricken with grief for many years. Rick Jones became the new Bucky for a short time, after he convinced Cap that it was OK. Rogers didn't want to be responsible for another child's death, but as soon as he relents, Red Skull (his old enemy from World War II) uses the Cosmic Cube and drives Bucky away.
Captain America met with people. Nick Fury had been his partner in World War 2, and they reunited and became friends again. Fury now led the intelligence agency SHIELD, and Cap frequently would complete missions for SHIELD Later, he met Sam Wilson, an African-American who Cap trained as his partner. Sam became the Falcon and Cap's new sidekick for a time. He fought a fake Cap from the 50's and quit the role of Captain America due to the Watergate scandal. He took the identity of Nomad instead. However, he realizes-the costume is a symbol of American ideals, not the government, He becomes Captain America again and relishes the role. He fought Red Skull once more, and it was revealed that Red Skull had been a burned out youth in Germany before meeting Adolf Hitler himself. Hitler trained the boy as his accomplice, and he became the Red Skull-using his Dust of Death to kill and try and restart the Third Reich to take over the world. New enemies came, such as Flag-Smasher and the delightfully named Scourge of the Underworld. Captain America also resigned his role when the government tried to force him to work fully for them. They hired John Walker to do his job when Rogers refused. He took the name "The Captain" and did his job differently, as Walker took the position of Captain America. During this time Steve had some questionable run-ins with the law that made him realize how much credibility he had as Captain America. Sometimes he even had to resort to working outside the law as much as it pained him. Cap and Walker tussled a few times, until Walker was driven insane. He became U.S.Agent and Steve Rogers once again became Captain America.
Cap and Falcon
However, disaster struck. Captain America avoided the explosion of a drug lab, but the drug was a stimulus for a chemical reaction with the Super-Soldier serum in his system. It altered his biochemistry, and he began to deteriorate-he couldn't be Captain America. He turned to Iron Man, who helped him by making a powered exoskeleton for him in the vein of the Iron Man armor. Eventually, he was cured by a transfusion of blood from none other then Red Skull, who had transferred his mind into a cloned body of Captain America. Eventually, the Avengers broke up, in Avengers Disassembled. Rogers revealed his secret identity-but then who should show up but a new villain, the Winter Soldier. The Winter Soldier's secret identity was Bucky Barnes! Bucky had been saved by the Soviet Union, who brainwashed him and made him their super soldier and assassin. Eventually, Bucky's memory was returned to him-and he once again became Cap's sidekick.
Black Cap
Isaiah Bradleyfirst appeared in Red, White, And Black #1 (2003). Captain America is Steve Rogers, and he got his power through Project: Rebirth. But Rogers actually was not the only recipient of the Super-Soldier Serum. A year after Captain America's creation, Dr. Josef Reinstein was trying to recreate the Project: Rebirth formula to create more super soldiers. He tested his formula on over 300 soldiers and it made them super soldiers. The 300 soldiers were, in a show of typical 1930s racism, African-Americans. Later, the 300 blacks were experimented on by Reinstein -he wanted to recreate the formula. The experiments were dangerous and potentially fatal, and all but five died. The government was worried, so they murdered all of the people at the testing camp except three of the remaining black soldiers, The government told the American public that those men were lost in battle against the Axis.
Isaiah Bradley
The other two men died, and only one was left-a man named Isaiah Bradley. He realized that he had the power of the same Captain America who was making a huge stir fighting Nazis at that very time. So he stole a spare Captain America suit and traveled over to Germany to stop the Nazis, who had their own super soldier effort and were about to create a new, Nazi version of Captain America. He destroyed the entire base and all the research done on the subject, even killing the lead scientist (who had before worked on the American Project: Rebirth). However, the Nazis captured him. The Nazis held him as a prisoner of war, bringing him before Hitler and using him as an example. When the war ended, Bradley was rescued, and although he was court-marshaled, he was pardoned and disappeared underground.
He became an underground legend among the Marvel African-American community-he was their Captain America. Eventually, however, the serum's long-term effects damaged Isaiah Bradley, in his body and mind. He became childlike and began to disappear as a hero. It was then that he was discovered by Steve Rogers, who helped him to get his mind and body back. Working together, they learned that the true mastermind behind the Super-Soldier program was Weapon Plus, and they have worked together many other times. Isaiah Bradley remains as one of Cap's greatest allies-the black Captain America.
He is the grandfather of Elijah Bradley, respectively Patriot from the Young Avengers. He is also the genetic father of Josiah X.
Protocide
Clinton McIntyre was always a violent person. But as he grew up, he realized that there's only one place where you can kill people and be honored for it and allowed to do it-the U.S Army. He joined the Army, but kept his hot temper and eventually killed his commanding officer. Right about this time, the U.S Army was working on a serum that would be the Super-Soldier Serum, and looking for a soldier to test it on. General Saunders was looking for a test subject, so he offered McIntyre leniency if he'd be the test. Someone else picked Steve Rogers as the official test subject, but Saunders disagreed, so he gave McIntyre the serum the night before Rogers. When he drank the serum, McIntyre got the power of the serum, but he went crazy with pain. He escaped and went on a rampage. He smashed up the lab, plus went out to the street and nearly killed a motorist before dying of a heart attack. His body was cryogenically frozen by SHIELD.
Later, after the war, Agent Clete Billups found the frozen body. Billups was secretly an agent for A.I.M, and he stole the body and brought it back to AIM. AIM revived him and corrected the problems in the serum. They wanted Captain America dead, so they convinced him Steve Rogers was responsible for his death and that he'd stolen the mantle of Captain America. They gave him equipment like a reverse Captain America, named him Protocide, and set him loose to go kill Captain America.
Protocide looked for Captain America everywhere until he found someone that looked like Cap and was an ally of Cap. Protocide attacked him, although the man was a superb fighter and fought nearly evenly. The man was John Walker, the U.S.Agent, who had taken that name and become Cap's ally after their clash. Protocide severely injured U.S Agent but kept looking for Cap. He found Rogers and ambushed him. Since he had the element of surprise, he was able to badly injure Captain America. But before he killed him, A.I.M forced him to pull back. He went after him again and fought evenly with him. They fought to a draw, but Protocide slipped and fell into an energy reactor. Being a good man, Cap helped him out and saved him, but Protocide knocked him in and escaped. While running, he found that Captain America didn't seem to be as evil as A.I.M told him.
They fought their final battle when Cap, working with SHIELD, invaded the base he was in. They fought a showdown, but Protocide realized that Captain America had nothing to do with his past. When the A.I.M base exploded, Protocide hurled Cap out, escaping in the back of a pickup truck.
This was a major chapter in Cap's life and only one instance of his power and integrity, as he fights for what's right and the American Dream. What would come next? What villain would pop up? The next huge problem in Steve Rogers' life didn't come from his enemy-it came from his friends.
Civil War
What's so civil about war anyway?
In Stamford, Connecticut, the New Warriors went on a standard mission-they had found Nitro, Coldheart, Speedfreek, and Cobalt Man holed up in an abandoned house. They busted in to try and catch the criminal villains-and was mostly successful. However, Nitro nearly escaped. Namorita, a member of the Warriors, stopped him, but he let off an explosion with his power that killed the New Warriors and destroyed all of Stamford. Over 800 died in the explosion. This caused public outcry to go out for superhumans to register their powers, abilities, and identities, plus hang up the costumes. In other words, they'd be like police. Some heroes are for it while some are against. Captain America is the biggest against it-he believes it infringes on their rights and personal space. He leads the anti-registration faction against the pro-registration people, who are led by none other then his best friend-Iron Man. The law is passed, and since Cap and other heroes didn't register, they are criminals and are hunted by SHIELD agents, police, and their former friends. The two factions clash a few times, and Iron Man beats Cap savagely in their first fight. However, Cap's side grows, attracting many heroes like Daredevil, Luke Cage, and-later-Spider-Man. Eventually, they gain so much strength that they are even with the pro-reg forces. Captain's morals are tested too-he enlists the help of many figures he would normally try to catch and leave to the police. The most prolific are Punisher and Kingpin.
Cap stands his ground.
Eventually, Captain America confronts and batters Iron Man, when Cap's team is caught in a trap by Iron Man by leaking one of his factories had exploded trapping thousands inside. Iron Man's suit, whose armor has been disabled by the a SHIELD electron-scrambler developed by Nick Fury's Tech team, reboots and he starts to beat Captain America within an inch of his life. By chance Captain America and his team regain the upper hand. Victory is in his grasp. However, when a group of civilians attempt to restrain him, Rogers realizes that he is endangering the very people he has sworn to protect. "We're not fighting for the people anymore. We're just...fighting." he says tearfully, even as he was about to win. He removes his mask, surrenders to authorities as Steve Rogers, and orders the anti-Registration forces to stand down. As Rogers is led away in handcuffs, the Punisher retrieves Captain America's discarded mask. The other anti-registration heroes are forced to follow their leader, and Captain America was about to go to jail.
'Nuff said!
The Civil War strained relationships between the former Avengers, too. Thor was dead. Iron Man and Captain America led opposing forces. Hank Pym was on Iron Man's side, Vision was on Cap's. The Avengers had been disassembled already (in Avengers Disassembled), but the Civil War made it nearly certain that it would be hard for them to reform. The Mighty Avengers have now surfaced, so it appears that Captain America would be right at the front leading the new Avengers team. However....
Death
Captain America shot!
After the Red Skull manages to get Steve Rogers' arrangement to take place in New York, he sets a plan in motion. As Rogers is being escorted into the courthouse by the US Marshall's, he notices a red dot appear on the back of the Marshall in front of him. Looking up, he spots a sniper in a building across the street. As the shot is fired, Cap manages to knock the Marshall out of the way and takes the bullet in the back which passes through his upper chest. Sharon Carter makes her way through a panicked crowd to Steve's side as three more bullets are fired at close range. Captain America lies on the steps of the courthouse. Barely able to talk, he begs Sharon to get the crowd to safety.
Super-Soldier, no more.
On route to the hospital, the media announces that Captain America was pronounced dead on arrival. Sharon Carter (SHIELD agent 13), who has been having an off duty love relationship with Steve Rogers, and the Falcon sit in the waiting room while Steve is presumably in surgery. Later Sharon goes to the restroom to splash some water on her face. The Red Skull's daughter, Sin, comes in and gives her a command to remember. Sharon had been having sessions with Dr. Faustus as per SHIELD orders. Sharon's mind goes back to when the sniper fired his shot. She sees herself moving towards Steve. Then she sees herself shoot Steve three times at close range. Captain America's body is then seen lying under a bloody sheet.
Later during a confrontation between Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel, Spider-Woman asks Ms. Marvel how can she work with Iron Man since Captain America is dead because of him. Ms. Marvel claims that he is not dead. He is tucked away on the Raft and they are trying to save him as they speak. The New Avengers attacked the Raft in order to save Captain America, they realized that it was not him. Also, recently Tony Stark was shown giving an emotional confession to the lifeless body of Captain America. It would seem that Steve Rogers is dead. Namor attends Steve's funeral and swears that as long as he rules the seas, no one will disturb Captain America's rest.
When SHIELD and Tony Stark took possession of Captain America's body, they wanted to conduct tests because he was the only perfect Super-Soldier. What they discovered was the serum seems to have reversed the effects on his body after he died. The chance of Steve Rogers returning as Captain America do not look too good.
The Return of Captain America...
Return
Steve Rogers left instructions for Tony Stark in a letter written before his death to "save" Bucky and that the mantle of Captain America should go on.
When the Winter Soldier (Bucky) was brought into SHIELD custody, he managed to escape, only to attack Iron Man. The two fought to a standstill until Stark mentioned the letter from Steve. Bucky wasn't sure that Cap had meant for him to actually become Captain America. Tony said that there's no way Bucky would let anyone else fill those boots and asked if he wanted to be the one to let Steve down. Bucky said he'd do it under two conditions. The first was that his mind was completely probed to ensure there was no trace of brainwashing or failsafe code-words left over from when he was under control was the Winter Soldier. The second condition is that he doesn't have to answer to SHIELD or to Stark, just as Steve didn't. Tony thought about it and agreed.
Red Skull
Captain America's greatest enemy has always been one fiendish, evil man. A man whose life started out bad and got even worse, who was corrupted by evil and twisted and twisted until he no longer seemed human-had no empathy for his fellow men. That man's real name is Johann Schmidt-and he became the Red Skull.
The Red Skull
Red Skull's father was a psychopath-his name was Hermann Schmidt. He beat his wife, Martha, and constantly drank. When Martha died in childbirth, Hermann lost it. He blamed the infant for his wife's death and tried to drown the baby-Johann was saved by the doctor. Soon afterwards, Hermann killed himself, and Johann was shipped off to a cruel, lonely orphanage. He eventually ran away and became a petty beggar and thief, leading a poor, miserable life. Eventually, he managed to get a job as a bellhop, and waited on none other then Adolf Hitler himself! Hitler furiously berated an officer, saying that he could train a simple bellhop to be a better Nazi. When Hitler talked to the boy, he sensed his inner dark nature, and he took him in, He trained him to be the perfect Nazi, and gave him a uniform with a horrible red skull mask. Johann had become the Red Skull. His new job was to be head of Nazi terrorist operations with an additional large role in external espionage and sabotage. He was spectacularly successful, raising hell all through Europe during early World War 2. He caused so much damage that the United States decided to create their own equivalent-who became Captain America. The two were bitter enemies, and they fought all through World War 2. Red Skull would have been the deciding force in World War 2 without Captain America. Eventually, before Cap was frozen in ice, Red Skull was defeated and trapped in the rubble of a burning building. An experimental gas floated down and put him in suspended animation. Eventually, when Cap resurfaced, he was resurrected by terrorist organization and evil group Hydra.
They got right back into their constant war, and Red Skull continued his mission to rule the world with Nazi forces, and kill Captain America. Eventually, his body started failing-so he had a scientist clone Captain America's body and he had his mind transferred into that. Red Skull eventually gained the Cosmic Cube, created by AIM. With the Cube, he could alter reality-but still couldn't defeat Captain America. He also hired Taskmaster to train a new Captain America, John Walker. He then used Walker to attack the Captain (also Steve Rogers), but Rogers defeated the new Captain. He talked to Red Skull, who was in his new body. Skull had a cigarette made from Dust of Death, an extremely effective poison he had often used. Walker smashed Red Skull in the back of the head, disfiguring him so he actually had a red, disfigured skull.
Red Skull also fought Magneto, who was angered at the Nazi leader as a Holocaust survivor. He fought Cap in other situations, such as trying to bring a new highly addictive drug to America. He was assassinated by Winter Soldier, but managed to transfer his mind into another body at the last second.
Recently, he masterminded the plan that killed Captain America.
Other Enemies
Heinrich Zemo
Captain America has many enemies, not merely limited to Red Skull and a group of random Nazis. Baron Zemo is an important one. Flag-Smasher, Scourge of the Underworld, HYDRA, AIM, Winter Soldier, the list goes on and on. A few of the most important are mentioned here. Baron Heinrich Zemo was one of Captain America's greatest enemies for a long time, and he was (you guessed it) a top Nazi. Zemo was a top scientist for the Third Reich, and he created many weapons that were used against the Allies and Captain America. A powerful death ray, disintegration pistols, and androids all were his invention. But the most potent thing he created was Adhesive X-an adhesive so strong that nothing could remove it after adhering. When mass-produced, it would wreak havoc on enemies. Captain America found out, and battled Zemo. Eventually, Cap's shield shattered a vial of Adhesive X. Zemo was wearing a ski mask, and the adhesive permanently stuck it to his face. Zemo blamed Cap, and they often battled each other throughout World War II. Near the end, Zemo tried to steal an experimental airplane. Bucky and Captain America were there to stop him. Zemo defeated the duo and knocked them unconscious, tying them to the plane (that was now rigged with explosives), and launching them in the sky. Cap fell off into the Atlantic, but Bucky was apparently killed in the blast.
Zemo resurfaced years later when he learned of Cap returning and joining the Avengers. He quickly became the Avengers' enemies, and he formed the Masters of Evil against them. Baron Zemo continued to fight Cap, until a beam from his gun bounced off Cap's shield and caused an avalanche that destroyed Baron Zemo.
Two of Captain America's greatest enemies are groups-HYDRA and A.I.M. HYDRA is the bigger of the two. It was formed in ancient Japan and Germany, going back a long way-but it really got on the map when it was taken over by Baron Strucker. He gave HYDRA a simple goal-take over the Earth. So it is a subversive, terrorist organization. Although it's main enemy is the international police and espionage force, SHIELD, HYDRA is a recurring enemy of Captain America. They designed special weapons like the Death-Spore Bomb and Overkill Horn designed to take over Earth, all stopped by Cap. Their most devious plot against him and the Avengers was creating clones of them to fight them while they hijacked missiles and tried to launch them at the U.S. They were foiled by Cap and the New Avengers. A.I.M used to be the scientific division of HYDRA, but they broke off into their own group. It's a group of amazingly smart scientists devoted to ruling the world by technology-not force. They also fought Captain America a lot-they created the Cosmic Cube, which Red Skull obtained and used to nearly destroy the universe and kill Captain America. They also created two other enemies of Cap's-MODOK and Protocide.
Other enemies of Captain America include Flag-Smasher, Scourge of the Underworld, Crossbones, and Dr. Faustus.
Weapons and Abilities
Captain America doesn't have superhuman powers, unlike most popular superheroes (excluding Batman, of course). But the Super-Soldier Serum increased his body to the physical maximum. He literally has the max abilities it's possible to have and not be a superhuman. He is as intelligent, fast, durable, strong, and agile as any human could be. He could win every contest in the Olympics, weightlifting to racing. He has run a mile in roughly a minute and bench-pressed 1100 pounds. A major part is that the serum prevents the build-up of fatigue poisons in his muscles. This means he effectively never tires, so he can do such extraordinary feats and fight for such a long time. This also means he cannot become intoxicated and is immune to many diseases. The serum is constantly being replenished by his body. Cap is a master of many martial arts, and he has own style melding jin jitsu, boxing, judo, pressure points, his amazing body and his shield. It is extraordinarily effective. He has enhanced reflexes and senses.
Captain America is one of few who can lift Thor's mighty hammer Mjolnir!
Captain America's shield is laced with Vibranium and an experimental iron alloy mixed with an unknown catalyst.
When Captain America throws his mighty shield...
Also, Captain America is a great leader, field commander, and tactician. He led the Avengers for a long time, and his great experience makes him great on the battlefield. He gives orders like a sergeant. He also creates the plans for the Avengers, and has a great fighting spirit. All this means he regularly defeats enemies much stronger then him and can go toe-to-toe with foes as powerful as Spider-Man.
Captain America uses a circular shield, shaped like a discus. It was created by serendipity as a melding of vibranium, titanium, and an unknown substance. This means it is literally indestructible. It has only been damaged by altering reality itself by things like the Infinity Gauntlet. Years of practice with his indestructible shield make it practically an extension of his own body, and he is able to aim and throw it with amazing accuracy. His skill with his shield is so extensive that he can attack multiple targets with a single throw by use of ricochets or even cause a boomerang-like return from a throw to attack an enemy from behind, then return to him. His uniform is fire-retardant and blocks fire, and he has lightweight "chain mail" beneath it for more protection.
The latest addition to Captain America’s arsenal is the handgun. By this choice of weapon, it can be seen that Bucky Barnes travels a very different path from Steve Rogers. He has so far used his gun to disable some villains through some expert and wince-inducing shots to the legs, but he has yet to shoot to kill.
Characteristics
Height:6' 2"
Weight:240 lbs (109 kg)
Eyes:Blue
Hair:Blonde
Skin: Fair
Other Deaths
Captain America has actually died a surprising number of times. I haven't done the research, but I'd be willing to bet that he has died more then any other Marvel Universe character. Many of these are not actual deaths, but times when Steve Rogers was presumed dead. Given the number of resurrections here, it won't be surprising when he comes back this time...
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First death in 1964. "Killed" by Baron Zemo, when thrown off an exploding plane into the freezing Atlantic Ocean. Actually was in suspended animation and returned later.
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Dies again in 1969. It is supposed that HYDRA got him. This lasts a few issues until it turns out that he faked his death so he could retire, and he eventually becomes Captain America again,
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Third death, in 1978. This death is the first real one, where he actually dies. The all powerful Korvac easily murders him, but decides to resurrect him. He actually resurrects him in the same issue.
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Dies in 1984. Again, this is a real death, he is killed during the Secret Wars and is resurrected next issue.
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Thanos kills him in 1991, during the Infinity Gauntlet crisis. This was an enemy martial arts skills weren't enough for. Adam Warlock resurrects him eventually.
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He dies in 1992, the same year that Superman was killed and resurrected. It seemed as if Punisher assassinated him, but it was actually faked by Punisher without Rogers' knowledge.
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Another death in 1996. The Super Soldier Serum degenerates and causes cellular damage that kills him. He survives because it's reversed by Red Skull.
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1996 again. The all-powerful Onslaught seemed to have killed him, along with a huge group of other heroes like the other Avengers. It turns out they were only transported to an alternate dimension.
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Killed in 2005 along with Wolverine, by a vengeful Thor. It turned out to be in an alternate future.
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Killed in 2007, right now, by Crossbones and a brainwashed Sharon Carter. He still remains dead-although that probably will not last. Comic people usually don't stay dead.
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In the X-Men comic universe, Captain America formed an unknown, incurable form of cancer that was supposedly caused by the same experiments that gave him his powers. He was put into cryogenic stasis so that one day in the future they would be able to find a cure for him.
Other Captain Americas
Again, there are a surprising number of people who have had the name "Captain America". This list includes people who were around during the Revolutionary War, but also spans up to people just in the late 1990s. This also includes people like the aforementioned "Black Captain America" and Colin Macintyre, who was appointed to be Cap after Steve Rogers quit.
This man shares the name with the most prominent Captain America, but he is actually a different man. Two centuries before Steve Rogers' birth, his ancestor Steven Rogers was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was so patriotic and effective that his fellow soldiers nicknamed him "Captain America." This was the first time the name was ever used, and it may have been the inspiration for the current title of Captain America.
- Protocide (Colin Macintyre)
As already mentioned, Protocide was the first man imbued with the Super-Soldier Serum. He was driven insane and became Protocide, trying to take the mantle of Captain America (as he believed it was his). He took it for a short time. Check above for more details.
Bob Russo briefly called himself Captain America for a short time. This was in a series where numerous people all tried at once to replace Steve Rogers. Russo failed.
Again, Scar Turpin was part of the one to two issue attack where a few people all became Captain America. He was the Captain America that first used the motor cycle. However on his first night out on the job he tried to stop a mugging just to realize that the muggers were from a local biker gang. He was beaten and decided that the Captain America position was not for him.
A mysterious man known only as "Roscoe" became the new Cap when Steve Rogers tried to quit the position (as he has done many times). Roscoe was a good, patriotic Cap-but Red Skull immediately killed him two issues in, after taking out people with Falcon. It happened when Roscoe and Falcon went to stop a bank robbery. They were successful in stopping it but the Red Skull showed up. After realizing that Roscoe was not "his" Captain America he kill Roscoe and severely beat Falcon leaving them as an example. This eventually forced Rogers to retake the job of Cap.
John Walker was a man who was appointed to become Cap and was his replacement went Steve quit and became the Captain. Walker was enlisted to take Steve down, but failed. This is detailed more above.
The evil, mysterious "Anti-Cap" impersonated Captain America for a time. Anti-Cap was discovered and defeated.
In Marvel 2099, Steve Rogers was impersonated by a robot created by John Herod. He was President, but the robot was designed to act as a figurehead-because the government was totally corrupt. Maybe it was because Dr. Doom was President before that. Stuff like that happens when you let Dr. Doom be President.
Alternate Realities
There are many other versions of Captain America. Since he is a major player in the Marvel Universe, he gets a lead part in nearly every alternate continuity story around. All of these are obviously proof that Marvel does way too many alternate continuity stories.
Earth-1610
In the Ultimate universe, Captain America's origin was much the same-he became a hero due to the Super-Soldier serum and fought in World War II. His sidekick is Bucky, who photographs him and writes articles about him but isn't a costumed fighter. Eventually, a prototype hydrogen bomb that he was disarming explodes and throws him into the Atlantic Ocean, putting him in suspended animation. He is discovered fifty years later by Tony Stark, and becomes a hero. He is a little different-he is more conservative and a little more violent then the 616 version, using sidearms and explosives. He is still an amazing physical fighter and has a pure Adamantium shield. Cap is selected to join the Ultimates, the Ultimate version of the Avengers, and he becomes team leader. He dates Wasp. Later, it appears he has betrayed the team, so SHIELD catches him and incarcerates him before learning Black Widow did it. She leads the Liberators to destroy America. Cap joins the resistance and kills the Liberator's leader. He is different from 616, but not by a lot.
Now in Ultimates 3 his attitude seems to be a lot more like his 616 counterpart and he's no longer leader of the Ultimates.
Earth-58163
In the House of M changed universe, Steve Rogers was never thrown into suspended animation. Instead, he became an astronaut and was the first man on the moon. He was 80 years old during the events of the House of M crossover, and old World War II veteran. He didn't play much of a part in the series, as it focused on mutants.
Earth-9997
The Earth X version of Captain America was hardly Cap at all. He was a war-torn, old hero, with an American flag for a top and a shaved head. He sacrificed his life to save Captain Marvel, who needed a little help. This was a dismal version of the Captain. After the death of Death Marvel created a universe for those who had died called Paradise one in which with the help of a part of the Cosmic cube each person could live in their own universe. In this Paradise Captain America was one of the Avenging Host's. His role was to reveal to the people still in the Realm of the Dead that they were actually dead.
Earth-2149
In the Marvel Zombies reality, Cap was known as Colonel America, and he was the President of the United States. After being turned into a zombie, he raided secret government bunkers and ate countless people until the zombie Red Skull killed him, scooping his brains out. Eww...
In Marvel Zombies 2 we see the return of Colonel America. A Frankenstein experiment carried out by the X-Man Forge allowed the brain of Colonel America to be transplanted into the body of the Black Panther's son T'Channa.
Earth-460/Earth-311
In Earth-460 the Purple Man had become president of the United States. He somehow sent Captain America to the year 1602 of an alternate reality, which created a divergent time line designated Earth-311. Well in Earth-311 at the year 1602 Steve Rogers became Rojhaz, and joined an American Indian tribe. His arrival screwed up the time line, and people started appearing in 1602 as analogues of themselves. Rojhaz didn't want to leave, so he could create a prejudice-free USA, but 1602 Nick Fury forced him to go back to normal time and bring everything back to normal.
Earth-982
In the MC2 universe, Cap's origin and suspended animation was exactly the same. Once he had joined the MC2 Avengers, they went on a perilous mission that claimed most of their lives. Cap stayed behind to help others on the mission and was killed.
Earth-2301
In the Marvel Mangaverse, Captain America was killed by Doctor Doom, and Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel in 616) becomes the new Cap.
Earth-398
Steve Rogers of Earth-398 was known as Yeoman America and was a member of the Queen's Vengeance.
Earth-1298
In the Mutant X reality, a mutant took the name of Captain America, and a member of The Six.
Earth-9811
In this reality, also called Battleworld, Captain America and Rogue had a daughter called Crusader.
Earth-9602
In the Amalgam Universe Captain America was merged with Superman. The new character was called Super-Soldier.
Earth-8311
In the Larval Universe, Steve Rogers and his alter ego, Captain America, are turned into a cat named Steve Mouser and Captain Americat. He is working in the Daily Beagle (this universe's version of the Daily Bugle).
Other media
Cap has appeared in many games including the much loved Marvel vs Capcom but his crowning glory thus far may be the hit Marvel game of 2006 Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Cap takes the lead in the fight to save the world from Dr Doom. The Avengers unashamedly take lead roll in the game and who but Cap is better to lead them.
Captain America has also had 3 movies and various appearances in animated media, mainly as a cameo. His most notable animated appearance was in Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers 2. He will also appear in the upcoming Captain America movie scheduled for release in 2010, and Avengers Next Marvel's new animated feature.
Captain America [1990]
plot
Teaser poster
The film starts in 1936 fascist , where the government kidnaps a talented boy from his family. The boy is needed for an experimental project to create a fascist super soldier; however, Dr. Vaselli (Carla Cassola) objects to using the boy, and under the cover of gunfire flees to the to help create an American super soldier.
Seven years later, the American government finds a volunteer in Steve Rogers, a loyal all-American that is excluded from the draft because of his illness. The formula successfully transforms Rogers into a the perfect solider , but before any more super soldiers can be created using the formula she keeps in her head, Dr. Vaselli is murdered by a Nazi spy. Meanwhile, the Italian boy has become the Red Skull and is planning to launch a missile at the White House. , now code named Captain , is sent in to defeat the Skull and deactivate the missile.
However, after a brutal battle, the Red Skull tricks and defeats Captain America and ties him to the missile as it is about to launch. Captain is able to grab a hold of the Red Skull, forcing him to cut off his hand in order to avoid being launched into destruction with his with Cap. While the missile is over , , a young boy named Thomas Kimball takes a photograph as Captain forces the missile to change course and land somewhere in , where he remains frozen until 1993.
Kimball goes on to become an honest politician and Vietnam War hero until being elected the President of the . In 1993, a year into his term, he is pushing for pro-environmentalist legislation that is angering the military-industrial complex, who hold a secret conference in that is led by the Red Skull.
Matt Salinger as Cap
After the War, the Red Skull had extensive plastic surgery done in a partially successful attempt to alter his disfigured features, raised a daughter, and became the leader of a powerful crime family. In the 1960s, this American military-industrial complex hired the Red Skull and his thugs to murder various Americans who were against their militarirsm and Red Skull's fascism, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. Now, Red Skull is targeting President Kimball for assassination.
Captain 's frozen body is found in by researchers, and he awakens still thinking that it is the 1940s. After battling some of the Red Skull's thugs, he brushes off Sam Kolawetz (Ned Beatty), a reporter and childhood friend of President Kimball, and hitchhikes his way back to his wartime girlfriend, Bernice (Kim Gillingham), in .
Scott Paulin as The Red Skull
While Bernice still lives at her old residence, she has long since married and raised her own daughter, Sharon, who subsequently gives a series of VHS history tapes in order to catch up on what has happen while he was frozen in ice. Meanwhile, the Red Skull's thugs, lead by his daughter, break into Bernice's house and kill her. They also cause her husband to have a heart attack during their efforts to find where Captain is hiding out. Rogers and Sharon visit the secret underground base where gained his superpowers in the hopes that Dr. Vaselli's diary is still there and contains the original name of the Red Skull.
Although Rogers and Sharon find the diary, the Red Skull's thugs attempt to grab it. Rogers and Sharon vow revenge as well as the rescue of the recently kidnapped president. They travel to and locate the Red Skull's home and an old recording of the murder of his parents. agrees to be kidnapped in order to allow Steve Rogers, who once again dons his costume, to enter the Red Skull's castle.
In the midst of their battle, the Red Skull pulls out a remote trigger for an explosive device, but Captain knocks him off a cliff with his trademark shield before the bomb can be set off.
The United States Marines show up to save the President and arrest the Americans involved in the kidnapping. The credits roll with a comic book image of Captain in the background and a plea to support the United States Environmental Protection Act of 1990.
Elseworld's and Crossover's.
Captain America and Batman
John Byrne's Captain America and Batman's crossover features Batman from the campy 50's. But the story stands out as shows Batman, Captain America, Bucky and Robin team up against the Red Skull and Joker.
Supposedly, this is the full-plot synopsis of "The First Avenger: Captain America" as published in the latest issue of Production Weekly.
On playing a superhero...
