Everybody knows the story by now- Steve Rogers, a young man from Brooklyn, wishes to stand up to the bullies of the world and help right wrongs, as simple as that. What is stopping him? His small stature. So, through highly advanced neuro-science, Steve Rogers is given a super-soldier-serum, which turns him from a boy and into a man- the man- “Captain America.”

            Created in 1940, by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America became an instant classic, being one of the most read magazines by soldiers during WWII, as the stories were centered around Cap and his young partner, Bucky Barnes, knocking over Nazis and fighting for American freedom, just as the soldiers were in real life. This skyrocketed Captain America’s popularity into the cultural icon we see today.

            Captain America, however, would soon face a battle of his own, one that he still is fighting to this day- as a soldier bred for WWII, how does he stay relevant after the war is over? Unfortunately not well at first. Captain America was shelved not long after the end of WWII, as his stories saw a decrease in merit now that Cap no longer stood for something. So, Marvel Comics did something unprecedented- they killed off Captain America… that is, until 196 when he was saved.

            Stan Lee, creator of almost every extremely popular Marvel superhero in existence, decided to bring back Steve Rogers, in Avengers #4, having Steve saved from an ice block at the bottom of the ocean. From then on, Cap’s story changed from fearless fighter to a man-out-of-time and one still seeking to find his place in the world of comics.

            Now, it is true that Captain America is one of the most popular superhero characters in existence, having his popularity built high in modern culture via the “Avengers” movie franchises. However, this does not give him pass in the comics world, as there are only so many times Cap can stop a neo-Nazi group or lead the Avengers with a catchy phrase before readers have had enough, wishing for something new.

            This raised the question- should Marvel once again kill off their golden boy?

            2007 revealed the answer- in Captain America vol.5 issue #25, Captain America was shot and killed on the steps of a court house after the fallout of the “Civil War.” And, for the first time in a long while, interest in Captain America grew, with fans calling out for his return or for someone to pick up his place. In brings Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, Caps sidekick, to take Steve’s role.

            Bucky represented a far different Captain America then the one the world knew- he was vicious in battle, using a sidearm regularly to take out or kill enemies. He wore a new, sleek suit, still modeled after the American flag, but darker and more modern. He also kept his robotic arm, giving him more strength than even Steve had.

            Bucky’s popularity hit an all time high, but outcry for Steve to return from the dead was still loud, and Marvel heard the pleas. So, in 2009’s “Captain America Reborn” storyline, Steve Rogers returns from the grave, taking back his shield from Bucky, and once again assuming his role as Captain America.

            Now, fast forward only a couple years to 2013, and Steve Rogers having his super-soldier-serum removed from his body by Baron Zemo, a neo-Nazi intent on destroying Rogers as well as America itself. So, with Steve losing his powers, he is reverted into an old eighty-plus-year-old-man, unfit to be called Captain America any longer. With him being remover from his position, he feels it fit to elect a new Captain America, one he feels is worth to ‘wield the shield,’ his old pal Sam Wilson, or better known as the Falcon.

            Sam Wilson Captain America (also known as “All-New Captain America in the comics) is the greatest shift for the character in years, greatest in both its meanings- this is the largest change, having Cap go from a white man-out-of-time, to a black, street-wise modern man, who can fly and talk to birds (which is cooler than it sounds), and greatest in the sense that I, personally, find Sam to be the best Captain America.

            Sam is modern both in language, actions, and moralities, placing family and public safety above all else, and looking at America not from rose-tinted glasses, but from a today perspective, making him relevant in every way.

 

            Regardless of whichever Cap one prefers, every man who has held the title is deserving in every way- a man with bravery, courage, a love for his nation, and someone who would take a bullet for even their worst enemy.

 

Readings

– Captain America Marvel Masterworks vol.1

–      Avengers Marvel Masterworks vol.1

–      The Death of Captain America vol.1

–      Captain America Reborn

–      Captain America Marvel Now vol.5

–      All-New Captain America

 

*Remember to buy your comics and collectables from comic book shops, the best way to buy, collect and learn about your favorite hobbies, and the best way to get your stuff at its best value.

** Comic City Pontiac, on Telegraph Rd.