CAPTAIN AMERICA 83
an unstated idea that he would
not fi ght “dirty” like the enemies
of America. Th e Captain America
concept was an instant success,
and inspired numerous imitations.
However, Captain America was
not the fi rst patriotically themed
superhero. For example, Th e
Shield, from Pep Comics, preceded
Cap by almost a year. In fact, a law
suit was barely avoided when Kirby
changed Cap’s original diamond-
shaped shield to an oval one in
issue #2 in order to avoid compari-
sons to Th e Shield character.
Following World War II, the
popularity of Cap (and many other
superheroes) faltered, though his
close connection to World War II
was a special factor in his postwar
decline. Captain America was thus
“retired,” but was later brought out
to fi ght communists during the
peak years of the Cold War. Th e
fortuitously-tinted Red Skull was
changed to be a communist enemy,
and Bucky was killed off.
Th ough briefl y revived in 1953–
54, Captain America did not make a full-scale return until 1964. A storyline was
introduced in which Captain America had attempted to destroy a Nazi rocket at the end
of the war. Bucky was killed in the blast, and Cap fell into the Arctic waters where he was
entombed in ice. Discovered by the Submariner, he is revived from suspended animation
and returns to crime fi ghting. His attitude towards the world around him was somewhat
simplistic when compared to others, both on his own and as a member (and leader) of
Th e Avengers. His tendency to see the world in stark terms of good vs. evil was seen by
some as a weakness, and other characters sometimes referred to Cap as an overgrown
Boy Scout.
Since the late 1960s, Cap has undertaken several diff erent life changes. He became
a graphic artist (in the 1950s he was a teacher), tried to live a life of normalcy, and
was romantically involved with Bernice “Bernie” Rosenthal. He was touted as a pos-
sible presidential candidate in the 1970s. He also worked with several diff erent partners
including the Falcon, Hawkeye, and a new Bucky.
Captain America, issue #51, published in December 1945.
Marvel Comics/Photofest
