84 CAPTAIN MARVEL
In the 1990s, Cap took on a diff erent attitude and physical appearance. He became
almost grotesque in stature, as muscles seemed to abound from every surface. He also
went through a spiritual crisis of sorts as he dealt with corruption in government, as well
as his role as a positive symbol of democracy as opposed to negative role models like the
CIA. Steve Rogers even gave up the role of Captain America, as he sought out a greater
meaning as the Nomad. During that time, John Walker briefl y took up the mantle of
Captain America, and later changed to become another superhero, U.S. Agent.
Cap’s status as a symbol of America has always been at the core of his existence,
though Captain America has been used as a pop culture icon for both patriotic and
derisive purposes. In Marvel’s Civil War series of 2006, Captain America actually goes
against the government of the United States, as he feels that the Superhero Registration
Act would hinder those trying to help society. After leading an underground resistance
group, which leads to further fi ghting (and to his arrest), he realizes that average people
are paying the price for the bickering among superheroes. As he is being arraigned in
court, he is assassinated. His “death”—and subsequent replacement by the more violent
Bucky—provoked considerable commentary by political pundits, pop culturists, and
the public in general. Even Joe Simon, one of the creators, noted that Captain America
was and is an icon, and argued that his death was a blow to American society.
Cord Scott
CAPTAIN MARVEL. Introduced in early 1940 in Whiz Comics #2 from Fawcett Comics,
Captain Marvel immediately captured the imaginations of millions of children and soon
outsold every superhero, including Superman, during the Golden Age of comics. Th e
character was the creation of Bill Parker (writer) and Charles Clarence Beck (artist).
Parker’s initial concept was to develop a team of six heroes, each with their own mighty
power. Publisher Ralph Daigh rejected that premise as unwieldy, so Parker folded his
six heroes into one being, Captain Th under. Th e name was changed to Captain Mar-
vel prior to publication because of trademark issues. Beck, who employed a cartoony
and charming style, modeled the hero’s appearance after Fred MacMurray, a popular
fi lm star of the era. Captain Marvel’s bright red costume was emblazoned with a large
lightning bolt insignia on the chest and included a white-collared cape with gold fl ower
symbols that was held around his neck by a gold cord. Th is design was inspired by
Beck’s recent illustrations on a story about the operetta “Th e Student Prince.” Captain
Marvel’s success led to a vast line of comics, merchandise, a movie serial, and a popular
cast of supporting characters that further increased the hero’s appeal. Th is success ulti-
mately led to a decade-long lawsuit fi led by the owners of the Superman franchise that
doomed the Marvel franchise.
Captain Marvel’s origin begins as Billy Batson, an orphaned newsboy, is summoned
by a mysterious fi gure into a subway station. A strange subway car transports him to a
subterranean cavern where he encounters a grotesque series of statues symbolizing the
seven deadly sins. He approaches an elderly wizard on a marble throne who informs the
boy that he has been chosen to be his successor in the fi ght against evil. All Billy has
