Captain America is a superhero character created by cartoonists Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. The character first appeared from the predecessor of Marvel Comics, the Timely Comic’s Captain America issue #1 in March 1941. Captain America is a superhero and super-soldier who fought against the Axis powers on World War II. During the wartime period, Captain America became the most famous character of Timely Comics.
However, Cap’s popularity declined after the war. The series was discontinued in 1950 and was revived by Marvel Comics in 1964. Since then, Captain America has remained in the Marvel Comics.In 2007, Captain America’s comic series was sold in seventy-five countries with an estimated count of 210 million sold copies.
Captain America’s Origin
Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, was an orphan who enlisted in the army to fight Axis powers during World War II. However, due to his small size and underdeveloped physiques, he was rejected in the army. Following the rejection, Professor Abraham Erskine, one of the ‘super-soldier’ developers, saw potential on Rogers. Erskine then led Rogers into Project Rebirth and subjected Rogers under experimentation. Rogers was injected by a specialized serum that changed him from a ninety-eight-pound weakling to a muscular and tall superhero. Erskine’s experiment was a success, and Steve Rogers became the first fully developed, super-soldier. However, a Nazi spy killed Professor Erskine and made sure that Rogers would be the last of his kind.Rogers soon became a notable living icon of inspiration, not only to the public but also to the soldiers. He made his debut as Captain America, after his extensive combat training, and entered the Camp Lehigh Army in Virginia. As Steve Rogers, he’s serving in the army posed as a regular soldier. Covertly, he’s conducting missions and fighting against villains as the mighty and patriotic Captain America. With this, he captured the attention of Red Skull, his evil counterpart in Germany. Since then, Captain America and Red Skull developed a lifelong rivalry.
Captain America also began a close friendship with Bucky Barnes, which was perceived as his side-kick in every Cap’s mission. Bucky, although not as strong as Rogers, possessed his own impressive skills. There began to be more costumed heroes, and a team called Invaders was created. The Invaders team consisted of Captain America, Bucky, Android Human Torch, and Toro. As the war comes to an end, Captain America and Bucky faced a Nazi scientist called Baron Zemo. Unfortunately, during the aircraft’s explosion, both Captain America and Bucky were thrown in the ocean. Captain America’s body was suspended as he submerged into the frigid water, and was then enclosed in solid ice.
When the time seemed right, Captain America was reintroduced to broad and enthusiastic audiences in the early 1960s. In 1964, it was revealed in Avengers issue #4, that Steve Rogers had not died in North Atlantic freezing water.After many decades had passed, his body was discovered by a team of superheroes. Rogers was resuscitated, thinking that he had lost Bucky on a fight. Consequently, Rogers once again continued the battle against injustice, along with his newfound friends and fellow superheroes, the Avengers.
During WWII, Rogers had lost many friends due to a long time suspended animation. However, unbeknownst to him, Bucky had survived the explosion in Zemo’s plane. Barnes was then abducted by Russians and brainwashed him. Consequently, Bucky became an instrument of destruction and death, called the Winter Soldier. Subsequently, in the following series, Captain America helped Bucky regain his memories and reunited like they were long-lost brothers. During this time, Captain America also met the S.H.I.E.L.D.’s agent, Sharon Carter, who eventually became Roger’s love interest. However, though Carter and Rogers’ dream was to share their life together, their duties have kept the two of them from settling down.
In 2007, upon the supposed death of Rogers, Bucky took the mantle as Captain America. In 2011, it was revealed that Rogers was still alive and once again took the role of being Captain America, with Bucky (the Winter Soldier) as his ally.Again in 2014, on the All-New Captain America issue #1, written by Rick Remender, Captain America’s mantle was once again passed. Sam Wilson, known as the Falcon, took the mantle of Captain America after the effect of the Soldier Serum diminished its effect on Rogers.Subsequently, Rogers once again returned in 2016 in the Captain America: Steve Rogers comic series.
Superpowers and Abilities
After Rogers had been infused with the Super Soldiers Serum that Erskine had developed, his body had reached the topmost limit of superhuman strength, agility, durability, and stamina. Although many had viewed Rogers as a superhuman, these traits were achieved through strict maintenance of exercises to bolster the effect of the serum. Also, Rogers was not only known for his charisma but as well as for his wise decision making.
In addition, Captain America has a powerful, lightweight, and nearly indestructible concave shield made from a vibranium and steel alloy. His extensive use of the shield created a symbiosis between the two and made the shield an extension of his will. His shield can also withstand extreme pressure and can rebound energies directed at it.
Captain America in Films
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) is a film based on Captain America comic series, published by Marvel Comics. It was directed by Joe Johnston and written by Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus under the production of Marvel Studios. This film was the fifth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers and Captain America, along with Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, and Stanley Tucci.
The film follows the story of Steve Rogers and how he became the hero named Captain America. As a newly turned hero, Rogers must keep the Red Skull from using the Tesseract as a source of energy for world domination.
Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) is a sequel of Captain America: The First Avenger released in 2011. It was directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, from the screenplay written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The film stars Chris Evans as Captain America and Steve Rogers, along with Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, CobieSmulders, Frank Grillo, and Samuel Jackson. The film again followed the story of Captain America with Black Widow and Falcon, as they face an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Captain America: Civil War is a comic-based film released in 2016. It was the third sequel among Captain America’s film in 2011 and 2014. The movie was once again directed by Anthony and Joe Russo from the screenplay of the same team, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers and Captain America together with a whole new cast including Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, and Tom Holland.
In this film, the Avengers were divided into two factions. One led by Steve Rogers (Captain America) and the other was led by Tony Stark (Iron Man). If you like this article and want to read more articles then you must check bechuzi.com where you find lots of interesting and latest articles on Entertainment, upcoming music, movies, gaming, and many more.