TIMELY COMICS MARCH 1941 CAPTAIN AMERICA Captain America is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Early Years and WWII Steve Rogers was a scrawny fine arts student specializing in industrialization in the 1940's before America entered World War II. He attempted to enlist in the army only to be turned away due to his poor constitution. A U.S. officer offered Rogers an alternative way to serve his country by being a test subject in project, Operation: Rebirth, a top secret defense research project designed to create physically superior soldiers. Rogers accepted and after a rigorous physical and combat training and selection process was selected as the first test subject. He was given injections and oral ingestion of the formula dubbed the "Super Soldier Serum" developed by the scientist Dr. Abraham Erskine. Rogers was then exposed to a controlled burst of "Vita-Rays" that activated and stabilized the chemicals in The Golden Age of Comics his system. The process successfully altered his physiology from its frail state The Golden Age of Comic Books among them Superman, Batman, to the maximum of human efficiency, was a period in the history of Captain America, and Wonder including greatly enhanced musculature American comic books, generally Woman. and reflexes. After the assassination of Dr. thought of as lasting from the late Erskine. Roger was re-imagined as a The period saw the arrival of the 1930s until the late 1940s. During superhero who served both as a counter- comic book as a mainstream art intelligence agent and a propaganda this time, modern comic books form, and the defining of the symbol to counter Nazi Germany's head of were first published and enjoyed a medium's artistic vocabulary and terrorist operations, the Red Skull. Rogers surge of popularity; the archetype creative conventions by its first was given a costume modeled after the of the superhero was created and generation of writers, American flag, a bulletproof shield, a defined; and many of the most artists, and editors. personal sidearm and the codename famous superheroes debuted, Captain America. Captain America was a consciously political Superman has fascinated scholars, with cultural Along with Superman and Batman, Wonder creation. Simon and Kirby were morally theorists, commentators, and critics alike Woman is one of three characters to have repulsed by the actions of Nazi Germany in the exploring the character's impact and role in the been continuously published by DC Comics years leading up to the U. S.' involvement in United States and the rest of the world. The since the company's 1944 inception (except for World War II and felt war was inevitable. character first appeared in June 1938. a brief hiatus in 1986). “CAP” Captain America is Dead! Who’s left to inspire the American Dream? Universe: Marvel Name: Steven Rogers Citizenship: U.S.A. Place of Birth: NY, NY Occupation: Adventurer, formerly WPA artist, soldier, police officer, teacher, freelance illustrator, special S.H.I.E.L.D. operative. Education: High school graduate; one year of art school; military basic training; private tutoring in hand-to-hand combat, gymnastics, military strategy, Captain America is dead. piloting, demolition, and other disciplines. If, like me, you grew up loving comic books — and those published by Marvel Comics in particular — then you already know the name of Captain America. And even if you First Appearance: didn't, the image of the red, white, and blue clad superhero should be a familiar one. Captain America Comics #1 From the time of the first Captain America book — published in 1941, just nine (1941) months before Pearl Harbor was attacked — Captain America has been an unmistakable part of America's cultural landscape. Like other comic book superheroes who emerged during the time of World Captain War II — such as DC Comics' Superman — Captain America symbolized patriotism, virtue, and everything that was supposed to be good about America America. His character was both a reminder and a reassurance to an America struggling with its own place in a world that was spinning out of Physical Information control, and into war. Height 6’2” But it was the theme of patriotism that was most central to this character. From his red, white, and blue costume and matching shield to the enemies he faced down in issue after issue — they included everyone from the evil Weight 220 lbs. Red Skull to Adolf Hitler himself, who was sometimes under a hooded mask as the villainous Hate Monger — Captain America was the original go-to guy. Eyes Blue Whether battling for the causes of truth and justice as a solo act, or with the Hair Blonde group of superheroes he sometimes led called The Avengers, Captain America was a guy who had the entire country's back. And he certainly never Weapon Shield questioned the actions of his president or his government. But that was then, and this is now. (http://blogcritics.org/books/article/rip-captain- america-1941-2007/).