Captain America Comics #1
Meet Captain America
A short prologue outlines the young men of America joining the army and the threat of the fifth columnists, the nazi spies hidden deep within the American forces. Two fifth columnists in American uniform blow up a local munitions factory that is supplying the local army camp.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., two army generals visit president Franklin Delano Roosevelt and inform him of the threat. They note how every command he makes is sent back to Germany and nothing can be kept secret, even amongst his closest aides. The president asks them what they intend to do. He recommends sending a comic hero like the human torch into the army, and brings in a man named mister Grover, the head of the federal bureau of investigation, who has a plan.
The men all change into their civilian clothes and into a car, where they are taken to an old curio shop. An old woman greets them armed with a gun. She informs them that the formula has been found and it won't disappoint them this time. A man, dressed in lab clothes greets them and ushers them into the viewing gallery of a secret lab, where a frail young man is attached to a machine, and the old woman tears off her mask revealing x-13, one of the best agents. The young man is injected with a liquid and starts to grow until he is above the normal human physique. The doctor also notes that his intelligence and strength are being increased. The doctor christens him captain america and tells him that his duty is to protect the American shores from nazi spies and saboteurs.
Suddenly, one of the army officials, secretly working for the Gestapo, pulls out a gun and shoots the doctor, professor reinstein. A second shot then obliterates the serum that gave Captain America his powers, meaning no more super soldiers can be created. He lets out a third shot, hitting Grover, before cap bursts through the glass and beats him into submission. The barely conscious spy stumbles into a large electrical device, shocking him to death.
Cap, now in uniform, is told to have been taking out all of the Nazi threats, while the newspapers wonder "Who is Captain America?".
Meanwhile at an army camp the mascot James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes shows a private named Steve Rogers a news report of caps latest victory, saying how he'd love to meet him. That night, he walks in on Steve changing into the Captain America suit, preparing for more exploits. Having made this discovery, Steve says Bucky must keep his identity secret and he asks if he would like to be his sidekick. They suit up and together run off to stop nazi threats.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Bucky, General Phillips, Cynthia Glass, Nazis (Heinz Kruger), President Franklin Roosevelt
Continuity Notes
This is the first telling of the origin of Captain America. The number of elements have been expanded upon or changed over the years. One way to explain these inconsistencies or changed details is given in Young Allies Comics 70th Anniversary Edition and All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes. In those stories, it is stated that the United States military commissioned Timely Comics to create comic books based on the real adventures of superheroes that are based on their real adventures. Captain America’s origins are retold or expanded upon in Adventures of Captain America #1, Avengers #213, Captain America #’s 109, 176, 215, 218, 255, 270, 303 , 423, (Vol. 3) #13, (Vol. 4) #26, (Vol. 5) #’s 2, 12, 14, 25, Captain America and Bucky #620, Captain America Annual #10, 2000, Captain America Corps #1-5 Captain America: Reborn #2, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #’s 1, 3, 7., 12, Marvel Super-Heroes (Vol. 2) #3, Marvels Project #4, New Warriors #4, Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #1-2, Tales of Suspense #63, (Vol. 2) #1 , Winter Soldier: Bitter March #2
A number of characters here are either unidentified or called something else. For example, Professor Reinstein is a code name, the scientist’s real name is: Dr. Abraham Erskine as revealed in Captain America #255. Agent X-13 was later revealed as Cynthia Glass in Adventures of Captain America #1. The high ranking official is identified as General Chester Phillips in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #2.
The Nazi spy that killed Erskine was identified as Heinz Kruger in Captain America #109. In the real course of events, Kruger he managed to infiltrate the facility by posing as Special Agent Fred Clemson as revealed in Marvels Project #1-4..
Steve Rogers received the Super-Soldier Serum with an injection; in Tales of Suspense #63, he assumed an oral form of the compound, while in Captain America #109 he is bombarded by Vita-Rays. In Captain America #255 all the versions have been made canonical since Steve first receive an injection, later assumed the oral compound and finally is being bombarded by strength-enhancing Vita-Rays.
This story states that Steve Rogers is the only person to get the Super-Soldier Serum because the Erksine committed it to memory and did not write it down. This is not an accurate statement. The Super-Soldier Serum is the worst kept secret in the Marvel Universe as it seems to keep turning up after the formula was allegedly lost with Erskine’s death:
Prior to defecting to the United States, Erksine worked on Project Nietzche, which examined an American soldier named John Steele’s enhanced physiology (see Marvels Project #1-8). A professor named Eric Schmitt gave an early version of this formula to both Kevin Marlow and Brian Falsworth when they were imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. See Invaders #18 and Marvels Project #7.
Truth: Red, White and Black #1-7 reveals that the military tried to recreate the formula and tested it on black soldiers and Isiah Bradley was on of the surviving members of that project.
Doctor Murray Anderson, a scientist that was part of Project: Rebirth, was forced to use his knowledge to create a derivative of the Super Soldier Formula. This was used to create Captain America’s Nazi equivalent, Master Man, per Giant-Size Invaders #1.
Private Biljo White — a long-time friend of Anderson — also apparently had knowledge of the serum and that information was used to create Warrior Woman in Invaders #16-17.
William Burnside, who became the Captain America of the 1950s, created a flawed version of Erksine’s formula from old notebooks he found. See Captain America #155.
In Captain America (vol. 3) #30 it was revealed that a man named Clinton McIntyre was given a prototype of the formula before it was given to Steve Rogers. McIntyre seemingly died and his body was preserved and placed in government storage. In recent years his body was recovered by Advance Idea Mechanics who were able to revive him. Naming him Protocide, they failed to have him eliminate Captain America.
In Avengers 1959 #1-5, Nick Fury formed a group called the Avengers Initiative to prevent an organization called ICON (made up of Nazi war criminals) from profiting off a formula that combined the properties of the Super-Soldier Serum with the Infinity Formula.
The Black Widow Ops Program was a Russian program that also created its own version of the formula, the first recipient of it being Natasha Romanoff. See Black Widow (vol. 3) #5.
Project: Sentry was yet another attempt to recreate the formula. It instead created the Sentry. See Sentry (vol. 2) #8.
As explained in Marvels Project #5, a relative of Noah Burstein was involved in Project Rebirth. In the modern age, Noah attempted to recreate this work, giving powers to both Luke Cage and Warhawk. See Luke Cage: Hero for Hir #1, and Powerman and Iron Fist #83.
Also in the modern age, the Navy attempted to create their own version of the serum. Their test subject became the mentally unhinged Anti-Cap. See Captain America and the Falcon #1.
Jacob Erskine, a descendant of Abraham later attempted to recreate the Super Soldier serum as a cure for cancer. However, this ended when he was murdered. See Steve Rogers: Super Soldier #1.
Most recently, another Super Soldier Serum derivative turned Todd Ziller into American Kaiju. See New Avengers (vol. 4) #9.
Case No. 2
Tickets are being sold for the performance of the psychics, Sando & Omar, for only ten cents each. On stage, Sando looks into the eyes of a dwarfed Omar. Sando asks Omar what he thinks is to come and his prediction of a terrible accident at Fort Bix is projected onto a crystal ball. At that very instant Fort Bix is shaken by a terrific blast. Meanwhile, Steve and Bucky are reading about the psychics in the newspaper. Bucky thinks they are phony and the two decide to visit the theater. Yet again, the weird performance is repeated while Steve and Bucky are in the audience. This time, Omar sees Hilltown bridge collapsing. Steve and Bucky rush to prevent the disaster but they are too late. The duo returns to the theater to found out how Sando & Omar knew about the disaster. Suddenly, a woman’s shrill cry for help causes Captain America to whirl about. He follows the scream to Sando’s dressing room. A couple of gun men are holding Betsy Ross captured. Sando reveals that he is Von Krantz and has plan a chain of disasters that will destroy the morale of the United States. Betsy Ross reveals that Omar is just a poor idiotic tool. As the battle begins, Von Krantz tries to bomb the place. However, Bucky throws out the bomb through a window. The duo wins and Betsy Ross wants to thank them, but Captain America only says goodnight and leaves.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Bucky, Nazis, Betsy Ross
Continuity Notes
This story is retold in Tales of Suspense #64.
Captain America And The Soldier's Soup
Captain America is awoken when he doesn't hear the sentry go past his tent at night. He gets up, to hear two thugs have killed him and are planning to poison the soup. Cap rushes into action and bears them into submission with the help of Bucky. As the camp is awoken to find the bodies, some soldiers swear they saw Cap jump out of the window. It is revealed that the sentry was only unconscious and was getting better.
Continuity Notes
Captain America, Bucky
The Chess Board of Death
In a secluded section of town, Rathcone approaches a chessboard with chess pieces that resemble real people. He announces to his agents that Admiral Perkins is giving a lecture tonight and tonight is the night that Admiral must die. Meanwhile, Steve convinces a reluctant Bucky to attend the lecture. As the curtains part at the lecture, the audience is witness to the Admiral’s dead body. A stunned Steve and Bucky change into their costumes to chase down the killer. When Bucky prowls through the darkened alleys, he is watched by a lurking killer,Number 5. As Number 5 and Bucky begin to fight, Captain America jumps in and saves Bucky. The agent refuses to talk but Captain America convinces him too. At that moment, a bullet hits the Nazi agent. Number 5 slumps in death as Captain America wards off a deadly hail of bullets. Cap notices three men, but they can’t catch up to them. The duo decides to go back to Camp Lehigh. Rathcone continues his chess game and plans for General Ellsworth death.
That same evening,Mike Duffy tells Steve and Bucky that they are on special duty at the General’s hut. However, the duo finds him dead inside the hut. The next day newspapers announce to the America public another brutal killing in the ranks of the nation’s military command. Rathcone moves onto to his next victims, Captain America and Bucky, by sending outStranglerandHerr Kameleon after them. Later back at the camp, Strangler visits Bucky and fools him into thinking he could solve the killing. That night, Bucky quietly approaches a shabby building. He walks into a trap and sees Ratchone and the chessboard. Bucky tries to run but Rathcone trips him. He waits to kill Bucky because he wants to kill Cap and Bucky at the same time. Finding a note from Bucky, Captain America finds Rathcone’s hideout. A battle begins and Rathcone pulls a gun on him. The duo beats Rathcone and his gang. Captain America calls the F.B.I to report where the criminals are at.Major Fields tells Steve later that he wishes he knew who Captain America was.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Bucky, Nazis, Sgt. Duffy
The Riddle of the Red Skull
A worried Steve and Bucky drop off Major Croy at his home, who has just received a card from the Red Skull. Major Croy believes there is no such person and quickly goes into his home. While reading, the Major gets a surprise visit from the Red Skull. With his wide hypnotic eyes, the Red Skull gazes deep into the Major’s eyes and tells him to “look until you see death.”
Captain America hears the news and decides he wants to handle this case without Bucky. However, it’s Bucky who accidentally discovers the Red Skull’s headquarters. While standing out on the rooftops, one of the Red Skull’s henchmen, Slug, finds Bucky. Slug brings him to the Red Skull not knowing that it’s Captain America’s partner. Cap finds the headquarters himself and a fight breaks out. In the midst of the fray the Red Skull departs through a secret exit. The duo decides to return to Camp Lehigh.
The next day, George Maxon of the Maxon Aircraft Corporation comes in person to watch his new plane take an army test. The plane catches on fire while in the air and crashes, killing the men inside. Maxon is saddened by the plane’s crash, but Steve is only concerned about the men in the plane.
Later, General Charles Manor goes home and gets a package from the Red Skull. As the General opens the package, the Red Skull appears in the room and kills him. Mildred Manor hears the struggle and with a gun in her hand rushes into the room. As the Red Skull smacks her down, he hears footsteps and like an angry tornado Captain America bursts into the room. Cap knocks the Red Skull’s mask off and it shatters. It’s revealed that it’s George Maxon and he has been using hypodermic needles to kill his victims. Another fight breaks out and Maxon rolls over this own hypodermic needle. Bucky asks why Captain America didn’t stop Maxon from rolling over. Cap says he is not talking about it and he calls the F.B.I to tell them that Maxon committed suicide. The F.B.I finds a note that Maxon was working for Hitler.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Bucky, Sgt. Duffy, Nazis (Red Skull (Maxon), Red Skull (Schmidt))
Continuity Notes
George Maxon is not the original Red Skull, but an operative of the Skull (Johann Schmidt) that was allowed to pose as the villain as explained in Tales of Suspense #65. The majority of official results agree that Schmidt’s first appearance was also in Captain America Comics #1. It’s not clear on how both could appear in this story but the most logical explanation is that the real Skull and Maxon traded places at some point. My assumption is that Schmidt was carrying out all the murders until it was time to kill General Manor. By that point the Skull was aware that Captain America was after him so it seems like the logical time to have one of his minions take his place.
Murder, LTD
In mortal guise as Mike Cury, Hurricane visits Coast City, the scene of a series of brutal killings. Hurricane seeks transportation and hops into a taxi. While the unsuspecting taxi driver keeps his eyes on the road ahead, Hurricane removes two silver wings from their concealment and attaches them to both sides of the taxi. Suddenly the cab surges wildly ahead and is transformed into a veritable comet. The bewildered taxi cab driver quickly drops him off. A shadowy figure bearing a gun appears behind Hurricane. Hurricane tells the henchman that he wants to see Piggy Perroni. At that moment, Piggy shows up and puts a gun on the hero. Hurricane tells him that his name is Mike Cury and is looking for work. Piggy decides to let Hurricane work with Dum-Dum and together they are to knock off Tim O’Leary. As Mike Cury, he becomes enraged at Piggy’s callous order and transforms into Hurricane. After the battle, Hurricane tells Piggy that his hands are drip with mortal blood and his punishment awaiting him will never end. Meanwhile, in his office, Police Commissioner Regan braves the bombardment of criticism pouring from the lips of impatient Prosecutor Nelson. Nelson demands to have Piggy in custody. In with a flash, Piggy storms into the room with wings.
The two want Piggy to talk, but he has already talked to Hurricane. The hero with the new information goes to Vanderpont Estate. He decides to crash masquerade ball to see Paul Sayden. Paul Sayden appears as the devil at the ball with his henchman Trigger. Trigger doesn’t realize his boss is really Hurricane’s cousin, Pluto. Pluto slips a lethal mickey in the punch as Hurricane watches. Hurricane transforms into disguise as angel. Yet, Pluto recognizes Hurricane thru his disguise. The entire universe seems to explode with the impact of the two colossal figures. At the D.A’s office, Piggy has named Paul Sayden as the chief of the murder ring. Prosecutor Nelson loses no time in tracking down Paul’s estate. They find Hurricane, but Pluto has vanished. However, Trigger Bates is dead. Hurricane says he must go for he is weak. An instant later, Hurricane’s blurry shape speeds past the officers and disappears from view, leaving the cops baffle.
Recurring Characters
Hurrican, Pluto
Continuity Notes
Marvel Universe #7 reveals that Hurricane is actually the Eternal Makkari and Pluto is actually the Deviant known as Warlord Kro.
Stories from the Dark Age
In the prehistoric wilds of 50,000 B.C, the last of the shaggy ones, Ak, has motion Tuk to his side. The shaggy one begins to tell a tale about the day two hairless ones were cast onto the shores by their tribesmen. The hairless ones were a couple named Phadion and Rhaya who also had their infant child with them. As soon as they arrived onto the unknown land, Gholla, the woolly horned, began a battle with Phadion. Sadly, the two died in the violent battle, leaving Rhaya alone with her child. Within moments the scent of the blood brought the four footed killer from the forest, Kag the lion wolf. Ak had witness the event and save Rhayda and her child. He took them to a cave where he began to worship the two. Later, while Ak hunted for food, Gru the lion found the worship cave and kills Rhayda. Before dying, Ak reveals to Tuk that he was baby that was brought to the shores. After hearing the tale, Tuk decides to leave his beloved rock country. On his journey he runs into Goreks and they attack Tuk. However, Tanir saves Tuk from the Goreks and the two decide to travel together.
Recurring Characters
Tuk, Tanir
Continuity Notes
The home city of Tuk is referred to as Attilan, this should not be confused with the Inhuman city of the same name that. However, it should be interesting to note that, per History of the Marvel Universe #1, Tuk was related to the earliest Inhumans and it is due to his breeding into the human population that traces of Inhuman DNA ended up in the human genome, thus making a boring caveman character important to continuity. Pretty neat, huh?
