March 8, 2007
Captain America is dead
Posted by pete at March 8, 2007 12:22 AMHe fought and triumphed over Hitler, Tojo, international Communism and a host of supervillains, but he could not dodge a sniper's bullet.
Comic book hero Captain America is dead.
After close to 60 years in print, Marvel Comics has killed off Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, one of its most famous and beloved superheroes amid an already controversial story line, "Civil War," which is pitting the heroes of Marvel's universe against one another.
In the comic series, Rogers was to stand trial for defying a superhero registration law passed after a hero's tragic mistake causes a 9/11-like event.
Steve Rogers eventually surrenders to police. He is later mortally wounded as he climbs the courthouse steps.
Moderate nerdery follows...
Growing up, the three comic books I read with any regularity were Detective Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, and Captain America. I've been through the highs (Miller's depiction in his "Born Again" story, Ultimate Cap beating the shit out of Giant-Man in The Ultimates) and the lows (Arnim Zola, the "Nomad" years). I've even managed, after many years of alcohol abuse, to purge the memories of Rob Liefeld's "re-imagining" from my mind.
After hearing all the hoopty-hoo surrounding the news today, I thought I should point out a few things:
1. Cap has "died" before. At the least, he was "presumed dead" in Captain America #112, an issue illustrated by Jack Kirby after Jim Steranko had taken over writing duties. That turned out - big surprise - to be a fake.
2. Nobody, and I mean nobody, stays dead in comic books. Two characters we were assured would never return from the grave - Bucky (Cap's first sidekick, coincidentally) and Spider-Man's Uncle Ben - have both, in fact, returned.
3. According to the Wikipedia entry (I know, I know), he isn't even dead this time:
In Civil War: The Initiative, Ms. Marvel tells Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) that Captain America is not dead but "...tucked away safe on the Raft..." with doctors working to save him.
Everyone knows how the Death of Superman turned out, and while I'm not saying Captain America's is as popular as Supes, let's just say I'd be shocked if he stays dead for more than 12 issues.
In the meantime...
They even worked in a "NOOO!" George Lucas would be proud.
I assume, since his mask was off, he was shot in the neck above any of the armor.
While that’s sad and all, why the hell is Cap wearing his superhero boots and shirt…and…jeans. Jeans Cap? Really? I mean, if you’re going to court at least snag some Dockers or something.
Lots of talk on this over on the Curmudgeons: And now the shark has been jumped.
Where’s your Super Soldier Serum now, Captain? Nyyahhh! Nyyaahhh!
Regarding being Cap being shot through armor; he was in Federal custody for violation of the SHRA (long, extremely stupid story); presumably, he was wearing neither mask nor combat-ready chain mail. Though apparently he was wearing some version of his costume. Who knew that Federal rules of criminal procedure permitted a prisoner to retain his superhero costume?
In any case, the picture makes it clear that he’s been gutshot.
Looks like a gut shot to me, Pete.
So what happened to Cap’s duralumin chainmail armour? How did a handgun get through that?