Alan Kistler's History of Captain America

OUR HERO IN A NUTSHELL

In 1941, a frail young man named Steve Rogers from Queens, New York was chosen to join Operation: Rebirth, an experiment intended to create American "super-soldiers." After rigorous military training, Steve was injected with a "super-soldier serum" and then bathed in "vita-rays," transforming him into the ultimate physical specimen, his muscles, stamina, coordination and reaction time now enhanced to the peak of human ability.

Unfortunately, Nazi espionage caused the secrets of the serum and the vita-rays to be lost. Now one-of-a-kind, Steve was given the new mission of becoming a public rallying symbol for U.S. forces. Given a patriotic chain-mail oufit and armed with a uniquely indestructible shield, Steve fought spies as "Captain America." He was soon joined by a young masked partner named James "Bucky" Barnes.

When America officially entered World War II, Cap and Bucky went overseas, joining with other heroes to form the Invaders, the first super-hero team of the Marvel Universe. Cap also worked alongside war hero Nick Fury and the mutant called Logan, who would later become the X-Man called Wolverine.

Soon before the end of WW II, a twist of fate left Steve frozen alive and in suspended animation. Decades later, the modern-day super-hero team the Avengers found and revived him. Steve was now a "man out of time", surrounded by a society more cynical about hope and the American dream.

Still believing he could make a difference, Steve returned to his role as Captain America, now as a free agent. He fought for justice not just on his own but also as a member and sometimes leader of the Avengers. At times, he also worked with the espionage organization S.H.I.E.L.D. Along the way, he made many allies and a few new partners, such as Sam Wilson AKA The Falcon and Jack Munroe AKA Nomad. Although forced at times to work in defiance of the U.S. government, Steve never lost faith in the ideals he believed America stood for.

Recently, it seems that Captain America was killed, shot down by enemies. But he's been thought dead before. And although there is now a new man using the name and shield, it feels like it'll only be a matter of time before Steve Rogers returns.

That's the basics. Now let's delve into the real meat of the comic book series, both within its pages and behind the scenes.

PART 1 - From his introduction in the 1940s to his second "commie-smasher" incarnation in the 1950s.

PART 2 - From Cap's return in the 1960s all the way to the 1980s.

PART 3 - From the 1980s up to 2000.

PART 4 - Captain America post-September 11 up to the modern day.

QUOTES - Great Quotes from and concerning Steve Rogers.