Captain America Year: A Celebration of American Values

When Joe Simon and Jack Kirby introduced Steve Rogers in 1941’s Captain America Comics #1, they created a resolutely patriotic character who pledged to wage war on the enemies of liberty at home and abroad. The pair were just starting out at nascent publisher Timely, later known as Marvel, and their characterization of an idealistic patriot proved to be an enduringly popular incarnation of the superhero genre.

In recent years, Captain America has served as an emblem of American values and ideals that extend well beyond comics, a notion fueled by Chris Evans’ empathetic portrayal of the character in Marvel’s blockbuster films. And Cap’s inherent morality has made it easier for writers to use the character as a vehicle for political messages.

The special explores how Cap’s creators — who were children of Jewish immigrants to New York City’s Lower East Side — used the character as a way to express their views on what it meant to be an American and how they wanted the world to perceive them. It’s also an expertly crafted look at how the characterization of Captain America over the decades has been influenced by the times in which it has existed.

Throughout his life, Cap has been the ultimate embodiment of his nation. His first appearance was in a World War II-era story, which used the hero to promote the sale of war bonds. When Marvel revived the hero in 1954, they recast him for the Cold War era as a crusader to purge America of communists and traitors.