Captain America

**Captain America** is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in *Captain America Comics* #1 (cover dated March 1941) from Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics. Captain America was designed as a patriotic supersoldier who often fought the Axis powers of World War II and was Timely Comics' most popular character during the wartime period. The popularity of superheroes waned following the war, and the *Captain America* comic book was discontinued in 1950, with a short-lived revival in 1953. Since Marvel Comics revived the character in 1964, Captain America has remained in publication.

The character wears a costume bearing an American flag motif, and he utilizes a nearly-indestructible shield that he throws as a projectile. Captain America is the alter ego of **Steve Rogers**, a frail young artist enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental "super-soldier serum" after joining the military to aid the United States government's efforts in World War II. Near the end of the war, he was trapped in ice and survived in suspended animation until he was revived in modern times. Although Captain America often struggles to maintain his ideals as a man out of his time, he remains a highly respected figure in his community, which includes becoming the long-time leader of the Avengers.

Captain America was the first Marvel Comics character to appear in media outside comics with the release of the 1944 movie serial, *Captain America*. Since then, the character has been featured in other films and television series. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the character is portrayed by Chris Evans. Captain America was ranked sixth on IGN's "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time" in 2011, second in their list of "The Top 50 Avengers" in 2012, and second in their "Top 25 best Marvel superheroes" list in 2014.

**Samuel Thomas "Sam" Wilson** is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was introduced by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan in *Captain America* #117 (September 1969), and was the first African-American superhero in mainstream comic books.

As the superhero Falcon, Wilson uses mechanical wings to fly, and has limited telepathic and empathic control over birds. Following Steve Rogers's retirement, Wilson becomes the newest Captain America in *All-New Captain America* #1 (January 2015) and leader of the Avengers. Wilson's deceased nephew was the Incredible Hulk's sometime-sidekick Jim Wilson, one of the first openly HIV-positive comic-book characters. Jim Wilson's father Gideon Wilson would go on to join the Gamma Corps.

Sam Wilson as Falcon and Captain America have made several media appearances, such as those set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in which the character is portrayed by Anthony Mackie.

## HYDRA Stomper

In an alternate universe featured in *What If...?* (2021), but like his main counterpart, Steve Rogers joined Project Rebirth to become the first super soldier. Before the process begun Rogers asked Peggy Carter if it was all necessary, which Carter told him how more places would fall by the Third Reich without a super soldier. Rogers got in the Vita-Ray Chamber to be injected with the Super Soldier Serum when Heinz Kruger detonated an explosive causing chaos around with Kruger blowing up Abraham Erskine, shooting Chester Phillips dead, and attempting to steal the serum.

Rogers tried to help but was shot by Kruger. However, Carter was able to kill Kruger and tried to help Rogers. When John Flynn ordered Rogers or Howard Stark to take the serum, Carter knew they had to hurry so she told Rogers she'll be back before taking the serum herself. When she emerged from the chamber, Rogers along with Stark was amazed by Carter's new physique, with Stark saying the project was a success. In order to join the war efforts, Howard Stark created a suit of armor for him, dubbed the HYDRA Stomper by Dum Dum Dugan.

## Items in Collector Corps

* **Items featuring Captain America and his shield have appeared in 10 Collector Corps boxes.**