5. Captain America's shield is made of an alloy of steel and comic book super metal "vibranium," which makes it virtually indestructible. Over the years, it has withstood various death rays, bullets and even Wolverine's claws.
6. Speaking of the shield, Captain America's first shield wasn't round, but was similar to the type used by medieval knights (at least the Hollywood variety). It was later switched out for the circular version, which he can also throw.
7. Captain America's most famous partner/sidekick is James "Bucky" Barnes, an acrobatic and sharp-shooting teenager. Depending on different comic book histories, Bucky died during Captain America's last World War II mission, he survived and became the "Winter Soldier" or he escaped harm, married, settled down and met his old friend many years later.
8. Though Bucky was Captain America's first and most famous sidekick, he's also worked alongside The Falcon and Nomad.
9. Nick Fury, as played by Samuel L. Jackson, has figured into several of Marvel Comics movies (the "Iron Man" movies and "Thor"), but he's very different than the original comic book version.
In the original comics, Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., was Sergeant Nick Fury, the leader of the Howling Commandoes, a group who fought alongside Captain America during World War II. He had the eye patch, but he wasn't black.
However, in the Ultimate line of Marvel comics, which the films heavily draw from in terms of style, Fury was reintroduced with a new background. The comic book character was also modeled directly on Samuel L. Jackson. In essence, for the movies, Jackson is playing a character he inspired.
10. In the comic books, Captain America was frozen in an icy, suspended animation for decades. Namor, the Submariner, discovered his body frozen in a block of ice, which was being revered by arctic tribesmen. Angered, the Submariner tossed the block into the sea where The Avengers later discovered it.
Bonus fun fact: "Captain America #1" was first published in 1940, a year before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States entrance into World War II. The cover featured Captain America punching Adolph Hitler. The comic was well received, but Simon and Kirby got a lot of hate mail from anti-war activists.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Captain America has a rich comic book history. He was created in 1940 by comic book legends Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, then cancelled in 1950, when his popularity, and the popularity of superhero comic books in general, waned after World War II.
Attempts were made to revive him in the 1950s, but none of them were successful. However, he made his return in 1964 with The Avengers in issue #4.
In 2007, Captain America was "killed" as part of a huge storyline, but seeing as how comic book hero deaths are usually pretty temporary, he returned in 2009, apparently feeling better.
Here are 10 things to know about the superhero before you see the movie:
1. Captain America is less of a crime fighter and more of a world protector. His archenemies include Nazis like The Red Skull and Baron Zemo, fascist organizations like A.I.M. and Hydra and various spies, terrorists and would-be world conquerors.
2. Captain America's "secret" identity is Steve Rogers, a scrawny kid from New York deemed unfit for military service. After repeated attempts to join the Army just prior to the start of World War II, he volunteered for the "super soldier program," which transformed him into the pinnacle of human potential.
3. The film is called "Captain America: The First Avenger," but in the comics, Captain America didn't show up until issue #4 of The Avengers. The original Avengers included Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk, Ant-Man and Wasp. So far, Thor, Iron Man and The Hulk have had movies. Ant-Man and Wasp movies have been in limbo for a few years now.
Hawkeye and Black Widow, who are reportedly in the upcoming "Avengers" movie, didn't appear until much later in the comics and were villains in the beginning.
4. Technically, Captain America doesn't have actual super powers. His physical prowess is just cranked up. He's tougher and doesn't wear down as fast as most people, but if you cut him he bleeds. He doesn't have a fancy healing factor like Wolverine, let alone the ability to fly or shoot ray beams from his eyes. He can't toss military tanks around like Frisbees like the Hulk and the only thing protecting him is his shield.
5. Captain America's shield is made of an alloy of steel and comic book super metal "vibranium," which makes it virtually indestructible. Over the years, it has withstood various death rays, bullets and even Wolverine's claws.
6. Speaking of the shield, Captain America's first shield wasn't round, but was similar to the type used by medieval knights (at least the Hollywood variety). It was later switched out for the circular version, which he can also throw.
7. Captain America's most famous partner/sidekick is James "Bucky" Barnes, an acrobatic and sharp-shooting teenager. Depending on different comic book histories, Bucky died during Captain America's last World War II mission, he survived and became the "Winter Soldier" or he escaped harm, married, settled down and met his old friend many years later.
8. Though Bucky was Captain America's first and most famous sidekick, he's also worked alongside The Falcon and Nomad.
9. Nick Fury, as played by Samuel L. Jackson, has figured into several of Marvel Comics movies (the "Iron Man" movies and "Thor"), but he's very different than the original comic book version.
In the original comics, Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., was Sergeant Nick Fury, the leader of the Howling Commandoes, a group who fought alongside Captain America during World War II. He had the eye patch, but he wasn't black.
However, in the Ultimate line of Marvel comics, which the films heavily draw from in terms of style, Fury was reintroduced with a new background. The comic book character was also modeled directly on Samuel L. Jackson. In essence, for the movies, Jackson is playing a character he inspired.
10. In the comic books, Captain America was frozen in an icy, suspended animation for decades. Namor, the Submariner, discovered his body frozen in a block of ice, which was being revered by arctic tribesmen. Angered, the Submariner tossed the block into the sea where The Avengers later discovered it.
Bonus fun fact: "Captain America #1" was first published in 1940, a year before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States entrance into World War II. The cover featured Captain America punching Adolph Hitler. The comic was well received, but Simon and Kirby got a lot of hate mail from anti-war activists.
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