Captain America in the 1960s: A Marvel Comic Book Review
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Marvel Essential Captain America Volume 1: The Star-Spangled Avenger's Greatest Tales from the Mid-1960s!
Marvel Essential Captain America Volume 1 reprints Captain America's stories from Tales of Suspense No. 59-99 as well as the first three issues of the newly-renamed Captain America series (No. 100-102). In addition to these 1960s tales, there is a bonus reprint from the early 1940s.
This volume collects Captain America's first ongoing series after the character was revived in the Avengers comic book. It's fun watching writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby work to develop a theme and direction for the superhero in his own tales away from the superhero group. I highly recommend this volume to any fan of Captain America!
The Marvel Essential series of books, each topping several hundred pages, contain the original stories in black & white rather than color.
This volume collects Captain America's first ongoing series after the character was revived in the Avengers comic book. It's fun watching writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby work to develop a theme and direction for the superhero in his own tales away from the superhero group. I highly recommend this volume to any fan of Captain America!
The Marvel Essential series of books, each topping several hundred pages, contain the original stories in black & white rather than color.
Captain America in Tales of Suspense
Sharing the Spotlight With Iron Man!
The two continued to share the book through issue No. 99. With issue No. 100, the book was renamed Captain America and Iron Man was sent off to star in his own comic.
This comic is from my collection. I noticed on the protective bag that I paid $1.50 for it in the 1970s. On eBay there are copies going for several hundred dollars!
Because of the shared arrangement, most of the Captain America stories in this volume are only 10 pages each, with many continuing over several issues. The other oddity is that starting with Tales of Suspense No. 70, Marvel alternated putting Captain America and Iron Man on the cover, so a good number of the covers reprinted in this volume don't have Captain America on them at all!
Marvel Essential Captain America Vol. 1
Buy it on Amazon today!
Marvel Comics has reprinted most of its Marvel Essential series several times over the years, and some of them have different covers. I have heard that sometimes the reprints are tweaked or changed, but as far as I can tell that hasn't happened with this volume of Marvel Essential Captain America.
The Red Skull Strikes!
Captain America Fighting the Nazis!
For the next eight issues, through No. 71, the tales take place in WWII and feature the heroes fighting the Nazis. These stories are much stronger than the first few of the series, because Lee and Kirby seem to be on surer footing. It's almost as if for the first few issues of the series they didn't really know what to do with Cap, but fighting the Nazis? Easy!
The highlight of the war issues is a four-part story that starts with the return of Captain America's arch-enemy the Red Skull in issue No. 65 and includes the villain's origin in issue No. 66.
A Captain America Splash Page!
Great Jack Kirby Art For Your Wall!
A Return to the 1960s!
Nick Fury, SHIELD and the Black Panther!
The stories are much stronger now than the first ones of the series (Tales of Suspense No. 59-62) as Lee and Kirby get Captain America involved in adventures with SHIELD, Marvel Comics' super-secret spy agency headed by Nick Fury. They introduce a love interest in Sharon Carter, a SHIELD agent, and even bring the Red Skull back!
The highlight of these stories is a four-part tale that guest-stars the Black Panther and culminates in Captain America No. 100. The story features a reappearance of Baron Zemo, a villain who had been killed in Avengers No. 15.
The volume also includes a two-part story featuring the Red Skull's fourth Sleeper that originally appeared in Captain America No. 101-102.
Captain America Returns To His Own Magazine!
A Great Gift For Any Captain America Fan!
A Bonus Tale from the 1940s!
The Terror That Was Devil's Island!
This Essential volume includes a bonus Captain America tale from the early 1940s called ''The Terror That Was Devil's Island.''
The six-page story has Captain America and Bucky fight an evil Vichy warden who tortures his prisoners. The artwork is by Joe Simon, and it's interesting to see how much thinner Captain America was originally portrayed, and how young Bucky appears to be!
The six-page story has Captain America and Bucky fight an evil Vichy warden who tortures his prisoners. The artwork is by Joe Simon, and it's interesting to see how much thinner Captain America was originally portrayed, and how young Bucky appears to be!
Captain America Comics on eBay
Choose yours today!
Captain America has headlined one comic book series or another pretty much since Marvel renamed Tales of Suspense after him. He has also been a mainstay of the Avengers, appearing in many of that group's tales, and also was a part of the Invaders, a super-group of 1940s characters who fought the Nazis during World War II. And he has guest-starred in many, many comics over the years.
In other words, there's a lot of Captain America comics for sale on eBay at any one time!
In other words, there's a lot of Captain America comics for sale on eBay at any one time!
The Marvel Essential Series
Collections of Stories in Black and White
The Essential series reprints many of Marvel Comics' stories in large volumes that usually top several hundred pages. The series began in 1997 with the publication of the Essential X-Men No. 1 and The Essential Spider-Man No. 1.The big advantage of these books is cost: a reader can get 30 or more stories for the price of a half-dozen new comic books, and the old stories have more pages of action per issue. The Essential books are much more cost-effective than buying all the original comics as well.
Some think the Essential series is a great way for fans to read all the adventures of their favorite characters without having to spend a lot of money. Others say the books aren't very good because the stories are reprinted in black & white on low-quality paper, so the pages look drab.
I agree the colors are a major part of enjoying a comic, but I do think the Essential books are a great deal. I no longer have to go through my collection and pull the original comics out of their protective bags to enjoy the stories. Now, they can sit in a handy volume on my bookcase for me to tip into whenever I want!
Marvel Essentials on Amazon
Start Collecting Them Today!
Are The Marvel Essential Books Worthwhile?
I think the Essential series is a great deal if all you are looking for is a lot of fun stories at a good price. I don't see the books as collectibles. For that, you'd have to hunt down the originals. I'd like to know what other comic-book fans think, so please take this poll. Also, give a reason for your opinion!
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Captain America Bursting Into Action!
Own The Splash Page of Tales of Suspense No. 59!
Should Bucky Have Been Revived?
Stan Lee's Dislike of Kid Sidekicks
Kid sidekicks were very popular in the 1940s when Captain America debuted, with perhaps the most well-known one being Robin (junior partner to Batman). Captain America's sidekick was Bucky, a boy who stumbled upon the hero changing into costume and then teamed up with him to fight the Nazis.
One of the biggest changes in the character of Captain America occurred during his revival in 1964. Writer Stan Lee had always said he didn't like the idea of young boys running around with the superheroes. So when Captain America was reintroduced the readers were told that Bucky had been killed on their very last mission during World War II.
That had been the story for decades afterward, but in 2005 Marvel Comics revealed that Bucky hadn't died. He was reintroduced into the Marvel universe as a deadlier version of what Captain America might have been.
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Tales of Suspense Comics on eBay!
Captain America, Iron Man and much more!
Tales of Suspense debuted in 1959 as a science fiction suspense anthology comic. Iron Man's first appearance came in issue No. 39, and the superhero appeared in each issue through No. 99.
A backup feature in issues No. 49-58 was ''Tales of the Watcher,'' in which the character from the Fantastic Four comics would introduce a story.
After guest-starring with Iron Man in issue No. 58, Captain America began his solo series with No. 59 and the two superheros shared the comic for the rest of its existence.
You can find copies of Tales of Suspense for sale on eBay. Please carefully note the condition of each book you are interested in, as well as all shipping and handling charges, so you won't be surprised by your purchase!
A backup feature in issues No. 49-58 was ''Tales of the Watcher,'' in which the character from the Fantastic Four comics would introduce a story.
After guest-starring with Iron Man in issue No. 58, Captain America began his solo series with No. 59 and the two superheros shared the comic for the rest of its existence.
You can find copies of Tales of Suspense for sale on eBay. Please carefully note the condition of each book you are interested in, as well as all shipping and handling charges, so you won't be surprised by your purchase!
My Reviews of Other Comic Books
Daredevil, Iron Fist, Spider-Man, X-Men and More!
I have been revisiting the comic-book world as my daughter is very interested in many of the tales., so we decided that I should write some reviews of the ones that caught my attention so many years ago. If you liked this lens please check these other ones out!
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Captain America on the Screen
Movies and Cartoons
The movie Captain America: The First Avenger, starring Chris Evans as the superhero, was released in 2011 and told the origin of the character. But the character first appeared on the Silver Screen in a 1944 serial, which changed Captain America's secret identity from a soldier to a district attorney and disregarded other elements of the comic book. Captain America was one of several Marvel Comics' superheroes to appear in a mid-1960s cartoon series and also was the hero of two TV-movies in 1979.
Captain America's Revival in Avengers No. 4
Marvel Masterworks The Avengers No. 1
Captain America Comics was a top-selling comic book from its introduction in 1940 until the late 1940s, when comics in general fell out of favor. Except for a short-lived revival in the 1950s, Captain America hadn't had a regular appearance in comic books until March 1964, when writer Stan Lee reintroduced him in the fourth issue of the Avengers.
Avengers No. 4 is considered a key issue of what is known as the Silver Age of comics, and boasts one of the most easily recognized covers. The story has been reprinted in several Avengers collections, including the Marvel Masterworks and Marvel Essential series of books. The Marvel Masterworks series, reprinted in full color, may be the best way to read Captain America's revival if it's unknown to you. Fortunately, I have already reviewed the volume where the story appears. Check out this lens for more details!
The Avengers Debut! A Comic Book Review of the Marvel Masterworks Collection!
The Avengers Volume 1 was one of the first four collections when Marvel Comics began publishing its Marvel Masterworks series in 1987.
Avengers No. 4 is considered a key issue of what is known as the Silver Age of comics, and boasts one of the most easily recognized covers. The story has been reprinted in several Avengers collections, including the Marvel Masterworks and Marvel Essential series of books. The Marvel Masterworks series, reprinted in full color, may be the best way to read Captain America's revival if it's unknown to you. Fortunately, I have already reviewed the volume where the story appears. Check out this lens for more details!
The Avengers Debut! A Comic Book Review of the Marvel Masterworks Collection!The Avengers Volume 1 was one of the first four collections when Marvel Comics began publishing its Marvel Masterworks series in 1987.
More Marvel Comics on Amazon
What Do You Think of Captain America?
Here's Your Chance to Speak Up!
Here's your chance to speak up about Captain America, the collection of comic-book stories, this lens or anything else you want to mention!
Thanks for stopping by!
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GentlemenGogoVEVO May 8, 2012 @ 11:28 am | delete
- I'd like to read the book, hi..lol!!!
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jercow75
Apr 17, 2012 @ 11:20 am | delete
- Great lens. Loved Cap as a kid. Was a bit disappointed in the movie. I guess I knew the story too well. I'm very excited for the Avenger's movie though.
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Captain America Halloween Costumes
For the Star-Spangled Avenger in Your Home!
Wear Captain America's Shield!
One of the most easily identified aspects to Captain America is his round shield, which he has been carrying since his second appearance in 1941. Wear one of these shirts and you will definitely be known as Cap fan by everyone around! Or bring this shield mousepad into the office where it will be a sure conversation starter!
Comic Book Heaven!
Visit Geppi's Entertainment Museum
If you are a fan of comic books then you should visit Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore. Founded by Stephen Geppi, president and chief executive officer of Diamond Comics Distributors, this place has one of the best comic-book collections on display anywhere! I wrote a separate lens on Geppi's that provides more details on the museum. Please check it out!
Geppi
Geppi's Entertainment Museum is located in Baltimore and is dedicated to all sorts of American pop culture: comic books, television, radio, movies, magazines and much more.
GeppiGeppi's Entertainment Museum is located in Baltimore and is dedicated to all sorts of American pop culture: comic books, television, radio, movies, magazines and much more.
Captain America Statues on eBay
Put one on your shelf or desk today!
Captain America vs. The Red Skull
A Great Poster For Your Wall!
Your Own Web Site Today!
Our Items on eBay!
We have found that we end up with things around the house that are perfectly good but that we have no reason to keep. So we have turned to eBay to offer these items up for bid in the hope that someone else will find them useful.
Please check them out, and bid if you'd like.
Thanks!
Please check them out, and bid if you'd like.
Thanks!
by goldenrulecomics
I was a big, big fan of comics back in the 1960s and 1970s, and still have thousands of Marvel comics and DC comics in my attic. Captain America was o... more »
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