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Issue Details

Issue #[nn]
Published [October] 1979
Cover Price 4.95 USD
Pages 132
Editing ?
Notes Part of S&S's series of follow-ups to their "Origins Of Marvel" books. Reprints stories from 1941-70. October date from Amazon.com site; book only has 1979 listed.

Cover Details

Characters Captain America
Genre Super-hero
Pencils Dave Cockrum (painted)
Inks Dave Cockrum (painted)
Colors Dave Cockrum (painted)
Letters typeset
Notes Part of S&S's series of follow-ups to their "Origins Of Marvel" books. Reprints stories from 1941-70. October date from Amazon.com site; book only has 1979 listed.

1 page foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Dedication"

Synopsis Stan dedicates the book to Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.
Script Stan Lee
Letters typeset

2 page foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Introduction"

Script Stan Lee
Letters typeset

10 page Captain America story "The Origin of Captain America!"

Characters Captain America [Steve Rogers]; Bucky Barnes; FDR (cameo); Agent R (security, "Project Rebirth"); Dr. Erskine (inventor, super-soldier formula); Sarge [Sgt. Duffy] (unnamed; Camp LeHigh)
Synopsis While the Nazi war machine marches on, President Roosevelt institutes a top-secret program, "Project Rebirth". In a secret lab, scientist Dr. Erskine gives army 4F reject and volunteer Steve Rogers the "Super-Soldier serum", which turns him into a virtual superman! But a Nazi spy who got past security murders Erskine before he can create an army of men like Rogers, and is killed when he runs headlong into some electrical machinery. Rogers becomes the costumed Captain America, as a symbol of freedom, and begins a career of smashing spy rings and the like. A short time later, he also goes undercover as a buck private at Camp LeHigh, the target of mean-tempered Sgt. Duffy, and the friend of orphan mascot Bucky Barnes. When Bucky discovers Steve's double-identity, he becomes Cap's partner! In their first adventure together, they stop a squad of Nazi saboteurs and take out a German sub while they're at it.
Genre Super-hero
Script Joe Simon (original story); Jack Kirby (plot); Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue)
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks Frank Giacoia [as Frank Ray]
Letters Art Simek
Editing Stan Lee
Notes Retelling of the story by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby from CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1 (March 1941). According to Stan Lee's intro in this book, Lee and Kirby supposedly redid the story in 1965 because the original art had been "lost to the ravages of time". In fact, it was reprinted the same year in Jules Feiffer's book THE GREAT COMIC-BOOK HEROES (Bonanza, 1965). Professor Reinstein from the original version is renamed Dr. Erskine here.
Reprinted from Tales of Suspense (Marvel, 1959 series) #63 (March 1965)

2 page Captain America text story "The Traitor's Revenge"

Genre Super-hero
Script Stan Lee
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks Joe Simon
Letters typeset
Editing Joe Simon; Jack Kirby (original editors)
Notes Stan Lee's 1st professional writing job!
Reprinted from Captain America Comics (Marvel, 1941 series) #3 (May 1941)

2 page foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Introduction"

Script Stan Lee
Letters typeset

23 page The Avengers story "Captain America Joins... The Avengers!"

Characters Avengers [Thor [Dr. Don Blake]; Iron Man [Tony Stark]; Giant-Man [Henry Pym]; The Wasp [Janet Van Dyne]; Captain America [Steve Rogers] (joins)]; Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]; Bucky Barnes [James Buchanan Barnes] (flashback); Baron Zemo [Baron Heinrich Zemo] (flashback, unidentified, in shadows); Rick Jones; Teen Brigade members (cameos, unnamed); "Medusa"-headed alien (unnamed); members of Namor's royal guard (unnamed); Hulk [Bruce Banner] (flashback cameo)
Synopsis At the end of their battle, Sub-Mariner escapes the clutches of "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", enraged and vowing revenge. He comes across eskimos worshipping a figure frozen in ice, and goes berzerk, even more angry that he should be reduced to taking out his rage on such as they. En route by submarine to NYC, The Avengers happen across the frozen figure Namor hurled into the ocean. To their amazement, it's the long-missing Captain America-- and he's ALIVE! After "proving" himself, he tells of how, at the end of WW2, he and his partner Bucky tried to stop the theft of a robot drone plane-- which turned out to be booby-trapped. Bucky was killed, and Cap somehow got frozen in suspended animation. On their return to NYC, there's a mysterious flash of light-- and Cap finds what appears to be statues of The Avengers on the dock. Wandering the city, he comes across a policeman who once saw him during the war. Later, in a nearby hotel, he ponders if there's any place for him in this strange new world. For a moment, he thinks he sees Bucky-- but it's really Rick Jones-- who turns out to be a dead ringer for his late partner. Rick is searching for the missing Avengers, and brushes aside Cap's emotional outburst as delusional rantings. But Cap pulls himself together, and the two (with help from Rick's Teen Brigade friends) begin a search for clues as to the whereabouts of the missing Avengers. The trail leads to an alien, trapped on Earth, who used a raygun to turn them temporarily into stone statues, because Namor promised to help him. Cap gets the alien to restore his new friends, and they set about freeing his ship from the bottom of the sea, where it's been trapped for millenia. Namor, angered, runs across his royal guard, and together they attack The Avengers in force! A battle of epic proportions breaks out, which Cap watches from the sidelines-- until Namor threatens Rick. Before Cap and Namor can engage more fully, a seeming aarthquake erupts and Namor and his men flee the scene. In reality, it's the alien's ship, blasting off for his home planet. The Avengers invite Cap to join their team-- while Cap invites Rick to be his new partner, leaving him wondering what The Hulk will think about it.
Genre Super-hero
Script Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue); Jack Kirby (co-plot)
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks George Roussos (uncredited)
Letters Artie Simek
Editing Stan Lee (original editor)
Notes 1st modern-day appearance of the real Captain America (following an imposter who turned up in STRANGE TALES #114 [November 1963]). Last appearances in CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #78 (September 1954) and MEN'S ADVENTURES #28 (July 1954), though years later this turned out to be another character other than Steve Rogers who replaced him, since his "return" describes him as having disappeared back in 1945! The Hulk would go after Rick for "betraying" him with Cap the very next month in FANTASTIC FOUR #25 (April 1964). Sub-Mariner (with his royal guard) would turn up next in FANTASTIC FOUR #27 (June 1964). The alien in this story would have his homeworld destroyed in X-MEN #135 (July 1980).
Reprinted from Avengers, The (Marvel, 1963 series) #4 (March 1964)

1 page foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Introduction"

Script Stan Lee
Letters typeset

10 page Captain America story "Captain America"

Characters Jarvis (Tony Stark's butler); Captain America [Steve Rogers]; "Boss"; Bull; unnamed thugs
Synopsis While Cap lounges around Avengers Mansion, thinking about Bucky and his place in the world, a gang of costumed thugs break in intent on stealing any secrets or weapons Stark may have laying about the place, to sell for profit. They figure Cap's "just an acrobat". They figured WRONG. He mops up the place with them single-handed, then comments how lucky they were his partners weren't around-- "They really tough!"
Genre Super-hero
Script Jack Kirby (plot); Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue)
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks Chic Stone
Letters Sam Rosen
Editing Stan Lee
Notes 1st new solo story since 1954. Cap's own series has continued non-stop to this day!
Reprinted from Tales of Suspense (Marvel, 1959 series) #59 (November 1964)

10 page Captain America story "The Red Skull Lives!"

Characters Captain America [Steve Rogers]; Horst; Wolfgang; The Red Skull [Johann Schmidt]; A.I.M.; Count Bornag Royale
Synopsis Cap battles a squad of costumed assassins attacking a power station in the heart of NYC-- but nobody else can see them! While a crowd thinks he's losing it, the baddies escape in a solar-powered aircraft. Elsewhere, we learn that Cap's worst enemy, The Red Skull, is alive! He, along with two compatriots, Horst and Wolfgang, wound up in suspended animation thanks to an experimental gas released during a bombing run near the end of WW2. Found and revived by "THEM", they now work with the secret organization-- but only as long as it suits their purposes. Using a "hypno-helmet" another assassin strikes while Cap is consulting with a psychiatrist. Elsewhere, we discover that Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.) are really part of "THEM", as Count Royale prepares for his mission to discredit Nick Fury. Before he leaves, the scientists show him their greatest achievement-- "The Cosmic Cube". He worries if it should fall into the hands of a "madman" like The Skull-- but they remind him that The Skull, like Royale, serve "The Grand Imperator". The Skull plans to frame Cap for murder, and Horst prepares to kill a WW2 vet who's getting Cap's autograph. But Cap clobbers Horst, revealing a printed circuit supplied him by SHIELD which countered the hypnotic waves. Shocked to learn his oldest enemy is alive, he realizes his most desperate battle lies before him.
Genre Super-hero
Script Jack Kirby (plot); Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue)
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks Frank Giacoia
Letters Artie Simek
Editing Stan Lee (original editor)
Notes Part 1 of 3. 1st modern-day appearance of The Red Skull. The suspended animation via experimental gas bit is a tribute to BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY. The truth about Count Royale and A.I.M. was under suspicion in STRANGE TALES #146 (June 1966); as this episode exposes their true motives, it most likely came out afterwards; yet, according to the dialogue, it must be a flashback to just before it, as Count Royale is shown on his way to The Heli-Carrier, and there is no break between STRANGE TALES #146-147 (June-July-1966). 1st appearance of The Cosmic Cube.
Reprinted from Tales of Suspense (Marvel, 1959 series) #79 (July 1966)

10 page Captain America story "He Who Holds the Cosmic Cube"

Characters Captain America [Steve Rogers]; A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics); Wolfgang; The Red Skull [Johann Schmidt]; The Keeper
Synopsis Cap rescues a pilot who's plane was shot out of the sky, only to discover he's a member of A.I.M., who tells Cap about their "supreme achievement"-- The Cosmic Cube-- which has been stolen by it's "keeper", who's taking it to his new master-- The Red Skull! Watching via remote camera, The Skull uses a "neuro brain-trap device" to brainwash his loyal follower, Wolfgang, into blowing his own brains out! Using an "experimental manned missile" from SHIELD, Cap catches up to The Keeper and leaps in mid-air onto his jet plane! As they battle, the hypnotized man hits the ejector switch, and the two parachute down to a remote island, in view of The Skull. The evil Nazi gains the advantage by telling Cap he was the one who gave the orders that resulted in Bucky's death back in 1945. Gaining the Cosmic Cube, which can "convert thought waves into material action"-- he wills The Keeper into another dimension. Cap realizes his foe has now become invincible!!
Genre Super-hero
Script Jack Kirby (plot); Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue)
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks Don Heck
Letters Artie Simek
Editing Stan Lee
Notes Part 2 of 3. The palm magnets Cap uses to latch onto the Keeper's jet were later used by Nick Fury in STRANGE TALES #166 (March 1968).
Reprinted from Tales of Suspense (Marvel, 1959 series) #80 (August 1966)

10 page Captain America story "The Red Skull Supreme!"

Characters The Red Skull [Johann Schmidt]; Captain America [Steve Rogers]
Synopsis Cap fights a seemingly-hopeless battle against The Skull, who, armed with The Cosmic Cube, can do anything he wishes merely by thinking it! The Skull envisions instantly making everyone on the planet his slaves-- turning every able-bodied man into a fighting machine-- creating "new, invincible weapons-- in endless number, with matchless power"-- and eventually leaving Earth to create an intergalactic empire, extending to "the furthest reaches of space". Cap only turns the tables by pretending to grovel, and becoming the Skull's servant. Mad with power, The Skull envisions a new group of "knights of the round table", and fashions a suit of armor made of solid gold. At which point Cap wrestles with him, trying to knock the Cube from his grip. At his thought, the island they're on breaks up and sinks into the ocean. Cap knocks the Cube into the water, and The Skull dives in after it-- before he realizes what he's done, as the weight of the armor drags him down to the bottom. The Cube becomes buried in the deep, as Cap hopes it will be lost forever.
Genre Super-hero
Script Jack Kirby (plot); Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue)
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks Frank Giacoia
Letters Artie Simek
Editing Stan Lee
Notes Part 3 of 3. The Red Skull would return, with the Cosmic Cube, in TALES OF SUSPENSE #89 (May 1967).
Reprinted from Tales of Suspense (Marvel, 1959 series) #81 (September 1966)

20 page Captain America story "No Longer Alone!"

Characters Captain America [Steve Rogers]; The Hulk [Bruce Banner]; Rick Jones; HYDRA; Madame Hydra
Synopsis Cap runs across the Hulk on a rampage in NYC. As the Army tries to stop him, Rick Jones warns him how uncontrollable he can be. The Hulk escapes, and Cap vows Rick must never put himself in danger until the monster can be tamed. Back at Avengers Mansion, Rick finds Bucky Barnes' old uniform, and rejects Cap's protests against wearing it. After putting him off for years, Cap finally accepts Rick officially as his new partner! Almost immediately, they uncover a plot by HYDRA to contaminate the city's water supply. After a series of battles, the HYDRA goons are driven off, and Cap tells Rick he survived his "baptism of fire"-- like a man!
Genre Super-hero
Script Jim Steranko
Pencils Jim Steranko
Inks Joe Sinnott
Colors Jim Steranko
Letters Sam Rosen
Editing Stan Lee
Notes Part 1 of 3. 1st appearance of Madame Hydra. Cap had first asked Rick to be his partner back in THE AVENGERS #4 (March 1964), but kept hemming and hawing over it for almost 5 years! The sequence in the sewers is strikingly similar to the one in "Spy Ambush" in CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #10 (January 1942). The Spirit had also once faced a female villain who planned to poison NYC's water supply in an early story. James Bond had faced a "Madame Spectra" in the 007 newspaper strip story "The Spy Who Loved Me" in THE DAILY EXPRESS (December 18, 1967-October 3, 1968); see James Bond 007 #[7] (Titan Books, August 2005).
Reprinted from Captain America (Marvel, 1968 series) #110 (February 1969)

20 page Captain America story "The Sting of the Scorpion!"

Characters Captain America [Steve Rogers]; The Red Skull [Johann Schmidt] (cameo flashback); A.I.M. (cameo flashback); MODOK (cameo flashback); Specs (gangster); The Scorpion [Mac Gargan]; Agent Thirteen [Sharon Carter]; SHIELD
Synopsis Cap spends half the story wandering around soliloquizing about his life and his girlfriend Sharon. The Scorpion, out on parole, decides to rob someone as a "test" to prove he's still got it, but unwittingly tackles Steve Rogers. As Cap fights The Scorpion, Sharon is captured by a spy ring she's trying to uncover. Cap stumbles across the spy ring and contacts SHIELD, never knowing Sharon was their prisoner.
Genre Super-hero
Script Gene Colan (plot); Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue)
Pencils Gene Colan
Inks Joe Sinnott
Letters Artie Simek
Editing Stan Lee
Notes The story's title was earlier used for the 2nd Scorpion cartoon (half of episode 20) in the 1967 Grantray-Lawrence SPIDER-MAN cartoon series.
Reprinted from Captain America (1968 series) #122 (February 1970)

1 page text article "Epilogue"

Script Stan Lee
Letters typeset