Famous for being the first appearance of Captain America and also the first depiction of him receiving the super soldier serum that transformed him. It wasn’t until later that the vita rays are shown/retconned to be to be part of this process. This issue also had one of the most famous golden age comic book covers, showing Captain America punching Adolf Hitler in the face. At the time this was an incredibly bold statement.
Stories in this issue…
1. "Meet Captain America"
Featured Characters:
- Captain America (Steve Rogers) [First Appearance] [Joins Operation: Rebirth and United States Army]
Supporting Characters:
- Operation Rebirth
- Professor Reinstein (later revealed to be Prof. Abraham Erskine)
- United States Army
- General Chester Phillips
- Bucky (Bucky Barnes)
- FBI
- J. Arthur Grover
- Agent x-13
Antagonists:
- Nazis
- Adolf Hitler [Mentioned & featured on the cover]
- Gestapo [First appearance]
- Heinz Kruger [First appearance; dies] [Unnamed]
Other Characters:
- American Munitions Inc. [Name only]
- United States Government
- President Roosevelt
- Human Torch (Jim Hammond) [Mentioned]
Races and Species:
- Humans
- Dogs [Mentioned]
- Skunks [Mentioned]
Locations:
- Earth-616
- Earth
- North America
- United States of America
- Washington, D.C.
- Capitol Building
- White House
- Curios Shop [First appearance]
- American Munitions Inc. Building [Destroyed]
- Virginia [First appearance]
- Arlington County [First appearance]
- Camp Lehigh [First appearance]
- Arlington County [First appearance]
- Washington, D.C.
- United States of America
- Europe [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
- North America
- Earth
Items:
- Captain America’s Uniform and Shield [First appearance]
- Super-Soldier Serum [First appearance]
Events:
- World War II
Story Breakdown of “Meet Captain America”
The story begins with a short prologue describing young American men enlisting in the army, while warning of the hidden danger posed by fifth columnists, Nazi agents secretly embedded within the U.S. military. Two such infiltrators, disguised in American uniforms, sabotage and destroy a local munitions plant that had been supplying a nearby army base.
In Washington, D.C., two generals arrive to meet President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They explain the situation, pointing out that every order the President issues somehow makes its way back to Germany, leaving no secrets safe, even from his most trusted advisors. When Roosevelt asks what solution they propose, one jokingly suggests sending a comic book hero like the Human Torch into service. Roosevelt then introduces them to J. Arthur Grover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who has prepared a counter-sabotage plan.
The group changes into civilian attire and departs in a car, eventually arriving at an old curio shop. An elderly woman greets them at the door, armed with a gun, and tells them that “the formula” has been secured and this time it will not fail. Inside, a man in a lab coat guides them to an observation gallery overlooking a secret laboratory, where a frail young man is strapped into a machine. The old woman rips off her disguise, revealing herself as X-13, one of Grover’s top agents. A doctor injects the young man with a special liquid, causing him to rapidly develop a superior physique. The doctor confirms that his intelligence and strength have also been heightened. Naming him Captain America, the doctor declares that his mission will be to defend the United States against Nazi spies and saboteurs.
Suddenly, one of the officers reveals himself as a Gestapo agent. He draws a gun and fatally shoots the doctor, Professor Reinstein. A second shot destroys the only supply of the serum, preventing any further super soldiers from being created. His third shot wounds Grover, but before he can fire again, Captain America smashes through the glass, subdues the spy, and sends him reeling into a massive electrical device that kills him instantly.
Dressed in his red, white, and blue costume, Captain America begins his crusade against Nazi sabotage, quickly gaining worldwide fame as newspapers and the public alike ask the question, “Who is Captain America?”
Later, at Camp Lehigh, the Army’s base, the camp mascot Bucky Barnes shows his friend, Private Steve Rogers, a newspaper about Captain America’s latest victory, saying he wishes he could meet the masked hero. That night, Bucky accidentally walks in on Steve as he changes into the Captain America uniform to head out on another mission. Steve insists that Bucky must keep his identity a secret, then asks if he wants to join him as his partner. Donning their gear, the two set out together to take on the Nazi threat.
2. "Case No.2"
Featured Characters:
- Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Supporting Characters:
- Bucky (Bucky Barnes)
- Betty Ross
Antagonists:
- Nazis
- Sando (von Krantz) [First appearance]
- Omar [First appearance]
- Numerous unnamed grunts
Other Characters:
- United States Army [Only on screen as a static image or video record]
- Numerous unnamed soldiers (Only on screen as a static image or video record)
- Adolf Hitler [Mentioned]
- Gestapo [Mentioned]
- United States Government [Mentioned]
- FBI [Mentioned]
Races and Species:
- Humans
- Skunks
Locations:
- Earth-616
- Earth
- United States of America
- Olympia Theater
- New Jersey
- Fort Bix [First appearance]
- Hilltown Bridge [Only on screen as a static image or video record] [Destroyed]
- United States of America
- Earth
Items:
- Captain America’s Uniform and Shield
Events:
- World War II
Story Breakdown for “Case No.2”
Tickets are sold for just ten cents to see the psychic act of Sando, secretly Von Krantz, and his partner Omar. On stage, Sando gazes into the eyes of the small, dwarfed Omar and asks what the future holds. Omar’s vision of a catastrophic accident at Fort Bix appears within a crystal ball, and at that very moment a powerful explosion shakes the fort.
Elsewhere, Steve and Bucky read about the mysterious psychics in the newspaper. Bucky dismisses them as fakes, and the two decide to attend the show for themselves. During the performance, the strange routine is repeated, and Omar foretells the collapse of the Hilltown Bridge. Steve and Bucky rush to stop the calamity, but they arrive too late.
Determined to uncover how Sando and Omar knew of the events, the pair return to the theater. Suddenly, a piercing cry for help makes Captain America spin around. He traces the scream to Sando’s dressing room, where two gunmen are holding Betsy Ross hostage. Sando unmasks himself as Von Krantz and declares his scheme to orchestrate a series of disasters meant to break America’s morale. Betsy reveals that Omar is nothing more than a simple pawn in his plot.
As the fight breaks out, Von Krantz attempts to blow up the building with a bomb, but Bucky manages to hurl it out of a window before it detonates. Captain America and Bucky defeat their enemies, and when Betsy thanks them afterward, Cap simply bids her goodnight and departs.
3. "Captain America and the Soldier's Soup"
Featured Characters:
- Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Supporting Characters
- Bucky Barnes
Antagonists:
- Fifth Column
- Slinky [First appearance]
- Crusher [First appearance]
Other Characters:
- Uncle Sam [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
- United States Army
- Unnamed Sentry [First appearance]
- Unnamed Colonel [First appearance]
- Numerous unnamed soldiers
- Daily Bulletin [Named only]
Races and Species:
- Humans
- Oxen [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
- Bears [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
- Gorillas [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
- Birds [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
Locations:
- Earth-616
- Earth
- North America
- United States of America
- Virginia
- Camp Lehigh
- Virginia
- United States of America
- North America
- Philippines [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
- Earth
Items:
- Captain America’s Uniform and Shield
Events:
- World War II
Story Breakdown for “Captain America and the Soldier’s Soup”
Captain America is roused from sleep when he notices the sentry has not passed by his tent as usual. Investigating, he discovers two thugs who have attacked the guard and are preparing to poison the camp’s soup supply. Cap springs into action, and with Bucky’s assistance, the two quickly overpower the intruders. When the commotion awakens the camp, several soldiers claim they saw Captain America leap from a window. It is then revealed that the sentry was not killed, only knocked unconscious, and is already on the mend.
4. "The Chess Board of Death"
Appearances in “The Chess Board of Death”
Featured Characters:
- Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Supporting Characters:
- Bucky (Bucky Barnes)
Antagonists:
- Nazis
- Rathcone [First appearance]
- Herr Kameleon [First appearance]
- Number 3
- Number 15 [First appearance; dies]
- Number 13 / Strangler [First appearance]
- Fritz
Other Characters:
- Skeletal Figure
United States Army
- Admiral Perkins [First appearance] [Corpse, skeleton or other remains]
- Sgt. Michael Duffy [First appearance; unnamed]
- General Ellsworth [First appearance; corpse, skeleton or other remains]
- Major Fields [First appearance]
- Adolf Hitler [Statue]
- Uncle Sam [Mentioned]
- FBI [Mentioned]
Races and Species:
- Humans
- Abstract Entities
- Rats [Mentioned]
- Birds [Imagination]
- Spiders [Mentioned]
- Flies [Mentioned]
- Pigs [Mentioned]
Locations:
- Earth-616
- Earth
- North America
- United States of America
- Virginia
- Camp Lehigh
- Peek Street
- Rathcone’s Hideout
- Virginia
- United States of America
- Germany [Mentioned]
- South America [Mentioned]
- North America
- Earth
Items:
- Captain America’s Uniform and Shield
- “Marvel Comics” [Comic Book]
Events:
- World War II
Story Breakdown of “The Chess Board of Death”
In a hidden part of town, Rathcone studies a chessboard whose pieces represent real people. He tells his agents that Admiral Perkins is scheduled to give a lecture that evening, and declares that the Admiral must die that night. Meanwhile, Steve convinces a hesitant Bucky to attend the event. When the curtains rise at the lecture, the audience is shocked to see Admiral Perkins already dead on stage. Steve and Bucky quickly slip away, don their costumes, and pursue the killer.
As Bucky searches the alleys, he is shadowed by an assassin known as Number 15. When the two clash, Captain America arrives in time to rescue him. The captured agent initially refuses to speak, but Cap presses him until he agrees to talk. Before he can reveal anything, a bullet strikes him down. Cap fends off a barrage of gunfire, spotting three men fleeing into the night, though he and Bucky are unable to catch them. The pair decide to return to Camp Lehigh.
Back at his chessboard, Rathcone moves his pieces and plots the death of General Ellsworth. That evening, Mike Duffy informs Steve and Bucky that they are assigned to guard the General’s hut. When they arrive, however, they find him already dead. The following day, newspapers report to the American public that another senior officer has been brutally murdered.
Rathcone then targets Captain America and Bucky themselves, dispatching his agents Strangler and Herr Kameleon. Later at camp, Strangler deceives Bucky by claiming he can help solve the killings. That night, Bucky sneaks to a rundown building but walks into a trap, discovering Rathcone with his chessboard. When he tries to escape, Rathcone trips him and announces that he intends to kill both Bucky and Captain America together.
After finding a note left by Bucky, Cap tracks down the hideout. A fight erupts, and as Rathcone draws a gun, Cap and Bucky defeat him and his gang. Captain America contacts the FBI to reveal the criminals’ location. Later, Major Fields remarks to Steve that he only wishes he knew Captain America’s true identity.
5. "The Riddle of the Red Skull"
Featured Characters:
- Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Supporting Characters:
- United States Army
- Bucky (Bucky Barnes)
- Major Croy [First appearance; dies]
- Sgt. Michael Duffy [Unnamed]
- General Charles Manor [First appearance; dies]
Antagonists:
- Nazis
- Fifth Column
- Maxon Aircraft Corporation [First appearance]
- Red Skull (George Maxon) [First appearance] [Apparent death]
- Slug [First appearance]
- Numerous unnamed henchman
- Maxon Aircraft Corporation [First appearance]
- Fifth Column
Other Characters:
- Nazis
- Red Skull [Behind the scenes]
- Adolf Hitler [Behind the scenes]
- Death [Mentioned]
- NYPD
- Numerous unnamed police officers
- Lord (Yahweh) [Invoked]
- Mildred Manor [First appearance]
- Santa Claus [Mentioned]
- FBI
- Three unnamed agents
Races and Species:
- Humans
Locations:
- Earth-616
- Earth
- United States of America
- New York
- New York City
- New York City
- New York
- United States of America
- Earth
Story Breakdown of “The Riddle of the Red Skull”
Steve and Bucky, concerned for Major Croy, escort him back to his home after he receives a threatening card signed by the Red Skull. Croy dismisses the idea that such a figure even exists and goes inside. While reading, he is suddenly confronted by the Red Skull himself. Locking eyes with him, the Skull’s wide, hypnotic stare forces the Major to gaze until he is told to “see death.”
When Captain America learns of the crime, he insists on handling the case without Bucky. But it is Bucky who stumbles across the Red Skull’s headquarters by accident. While on a rooftop, he is spotted by one of the Skull’s men, Slug, who captures him and brings him inside, unaware he has caught Cap’s partner. Cap eventually discovers the hideout too, and a fierce fight erupts. In the chaos, the Red Skull escapes through a hidden passage, leaving Cap and Bucky to return to Camp Lehigh.
The following day, George Maxon, head of the Maxon Aircraft Corporation, personally oversees the test flight of his company’s new plane. During the demonstration, the aircraft bursts into flames midair and crashes, killing the entire crew. Steve is horrified when Maxon appears more upset about the plane’s failure than the men who died.
Later, General Charles Manor receives a package at his home from the Red Skull. As he opens it, the villain materializes in the room and murders him. Hearing the struggle, Mildred Manor grabs a gun and rushes in, only for the Red Skull to strike her down. At that moment, Captain America storms into the room, smashing through like a whirlwind. Cap shatters the Red Skull’s mask, revealing George Maxon underneath. It is exposed that Maxon has been killing his victims with hypodermic needles.
Another fight breaks out, and during the struggle Maxon accidentally rolls onto one of his own poisoned needles. When Bucky questions why Cap didn’t stop him, Cap refuses to explain, instead contacting the FBI to report that Maxon has taken his own life. The FBI later discovers a note showing that Maxon had been secretly working for Hitler.
6. "Murder, LTD"
Featured Characters:
- Hurricane (Mike Curry) [Impersonates Gabriel]
Antagonists:
- Murder Mob
- Jake [First appearance]
- “Koky” [First appearance]
- Piggy Perroni [First appearance; dies]
- Dum-Dum [First appearance]
- Paul Sayden (Pluto) [Impersonates Devil]
- Trigger Bates [First appearance; dies]
Other Characters:
- Thor [Mentioned in narration or thoughts]
- Hurricane Cab Co. [First appearance]
- Unnamed Cab Driver
- Chunk Lewis [Mentioned]
- Tim O’Leary [Mentioned]
- CCPD [First appearance]
- Police Commissioner Regan [First appearance]
- Numerous unnamed police officers
- Prosecutor Nelson [First appearance]
- Numerous unnamed party-goers
- St. Peter [Mentioned]
- Daily Star [Named only]
Races and Species:
- Eternals
- Humans
- Deviants
- Toads [Mentioned]
Locations:
- Earth-616
- Earth
- United States of America
- Coast City [First appearance]
- Vanderpont Estate [First appearance]
- United States of America
- Earth
Items:
- Hurricane’s Wings [First appearance]
- “Little Lord Fauntleroy” [Mentioned]
Story Breakdown for “Murder, LTD”
Disguised as Mike Curry, Hurricane travels to Coast City, where a string of brutal murders has taken place. Looking for transportation, he hails a taxi. While the driver focuses on the road, Hurricane secretly fastens two silver wings to the sides of the cab. The car suddenly rockets forward like a blazing comet, leaving the terrified driver no choice but to drop his passenger off in shock.
A gunman emerges from the shadows behind Hurricane. The hero demands to be taken to Piggy Perroni. At that moment, Piggy himself arrives and pulls a gun on him. Introducing himself as Mike Cury, Hurricane claims he is looking for work. Piggy agrees to give him a chance, assigning him to work alongside Dum-Dum with orders to kill Tim O’Leary. Outraged by Piggy’s cruelty, “Mike Cury” transforms back into Hurricane. After defeating the thugs, Hurricane warns Piggy that his hands are stained with mortal blood and his eternal punishment is assured.
Meanwhile, at police headquarters, Commissioner Regan faces relentless criticism from Prosecutor Nelson, who insists Piggy must be arrested at once. Suddenly, Piggy bursts into the office with wings, declaring he has already spoken with Hurricane. Using the new lead, Hurricane makes his way to the Vanderpont Estate.
There, a masquerade ball is underway. Hurricane intends to meet Paul Sayden, who appears costumed as the devil, accompanied by his henchman Trigger. Trigger remains unaware that his boss is in fact Hurricane’s cousin, Pluto. Hurricane watches as Pluto secretly slips poison into the punch. Taking on the disguise of an angel, Hurricane tries to blend in, but Pluto immediately sees through it. The two colossal beings clash with earth-shattering force.
At the District Attorney’s office, Piggy confesses that Paul Sayden is the mastermind behind the murder ring. Prosecutor Nelson wastes no time in moving against Sayden’s estate. When the authorities arrive, they find Hurricane, but Pluto has already disappeared. Trigger Bates, however, is dead. Weak from the battle, Hurricane tells them he must leave. In an instant, his form blurs into motion, vanishing before the astonished officers can react, leaving them completely baffled.
7. "Stories from the Dark Age"
Featured Characters:
- Tuk [First appearance] [Main story and flashback]
Supporting Characters:
- Ak [First appearance; dies] [Main story and flashback]
- Phadion [First appearance; dies] [Only in flashback]
- Rhaya [First appearance; dies] [Only in flashback]
- Tanir [First appearance]
Antagonists:
- Kag (Lion-Wolf) [First appearance]
- Gholla (Woolly Rhinoceroses) [First appearance; dies]
- Gru (Lion) [First appearance; dies]
- Two unnamed Goreks [First appearance; dies]
Other Characters:
- Attilan [Only in flashback]
- Kadir [Mentioned]
- Numerous unnamed members [Only in flashback]
- Org (Mammoth) [Mentioned]
- Anta (Deer) [Mentioned]
- Tor (Mammoth) [Mentioned]
Races and Species:
- Lion-Wolves [First appearance] [Only in flashback]
- Inhumans [Main story and flashback]
- Early Humans [Main story and flashback]
- Shaggy Ones [Main story and flashback] [First appearance]
- Goreks [First appearance]
- Cro-Magnon [First appearance]
- Mammoths [Mentioned]
- Demons [Mentioned]
- Deer [Mentioned]
- Woolly Rhinoceroses [First appearance] [Only in flashback]
- Smilodon [Mentioned]
- Lions [Only in flashback]
- Snakes
Locations:
- Earth-616 [Main story and flashback]
- Earth [Main story and flashback]
- Prehistoric Wilds [Main story and flashback]
- “Attilan”, Island of the Gods [Mentioned]
- Earth [Main story and flashback]
Events and Eras:
- 50,000 B.C.
Story Breakdown for “Stories of the Dark Age”
In the untamed world of 50,000 B.C., Ak, the last of the shaggy ones, calls Tuk to his side. Ak begins recounting a story of the past, when two hairless ones were cast ashore by their tribe. The pair were Phadion and Rhaya, who had their infant child with them.
No sooner had they reached the strange land than Phadion was challenged by Gholla, the horned and woolly beast. The fierce struggle ended in tragedy, with both Phadion and Gholla perishing, leaving Rhaya alone to care for her child. Drawn by the scent of blood, Kag the lion-wolf soon emerged from the forest. Ak, who had witnessed the scene, saved Rhaya and her baby and brought them to a cave, where he began to revere them as sacred.
But one day, while Ak hunted for food, Gru the lion discovered the cave and killed Rhaya. With his last breath, Ak reveals to Tuk that he was the infant cast ashore so long ago.
Hearing this tale, Tuk decides to leave behind his cherished homeland of rocks. On his journey, he is attacked by the Goreks, but is rescued by Tanir. The two then choose to continue traveling together.
Continuity & Trivia
Trivia
- The famous cover depicting Captain America punching Hitler in the face was parodied in the MCU movie, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Comic itself can also be seen in this movie and is also seen in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Season 1 (2021)
- This issue is the first appearance of Captain America’s Original Wedge Shield, in the next issue we see a switch to his more widely known Red and White Disc Shield.
Continuity
- Young Allies Comics #1 70th Anniversary Special (2009) states that some of the Golden Age stories depicted in this issue (as well as Timely Comics stories) are just fictionalised adaptions of the “real events”.
- The events of this issue have been retconned over the years for a number of reasons including Silver Age retellings (and also changed back in some cases) due to the regulations imposed by the Comics Code Authority which led to the removal of things such as death, injections, blood etc.
“Meet Captain America”
- The secret program that transformed Steve Rogers into a super soldier using Professor Reinstein’s Super Soldier Serum is unnamed at this point. The cannon reason being for reasons of national security. In Tales of Suspense #63 (1964), the name is revealed to be Operation Rebirth, which later evolves into Weapon Plus.
- The names of some the Operation Rebirth agents were later retconned to be codenames. For instance, Professor Reinstein is later revealed to be Abraham Erskine who adopted this codename after being rescued from Nazi captivity where he was forced to work in their Super Solider Program, Project Nietzsche. Similarly, Betty Ross was later retconned to be FBI Operative, X-13.
- Under-Secretary Simms’ attendance at the White House meeting with the Army officers and President Roosevelt was retconned and he replaced with Heinz Kruger, the Nazi spy who killed Abraham Erskine. In the cannon version of events, Heinz Kruger was already in the building disguised as Special Agent Fred Clemson but was not present at the meeting with President Roosevelt. Where as in the version of events told in this issue, he’s disguised as a high ranking U.S. Army Officer who attends the meeting and enters the building with J. Arthur Grover and General Phillips.
- FBI Director Grover was originally created as a pastiche of the famous FBI Director Edgar J. Hoover. However, from Tales of Suspense #63 (1964) onwards, he seemingly never really existed and his role in the story was actually played by Dr. Anderson.
- In this issue, Steve Rogers receives the Super Soldier Serum via injection, however, as part of the Silver Age comics code authority imposed retcons, in Tales of Suspense #63 (1964), this is shown to be an oral form of the compound. Later in Captain America #109 (1968), he was shown to be subjected to Vita-Rays. Finally, in Captain America #255 (1980), all of the above methods became cannon. The process began with an injection, then an oral compound and finally the process stabilising Vita-Rays.
- A more complete version of the origin was told in the Adventures of Captain America limited series (1991-1992). It was initially disregarded by the Marvel Chronology Project due to it’s many contradicitons of the established Earth-616 cannon but the Marvel Handbooks began to reference it leading to it’s eventual cannonisation.
- For the many afforementioned Silver Age retellings of the events seen in this issue see Tales of Suspense #63 (1964), Captain America #109 (1968), Giant-Size Invaders #1 (1975), Captain America #176 (1974), Captain America #215 (1977) and Captain America #255 (1980).
“Case No.2”
- This story is updated and told in a non-cannon version entitled, Among Us Wreckers Dwell! that was seen in Tales of Suspense #64 (1965). In that retelling, Fort Bix was changed to Camp Lehigh.
“The Riddle of the Red Skull”
- Much like the previous story, this one was reimagined in Tales of Suspense #65 (1965), in a story that was entitled The Red Skull Strikes!
- It’s also worth pointing out that the Red Skull featured in this issue is not the one everybody knows as Captain America’s nemesis. That version (Johann Schmidt) would not make his first appearance until Captain America Comics #7 (1941). That being said, it was later retconned so that the real Red Skull was pulling the strings behind the scenes in this story.
“Murder, LTD”
- Hurricane was later retconned as Mercury from Red Raven Comics #1 who was actually the Eternal Makkari, and Pluto was retconned to be the Deviant Kro.
Value of This Issue
What is Captain America Comics #1 Worth?
Why is Captain America Comics #1 So Valuable?
But What Makes this Issue So Special?
Captain America Comics #1 Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $90,000 | $180,000 | $210,000 | $325,000 | $915,000 | $3,120,000 |
Where Can I Buy Captain America Comics #1?
To buy original copies of comic books of this age, rarity and value can only be purchased at auctions. The best places to buy this issue are:
