crm/ow pgs, Sl(P) sm amt ct, glue on spine of cvr, tr sl cvr, top & right edge trimmed
1st appearance of Captain America, Bucky Barnes, Red Skull w/ origin; 1st app. Super-Soldier Serum (3/41); classic Hitler cover; Jack Kirby & Joe Simon cover/art; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Captain America Comics #1 has the first appearance of Captain America, the first appearance of Bucky Barnes, and the first appearance of the Super-Soldier Serum. That's about as classic as a first issue gets, with 1941's "Meet Captain America" setting up decades of beloved storytelling.
Jack Kirby and Joe Simon already had a vision for Captain America's true nemesis, too. Technically, "The Riddle of the Red Skull" features an early imposter, but Marvel later established that Johann Schmidt (staying in the shadows until
Captain America Comics #7) is pulling the strings.
There's also the classic cover that adds to the book’s importance as an American artifact from the months before Pearl Harbor. Copies flew off the shelf as this sensational debut established Captain America as the leading symbol of American heroism. It bears repeating that the popularity of characters such as Captain America (and the willingness of comic writers and artists to confront the Axis threat) went a long way toward mobilizing a heretofore isolationist American populace in the long, dark days of the late 30s and early 40s.
Many other art forms desperately avoided or ignored the ugly truth of Europe's rapid slide into fascism and Nazism in an obvious attempt to protect their own financial interests overseas. The almost entirely US-based comics business, staffed and developed largely by fugitives from those same wartime horrors, boldly waved the flag of freedom, most notably in this instant classic.
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This copy has participated in a minor restoration regimen which has helped preserve this gem for years to come. The red, white, and blue of Cap's uniform are as bright as ever, and the majority of the cover is unblemished. This is a handsome example of a sought-after Golden Age key, one which will start patriotic hearts a-fluttering as they take a shot at owning one of the more memorable comic books of all time.
Overstreet Guide 2019 F/VF (7.0) value = $125,750.
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Artists InformationJack Kirby is called 'The King of Comics' for a reason, during his career that spanned six decades he gave us many of the most iconic characters the medium would ever see. From his introduction of Captain America at the height of World War II it was clear he wasn't your ordinary comics artist. But it was his creative explosion at Marvel Comics in the 1960's that cemented his legacy, over a short period of time Kirby would give us The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, Thor, Ant-Man and Nick Fury just to name a few. Kirby would then go to DC and create his Fourth World, introducing Darkseid, Mister Miracle, The New Gods and a host of cosmic supporting players. Long live The King.
Joseph Henry Simon was an American comic book writer, artist, editor, and publisher. Simon created or co-created many important characters in the 1930s–1940s Golden Age of Comic Books, such as Captain America, and served as the first editor of Timely Comics, the company that would evolve into Marvel Comics.