RIP Captain America

Sam Hall · 06-30-2007, 10:58 PM

Marvel Comics buries Captain America

By COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press Writer Sat Jun 30, 4:49 PM ET

NEW YORK - It's a funeral fit for a superhero.

n the drizzling rain at Arlington National Cemetery, thousands of grieving patriots solemnly watch as the pall bearers — Iron Man, the Black Panther, Ben Grimm and Ms. Marvel — carry a casket draped with an American flag.

Yes, folks, Captain America is dead and buried in the latest issue of Marvel Comics, due on newsstands the morning after Independence Day. After 66 years of battling villains from Adolf Hitler to the Red Skull, the red, white and blue leader of the Avengers was felled by an assassin's bullet on the steps of a New York federal courthouse.

He was headed to court after refusing to sign the government's Superhero Registration Act, a move that would have revealed his true identity. A sniper who fired from a rooftop was captured as police and Captain America's military escort were left to cope with chaos in the streets.

But the sniper didn't act alone, and didn't even fire the shot that killed the captain.

Writer Jeph Loeb has been busy working through the stages of grief in the most recent issues of Marvel Comics. A book centered on Wolverine dealt with denial; one with the Avengers covered anger; and Spider-Man battled depression.

With the story line so relevant to present-day politics, and the timing of the latest issue so precise, it's hard not to think the whole thing is one big slam on the government.

"Part of it grew out of the fact that we are a country that's at war, we are being perceived differently in the world," Loeb said. "He wears the flag and he is assassinated — it's impossible not to have it at least be a metaphor for the complications of present day."

But Loeb says he was working with more personal material: the death of his 17-year-old son from cancer.

"So many people have lost their sons and daughters over the years, for the greater good or to cancer or other horrible things," said Loeb, an executive producer for NBC's "Heroes." "I wanted this to be something people would identify with."

In the final frames of the book, the Falcon delivers a eulogy asking superheros old and young to stand up and honor Captain America. Loeb did a similar thing at his son's funeral.

"It was this moment where I realized that we were all different, but this boy, my son, made us all connected," he said. "It was powerful."

Captain America, whose secret identity was Steve Rogers, was an early member of the pantheon of comic book heroes that began with Superman in the 1930s.

He landed on newsstands in March 1941, nine months before Pearl Harbor — delivering a punch to Hitler on the cover of his first issue, a sock-in-the-jaw reminder that there was a war on and the United States was not involved.

Since then, Marvel Entertainment Inc., has sold more than 200 million copies of Captain America magazine in 75 countries.

In the most recent story line, he became involved in a superhero "civil war," taking up sides against Iron Man in the registration controversy, climaxed by his arrest and assassination.

Marvel says you never know what will happen. He may make it back from the dead after all, although Loeb says that question isn't really important right now.

"The question is, how does the world continue without this hero?" he said. "If that story of his return gets told further down the line, great. But everyone's still been dealing with his loss.

"They aren't going to wake up and it's a dream, like it's some episode of 'Dallas.'"

**TinyEvel** · 06-30-2007, 11:01 PM

In other news, there is a flotilla of plastic garbage twice the size of Texas in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/pu..._printer.shtml

deadbabyseal · 06-30-2007, 11:03 PM

He left Stephen Colbert his shield.

**Bugeater** · 06-30-2007, 11:05 PM

Now he's a court jester with a broken heart.

el borracho · 06-30-2007, 11:08 PM

Never did like Captain America- he was too square and didn't really have any powers. I imagine Marvel can resurrect the character fairly easily if they want by simply putting another guy in the suit.

Also, weird to think about Spiderman dealing with depression. Not sure I would have wanted to read that as a kid.

**Rain Man** · 06-30-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

After 66 years of battling villains from Adolf Hitler to the Red Skull, the red, white and blue leader of the Avengers was felled by an assassin's bullet on the steps of a New York federal courthouse.

He was headed to court after refusing to sign the government's Superhero Registration Act, a move that would have revealed his true identity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Captain America, whose secret identity was Steve Rogers, was an early member of the pantheon of comic book heroes that began with Superman in the 1930s.

This is an outrage. The guy dies to keep his true identity secret, and then the press reveals it?!?!?!?!

Eleazar · 06-30-2007, 11:17 PM

Never was a Cap guy even though I was all over Marvel when I was younger. I liked the cosmic characters and storylines more. Although, McFarlane's run on Spider-Man I was there for most of, enjoyed that a lot... the Jim Lee phase and then the Jim Lee copycat phase...

I ought to look through my old books again, I have about 4 long boxes full of them in a closet.

ChiefaRoo · 06-30-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Never did like Captain America- he was too square and didn't really have any powers. I imagine Marvel can resurrect the character fairly easily if they want by simply putting another guy in the suit.

Also, weird to think about Spiderman dealing with depression. Not sure I would have wanted to read that as a kid.

Captain America did have powers via the Super Secret Soldier formula he took as a volunteer during WW2.

Psyko Tek · 06-30-2007, 11:31 PM

Cap had some cool runs

last few times I read anything with him he was standing more for what America should be than what we really are

el borracho · 06-30-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

Captain America did have powers via the Super Secret Soldier formula he took as a volunteer during WW2.

Well, I suppose they could inject anyone they like with "soldier formula". What were his powers, anyway?

ChiefaRoo · 06-30-2007, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Well, I suppose they could inject anyone they like with "soldier formula". What were his powers, anyway?

Super human strength, endurance and agility.

His strength was less than SpiderMan per pound but he is a much bigger guy.

Weakest to Strongest

Batman
Captain America
Spidey
Supes

el borracho · 07-01-2007, 12:06 AM

Ooh. Quick google search reveals Marvel has already selected Steve Rogers' successor as Captain America.

ChiefJustice · 07-01-2007, 01:03 AM

Captain who?

"Depression:The Breakfast of Champions"

Ultra Peanut · 07-01-2007, 02:48 AM

R.I.P. Rapeface

kstater · 07-01-2007, 03:46 AM

I bet it was steroids that killed him.

06-30-2007, 10:58 PM
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	RIP Captain America Marvel Comics buries Captain America By COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press Writer Sat Jun 30, 4:49 PM ET NEW YORK - It's a funeral fit for a superhero. n the drizzling rain at Arlington National Cemetery, thousands of grieving patriots solemnly watch as the pall bearers — Iron Man, the Black Panther, Ben Grimm and Ms. Marvel — carry a casket draped with an American flag. Yes, folks, Captain America is dead and buried in the latest issue of Marvel Comics, due on newsstands the morning after Independence Day. After 66 years of battling villains from Adolf Hitler to the Red Skull, the red, white and blue leader of the Avengers was felled by an assassin's bullet on the steps of a New York federal courthouse. He was headed to court after refusing to sign the government's Superhero Registration Act, a move that would have revealed his true identity. A sniper who fired from a rooftop was captured as police and Captain America's military escort were left to cope with chaos in the streets. But the sniper didn't act alone, and didn't even fire the shot that killed the captain. Writer Jeph Loeb has been busy working through the stages of grief in the most recent issues of Marvel Comics. A book centered on Wolverine dealt with denial; one with the Avengers covered anger; and Spider-Man battled depression. With the story line so relevant to present-day politics, and the timing of the latest issue so precise, it's hard not to think the whole thing is one big slam on the government. "Part of it grew out of the fact that we are a country that's at war, we are being perceived differently in the world," Loeb said. "He wears the flag and he is assassinated — it's impossible not to have it at least be a metaphor for the complications of present day." But Loeb says he was working with more personal material: the death of his 17-year-old son from cancer. "So many people have lost their sons and daughters over the years, for the greater good or to cancer or other horrible things," said Loeb, an executive producer for NBC's "Heroes." "I wanted this to be something people would identify with." In the final frames of the book, the Falcon delivers a eulogy asking superheros old and young to stand up and honor Captain America. Loeb did a similar thing at his son's funeral. "It was this moment where I realized that we were all different, but this boy, my son, made us all connected," he said. "It was powerful." Captain America, whose secret identity was Steve Rogers, was an early member of the pantheon of comic book heroes that began with Superman in the 1930s. He landed on newsstands in March 1941, nine months before Pearl Harbor — delivering a punch to Hitler on the cover of his first issue, a sock-in-the-jaw reminder that there was a war on and the United States was not involved. Since then, Marvel Entertainment Inc., has sold more than 200 million copies of Captain America magazine in 75 countries. In the most recent story line, he became involved in a superhero "civil war," taking up sides against Iron Man in the registration controversy, climaxed by his arrest and assassination. Marvel says you never know what will happen. He may make it back from the dead after all, although Loeb says that question isn't really important right now. "The question is, how does the world continue without this hero?" he said. "If that story of his return gets told further down the line, great. But everyone's still been dealing with his loss. "They aren't going to wake up and it's a dream, like it's some episode of 'Dallas.'"
Posts: 8,137

06-30-2007, 11:01 PM	#2
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5367131	In other news, there is a flotilla of plastic garbage twice the size of Texas in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/pu..._printer.shtml
Posts: 11,814

06-30-2007, 11:03 PM	#3
deadbabyseal Starter Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $6289000	He left Stephen Colbert his shield. Attached Thumbnails __________________ I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.
Posts: 339

06-30-2007, 11:05 PM	#4
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6242680	Now he's a court jester with a broken heart.
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06-30-2007, 11:08 PM	#5
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $6289148	Never did like Captain America- he was too square and didn't really have any powers. I imagine Marvel can resurrect the character fairly easily if they want by simply putting another guy in the suit. Also, weird to think about Spiderman dealing with depression. Not sure I would have wanted to read that as a kid.
Posts: 11,835

06-30-2007, 11:17 PM	#7
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Never was a Cap guy even though I was all over Marvel when I was younger. I liked the cosmic characters and storylines more. Although, McFarlane's run on Spider-Man I was there for most of, enjoyed that a lot... the Jim Lee phase and then the Jim Lee copycat phase... I ought to look through my old books again, I have about 4 long boxes full of them in a closet.
Posts: 80,659

06-30-2007, 11:31 PM	#9
Psyko Tek special teams Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mesa AZ Casino cash: $10015665	Cap had some cool runs last few times I read anything with him he was standing more for what America should be than what we really are __________________ Psyko Tek The keyboard has been drinking,
Posts: 12,018

07-01-2007, 12:06 AM	#12
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $6289148	Ooh. Quick google search reveals Marvel has already selected Steve Rogers' successor as Captain America.
Posts: 11,835

07-01-2007, 01:03 AM	#13
ChiefJustice The Stig Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: "Some say he has no home" Casino cash: $10004900	Captain who? "Depression:The Breakfast of Champions" __________________ Dante Hicks: But you hate people. Randal Graves: Yes, but I love gatherings. Isn't it ironic?
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07-01-2007, 02:48 AM	#14
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	R.I.P. Rapeface __________________
Posts: 39,518

07-01-2007, 03:46 AM	#15
kstater Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $1786563	I bet it was steroids that killed him.
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