The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941), from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Over the years, an estimated 210 million copies of "Captain America" comic books have been sold in a total of 75 countries. Within the comics, the title "Captain America" applies to whomever is chosen by the U.S. government (which views itself as "owning" the persona) to wear the costume and bear the shield. For nearly all of the character's publication history, however, Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a sickly young man who was enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum in order to aid the United States war effort. Captain America wears a costume that utilizes an American flag motif, and is armed with an indestructible shield that can be thrown as a weapon.
An intentionally patriotic creation who was often depicted fighting the Axis powers of World War II, Captain America was Timely's most popular character during World War II. After the war ended, the character's popularity waned and he disappeared by the 1950s aside from an ill-fated revival in 1953. Captain America was reintroduced during the Silver Age of comics when he was revived from suspended animation by the superhero team the Avengers in The Avengers #4 (March 1964). Since then, Captain America has often led the team, as well as starring in his own series. Steve Rogers was killed in Captain America vol. 5, #25 (March 2007), although the Captain America series continues publication with Rogers' former sidekick, Bucky, having taken up the mantle.
Captain America was the first Marvel Comics character adapted into another medium with the release of the 1944 movie serial Captain America. The serial portrays the hero as a district attorney named Grant Gardner and removes many important elements of the character, such as his trademark shield and his sidekick Bucky Barnes.
Captain America appears in two 1970s live-action television movies.{see the Superhero Television section for more}
The 1990 direct-to-video film Captain America, starring Matt Salinger, co-produced with Yugoslavia. It depicts the hero's battle against the Red Skull, who in the film is an Italian fascist rather than a German Nazi.
A film entitled The First Avenger: Captain America, is being developed by Marvel Studios for a May 6, 2011 release. The film will be a period piece set entirely during World War II.
