Captain America

Real Name
Steven "Steve" Rogers

Occupation
Adventurer, formerly WPA artist, soldier, police officer, teacher, freelance illustrator, special S.H.I.E.L.D. operative

Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth
New York, New York

Known Relatives
Joseph and Sarah Rogers (parents, deceased), unidentified grandfather (presumed deceased), Steven Rogers (Captain America, 18th century ancestor, presumed deceased)

Group Affiliation
Secret Avengers; formerly the Avengers, Invaders, Captain's Unnamed Superhero Team, Redeemers; formerly partner of Bucky, Rick Jones, Falcon, Demolition Man and Nomad (Jack Monroe)

Education
High school graduate; one year of art school; military basic training; private tutoring in hand-to-hand combat, gymnastics, military strategy, piloting, demolition, and other disciplines

Height
6'2"

Weight
220 lbs

Eyes
Blue

Hair
Blond

Powers
Captain America represented the pinnacle of human physical perfection. He experienced a time when he was augmented to superhuman levels, but generally performed just below superhuman levels for most of his career. Captain America had a very high intelligence as well as agility, strength, speed, endurance, and reaction time superior to any Olympic athlete who ever competed. The Super-Soldier formula that he had metabolized had enhanced all of his bodily functions to the peak of human efficiency. Most notably, his body eliminates the excessive build-up of fatigue-producing poisons in his muscles, granting him phenomenal endurance.

Abilities
Captain America had mastered the martial arts of American-style boxing and judo, and had combined these disciplines with his own unique hand-to-hand style of combat. He had also shown skill and knowledge of a number of other martial arts. He engaged in a daily regimen of rigorous exercise (including aerobics, weight lifting, gymnastics, and simulated combat) to keep himself in peak condition. Captain America was one of the finest human combatants Earth had ever known.

Other Info

Steven Rogers was a scrawny fine arts student growing up during the Great Depression. His alcoholic father died when Steve was a child, and his mother passed away from pneumonia after he graduated high school. In early 1940, appalled at Nazi Germany’s horrific atrocities, Steve tried to enlist in the army, but he failed to pass physical requirements. However, Steve was invited to volunteer for Operation: Rebirth (a project intended to enhance U.S. soldiers to the height of physical perfection via the inventions and discoveries of Professor Abraham Erskine). Rogers eagerly accepted and became the first test subject. After injections and ingestion of the "Super Soldier Serum," Rogers was exposed to a controlled burst of "Vita-Rays" that activated and stabilized the chemicals in his system. This process successfully altered his frail body to the maximum of human efficiency. Unfortunately, soon afterward, Professor Erskine was assassinated by a Nazi operative, Heinz Kruger. This left Steve as the sole beneficiary of Erskine’s genius. (To learn about the above mentioned programs and/or characters, just click on their highlighted names. Also, the third picture posted shows the before and after Steve Rogers took the Super Soldier Serum.)

Later, Rogers was assigned to serve as a counter-intelligence agent and a symbolic U.S. hero to counter Nazi Germany's propaganda successes head by the Red Skull (Johann Shmidt). Wearing a costume based on his own design (modeled after the American flag), Steve was given a triangular bulletproof shield, a personal sidearm, and the codename "Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty." His first opponents included the Red Skull himself and Nazi attempts to duplicate Erskine’s serum with their own super soldiers. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about the Red Skull. Also, Captain America with his triangular shield is shown in the third picture posted.)

Later, during a mission to the African nation of Wakanda, Captain America befriended the nation’s ruler T’Chaka and obtained a sample of a rare metal, Vibranium. Subsequent experiments with this metal produced a uniquely indestructible Vibranium-steel alloy disc, which proved impossible to duplicate. The disc was given to Cap as his new shield. (To learn about T'Chaka and/or Vibranium, just click on their names.)

Barely out of his teens himself, Rogers made friends with another army teenager, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes. Barnes accidentally learned of Rogers' dual identity and offered to keep the secret if he could become Captain America's sidekick. Rogers agreed, and trained Barnes. Throughout 1941, "Cap" and "Bucky" shared many adventures stateside and throughout the world. When the U.S. entered World War II, Cap and Bucky teamed with the android Human Torch, his mutant sidekick Toro, and Namor the Sub-Mariner as the Allied force known as the Invaders. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the Invaders and/or the members individually.)

Cap also occasionally worked with Peggy Carter (an American agent who joined the French Resistance against the Nazis) on several missions. Eventually, Carter and Cap fell in love. At one point, Peggy was captured by the Gestapo and was being held captive in Paris when it was liberated by the Allies. Unfortunately, a shell exploded near her during the battle that freed the city, and the shock gave her amnesia. She could not remember Cap, and the two did not meet again during the war. In addition, Captain America only knew Carter by her code-name and not her true identity. Thus, their relationship fell apart. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about the Gestapo.)

In the closing days of World War II in early 1945, Cap broke through Nazi troops for his final wartime confrontation with the Red Skull, who seemingly died by bombing debris (however, he lived on in suspended animation). Days later, Cap and Bucky arrived in England too late to prevent Nazi scientist Baron Zemo from obtaining and launching an experimental drone plane armed with an explosive device on it. Eventually, Rogers and Barnes reached the plane; however, when Bucky tried to defuse the bomb, it exploded in mid-air. Rogers was hurled into the freezing waters of the North Atlantic. The U.S. government presumed both Cap and Bucky to be dead; however, Bucky was secretly retrieved by Soviet operatives, while Cap was recovered by Nazi agent Lyle Dekker. Dekker was hoping to exchange bodies with Cap; however, Cap was able to escape Dekker’s base by air. Unfortunately, Cap was shot down and he fell back into the ocean. Due to the Super-Solider Serum, Captain America survived the crash and entered into a state of suspended animation and eventually froze in solid ice. (To learn about the highlighted Nazi characters, just click on their names above.)

Many years later, a team of super-heroes called the Avengers discovered Rogers' frozen body in the North Atlantic. Once he was revived, Rogers was devastated to learn of Bucky’s supposed death, and the loss of everything once familiar to him. After a battle of fighting alongside the Avengers, Captain America was invited to join the team as their first recruit. Cap agreed and formed close friendships with his teammates: Thor, Iron Man (Tony Stark), Giant-Man (Hank Pym), the Wasp, and the Avengers’ butler Edwin Jarvis. (To learn about the Avengers' members and/or the team, just click on the highlighted names above.)

Soon afterward, Captain America’s revival was reported worldwide. This announcement brought the long-retired Baron Zemo out of seclusion. Enraged that his enemy still lived, Zemo organized several superhuman criminals as a team known as the Masters of Evil, and sent them out against the Avengers. (This would be the first of many such battles with various incarnations of the Masters of Evil). Later, Zemo had his Masters of Evil launch a final assault on the Avengers. While the other Avengers defeated the Masters of Evil, Cap stormed Zemo’s South American stronghold, where Zemo accidentally killed himself by triggering an avalanche in a battle with Cap. (To learn about the Masters of Evil, click on the highlighted name above.)

Returning to New York, Cap learned that the other Avengers were taking leaves of absence from the team and had already recruited repentant outlaws including the archer Hawkeye (Clint Barton), mutant speedster Quicksilver, and his sister the probability-altering Scarlet Witch as their replacements. Unperturbed by the new trio’s earlier crimes, Cap became the full-time Avengers leader as the only remaining senior member and became a mentor to the new trio. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by Scarlet Witch on Quicksilver and her own bio page.)

Soon afterward, Captain America aided S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter (the niece of Peggy Carter) in retrieving a stolen explosive known as “Inferno 42." Cap’s wartime friend Nick Fury (now S.H.I.E.L.D. Director) recruited him in further operations and eventually offered him S.H.I.E.L.D. membership; however, Cap declined, preferring to remain active with the Avengers and as a solo operative. During S.H.I.E.L.D.’s conflicts with a group known as A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics), Cap learned that the enemy organization had discovered and revived the Red Skull (who later repaid A.I.M.'s hospitality by stealing their near-omnipotent Cosmic Cube). (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the teams, characters, and/or object.)

After several more shared adventures, Cap and Sharon fell in love. But, when Sharon rejected his marriage proposal, Cap decided to give up crime-fighting and reveal his true identity to the public. However, soon afterward, he changed his mind about retiring and returned to action.

Later, Rick Jones pursued Captain America to become his partner, and Cap allowed the youth to accompany him into battle against the terrorists of Hydra, then led by Madame Hydra. When Hydra later abducted Rick, Cap rescued his new sidekick. During that mission, regretting his decision to make his identity public, Cap made himself appear to be shot down, leaving a realistic Steve Rogers mask to convince the world that the Rogers identity had been false to protect his privacy. (To learn about the characters and/or team above, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by a woman in the background of Rick Jones' bio page.)

Sometime later, the Red Skull toyed with Captain America’s life by using the Cosmic Cube to switch bodies with the hero. The Skull in Cap’s body alienated Rick into quitting his sidekick role, while Rogers in the Skull’s body was sent to Exile Island, where he was attacked (by those thinking he was the Skull). However, he was befriended by an adventurer named Sam Wilson. As the costumed "Falcon," accompanied by his trained bird Redwing, Wilson helped Cap confront the Skull, who returned his foe and himself to their rightful bodies so as to better savor a triumph. But, before the Skull could destroy them, A.I.M. avenged the Skull’s earlier betrayal by robbing the Cosmic Cube of its power. However, the Red Skull was able to escape. (To learn about Falcon, click on his highlighted name above.)

In New York City, Cap and the Falcon became crime-fighting partners and found a number of local villains. At one point, they battled The Viper (Jordan Dixon), Eel (Edward Lavell), and Cobra (Klaus Voorhees) who called themselves the Serpent Squad. (Many different variations on this serpent-themed group would plague Cap repeatedly in his life.) Also, they learned that Baron Zemo’s son, Helmut Zemo, had surfaced and had inherited his father's hatred for Captain America. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about characters and/or team.)

Later, Captain America was disheartened to learn that the Secret Empire (an underground organization tied to a high-ranking U.S. government official) was corrupting the U.S. government. Thus, Rogers abandoned his role as Captain America while adopting a new costumed identity as "Nomad." However, after the savagery of the Red Skull continued, Steve Rogers reclaimed his role as Captain America. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the Secret Empire.)

Captain America continued his war against injustice across the globe. At one point, he even partnered with Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) in Great Britain against the Red Skull’s terrorism against London. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about Captain Britain.)

Later, Cap had an opportunity to run for president of the United States; however, he was ultimately declined.

Another Red Skull project, the extremist group ULTIMATUM, surfaced with Flag-Smasher as its apparent leader. While battling the terrorists, Cap was forced to shoot an ULTIMATUM agent in order to rescue hostages. Despite his victory, Cap was sickened at having been forced to kill an opponent for the first time since World War II. (To learn about the Flag-Smasher, just click on their names.)

Later, after an attack on the Avengers Mansion by Helmut Zemo and his new Masters of Evil, Cap became partners with wrestler-turned-adventurer Demolition-Man. Later, the Commission on Superhuman Activities (CSA) unfairly demanded Captain America return to active government duty. Cap, in an echo of his earlier retirement following the Secret Empire debacle, surrendered his Captain America identity and shield rather than risk compromising his integrity via potential government misdeeds. (To learn about the place, character, and/or group above, just click on their highlighted names.)

One time while while battling the Egyptian death god Seth’s forces alongside the Avengers, Cap briefly wielded Thor’s hammer (proving his worthiness among only a few privileged to lift the enchanted weapon). (To learn about Seth, click on their highlighted names.)

Later, during a mission, Demolition-Man seemingly perished at the ULTIMATUM’s Arctic base, but Cap had little time to grieve as demons overran New York during what was called the “Inferno Crisis.” Cap was allied with various heroes during the fray as a new team of Avengers, meanwhile the X-Men ended the unholy invasion. After the Inferno Crisis was over, Cap learned of the Red Skull's involvement, which then led the CSA to offer Steve his former identity. After initially declining, Cap eventually accepted the role of Captain America again. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the Inferno Crisis and/or the X-Men.)

In the wake of his many crises, Cap received the hardest blow yet when he learned that, due to his long years of adrenaline-boosting action, his body had finally overtaxed the Super-Soldier Serum’s ability to replenish his augmented physique, threatening paralysis. Knowing further exertion would worsen his condition but unwilling to retire, Cap slowed his deterioration by using various accessories in place of physical feats, eventually taking novice heroes Free Spirit and Jack Flag as apprentices. When his health finally collapsed, Cap used armor provided by Iron Man to overcome paralysis; however, his condition continued to deteriorate. Cap, finally resigned to his fate, prepared to succumb to death; but he vanished, and his friends found only his armor. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfit on Free Spirit's bio page.)

Although the world believed him dead, Cap had been abducted and cured by Sharon Carter. She was reluctantly allied with the Red Skull, who believed Cap was the only person able to defeat their mutual enemy Hate-Monger (a Hitler clone who had assimilated the Cosmic Cube’s power and changed the world into one the Skull could never rule). Cap prevented both Hate-Monger and the Skull from using the Cube’s power, while Sharon’s romantic feelings for Cap returned. (To learn about the Hate-Monger, click on his highlighted name above.)

When the psionic entity Onslaught threatened the world, Cap and several other heroes seemingly died defeating him. Cap was again reborn, however, as were his friends, on a new Earth in a pocket dimension subconsciously created by Franklin Richards (son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman). After some time in this Counter-Earth, Cap and the other Onslaught survivors returned to Earth. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the different characters and/or time-line.)

Overtime, Cap grew alienated from Sharon Carter over her involvement with the anti-mutant Project: Contingency. (To learn about the characters and/or project highlighted above, just click on their names. Note: Beware of a form-fitting outfit on the Project: Contingency bio page.)

When Thor’s home dimension was threatened by Ragnarok, Cap and Iron Man accompanied him to battle Asgard’s enemies, but Thor ultimately returned them to Earth rather than risk their lives. (Click on the highlighted event and/or place above to learn about them.)

Later, Cap and several other super heroes helped contain a mass breakout of superhuman criminals at the Raft prison. Afterward, Cap and Iron Man formalized this group as a new Avengers roster, partnering with new Avenger teammates Spider-Man and Wolverine (Cap's former WWII comrade). However, the government and S.H.I.E.L.D. (now run by the ruthless Maria Hill) distrusted their team. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the place and/or characters.)

When the U.S. government passed a Superhuman Registration Act (SHRA) requiring all super heroes to register for government service, Iron Man aggressively championed the new law. On the other hand, Captain America’s requests for review of the legislation were ignored, so he went rogue rather than hunt down rebellious heroes. This led to a “Civil War” which divided the super-hero community. Heroes could either side with Iron Man’s government-sanctioned forces or Cap’s underground resistance, the “Secret Avengers.” During the Civil War’s final battle, Cap’s forces were on the verge of victory when he noticed that ordinary emergency workers such as firefighters, paramedics, and nurses were siding with Iron Man’s team. Horrified at the realization that the common people opposed his position, Cap opted to end the destructive conflict by surrendering to the authorities. Most of the Anti-registration movement soon collapsed without Cap's leadership. Following his arrest, a scheme orchestrated by the Red Skull, Arnim Zola, Dr. Faustus, and others culminated with Cap’s assassination by a brainwashed Sharon Carter, who shot him at point-blank range. (To learn about the event, team, and/or characters, just click on their highlighted names. Also, the fifth picture posted is of Captain America in his outfit during his time with the Secret Avengers.)

While the world believed Captain America had been killed, the shot fired by Sharon actually flung him out of sync with time, causing him to relive moments from his past. While Cap was believed dead, Bucky assumed the guise of Captain America. The Red Skull finally engineered his master plan to bring Cap back to the present, but with his mind controlling Cap’s body; however, Rogers defeated the Red Skull within his mind and drove the Skull from his body. Finding Bucky had adjusted to his new role, Rogers encouraged him to continue as Captain America. However, Rogers briefly resumed his role as Cap to lead the Avengers against Norman Osborn, the insane arch-criminal given charge of his own “Avengers” and the Initiative (the U.S.A.’s superhuman task force) after playing on public perception of himself. (Click on the highlighted names to learn more about character, team, and/or initiative. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfits worn by some on the Initiative's bio page.)

More recently, during Osborn’s Siege against the Asgardians, Cap’s forces publicly defeated him and exposed him as a dangerous madman. Afterward, Rogers accepted the president’s offer to replace Osborn as the new executive in charge of America’s super-heroes. (To learn about the Siege and/or the Asgardian race, just click on the highlighted names above.)

To learn more about Captain America, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Captain_America_%28Steve_Rogers%29.

Captain America is played by Chris Evans in Captain America: The First Avenger. As many already know, the actor also played the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movies. Interesting choice for Marvel to pick someone who has played another superhero in two other movies. However, I thought he did a great job playing Cap in the movie.