PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #2

Featuring: Captain America
Release: February 10, 1941
Cover: April 1941
10 cents
By: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
15 pages

This comic was released on my birthday, just 40 years early.

Our buildup to Avengers #4 continues.

Once again, the cover of the comic shows Captain America directly confronting Hitler, this time without the satisfying sock to the jaw. The interior of the first issue disappointed, as Captain America and Hitler did not actually meet. This issue will rectify that, but not with this story. We’ll see Hitler in the next post, concerning “Case No. 2”.

The title of the story alone–“The Ageless Orientals Who Wouldn’t Die”– tells you that this comic is probably extremely inappropriate, and it is. Popular culture depictions of Asian characters were problematic for decades. This comic at least only features giants, not meant to represent actual people.

Things would get even worse after Pearl Harbor, though they’d become specifically targeted at Japanese people. The 1943 Batman film is probably the most racist superhero film ever. As America is not yet at war with Japan, the monsters in this comic are described as Tibetan. In a year’s time, all Asian villains will be Japanese.

I don’t care to dwell on it. This comic is awful, but I’m not sure I have the words to do justice to a thoughtful examination of the racism on display.

I’d rather turn to the more positive superhero aspects.

Why am I even choosing to read this particular story?

If you look past the weird ethnic giants, you will notice Captain America’s costume and equipment have changed. Captain America’s shield is now circular. The color pattern will alter slightly over the decades, but this is the shield design that will stick.

The change was almost certainly made to avoid trouble with Archie Comics and their superhero, The Shield, whose trademark Captain America was dangerously close to violating with this triangular shield.

Also of note is that Cap’s facemask has filled out since last issue, now covering his neck and more of the sides of his face, while still leaving holes for the ears. The costume is now very slight adjustments away from the costume that will stick for 60 years. It only took until the second issue to get it right.

This story again sees Captain America and Bucky team up with government special investigator Betty Ross. She seems somewhat smitten with Captain America but is much less impressed with Private Steve Rogers when they meet.

* I almost said that Stan avoids periods “like the plague”. That antiquated expression dates back to a time when it was assumed people would want to avoid plagues.

Rating: ★½, 29/100

I read this story in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus vol. 1. You can also find it in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America vol. 1. Or on Kindle.

Characters

• Captain America/Private Steve Rogers
• Bucky
• Betty Ross
• Benson
• Rogers’ Sergeant

Minor characters:

• Finley (Benson’s partner)
• Thompson (government agent, likely FBI)

Story notes:

• Table of contents gives title: “Captain America and the Mystery of the Deathless Monster”.
• Thompson and Finley killed by Tibetan giants.
• Benson sings a tune that controls the giants.
• Reference to Frankenstein movie.
• Betty Ross unimpressed by attempts at humor of Private Rogers.
• Private Rogers peeling potatoes.
• General Meade in charge of army camp.
• Giants invade army camp where Rogers is stationed.
• The giants are vulnerable to loud noises.
• Benson killed in fire; cop jokes this will save electricity.
• The Sergeant is Sgt. Duffy, but he is not named in this story.

Next post: Captain America Comics #2, Story B
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