Stan Lee // Jack Kirby
June 1965
B-story: *****
Lee & Kirby quit recounting 1940s tales to create original missions. The Red Skull brainwashes Cap, but not before he reveals his past. Hitler himself oversaw the training of a bitter German teen (an everyman, like Rogers was), but now the Fuhrer worries that his protege has amassed too much power!
[A-story: Iron Man]
[last issue: Tales of Suspense #65]
[next issue: Tales of Suspense #67]
Archive for the ‘Red Skull’ Category
Tales of Suspense #66: Captain America
January 11, 2012Tales of Suspense #65: Captain America
January 10, 2012
Stan Lee // Jack Kirby
May 1965
B-story: ***
Not sure what the caption means when it says this tale is told in a Golden-Age manner—maybe Lee’s copy is less manic? Kirby has his usual frenzied action & unique, expressive style. He (re-)intros Cap’s Nazi nemesis, the lurid Red Skull, who’s sabotaging the US war effort w/ disguises & hit lists.
[A-story: Iron Man]
[last issue: Tales of Suspense #64]
[next issue: Tales of Suspense #66]
Captain America Comics #7 (part 1)
December 4, 2011
Joe Simon & Jack Kirby
September 1941
A-story: ***
As Cap’s only memorable foe, it’s good to see the Red Skull return—even if his MO simply mimics other nemeses like the Joker. Here he aims to sever the chain of command at Camp Lehigh by killing officers. Joe & Jack don’t do much with a subplot about amateur theatrics. But their art’s superb!
[B/C-stories: Captain America]
[last issue: Captain America Comics #6]
[next issue: Captain America Comics #8]
Captain America Comics #3 (part 1)
November 26, 2011
Joe Simon & Jack Kirby
May 1941
A-story: *****
You can almost hear the punches land in these super-adventures! The Red Skull returns from the dead—fortunate, as his great visual makes him Cap’s worthiest enemy. Skull pilots a subway-like driller thru Ebbett’s Field, kills a couple hoods who pose as Cap for cash, & even aims to overthrow Hitler!
[B/C-stories: Captain America]
[last issue: Captain America Comics #2]
[next issue: Captain America Comics #4]
Captain America Comics #1 (part 2)
November 23, 2011
Joe Simon & Jack Kirby
March 1941
C-story: ****
D-story: ***
Layouts send the eye pinging around the page while subjects pop out of their panels. Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers, defends the home front from a creepy collection of fifth columnists—incl. a Poe-inspired Red Skull. Cap’s backed by kid-sidekick Bucky; their chummy camaraderie is a highlight.
[A/B-stories: Captain America]
[next issue: Captain America Comics #2]
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