Real Name: Steve Rogers
Played By: Chris Evans
Abilities/Skills: A chemically modified super soldier with abilities that rival the peak of human strength, speed, and agility, Rogers is also an expert in hand-to-hand combat. He uses his indestructible vibranium shield to block attacks and as a close to mid-range weapon.
Arch Nemeses: Red Skull, Adolf Hitler
Love Interests: Peggy Carter, Sharon Carter
Catch Phrase: "Avengers assemble!"
First Comic Appearance: Captain America Comics #1 (Joe Simon and Jack Kirby)
Comic Re-imaginings: Numerous, including the Ultimate Universe and Marvel 1602. Notably, Steve Rogers seemed to have died after the events of Marvel’s Civil War crossover event and Steve’s former sidekick, Bucky Barnes, became Captain America from 2007-10.
Best Comics Issue/Moment: On the cover of his very first issue, Captain America is punching Hitler in the face, a moment that pretty much can't be topped. Another smaller character moment that stands out, however, goes back to 2005. In House of M #1, the X-Men and Avengers convene to decide what to do about the out-of-control reality-manipulating powers of Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. At one point, Wolverine is doing his typical badass routine: Feet kicked up, munching on some pizza (which may or may not have appeared out of thin air, but that's another story). Wolvie's thought: They should kill her. Cap, however, walks over and just sort of glowers down at him. This classic exchange occurs:
Captain America: There is always another way.
Wolverine: Not always.
Captain friggin’ America: Always!
It's not a moment of ultimate bad-assery, but it defines Captain America better than perhaps any other.
Feature Film Appearances: Captain America (1990), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Memorable Movie Quote(s): Cap’s more a man of action than words.
Strengths of the Movie Interpretation: They got Steve Rogers right. Captain America isn’t great because he has powers; he’s not even great because of what he represents. His shield is more iconic than his abilities and, despite the name, his current incarnation doesn't have much of anything to do with United States government.
Captain America is great because he’s an individual. Before getting shot up with Super Soldier serum, he was a scrawny artist from New York. Any propaganda relating to his early incarnation aside, he did not want to serve his country out of vengeance or a desire for glory. He enlisted because helping people and stopping bullies was the right thing to do. Captain America: The First Avenger did a great job conveying the man Steve was before becoming the myth, and it also did a great job showing how the man knew he was capable of more than performing on a stage like a monkey. When it was time to act, he did what needed to be done. It is a very human portrayal of a character that could have very easily gone hokey.
Weaknesses of the Movie Interpretation: There's little wrong with last year's movie interpretation of Captain America. The only potential flaw heading into The Avengers is the open-ended conclusion. Captain America has only just arrived in the present, so he has a long way to go before being fully acclimated to 2012. This could result in an excess of exposition.
Why Captain America Is the Best: He’s the quintessential hero and has the most heart of any Avenger.
Weaknesses: He has a moral code, which villains could easily take advantage of. Also, his naivete (as it relates to jumping forward in time) could put him behind the curve.
Why Captain America is Better Than Iron Man: Steve Rogers is a better person than Tony Stark. We’ve all seen the clip with Steve asking Tony what he is under the suit and Tony listing off all the reasons he’s so awesome. At the end of the day though, Tony is kind of a sleazy businessman who was born into money and runs a company, at least partially, known for weapons dealing. All his accomplishments have come about spontaneously or as an attempt to prove himself to someone—usually his dead father. Steve has had to work for everything in his life and—at the end of the day—the stronger will and more disciplined man wins out.
Why Captain America is Better Than the Hulk: One word—willpower. Hulk avoids using his power as much as possible, fearing for those around him. Captain America embraces his gift and uses it for the greater good—always.
Why Captain America is Better Than S.H.I.E.L.D.: Here’s a simple one. S.H.I.E.L.D. is full of soldiers. Captain America is a soldier. Captain America is the best soldier. Seriously, why are these guys even showing up?
One Thing We Hope Captain America Will Do in The Avengers: Show up the others with his virtuousness. Also, kick some ass.
