Comics:Avengers Vol 1 4

From Marvel Database

"Captain America Joins...The Avengers!"

Gallery

Avengers Vol 1 #4
March, 1964

Cover Artists

Jack Kirby, Paul Reinman

Writers

Stan Lee

Pencilers

Jack Kirby

Inkers

George Roussos

Letterers

Artie Simek

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Avengers #3

Avengers #5

Appearing in "Captain America Joins...The Avengers!"

Featured Characters:

• The Avengers
  • Captain America (Steve Rogers)
  • Thor
  • Iron Man (Tony Stark)
  • Giant-Man (Henry Pym)
  • Wasp

Synopsis for "Captain America Joins...The Avengers!"

After escaping the Avengers previouly, the Sub-Mariner encounters Inuit worshipping a man in a block of ice in the north sea. Angrily he casts the frozen man into the ocean. The Avengers discover the body, which had been thawed by warmer waters. It turns to be the hero of WWII, Captain America. His body had been frozen and preserved after a failed mission near the end of the war. The Avengers then attend a press conference where they are turned to stone by a creature with a mysterious ray. Owing his life to the Avengers, Captain America tracks down the alien and makes it restore the Avengers back to normal. In return the Avengers try to free the alien's craft from the water and the Sub-Mariner attacks. After fighting him off they finish freeing the craft and the alien departs. Captain America is then recruited as an Avenger!

Notes

• This issue marks the first appearance of Captain America in the "Silver Age" of Comics. His return was spurned from a teaser done in Strange Tales 114, in which the Human Torch battled a Cap impostor. Cap last appearing in Captain America #78, all be it part of Atlas Comics attempt at reviving the super hero genre, however as these stories take place prior to the 2nd world war they were probably ret-conned into being stories of one of the many successors who took his mantle after the war. Cap's last "war time" story appeared in Captain America's Weird Tales #74 (Issue #75 did not feature any stories with Captain America in it.)
• At his last appearance, his partner Bucky was injured and Cap's girlfriend Betsy Ross became his sidekick as Golden Girl. The tale of Cap being frozen in suspended animation, and the "death" of Bucky were never told during the Golden Age, the flashback in Avengers 4 serves as the backdrop to explaining what happened to Cap after the war.
• Giant Man and Wasp, prior to appearing in Avengers #4 made a guest appearance in Journey Into Mystery 101 (helping Thor battle giant ants with the help of Iron Man), they also battled the Black Knight (Mercenary) in Tales to Astonish 52. They would battle the Porcupine again in Tales to Astonish 53.
• Iron Man since Avengers 3 had a minor appearance in Journey Into Mystery 101 in which he aids Thor, Giant Man and Wasp battle giant ants. He would go onto battle the Mandarin in Tales of Suspense 50 and the Scarecrow in Tales of Suspense 51.
• Thor would team up with his fellow Avengers Iron Man, Wasp and Giant Man in Journey Into Mystery 101, this would later bring him into battle against Zarko the Tomorrow Man through Journey #101-102. However it's interesting to note that Thor does not return from the Zarko's future until Journey Into Mystery 103, and soon finds himself in a battle against Enchantress and the Executioner. The events of Avengers 4 could happen either after or in between this battle.
• Sub-Mariner and Captain America have had a past working together during World War II as members of the Invaders and All-Winners Squad. However, during this issue, while the two characters know of the others existence they both appear to be unaware of their past comradely. This was later explained by the fact that the two had issues with their memories due to their respective conditions that carried them over into the Silver Age Marvel universe (Namor having amnesia, and Cap being frozen in ice.)
• The villain cursing Captain America and Bucky in Cap's flashback is later revealed to be the original Baron Zemo (who appears in Avengers 5)
• It has been long believed that Bucky had died attempting to stop the drone plane, however he eventually returned under the guise of Winter Soldier.
• After his appearance in this issue, Namor isn't seen again until Fantastic Four 27, where he kidnaps the Invisible Girl once more, the FF team up with Dr. Strange in order to rescue her.
• The alien being that Cap fights in this issue of the Avengers is later revealed to be a member of the D'Bari alien race.
• The legend of Medusa the alien is believed to have perpetuated is about a Greek monster/woman whose hair are really snakes. Her appearance would turn people into stone.
• Cap joins the Avengers in this issue, he later takes the Hulk's place and is granted "founding member" status.
• The Avengers next appear in Fantastic Four 25, where their mansion is trashed by the Hulk. They are forced to battle their former teammate in New York City along with the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four 26.

Trivia

Upon close examination of the cover, Captain America's boots appear to be on the wrong foot.

• This iconic cover has been parodied and homaged many times. Most recently in the "Secret Invasion" arc with Skrulls assuming the places of the Avengers.

See Also

• Discuss Avengers Vol 1 4 on the forums
• Cover gallery for the Avengers series

Recommended Reading

• None.

Links and References

• None.