When I first learned that Marvel Comics had killed off the character of Captain America, I was shocked and saddened.

Although he wasn't as popular a Marvel superhero as Spiderman, or the Hulk, Cap was a symbol of America.

He was initially created by the team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby (creators of superheroes like the Fantastic Four and the Hulk) as an All-american hero capable of defeating the nazis. In Cap's early issues, he was even depicted punching a caricature of Hitler.

Characters like this are often the victim of their own simple natures; Cap was only interesting because he was a stranger out of time. (For you comic book nerds, pop quiz: Where did the Avengers find Captain America?)

I can imagine American G.I.'s reading about Captain America and feeling inspired to fight in World War II, which is one of the reasons why I liked him. He was a throw-back to a simpler time in America, an atavism. He reminds us of the Golden Age of Comics, and perhaps, the Golden Age of America.

I'm sad that Cap is gone; I'm sure that the writers intend to bring him back through some comic book miracle.

As with all our superheroes, their legends endure long past their relevance.

Learn more about this author, Aster C. Lilly.
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