The story goes back that in 1969 when artist/writer Jim Steranko was penciling
and writing his now famous run on Marvel
Comics’ Captain America that he was behind on schedule.
Jim Steranko was and is the consummate artist and refuses to rush his
work or compromise its quality.
So, it was not unusual for him to be behind on Captain America.
When Stan Lee hired Jim Steranko he knew the risks of Jim’s tendency to
drag his feet. Still, deadlines are
deadlines and something had to be done so that Captain America #109 would be printed
and delivered on time.
Stan called on the one person he knew could make the deadline-Marvel’s mainstay
artist: Jack Kirby.
Together Stan and Jack, with able assist by inker Syd Shores, turned
out what is now considered the definitive origin of Captain America.
Over the decades since Cap’s introduction his origin had been tweaked
and modified at the whim of various artists and writers.
Stan and Jack successfully combined all the elements of his origin into
a cohesive whole that includes Cap’s induction into a secret government program,
the introduction of key figures in his legend and much more.
Years later artist John Byrne and writer Roger Stern would build upon
the story Stan and Jack created to bring Cap’s origin even more up to date.
But to me Stan and Jack’s version is the template for all that followed
in Cap’s illustrious star-spangled crime-fighting career.