Battle Star

Marvel Comics’ Captain America has been around before the United States entered World War II.

He was one of Timely Comics (Marvel Comics’ original name) ‘Big 3’ which consisted of Captain America, The Human Torch and The Sub-Mariner.

He’s been around for a long time and has gone through a lot of changes.  Probably more than any other Marvel Comics superhero.

He’s been by himself and with a partner, taken on other identities such as The Captain and Nomad, he’s become an Avenger, joined S.H.I.E.L.D., traveled to other worlds and other times, watched good friends die and yet through it all he has managed to stay true to himself and to his ideals.

A couple of Captain America issues that that until recently were common issues have suddenly sparked new interest in the comic book community.

In issue #341 from 1988 Cap (as The Captain) is seen fighting Iron Man on the comic book’s cover.

It is typical Marvel fare-meaning it’s not what it appears to be face value.  Nothing is outstanding about the story-it’s a fun read but nothing earth shattering.

It’s the second tale that has attracted so much attention.

Cap’s black sidekick, Lamar, who took on the mantle of Bucky, has donned a new costume after Cap regains his Captain America attire.

He wears a red, white and blue outfit complete with a large star on his chest and a triangular shield-much like Cap’s original.

His new name is Battle Star-’nuff said!’

Ten years later in 1998 after Marvel Comics had worked out its bankruptcy problems and reestablished itself Captain America was given his own ‘new’ series beginning with issue #1 of Steve Rogers Captain America part of the Heroes Return relaunch.

In the issue Cap travels to Japan and takes on Lady Deathstrike.  

Cap’s change of location places him in an unfamiliar environment while he takes on a new threat he is unaccustomed to.

It’s interesting to see Cap’s initial reaction of being in Japan considering he fought the Japanese in WWII.

It’s a classic fish out of water story by writer Mark Waid and artist Ron Garney.