Captain America Used Batman's Technique To Protect His Identity

Long before Captain America became widely known as Steve Rogers, he kept his identity a closely-guarded secret - by pretending to be one of the worst soldiers in the history of the United States Army. As one of the first-ever patriotic superheroes (and arguably the most successful), Captain America spent the Golden Age of Comics concealing his identity from his fellow soldiers. It wasn't until Captain America's relaunch in 1968 that readers discovered how Steve Rogers kept his identity a secret: by borrowing a tactic from Batman, a key member of the Distinguished Competition.

Captain America made his debut in Captain America Comics #1, famously punching Hitler in the face on the cover. Even more memorable than Captain America's cover was the month in which the issue went on sale: March of 1941, almost a full year before America entered World War II. This was controversial at the time, tantamount to a present-day Captain America attacking Vladimir Putin. Nevertheless, the hero proved immensely popular with readers (and Cap's teen sidekick Bucky certainly helped). But there was still the matter of Captain America hiding his true identity, a subject that wouldn't be touched upon until much later.

Related: Why Captain America Is Timeless (And Other Patriotic Heroes Are Not)

In Captain America Annual #1, written by Stan Lee with art by Jack Kirby, the origin of the star-spangled superhero is retold in detail. The major beats of the original 1941 tale remain the same: a scientist (renamed Dr. Erskine) presents a thin, sickly Steve Rogers with a test tube of chemicals, a Nazi saboteur assassinates the doctor, and Rogers decks him before he can escape; he ultimately becomes Captain America. Some time later, the comics shifts to a scene in which Private Rogers is accosted by an angry Sergeant, furious that Rogers is too clumsy for his own good. "What's the use?! I wonder how much the Germans are payin' Rogers to stay on our side?!" he shouts. As he storms off, Steve privately regrets playing the fool in front of his friends, but it's the best way to prevent anyone from connecting Private Rogers and Captain America.

If obfuscating stupidity were an Olympic sport, Batman would be the all-time gold medal champion. Ever since Detective Comics #27 in 1939, Bruce Wayne has played up his billionaire playboy image to such an extent that he remains the absolute last possible candidate for Batman. There's a good chance that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were inspired by Batman's act, which by 1968 was a foundational part of his character. Of course, Steve Rogers doesn't have the same inventive to hide his identity as Bruce Wayne. Steve is already a soldier in the United States Army - delivering right hooks to mustachioed megalomaniacs is already part of his job description.

Captain America would eventually shed the secret identity shtick altogether in 2002 after killing an Osama bin Laden-esque terrorist; though his private life obviously became public, he was never chased by police like Batman. Bruce Wayne's public image has shifted over the years from a lackadaisical louse to a benevolent businessman, but he's always hidden behind another personality. When Captain America felt he no longer needed to hide like Batman, he publicly unmasked in front of the entire world - something Bruce Wayne can never do.

Next: 15 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Captain America

https://ift.tt/3slBXgS
August 19, 2021 at 12:03AM