R.I.P. Captain America

Last week Marvel Comics killed off an American icon. Steve Rogers, more commonly known as Captain America died after suffering two gunshot wounds. What a weak way to kill a hero that was just involved in one of the most dramatic story lines in recent comic book history, Civil War.

For those who aren’t up to speed on what’s going on in the world of comic books, Marvel’s Civil War storyline dealt with a division amongst superheroes. There was a group, led by Iron Man that was in favor of the superhuman registration act which required all those with super powers to become government employees. A band of dissenters, led by Captain America, went underground and were subsequently hunted, arrested, and worse.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The 7 part series that has been going on since last year recently ended with an anti-climatic finish in which Captain America surrenders to Iron Man. In the middle of a huge war, he just gives up. What? I can understand his reasoning but there comes a point where a line has been crossed and you just don’t give up. Not after fighting so hard for what you believe in. Not after so many lives have been lost.

The thing that makes me upset about this is that Captain America could have met a spectacular end at the hands of the manipulative Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, in Civil War #7. Instead he takes two bullets from a sniper’s rifle. In my opinion, it would have been far more interesting if Tony Stark had shown what a jerk he really is by removing Captain America from all future storylines. Just think of the repercussions that an act like that would have had! The storylines would have been amazing!

*END SPOILER ALERT*

What amazes me is that now people are again buying comic books in hopes of putting their children through college based on the value of one book. Captain America #25 is regularly going on eBay for more than $20 and reportedly for as high as $200. This is funny because the same thing happened in 1993 when Superman died. A lot of get-rich-quick collectors came into the hobby back then and drove the price of Superman #75 to over $100. It now goes for about $5. One of my copies is worth more than that because it’s autographed but still, it’s not worth enough to put my kids through college. (Maybe I can buy them a Happy Meal.) These people who are into comics for the money, particularly this one, will get what they have coming to them: a $3 comic book that could have been so much better if I were the one coming up with the ideas.