<Li> Expert tactician, strategist, and field commander </Li> <Li> Wields vibranium - steel alloy shield </Li> <P> Captain America is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (cover dated March 1941) from Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics . Captain America was designed as a patriotic supersoldier who often fought the Axis powers of World War II and was Timely Comics' most popular character during the wartime period . The popularity of superheroes waned following the war and the Captain America comic book was discontinued in 1950, with a short - lived revival in 1953 . Since Marvel Comics revived the character in 1964, Captain America has remained in publication . </P> <P> Captain America wears a costume that bears an American flag motif, and is armed with a nearly indestructible shield that he throws at foes . The character is usually depicted as the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a frail young man enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum to aid the United States government's efforts in World War II . Near the end of the war, he was trapped in ice and survived in suspended animation until he was revived in the present day . Although Captain America often struggles to maintain his ideals as a man out of his time with its modern realities, he remains a highly respected figure in his community which includes becoming the long - time leader of the Avengers . </P>

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