Ramblings: Captain America died & Red Skull lives


"The loudest mouth will hail the new found way,
To be king for a day."
XTC



On hearing of Captain America's death (killed by a sniper) recently, I remembered a comic I picked up several years ago featuring Captain America and Iron Man. Two superheroes for the price of one!

But what makes this special for me, is that this was the first Silver Age appearance of the evil "Red Skull"...a continuous thorn in the side of our country's Hero.

(Actually, this appearance of "Red Skull" was an imposter. The real "Red Skull" shows up in the next issue #66. But, whatever...just semantics, Man!)

Marvel Comics printed it under the name Tales of Suspense in 1965. It sold for 12 cents.

The "Red Skull" was a super-agent Nazi with an IQ off the charts and a body that was skilled in combat. He wore an ugly mask. This villain represented every enemy of America and served as pretty effective propaganda for the time.

Captain America represented everything that was red, white and blue. The Capt. was physical perfection. He could bench-press 1,100 pounds, run a mile in about a minute and outsmart any spy. And, of course...he was NOT ugly. Every young boy aspired to grow up and serve their country with equal bravery if they were a good American.

The Captain, alas, must have lost favor with the readers...thus...his demise.

Casey

XTC-->"King For A Day" off Lemons and Oranges (1989)
(Buy This CD)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview:-- Joan Staley (Actress - Classic Movies & Television)

Image
  "Elvis,  do you really want me to slap you?"  ~ Joan Staley ~     So my friends and I were talking about first crushes. First tv and movie crushes.  For me, it was easy.  It was Alma. (Joan Staley)   I broke into the double-digit age of 10 in 1993.  That was the summer I discovered my favorite Don Knotts movie while flipping thru cable one Saturday morning... "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Everyone has seen it.  It was a funny haunted house story similar to an episode on Andy G. with a cast of familiar characters, trippy organ music, and the prettiest girl I had ever seen...Alma. She was beautiful alright.  I was love-stung so bad, I swear I could smell flowers coming out of the TV set.  And best of all, she was nice.  She didn't like the smart alec, the wise guy, or the show-off.  Alma was digging Luther (Don Knotts) and that just made her that much prettier.  And from then on... But unfortunately, time and puberty wouldn't let her wait
Read more

Interview:--> Terry Kirkman (The Association)

Image
"...Not only learned to think, but to care.  Not only learned to think, but to dare." ~ The Association ~  With one of the most bad-ass songs about the herb that no one was quite sure about, yet everyone understood...to the anti-war homage that was both beautiful and pointed... The Association . From gentle psych pop spinneries that tease the mind...to the lush vocal and instrumental arrangements that melt the heart... The Association. The Association were all of these and none of these. Lead by co-founder Terry Kirkman, it was never an "either/or" about the music.  No pigeonhole here.  It was simply "all" about the music.  And having at least 3 of the most radio-played songs in history...I'd say The Association were on to something. TERRY KIRKMAN INTERVIEW  01/26/2015 Casey Chambers:  In the summer of '67, The Association had the opportunity to perform at the iconic Monterey Pop Festival.  How cool was that? Terry Kirkma
Read more

Interview -- Henry Lee Summer (Singer/Songwriter)

Image
"I just always have played music.  For better   or worse, I banked my whole life on it." ~ Henry Lee Summer ~     It's strange how music lets you travel through time as if there truly was no time.  I played the shit out of this album growing up.  Nothing deep or complicated.  Nothing outta bounds.  Nothing to get hung about.  It's deceptively simple.  But here's the thing... Henry Lee Summer  is serving aces all over this heartland square. This is the 35th anniversary of Henry Lee Summer's self-titled album and this one falls under that sweet spot between raucous and chill.  It's a large cup of iced coffee with a nice soulful blend.  Not usually my type of go-to and yet this album easily fills a void I didn't know I had.  Let this spin be your own private Idaho.  " Check it out, Leroy!"   Henry Lee Summer... Go get you some. Henry Lee Summer Interview -- August 2023 Henry Lee Summer Casey Chambers:  Well, this is the 35th anniversary of you
Read more