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Volume: 2
Price: 0.10 USD
Pages: 68
On-sale Date: 1940-12-20
Editing: Joe Simon (editor)
Cover Thumbnail for Captain America Comics (Marvel, 1941 series) #1 Edit Cover
Cover Gallery 

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents)

Captain America / cover / 1 page

Pencils:
Jack Kirby (see notes)
Joe Simon (see notes)
Inks:
Joe Simon (see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Joe Simon (logo design, see notes)
?
  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Smashing thru, Captain America came face to face with Hitler...
  • Universe:Marvel : mainstream
Characters:
Reprints (32)

Indexer Notes

Logo design credit from Todd Klein via his Facebook page, used with permission.

Syd Shores recalled that his first job at Timely was inking this cover (Alter Ego #11, page 46). Per Keith Chandler, examining it in detail Simon appears to have inked the heads, at least, of Captain America and Bucky, and probably that of Hitler also. Some of the far background, including the image on the screen and the faces of at least some German soldiers, are cruder in style and may well be Shores' work.

However, per Syd's daughter, Nancy Shores Karlebach, Syd's wife kept a detailed scrapbook and she recorded that Syd became a part of the staff of Timely not until March 24, 1941 (posted on the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 27 May 2021). So he could not have been involved in the creation of this issue as a "staffer."

Joe Simon's grandchild, Jesse Simon, confirms this cover's work is by Simon and Kirby, Jack Kirby's pencils, and Joe Simon's pencils and inks (via Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, posted 28 May 2021).

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Kirby/Simon is the most likely answer - Joe Simon certainly had a hand in the cover design, I'm certain. Syd Shores has been attributed as an inker but this is old data stemming from a Shores interview in the early 1970s. I just don't know if Shores was with the crew as early as this first issue. Did Al Liederman help ink it? I don't know, but I highly doubt it." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

Vassallo, after a discussion with Nancy Shores Karlebach, noted in a 2 June 2021 conversation, that there is the need to reconcile two seemingly disparate notions. First of all, Syd gave an interview saying he worked on the first issue; Syd told his family the same. Secondly, Syd joined the staff “after” the issue was produced, so could not have worked on the issue as a “staffer.” Finally, the only way to reconcile this, without knowing the veracity, is to postulate Syd worked off-staff, off-site within the loose Simon and Kirby “shop” that produced the issue, along with Al Liederman (and anyone else who we will never know).

Issue Data

Parts of this issue are reprinted:

Indexer Notes

The on-sale date is the publication date reported in the U. S. Copyright Office filing.

From the indicia: CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS published by monthly Timely Publications, Meriden, Conn. Entered as second class matter at the Post Office, Meriden, Conn. Entire contents copyright 1940 by Timely Publications, 330 W. 42nd St., New York, N. Y. Vol. 2, No. 1, March 1941 issue Yearly subscription $1.00. Printed in the U.S.A.

Per artist George Roussos in an interview, he claimed to have inked 11-12 pages of this issue. Unknown as to what stories George inked (as related by Dave Reeder on the Error List, 26 Feb 2011).

..Table of Contents
(Table of Contents: 1)

table of contents / 1 page

Script:
Pencils:
Inks:
Letters:
?
Characters:
Rathkone
Reprints (6)

Indexer Notes

Inside front cover.

Table of Contents page introduces the stories and features in text and art for this issue.

Some info added by Craig Delich on June 9, 2008.

Case No. 1. Meet Captain America
(Table of Contents: 2)

Captain America / comic story / 7.5 pages

Script:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Pencils:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Inks:
Al Liederman (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Howard Ferguson (see notes)
  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Synopsis:
The Army is looking for a solution to the threat the Axis Powers pose to the people of America, and they discover the secret answer to their prayers: a super-soldier serum that will create an army of super soldiers! However, only one man receives the serum before it and its creator are destroyed: Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America!
Reprints (24)

Indexer Notes

Al Liederman inking credit from Joe Simon, via Greg Theakston. Joe Simon inking credit from Keith Chandler.

Synopsis added by Craig Delich June 9, 2008.

Per Keith Chandler, there are at least three different inkers here. Joe Simon does the Captain America and Bucky figures on page 1. Syd Shores (who recalled at least partially inking this issue) is evident on much of page 2 (the face of the saboteur in panel 1 is typical of his later credited work), 3, and 4. A different inker takes over on page 5 and into page 6. By comparison with his known Captain Kid stories in Captain Marvel Adventures 5 and 6, this does not look like Liederman's style, however, and despite Simon's identification, I cannot see Liederman here at all. Shores returns for at least a portion of pages 7 and 8.

However, per Syd's daughter, Nancy Shores Karlebach, Syd's wife kept a detailed scrapbook and she recorded that Syd became a part of the staff of Timely not until March 24, 1941 (posted on the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 27 May 2021). So he could not have been involved in the creation of this issue as a "staffer".

Kirby inks credits and Howard Ferguson letters credits are from the table of contents in the King-Size Kirby (Marvel, 2015 series) [#nn] (2015).

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Story by Simon & Kirby, pencils by Jack Kirby with additional pencils by Joe Simon, inks by Al Liederman. Additional inks by Simon and Kirby a possibility, though more likely Simon. Lettering by Howard Ferguson." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

Vassallo, after a discussion with Nancy Shores Karlebach, noted in a 2 June 2021 conversation, that there is the need to reconcile two seemingly disparate notions. First of all, Syd gave an interview saying he worked on the first issue; Syd told his family the same. Secondly, Syd joined the staff “after” the issue was produced, so could not have worked on the issue as a “staffer.” Finally, the only way to reconcile this, without knowing the veracity, is to postulate Syd worked off-staff, off-site within the loose Simon and Kirby “shop” that produced the issue, along with Al Liederman (and anyone else who we will never know).

[Captain America's Sentinels of Liberty]
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 3)

Captain America / promo (ad from the publisher) / 0.5 page

[Case No. 2]
(Table of Contents: 4)

Captain America / comic story / 7 pages

Script:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Pencils:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Inks:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Al Liederman (see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Howard Ferguson (see notes)
  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Synopsis:
Captain America and Bucky set out to solve the riddle of the connection between a wave of sabotage sweeping the U.S. defense industries and a strange little man who predicted it would happen.
Reprints (12)

Indexer Notes

Simon and Kirby pencil credits from Greg Theakston.

Synopsis added by Craig Delich June 9, 2008.

The title is taken from the Table of Contents.

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Story by Simon & Kirby, pencils by Jack Kirby with additional pencils by Joe Simon likely, inks by Al Liederman. Additional inks by Joe Simon a possibility. Lettering by Howard Ferguson." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

Captain America and the Soldiers' Soup
(Table of Contents: 5)

Captain America / text story / 2 pages

Script:
Martin Bursten ? (see notes)
Joe Simon ? (see notes)
Pencils:
Jack Kirby (illustrations, see notes)
Inks:
Jack Kirby (illustrations, see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset
  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Synopsis:
Captain America and Bucky uncover a plot to poison an entire Army post by saboteurs.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Jack Kirby and Joe Simon art credits and synopsis added by Craig Delich June 9, 2008.

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Script Joe Simon, (?) Martin Burstein (?) (I have no idea), illustrations by Jack Kirby." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

[The Chess Board of Death]
(Table of Contents: 6)

Captain America / comic story / 16 pages

Script:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Pencils:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Inks:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Al Liederman (see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Howard Ferguson (see notes)
  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Weird horror struck at army officers...
  • Universe:Marvel : mainstream
Characters:
Synopsis:
A weird figure has carved wooden chess figures of people who must be eliminated before he launches the mightiest blitzkrieg the world has ever seen. Unfortunately for him, two of those figures are Captain America and Bucky!
Reprints (10)

Indexer Notes

The title is taken from the Table of Contents.

Simon and Kirby pencils credits from Greg Theakston.

Synopsis added by Craig Delich June 9, 2008.

Per Keith Chandler, Syd Shores (per his claim in Alter Ego #11, page 46) is evident in the inking of the villains and most of the minor figures, but not Captain America, Steve Rogers, or Bucky Barnes, both in and out of costume. These appear, in the main, to be inked by Simon.

However, per Syd's daughter, Nancy Shores Karlebach, Syd's wife kept a detailed scrapbook and she recorded that Syd became a part of the staff of Timely not until March 24, 1941 (posted on the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 27 May 2021). So he could not have been involved in the creation of this issue. Shores credit removed.

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Story by Simon & Kirby, pencils by Jack Kirby but more penciling appears to have been done by Joe Simon, inks by Al Liederman and Joe Simon, Lettering by Howard Ferguson." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

The Riddle of the Red Skull
(Table of Contents: 7)

Captain America / comic story / 14 pages

Script:
Ed Herron (see notes)
Pencils:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Jack Kirby (credited) (see notes)
Inks:
Joe Simon (credited) (see notes)
Al Liederman (see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Howard Ferguson (see notes)
  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Synopsis:
Cap and Bucky come face to face with a villain who scares the wits out of his victims, then injects them with a poison that convinces others that he has killed them with his eyes!
Reprints (17)

Indexer Notes

Ed Herron script and Simon and Kirby pencil credits from Greg Theakston.

Synopsis added by Craig Delich June 9, 2008.

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Story by Ed Herron, pencils by Jack Kirby with help from Simon, inks by Al Liederman with Joe Simon, lettering by Howard Ferguson." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

[USA Comics]
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 8)

promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page

Murder, Ltd.
(Table of Contents: 9)

Hurricane / comic story / 10 pages

Script:
?
Pencils:
Jack Kirby (see notes)
Inks:
Jack Kirby (see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Jack Kirby (see notes)
  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Tim O'Leary; Police Commissioner Regan; District Attorney Nelson; Trigger Bates
Synopsis:
Alarmed at the gangland murders in a coastal town, Hurricane decides to "join" the gang in order to be in a position to halt their crimes.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

The story is a reworked Mercury story (the character previously appeared once in Red Raven Comics (Marvel, 1940 series) #1 (August 1940)).

Kirby inks credit from Greg Theakston.

Synopsis added by Craig Delich June 9, 2008.

Kirby letters credit identified by Greg Theakston and later Harry Mendryk on the Jack Kirby Museum web page http://kirbymuseum.org/blogs/simonandkirby/archives/2369, 31 October 2008 (retrieved 15 December 2014).

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Story unknown, penciled, inked and lettered by Jack Kirby." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

Stories from the Dark Ages
(Table of Contents: 10)

Tuk, Caveboy / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Otto Binder ? (see notes)
Pencils:
Jack Kirby (see notes)
Inks:
Jack Kirby (see notes)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Jack Kirby (see notes)
  • Genre:adventure; historical
Characters:
  • Tuk
    (introduction, origin)
Ak; Phaidor (introduction, dies in flashback); Rhaya (introduction, dies in flashback); Tanir (introduction); Goreks (villain, introduction, dies)
Synopsis:
Before his death, wise old Ak relates to Tuk about how he was the survivor of the hairless ones who once came to the jungle. Later, he meets up with Tanir, and they decide to team up and travel together.
Reprints (6)

Indexer Notes

Kirby inks credit from Greg Theakston.

Synopsis added by Craig Delich (June 2008).

Kirby letters credit identified by Greg Theakston and later Harry Mendryk on the Jack Kirby Museum web page http://kirbymuseum.org/blogs/simonandkirby/archives/2369, 31 October 2008.

Michael J. Vassallo examined the work and concludes "Story unknown (Otto Binder a possibility as per Binder's records), penciled, inked and lettered by Jack Kirby." (posted to the Joe Simon Appreciation Facebook page, 28 May 2021).

The splash panel describes Tuk setting off to find Attilan, "the island of the gods," though he never does find it. Much later Avengers stories implied a connection between Tuk and the Inhumans based on this reference to Attilan, also the name of the home of the Inhumans (Note prompted by Fred Snyder via the GCD Error Tracker).

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Table of Contents ToC
    Table of Contents
  1. ["Smashing thru, Captain America came face to face with Hitler..."]
    Captain America
  2. ..Table of Contents
  3. Case No. 1. Meet Captain America
    Captain America
  4. [Captain America's Sentinels of Liberty]
    Captain America
  5. [Case No. 2]
    Captain America
  6. Captain America and the Soldiers' Soup
    Captain America
  7. [The Chess Board of Death]
    Captain America
  8. The Riddle of the Red Skull
    Captain America
  9. [USA Comics]
  10. Murder, Ltd.
    Hurricane
  11. Stories from the Dark Ages
    Tuk, Caveboy
Related Links
Issue was modified by, among others
  • Darci
  • Henry Andrews
  • Dwayne Best
  • Ray Bottorff Jr
  • John Censullo
  • Keith Chandler
  • João Clérigo
  • Steve Coates
  • Terry Collier
  • Peter Croome
  • Steve Dasinger
  • Craig Delich
  • Del Gruber
  • Kirk House
  • Bob Hughes
  • Steve Jenner
  • Frank Lovece
  • R. S. Martin
  • Lou Mazzella
  • Darrel McCann
  • Mike Nielsen
  • Mark Q
  • Tony R. Rose
  • Ramon Schenk
  • Jim Van Dore
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