Avengers #4 explained: the return of Captain America
Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read
Short answerAvengers #4 (March 1964), by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, revives Captain America, found frozen in ice by the Avengers and made a member. It is his first Silver Age appearance and first appearance in the modern Marvel Universe, which is why it is the most valuable issue of the early Avengers run after #1 and one of the major Silver Age keys.
The story
The Sub-Mariner throws a block of ice into the sea; the Avengers pull a costumed body from it. Cap wakes, remembers Bucky's death, and joins the team within the issue. Kirby, who co-created the character in 1941, drew the return. The Golden Age Captain America continuity — including the 1950s revival — was later explained away as other men in the costume.
Why it matters
- First Silver Age Captain America.
- Cap becomes the Avengers' leader, the role he has held for most of the title's history.
- Marvel's first explicit link between its Golden Age and its 1960s line.
Collecting
High-grade copies are scarce. The Golden Record reprint (1966) and a Marvel Milestone Edition exist. A CGC 6.5 is in the store, and the store also has Avengers #1, #48, #57, #87 and #100 — see First appearance of the Avengers for the list. See also First appearance of Captain America and the Captain America character page.
Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.
