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Characters & first appearances

What is the first appearance of Captain America?

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerCaptain America first appeared in Captain America Comics #1, cover-dated March 1941 and on sale in December 1940, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby for Timely Comics, the company that became Marvel. The issue is famous for its cover of Cap punching Adolf Hitler, published a year before the United States entered the Second World War, and it also introduced Bucky and the Red Skull. A CGC 9.4 copy sold for 3.12 million dollars at Heritage Auctions in April 2022.

The issue

Unlike most Golden Age heroes, Captain America debuted in his own title rather than in an anthology. Simon and Kirby produced the whole issue: the origin of Steve Rogers, the super-soldier serum and Bucky Barnes, and the first Red Skull (in this issue a Nazi agent named George Maxon). The Hitler cover was controversial enough to draw threats to the publisher's office.

What followed

Captain America Comics ran for 75 issues to 1950 (with a brief 1954 revival as Captain America... Commie Smasher). The character was revived in the Silver Age in Avengers #4 (March 1964) — see Avengers #4 explained — and has been published continuously since, in Tales of Suspense from #59 and in his own title from 1968.

Collecting Captain America Comics #1

One of the three or four most valuable Golden Age books, alongside Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27 and Marvel Comics #1. High-grade copies are exceptionally rare; the 9.4 sold in 2022 is among the finest known. Mid- and low-grade copies still trade well into six figures. Restored copies are common and must be priced as such.

  • Captain America Comics #3 (May 1941) — Stan Lee's first published work, a text story.
  • Avengers #4 (March 1964) — Silver Age return.
  • Captain America #100 (April 1968) — first issue of the solo title, continuing Tales of Suspense numbering.

See the Captain America character page for what is in the store, and the Timely Comics publisher page for other Golden Age Marvel.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

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Key issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

Avengers #1

CGC 8.5 · Universal Blue

First appearance of the Avengers (Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Ant-Man, Wasp)

(9)
$95,000
Key issueLast copy

Timely Comics · Golden Age

Captain America Comics #1

CGC 6.0 · Universal Blue

First appearance of Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Bucky Barnes

(5)
$450,000
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Marvel Comics · Silver Age

Avengers #57

CGC 9.4 · Universal Blue

First appearance of the Vision

(0)
$2,200$2,900
Key issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

Avengers #48

CGC 8.5 · Universal Blue

Dane Whitman becomes the new Black Knight

(0)
$1,900

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