Marvel Masterworks: Captain America, Vol. 3

Marvel Masterworks: Captain America #3

by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (Illustrator), Jim Steranko (Illustrator)

Just in time for the Fourth of July!
Mighty Marvel is unfurling a new Masterworks crafted by an incomparable trio of talents: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko! Its the best of 60s Marvel dynamism and design in one Captain America-packed volume!
Its all set off by four-issue rumble with the Red Skull! When the Nazi neer-do-well attachs an H- Bomb fuse to Cap, he has no choice but to serve the Skull or America will suffer nuclear annihilation! Even a healthy thumping on Batroc the Leaper and the Trapster, cant cure the Man Out of Times woes over his lost companion, Bucky. Relive Caps amazing origin and learn how he met Bucky Barnes.
If all that calamity from The King Kirby wasnt enough, strap on your psychedelic crash helmet for a course in Steranko! The master of the medium will take you on a ride like none other with Cap vs. the Hulk, the return of Bucky, and the death of Captain America in a battle with Hydra. We dont need to say it, but we cant help ourselvesNuff Said!
Collecting Captain America (Vol. 1) #101-113.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Superheroes

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Reviews

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories brought me back to 1968...a time machine of sorts, back to when I was about 14 and really into comics (and still are). 12 cents an issue! Some great classic stories by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko.

I remember reading all these stories when they first came out. When Steranko first started drawing Captain America it was a jolt, but turned out to be a welcome jolt.

Thanks to Comixology Unlimited for bringing back all these great memories, to like once again for me.

[Christopher (Donut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 'run' is really all about CA #110, 111, and 113, Jim Steranko's three seminal, epoch-making issues.

I put the first splash page only to point out how "Eisnerian" it is:



Anyway, others have analysed these three stories, or this three-issue storyline, page by page.

Let me just say, as a fanboy in all seriousness, Steranko rules.

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to pick this up after a recent rewatch of Captain America: Winter Soldier. I was struck by just home much that movie owes to the early days. You see Caps disillusionment with SHIELD even this early.
Overall, I really enjoyed this the story and dialogue was engaging, and I even found it to be pretty fresh.

We discuss this in more detail on an episode of Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWxE3...

[Ross Kitson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection with the juxtaposition of Kirby and Steranko's styles. Of the Kirby stories, we get full issues (after the shorter stories of the pre-100 issues) and some incredible full page panels. There's a full scope of villains here: The Red Skull, the 4th Sleeper, Zemo, Batroc, and the first appearance of Dr Faustus. There's some of Lee's silliness here-- the Red China LMD story is daft, as is the frequent kidnapping of Sharon Carter, and the Exiles felt odd. The classic three Steranko issues at the end are remarkable: Hydra feel capable and Relentless, and the story has a definite mature vibe. It's derailed slightly by a Lee-Kirby retrospective between parts 2 and 3 which felt pointless.
The longer issues feel far more suitable for the stories and allow a more nuanced Cap, dealing with the recurrebt themes of man out of time, guilt over Bucky, and conflict over his love for Sharon.
A great collection and I'm keen to read onto volume 3 and the introduction of the Falcon.

[Michael P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with Jim Steranko that the CAPTAIN AMERICA title had lost its way under Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The evidence is in the first 9 issues and the twelfth collected in this book. While I disagree with Steranko solution, Cap's exposed secret identity was not the problem, the three issues in which Steranko attempts to correct this are the best in this collection. The rest reads like the Lee/Kirby formula for grinding out comics long after the formula lost its vitality. Steranko really thought about breaking that tradition with the result that he presented an exciting three-part story. Alas, it is too little too late, and the end of Steranko's work on Captain America.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirby's artwork gains a new sophistication with the detailed inking of Syd Shores, although they look like less than pure Kirby. Then Steranko brings everything to a whole new level, inspiring better than usual writing by Lee, especially for this title, which had a Golden Age hokiness well into the run. Adkins and Tuska ink Kirby with the faithfulness of Mike Royer. The stories are a little simple, but continuing to get better.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan lee and jack Kirby an unbeatable team.

Good color artwork. Some of Captain America's best villains; red skull,dr faustus,batroc, trapster, madame hydra,swordsman. Now with Captain America the villains are very important. Falcon appears soon.

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories aren't great, but Jack Kirby's art helps, and when Jim Steranko comes on board, both the plots and art are strong (although Lee's dialogue never improves).

[Jack Stubblefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steranko!

Pretty amazing the leap in cinematic layout that Steranko brought to Cap. Highly recommended. New ideas for Mighty Marvel. Great stuff, Maynard!

[JW David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain America #101-113.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steranko writes and draws some of them.

[Brian Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here are two artists I really like, Kirby and Steranko. They have totally different styles that both work for Cap. I have always loved the character of Captain America for the ideals he represents. His over the top exposition can get a bit tiring at times, though. These stories are a good read to witness the transformation of Captain America.

[Edward Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third volume of 60s Captain America tales is a fun read. It's kitschy, but that's what I've coem to expect from Cap, and although the stories are mediocre, the character development is well observed. Some things happen a little too quickly, like Rick Jones becoming the new Bucky after Caps years of regret for getting his young sidekick killed, but othert han that there is a nice flow as the series progresses.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last three issues are perhaps among the very greatest cinematic artistic achievements in the comic book medium ever and certainly for the very espionage influenced decade of the 60s. Jim Steranko's breathtaking art is worth staring at for hours. An absolute must for any comic collection.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of the first silver age Captain America stories. These stories of the relaunch of Captain America into the modern era are must reads for fans of early Marvel Comics. Very recommended

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steranko > Kirby here, even if Steranko is a self-aggrandizing blowhard.