Captain America: Musings in American Culture [SPOILERS]

For everyone out there who doesn't know, Captain America has died. More specifically, he has been murdered. However, if we have learned anything from comic books (and religion), it is that death is not permanent. I am not saying that Captain America is Jesus, I am just stating fact. Many comic book heroes have died, only to return again in some deus ex machina plot device (a la Superman and Jean Grey).

That being said, the New York Times had this as a front page article. What most readers do not consider are the social implications of killing off Capt. America. Just look at the image provided for you on this blog. What is Captain America about? Clearly it is answered in the phrase, "Liberty and Justice For All." Leading up to the death of Captain America, Marvel Comics introduced a story arch that encompassed all of the known Marvel Universe. They named this arch: Civil War. The premise is simple. A reality show super hero team is in hot pursuit of a super villain. They corner the super villain, and with nothing to lose, said villain unleashes a devastating energy explosion, killing himself and several hundred people. Most of this villain's victims are children as the conflict is across the street from a public school in Connecticut.

The American public in the Marvel Universe demand fast retribution, not against the villain, but the super hero team and by extension, the super-abled community (not all super-abled peoples in the Marvel Universe choose to be heroes, some chose to lead normal lives and are only super-abled by accidents of birth or by radiation). The government responds by requiring all super-abled peoples in America to register their identities, abilities, etc. to the government. This cleaves the super-abled community in half. There is the faction that agrees with the registration. Their prevailing ideology is that super heroes should not be above the law, but accountable to it. The other faction believes this to be a dangerous idea. That to force the registration would endanger not only themselves, but their families (and the individual rights to privacy one has in America).

Lines are drawn, sides are taken. In an almost uncharacteristic move, Captain America chooses the side of the resistance, and in fact, becomes the figure head and leader of this movement against the registration of super-abled peoples. Iron Man, Captain America's best friend and most trusted wing man in battle, takes the side of the government.

The resistance is quelled, and Iron Man is triumphant. The death of Captain America is a blow to everyone, and no one is happy with this. But to truly understand what social implications the death of a fictional character has, we must also understand the victor in this story. Iron Man's true identity is that of Tony Stark, multi-billionaire playboy genius inventor.

Now lets, just for a moment, consider what these characters represent, not who they are as fictional characters. Tony Stark represents money, powers (by any means), and to some extent, cut throat and unchecked capitalism. Captain America represents the American Way. A way which is embedded in the ideals that we have certain... how do you say it.. unalienable rights as a HUMAN BEING. He fights for liberty and justice for all. Now lets, just for another moment, consider what it means to kill Captain America. For the cultural observer, it means the author believes the ideas and way of America has been killed by money and power. So what is Marvel Comics saying about the American Way? What is Marvel Comics saying about this war we are actually in? What is Marvel Comics saying about power and money? What does the death of an icon have to do with the current state of affairs?

Heavy stuff, huh. And you just thought it was a comic book. For shame...