NEW YORK, March 10, 2007

Fans: Captain America Died For His Ideals

66-Year-Old Superhero Shot Dead In Struggle Between Civil Liberties And National Security

  • Play CBS Video Video The Death Of A Super Hero

    One of America's longest-serving super heroes was killed off recently. Michelle Miller reports on the death of Captain America and what he meant to comic book fans throughout the country.

    • "He’s actually a man out of time who lives with convictions and morals of the '40s, trying to adapt to a new millennium," Gerry Gladston, co-owner of Midtown Comics, says of Captain America.  (CBS)

    • The WWII-era superhero has gone through several incarnations over the years, but today Captain America is no more, felled by a sniper's bullet.

      The WWII-era superhero has gone through several incarnations over the years, but today Captain America is no more, felled by a sniper's bullet.  (Getty Images/Michel Boutefeu)

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  • Photo Essay Stan Lee's Superheroes

    Find out more about Stan Lee's superheroes and action figures for Marvel Comics.

(CBS)  Born to fight the Nazis in World War II, he was the original symbol of truth, justice and the American way. CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports.

This week, when many think America needs him the most, Captain America died at the hands of a new enemy.

"A lot of people look up to Captain America, not only in the comic book world but in real life," says Quentin Mugavrin, a Captain America fan.

Over the last year, Marvel Comics fans have followed a Civil War. The community of comic book superheroes split down the middle — battling each other over the government's call to register them.

Captain America rebelled, calling the measure an infringement of his civil liberties. His one-time buddy, Iron Man, believed it was all for the greater good — national security.

“Fans were absolutely torn as to which side they were on,” says Marvel Comics editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada.

Quesada can't deny the parallels between his Marvel Universe and the real world. He had plenty of material to work with: a War on Terror, battlefronts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and above all, concerns over the Patriot Act.

"We were asking the question, the very, very simple question, which is, What is more important for you, your civil liberties or your personal safety?"

This week fans got the answer. Captain America was bumped off, betrayed, in true Manchurian Candidate fashion, by his girlfriend after she had been hypnotized.

The issue sold out in a day and a half.

Marvel comics killed off Captain America once before, when the Nazis blew up his plane over the North Atlantic. He was frozen in ice for 20 years.

Maybe that's why he seemed a little old fashioned for this age when so many of our leaders seem to have flaws.

"He’s actually a man out of time who lives with the convictions and morals of the '40s, trying to adapt to a new millennium," says Gerry Gladston, co-owner of Midtown Comics.

Quesada says he’s not sure if fans will see Captain Marvel in the future or not.

One thing's for sure, the comic book will live on — without its namesake.

"That to me is why this story is worth telling now because to me its: How do we get along without Captain America?” says Quesada. “Do we stand up? Do we step down?"

Because now, maybe more than ever, America needs its heroes.

Michelle Miller © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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by monsterbynit March 12, 2007 9:37 PM EDT
WE NEED HEROS WITH OLD SCHOOL AMERICAN VALUES!!
Classic comics were an escape from reality.
Modern comics are our reality!!
That takes all the fun out of it, & GOES anginst
the idea of what superheros are all about.
MARVEL SHOULD KEEP THE OPINONS ABOUT WAR & GOVN.
TO THEMSELVES.
PS A CIVIL WAR BETWEEN SUPERHEROS IS A DUMB A*S
IDEA ANYWAY.
Reply to this comment
by sketco-2009 March 11, 2007 11:30 PM EDT
"Quesada says he%u2019s not sure if fans will see Captain Marvel in the future or not."--Michelle Miller
It's Marvel Comics and Captain America, not Captain Marvel.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 9:04 PM EDT
Patrick Henry
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775

The following text is a fatwa, or declaration of war, by Osama bin Laden first published in Al Quds Al Arabi, a London-based newspaper, in August, 1996. The fatwa is entitled "Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places."
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/terrorism/international/fatwa_1996.html
nText of Fatwah Urging Jihad Against Americans
http://www.ict.org.il/articles/fatwah.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/980223-fatwa.htm

Osama bin Laden's Declaration of War
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden%27s_Declaration_of_War
Reply to this comment
by valenda1965 March 11, 2007 8:30 PM EDT
to CaptainReasn: take your own advice and clean up your language little kids might be trying to read this. and you ALL have missed the point.Its not the comic book character that people mourn its the loss of a champion, someone who stood for something and never backed down or agreed with someone just because they wanted to get along.we could all take a page from him .Good,clean,honest,decent and moral. Too bad there arent more real people like him.
Reply to this comment
by valenda1965 March 11, 2007 7:51 PM EDT
what does any of this nonsense have to do with the article? Yes America does need heroes and we have them. The wife who stays loyal when her husband goes off to war . The father raising his kids because mom is gone. The soldiers who fight for freedom against mindless terriosts that live only to kill maime and destroy . They are so filled with hate they love nothing or no one. Comic book heroes like Captain America,DareDevil,Batman may be fiction but to a latch key kid they give a safe place to go,to dream and to believe that there are people who care and who want to make a difference.They are important. Are kids need someone to look up to and these guys beat rappers who spout hate filth and rage.Bring back Captain America and re unite the super heroes. Show that friendship , love,and respect for one anothers belief out weigh politics. we dont have to agree to love one another and sometimes we have to agree to disagree and move on for the sake of everyone.
Reply to this comment
by auramac March 11, 2007 7:38 PM EDT
Interesting debate that mirrors where we are in America today- security or freedom? Can't we have both?... One of the greatest comics ever created was Avengers #4 in which Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brought back Steve Rogers aka Captain America by thawing him out. It's not just the costume- it's the man! it's not just the symbolism- I lost interest in Green Lantern when Hal Jordan was replaced by a "new" contempory guy wearing his costume. Same for Barry Allen's Flash, though that too had happened before. Someone other than Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent? Out of the question. No, the problem is a creative one- this new crop of comic writers and artists have run out of ideas. And we're all numb- so we have to be shocked into caring about things or buying comics. How about taking what you've got, what's gone before, and using a little talent? What's next- replacing the flag? How about a "new, improved, edgy" constitution? Don't get me wrong- in most areas I'm a complete radical. But traditions matter. Bring back Captain America! But you must also- bring back Steve Rogers, too! No substitutions allowed!
Reply to this comment
by auramac March 11, 2007 7:35 PM EDT
Interesting debate that mirrors where we are in America today- security or freedom? Can't we have both?... One of the greatest comics ever created was Avengers #4 in which Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brought back Steve Rogers aka Captain America by thawing him out. It's not just the costume- it's the man! it's not just the symbolism- I lost interest in Green Lantern when Hal Jordan was replaced by a "new" contempory guy wearing his costume. Same for Barry Allen's Flash, though that too had happened before. Someone other than Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent? Out of the question. No, the problem is a creative one- this new crop of comic writers and artists have run out of ideas. And we're all numb- so we have to be shocked into caring about things or buying comics. How about taking what you've got, what's gone before, and using a little talent? What's next- replacing the flag? How about a "new, improved, edgy" constitution? Don't get me wrong- in most areas I'm a complete radical. But traditions matter. Bring back Captain America! But you must also- bring back Steve Rogers, too! No substitutions allowed!
Reply to this comment
by mark19772 March 11, 2007 6:55 PM EDT
Why I am wasting my time with ignorant like you???? Go and educate yourself%u2026read try to read, it will change you to a better person, can live with others as a human being. And next time when you talk to people don%u2019t generalize, people are different.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 6:54 PM EDT
here's your enemy skippy..... try to remember that..... there will be a test later....
UK TV AIRS SHOCK 'UNDERCOVER' LOOK INTO MAINSTREAM BRIT MOSQUES...
Dispatches: Undercover Mosque
This is part one of the much-anticipated UK Channel 4 documentary Dispatches: Undercover Mosque, exposing evidence of Islamic supremacism, shocking misogyny, and support for violence at a number of Britain%u2019s leading mosques and Muslim institutions. (Thanks again to LGF operative kasper.)

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24018_Dispatches-_Undercover_Mosque&only

Dispatches - Undercover Mosque (1 to 6)
UK Channel 4, aired 15th January 2007.
Radicalisation of UK mosques by Saudi Wahabbism
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dispatches+- Undercover Mosque
http://youtube.com/watch?v=peFQWuk4nuo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MuCLC8kjWCI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x5t5EqWX92k
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yMztM0Z7BYE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=V4Zv3BUmwqs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KvjvNScmTQA
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 6:51 PM EDT
tell it to the fascist nazi islamic muslims haji.....
so you are a fascist nazi islamic muslim collaborator..... just as bad haji.....

there will be no more fascist nazi islamic muslims, like there are no fascist nazi germans.....

usa doesn't occupy without approval haji.....
Reply to this comment
by mark19772 March 11, 2007 6:44 PM EDT
First I m not muslim, second you need to learn how to love%u2026hate is blinding your eyes, you can%u2019t see the truth, or maybe you hate to see the truth!

Second, China and India will lead the world you like it or not, that time we can%u2019t occupy other nations without there approvals%u2026.and I like that heheheheheheheh.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 6:37 PM EDT
it is you fascist nazi islamic muslims that hate haji....

the only reason india and china have the econimies they have is because of the usa and converting to capitalism from socialims/communism....... you think their countries are so wonderful.... lol go live in them hahahahahahaha

Reply to this comment
by mark19772 March 11, 2007 6:27 PM EDT
Hehehehehe%u2026..you are hopeless case%u2026.lol
In the time when other nations economies like China and India growing by 11% a year we are sinking in a 9 trillions $ debt, and a war costing us every year more than the entire cost of WWII with the money of today and more than 500 billion $ deficit, this war will last for years and years%u2026maybe we will win but the two big winner are China and India, the worlds supper powers in the next few years.

How about we think instead of hate?!! Sounds different from what you learned in your life?

Think think think
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 6:13 PM EDT
mark19772 ww1 and ww2 were not about religion haji.....
but all the fascist nazi islamic wars are.....

are you trying to justify the human rights violations commited around the planet by fascist nazi islam in the philippines, thailand, india, china, russia, yugoslavia, europe, africa, darfur, etc etc etc

and these human rights violations??

islam practices slavery on non muslims
islam practices apartheid on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices rape on babies and animals
islam practices genocide on non muslims
Reply to this comment
by mark19772 March 11, 2007 6:08 PM EDT
There is no bloodier book in history more than the bible,
No darker history than Europe during the church rule.
The fist child rape was on Merry, and then she gave birth to Jesus when she was 14 years old.
No greater genocide than the one committed by Christians among themselves during the WWI and II.
The ugliest slavery happened in the human history was in this country by the name of Jesus against the blacks.

When you will grew up and read history???
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 5:58 PM EDT
Is islam a violation of international law???

islam practices slavery on non muslims
islam practices apartheid on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices rape on babies and animals
islam practices genocide on non muslims

all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/22/world/main2505445.shtml
Imam Khomeini - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
http://www.homa.org/Details.asp?ContentID=2137352826&TOCID=2083225445
Malaysia women 'suffer apartheid'
The daughter of Malaysia's former prime minister has launched a scathing attack on the roles and status of Muslim women in the country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4784784.stm
A matter of tolerance
http://musingwithmarinamahathir.blogspot.com/2006/12/matter-of-tolerance.html
Marina Mahathir
http://musingwithmarinamahathir.blogspot.com/
Reply to this comment
by mark19772 March 11, 2007 5:50 PM EDT
You are stupid redneck, racist, no wonder all the world%u2019s nations going forward and we are going backward.

What a future waiting for us when we have stupid raciest, ignorant, among us.

If you know anything about history you won%u2019t say what you said, any way it%u2019s our destiny to live with ignorant in the same land.
Reply to this comment
by slupal2 March 11, 2007 5:37 PM EDT
Once again the liberals have ruined something good. What is wrong with something that not only makes you feel good but gives you a good feeling. Perhaps they should have killed off author instead????
Reply to this comment
by mark19772 March 11, 2007 5:34 PM EDT
Who is occupying who? We are occupying Iraq? Or Iraq is occupying us? You guys don%u2019t read or what???

Try to think%u2026use your mind at least once in your life, who crated this entire problem%u2026who invaded Iraq?

You guys are hapless.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 5:28 PM EDT
think about living under fascist nazi apartheid system for non muslims in every muslim country haji

these stupid silly little fascist nazi Islamic muslims are no different than the stupid silly little fascist nazi germans

"When they came to arrest the Jews, I did not say any thing. I am not a Jew.
When they came to arrest the communists, I did not say anything. I am not a communist.
When they came to arrest the socialists, I did not say anything. I am not a socialist.
When they cam to arrest the homosexuals, gypsies, mentally retarded, etc. I did not say anything, I am none of the above.
When they came to arrest me, there was no one to speak for me."

when any one of us are not free then non of us are free.... fascist nazi islam enslaves and murders non muslims.....
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