The Avengers 004 [Captain America Lives Again!] (1963|Digital)

After his popularity dried up in the post-WWII period, Captain America comics all but disappeared after 1950, save a brief and short-lived 1953 revival. After a decade of absence from publication, Steve Rogers was revived by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (his original artist and co-creator) in this instant classic tale. During a confrontation with Namor, Captain America is discovered by the Avengers in block of ice. In a fit of rage, Namor hurls the ice into the sea, and it begins to dissolve - and the drifts near the team's sub. They are all astonished to discover that Captain America is not only alive but apparently unharmed. The plot progresses from there and devolves into some typical 60's silliness for a spell, but for more the most part this legendary issue gets the story done right. The simple yet expressive panels of Kirby are amazing, and some scenes still hold up - Cap mistaking Rick Jones for Bucky, or his lamentation after being unfrozen. It is especially useful to consider these scenes in the modern context (in light of Brubaker's run, and The Winter Soldier film), as well as note some pf the startling differences that have been retconned into the story - most notably Namor not knowing Cap at all, whereas in later years they were shown as allies during WWII with a mutual respect for each other, as members of the The Invaders. Mark Waid's "Man Out Of Time" provides another point of contrast, as he redoes elements of this story for the modern era - but the original is still an awesome piece of work, to this day. This is Digital copy was found by accident, and there is no scanner credit listed. Still, thanks to whoever took the time to create this version - it is crystal clear and a sight to behold. Please seed and enjoy! :-)