It nearly happened during the era of Roger Stern and John Byrne on Cap's book. It was a short run, only nine issues, but I consider it a rather fun run. This run, alongside Mark Gruenwald's run, is one of my absolute favorite runs on Captain America.
Considering recent events, I thought it would be appropriate to review a Captain America comic. But which one? I thought about it until it hit me. There was an issue where Captain America nearly did become President of the United States. I thought that would be fun to take a look at that issue. So, here it is, Captain America #250!
The cover is a simple one, a campaign button. It's a well-designed button, and it's front-and-center. Even better, it illustrates what story you're going to get inside, Cap is on the campaign trail! Let's take a look at the interiors, shall we...
"Cap for President"!
Writer: Roger Stern (with Don Perlin and Roger McKenzie)
Penciler: John Byrne (with Ed Hannigan on the last page)
Inker: Josef Rubinstein
Letterer: Jim Novak
Colorist: George Roussos
Editor: Jim Salicrup, Bob Budiansky
Editor-In-Chief: Jim Shooter
The issue begins with a group of terrorists. They have seized control of a room where a political party is hosting a convention, and got a hostage. However, their little crisis would not last long.
Yup! Captain America, the Star-Spangled Man with a Plan, bursts into the room and proceeds to do what he does best: Giving the bad guys their proper thrashing. After he does so, the police mop up, led by an FBI agent. A man runs up to Cap, and is very eager to meet him.
The man introduces himself as Samuel T. Underwood, who is the chairman of the New Populist Party convention that was just held up. He wants to introduce Cap to his staff. The FBI agent assures him that he and the police have got things under control, and Cap agrees to the offer. After all, what could happen, right?
Underwood remarks that as a boy, he saw old newsreels of Cap in action during WWII (remember, this comic was published in 1980), and he would consider it a great honor to meet the man himself. Underwood introduces Cap to his staff, and a couple of them even remark they were vets of WWII themselves (again, 1980). Underwood gets an idea, and comes right out and says it: Captain America should be the party's presidential candidate.
Cap states he's not a politician, but Underwood states that the country needs a leader. He points out that the people need an alternative to the current crop of candidates (In 1980, the election was between Ronald Reagan (Republican), Jimmy Carter (Democrat, who was the incumbent President), and John B. Anderson (Independent)), and Cap could be the viable alternative the NPP are looking for. Yeah, this cynicism and "All the candidates suck" mentality is nothing new. Underwood's staff think it's crazy at first, but become convinced it just might work.
Cap tells them that he'll think about it, but he doesn't intend to think about it too seriously. However, Underwood decides to play to the sleazy politician stereotype and call the Daily Bugle to tell them about Cap running for President. Yeah, Underwood's a jerk.
Steve comes back to his apartment, where he gets a visitor: Josh Cooper, a neighbor of Cap's who teaches disabled children. I like Josh. He shows some mail to Steve, which is from the Army. He also reminds Cap that they have to help a woman named Bernie move in to her apartment.
The woman is Bernie Rosenthal. She was a love interest of Cap's back in those days. She would go on to become a lawyer. Josh and Steve help her move in, Josh noticing that Steve hasn't even broken a sweat after all that manual work. Super-Soldier Serum and regularly beating up bad guys really helps the stamina. The three enjoy some coffee and start talking slightly about politics, when Mike Farrel shows up. He has a glorious moustache.
Farell, a firefighter, reveals that he was involved in a discussion at the firehouse about some news.
This newspaper panel is used rather cleverly to reveal the creative team of this comic.
Mike, Sharon, and Josh are amazed, while Steve is concerned. What does he know about the issues? The others say that Cap just seems like someone they could trust. Cap arrives at Avengers Mansion, only to be swarmed by reporters. He finally manages to swim his way through the reporters and get to the mansion. In a bit of a funny moment, Beast bounces in, eagerly showing his support for Cap.
love this take on Beast. I always have. I miss the fun-loving Beast who was popular with the ladies. I mean, look at Cap. Even Cap is amused by his antics. Look at that panel! We see that smile, Cap!
Steve then encounters Iron Man, Wasp, and the Vision, who give their two cents about Cap's possible candidacy.
Cap is shocked that anyone would take this seriously, as none of it was even his idea. He decides he needs to do some thinking. We then get a view of some people on the street, as well as a couple of other superheroes.
I have to point out here that here's some great use of layout in this part and the scene with Iron Man Wasp, And Vision giving their opinions. Another funny moment in this comic, Robbie Robertson suggests that Spider-Man could run for mayor of New York. Jameson's response is great.
Cap is patrolling the city, lost in thought, when he encounters an old abandoned building. He realizes he went to school in this building back in the thirties. He then reminisces about his schoolboy days, and one of his old teachers, a Mrs. Crosley. Cap remembers her a tough teacher, but a fair one, standing straight as a ruler at the chalkboard...
It's a nice little moment for many reasons. Mainly, it gives us a glimpse of Cap's childhood, and is a rare opportunity for the reader to see a little bit of what Steve Rogers's life was like before WWII and the Super-Soldier Serum came into his life. Also, it helps us show that Cap may be one of the most admired heroes in the MU, but he has his heroes, too. There were people that inspired and helped shape Steve Rogers into the man he is today. Cap decides to give Mr. Underwood a call (to ream him over this whole thing, I hope), and make a speech.
A few hours later, Captain America is standing at a podium in a convention center, and Underwood is introducing him to a wildly cheering crowd. Cap then goes into his speech. He explains he understands the importance of the Presidency, and the responsibilities it entails. However, Cap swore a duty to protect the American Dream, and that that duty could compromise his ability to live up to the responsibilities of the Presidency. As such, he turns down the candidacy. He expresses his hopes that the people can find the people they need to keep the nation strong and free.
He then leaves through the crowd, and they disperse, all accompanied by a quote rom the late John F. Kennedy: "The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle...but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy. A man does what he must--in spite of personal consequences...in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures...and that is the basis of all human morality."
Captain America #250 is a fun comic. John Byrne's art is very well-done, and Josef Rubinstein's inks compliment his pencils well. Ed Hannigan did the last page, and to be honest, I never noticed that until now. I wonder how that ended up happening. Roger Stern also has done some enjoyable writing here. It is an interesting idea, a superhero possibly running for public office. I can't think of any major weak spots in the comic. If you find this comic in the back issue bins, pick it up. If you want to read more of their work on Cap, I recommend picking up the War and Remembrance trade paperback. The trade was originally published in 1990, but it was reprinted in 2007.
I own the 2007 trade, and it's one of my favorite Cap trades to read through. The 2007 trade comes with special features, including an interview with Roger Stern, a foreword by him, and six pages of Byrne's pencils for a tenth Stern/Byrne Cap story that never got completed.
Next time, I intend to look at a story focusing on one of my favorite superheroes: A certain wise-cracking web-slinger...
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