Marvel Comics publishing is capitalizing on Marvel Studios films in a big way, with the release of a Captain America: The First Avenger digital comic prequel, titled Captain America: First Vengeance. The series was originally announced in an article on USA Today.
The first issue will debut for free on captainamerica.com — which currently redirects to the homepage of Viacom, the owner of First Avenger distributor Paramount — this Sunday, coinciding with the trailer’s debut during Super Bowl XLV. The comic will then be available on the Marvel digital apps starting starting a week from today on Feb. 8, and each subsequent issue will cost 99 cents. Each issue of First Vengeance — eight in total, 11 pages each — will focus on a different character (heroes and villains), showing events leading up to the start of the film.
The series is written by Fred Van Lente and illustrated in alternating issues by Luke Ross and Neil Edwards; the latter artist is also working with Van Lente and co-writer Greg Pak in the recently announced April-debuting series Herc.
Captain America: The First Avenger is in theaters on July 22. Look for more on the series on Newsarama in the coming days. In the meantime, the first cover and two interior pages of issue #1 follow after the jump.
February 1st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
When you have been with the “real’ Captain for 20 years or so. This seems water down for others to catch up.
Good luck.
February 1st, 2011 at 3:06 pm
A few observations.
1) It’s becoming more and more apparent that the Nazi aspect of this movie is being toned down if not outright ignored. Hydra have clearly taken their place. Very odd, seeing as it takes place in World War II and all. Since when are Nazis not ok to show in such a period piece?
2) “Vengeance”? Really? Since when is Captain America vengeful? It very well could be that the title refers to Baron Zemo or the Red Skull, but the “edgy” title for such a delicate character seems wrong.
That aside, I am eagerly awaiting the movie.
February 1st, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I find it pretty ballless that Marvel is replacing the Nazis with Hydra. How can you have a movie involving WWII without Nazis? This is weak beyond measure…
February 1st, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Pretty sure Hydra works for the Nazis in the movie. I really doubt they have been removed completely.
February 1st, 2011 at 5:32 pm
If you read the comic it clearly says “Nazi-occupied”. Try seeing the movie first kids.
February 1st, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Hydra, replacing the Nazi’s, if you don’t like it don’t read it or see it, end of story, but wait I forgot this is the internet and feelings about this have to be known…good god.
February 1st, 2011 at 9:36 pm
I just assumed the Hydra connection is established during WWII so that they can resurface in the present day in future movies as an established Captain America enemy. Connecting them with the Nazis isn’t so farfetched. In the comics, The Red Skull – the ultimate marvel nazis, eventually turned his back on the Nazis movement after he was brought back in modern times. Marvel has always depicted Nazis as loyal to their cause only to a point.
February 1st, 2011 at 10:01 pm
“if you don’t like it don’t read it”
Same goes for you. If you dont like seeing people complain about whatever, then dont read their comments
July 21st, 2011 at 11:16 am
Excited for Captain America? Check out this trailer talk on the movie http://bit.ly/pMjeUY