Captain America in 1964

There’s something quite perma-fresh about Jack Kirby art. The contortions of the characters are so dynamic that they don’t need to obey the laws of physics. That’s really all there is to say about the two Tales of Suspense issues that feature Captain America as a backup to Iron Man at the end of the year.

Lee’s writing might have his signature bounce, but it’s clear his heart isn’t as into this as it is in Spider-Man or Fantastic Four.

The shared issues of Tales aren’t Cap’s best couple of outings of the year. Rather, it’s his introduction in Avengers during the first half of 1964 that deserves all the oxygen in the room.

I don’t know which resurfacing was more impactful: Namor in the pages of Fantastic Four or Cap’s thawing in Avengers. Over the long haul, certainly Captain America. In the moment, I’m tipping the scales to Torch giving Sub-Mariner a flame shave.