Captain America has always been one of the leading heroes of the Marvel Comics universe. This spotlight-filled spot has been amplified even further when due to the huge push that the Marvel Cinematic universe gave the character. However, the films aren't where the Cap was given his absolute most iconic moments.
The series of characters that have taken up the mantle of Captain America have been the hosts of many great events thrust upon them throughout the years of the publishing history of the red, white, and blue colored hero. This list will take a look at those moments throughout time.
10 2010: Steve Rogers Returns
For a good while in the Marvel Comics, Steve Rogers was actually missing in action due to his death in the "Civil War" era. This era of the original Captain America's disappearance was brought to an end in the year of 2010 with the new Captain America comic series, Captain America: Reborn.
This six-issue series tells the truth about Captain America's death from the Civil War epilogue arc, The Death of Captain America. Not only are readers given the complete story surrounding the character, but it also revives him and brings him back to the mainline Marvel Comics universe.
9 2011: He & Bucky's Origins Are Revealed Once Again
The next era of Captain America that began in the year of 2011 would feature a good look back at the past and semi-origins of he and his young sidekick James "Bucky" Barnes. The series starring the two was called Captain America and Bucky.
The first issue of this series ends with Captain America and Bucky failing to liberate Baron Von Zemo's death camps and that iconic moment that changed Steve and Bucky's lives forever. The day that the two were frozen in ice and Bucky lost his arm.
8 2012: Realizes He Can Retire & Others Will Take The Mantle
One great moment featuring the character came from 2012 in Captain America volume six, issue 19. This issue was called, "The Final Issue of Captain America" and featured a very memorable moment in Steve Rodger's life.
In this issue, Steve realizes that the mission of Captain America will never end with him. He understands that even if he disappears as he did in the ice for so many years, that someone else will step up and take on the burden of Captain America. However, he decides that he will hold that weight for as long as he can.
7 2013: Trapped In Dimension Z
In 2013 Captain America was trapped in a world created by Arnim Zola that was dubbed Dimension Z. This world was full of savage mutates and various odd technological innovations. It also has a faster sense of time than the main universe.
In this era of comics Captain America becomes trapped in this dimension and even raises an adopted child that just so happens to be Nomad, a child created by Arnim Zola.
6 2014: A New Captain America Is Revealed
In 2014 a new era of Marvel was ushered in and a new Captain America was masked along with it. After Steve Rogers announces that he is no longer able to fight as he had before he relegates himself to an Avengers mission operator and fighting advisor.
This leaves a new hero to take up the mantle of Captain America as Steve had come to learn years before. That new Captain America was revealed to be the hero once known as Falcon, Sam Wilson.
5 2015: Sam Assembles An All-New Avengers
In 2015 the new Captain America decided to assemble a new version of the classic Avengers team called The Mighty Avengers. However, instead of the old Avengers ways, Sam says they will be the Avengers for the people, of the people.
The roster of this team featured Luke Cage, Power Man, White Tiger, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, and more.
4 2016: Steve Rogers Returns As Captain America
While Steve gave up on holding the Captain America mantle he was given his title right back in the next year of 2016, but with a twist. He returned but still wanted Sam to keep the mantle as well, meaning that there were two Captain Americas.
This issue was a celebration of Steve Rodger's re-introduction as Captain America and a true passing of the torch to Sam Wilson from the boy in blue himself.
3 2017: Finds The Secret Empire
The Secret Empire and Captain America "changing sides to join Hydra" made for one of the most controversial comic events of 2017. Well, at the end of this story, the real Captain America brought this event to its end.
At the end of this event, Steve Rogers faces his evil Hydra clone and puts him down saying that he'll be ready if he tries to return.
2 2018: Reunites With The Old Avengers & More
In 2018 a few of the original Avengers along with some new faces decided to come together and create a rebooted group of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
Not only was Steve Rogers back and better than ever but he was joined by Thor, the new Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Tony Stark, Doctor Strange, a new Ghost Rider, and She-Hulk.
1 2019: He Retires
Everyone knows exactly what happened to Captain America in the year 2019. In the MCU Steve Rogers's story was apparently brought to its conclusion at the end of the large scale film Avengers: Endgame.
Steve decided to go back in time at the end of this film and lived his life to the fullest the way he preferred. Now he's in the present and a much older man. At the end of the film, he passes his shield and the Captain America mantle to his friend Sam Wilson.