Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, is the moral epicentre of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Known as the First Avenger, Captain America’s timeline incorporates World War Two and the present day. A symbol of courage, strength and patriotism, Captain America is as important now as when his character was first conceived by artists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Captain America 1941 #1.
Taking cues from the display at Washington DC’s Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum depicted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier 2014, and drawing on the backstories featured in Captain America: The First Avenger 2011, the ‘Captain America: Living legend’ room traces the character’s development from his prewar years as ‘Skinny’ Steve from Brooklyn, a young man in poor health, through his transformation to peak physical condition as Captain America, following his involvement in the US Government’s Super Soldier program.
The artwork, costumes, props and film sequences on display in the ‘Captain America: Living legend’ room highlight the rich visual history of this fictional character. Featured is the original Captain America costume, based on drawings by Simon and Kirby, while his relationships with lifelong friend Bucky Barnes and love interest Agent Peggy Carter are revealed through artwork, photographs and film sequences. The room’s central diorama portrays the elite army unit, the Howling Commandos, a crack team led by Rogers to face his nemesis, the fascist organisation known as Hydra. Artwork, costumes and props illustrate his battles with Hydra’s leader, Red Skull.
DELVE DEEPER INTO THE EXHIBITION AND MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Go behind the scenes of ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ to experience more than 500 unique objects from your favourite films, never-before-seen iconic objects which offer a glimpse into the work of production designers, storyboarding and pre‑visualisation artists, costume and prop designers, and visual effects artists alongside the original comic books which introduced the characters and influenced the films.
Amanda Slack-Smith is exhibition curator ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ and Associate Curator, Australian Cinémathèque, QAGOMA.
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