The Avengers #4 – Key Highlights
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Publisher: Marvel Comics
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Publication Date: March 1964
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Editor: Stan Lee
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Cover Pencils: Jack Kirby
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Cover Inks: George Roussos
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Story Script: Stan Lee
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Story Pencils: Jack Kirby
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Story Inks: George Roussos (uncredited)
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Pages: 36
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Original Cover Price: $0.12
🔥 Key Significance
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First modern appearance of Captain America and Bucky Barnes, bringing the legendary World War II hero back into the Marvel Universe.
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Captain America officially joins the Avengers, becoming one of the team's most iconic members.
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Features a shadowed cameo appearance of the first Baron Zemo, setting the stage for one of Captain America's most significant adversaries.
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A landmark Silver Age Marvel issue and one of the most important early Avengers keys.
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Introduces Rick Jones into the Captain America storyline, drawing a parallel between Rick and Cap's former partner, Bucky.
📖 Story Highlights
“Captain America Joins...The Avengers!” – 23 pages
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Script: Stan Lee
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Pencils: Jack Kirby
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Inks: George Roussos (uncredited)
Namor, disgusted with humanity, attacks a group of Eskimos and throws their frozen idol into the sea. When the ice melts, the figure trapped inside is revealed to be Captain America, who has been suspended in animation since the end of World War II.
The Avengers rescue Captain America, but during their return to New York, a mysterious figure turns the team to stone. Cap meets Rick Jones, who bears a striking resemblance to his former partner Bucky Barnes. Together, they enlist the Teen Brigade to track down the mysterious attacker.
The culprit turns out to be an alien whose spaceship has crashed beneath the ocean. He agrees to restore the Avengers if they help recover his vessel. After retrieving the ship, the Avengers are immediately attacked by Namor and his Atlantean forces. Ultimately, the restored spaceship takes off and drives Namor and his followers away.
With the adventure concluded, Captain America joins the Avengers!
📌 Additional Details
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Cover title: “Captain America Lives Again!”
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The cover features Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, Wasp, and Namor.
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Bucky Barnes appears in a cameo flashback.
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The story has been reprinted in:
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Avengers Annual #3
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Marvel Masterworks #4
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Captain America #400
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Avengers Log #1
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Il Mitico Thor #9
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Collector's Note: Avengers #4 is one of the defining Silver Age Marvel keys. Captain America's return after nearly two decades and his entrance into the Avengers transformed the team's history. It is an essential book for collectors of Captain America and Marvel's early superhero era.
