The Death of Captain America
On his way to an arraignment at the Federal Courthouse in New York City, Captain America was shot in the right shoulder by a sniper’s bullet. Several subsequent shots were fired point blank at Rogers by Sharon Carter, brainwashed by Dr. Faustus who was allied with the Red Skull. Sharon, unaware of her actions and concealed by the crowd during the shooting, escorted Rogers to the hospital while the Falcon and the Winter Soldier subdued the sniper, Crossbones (Brock Rumlow). Captain America was pronounced dead on arrival at Mercy Hospital. Sharon’s memory was restored by a keyword spoken by the Red Skull’s daughter, Sin (Sinthia Shmidt).src, Marvel
I hadn’t actually been following the Captain America saga since my early childhood, so the segment above made very little sense to me. However, I’ve since caught up on parts of the story.
Sometime after Rogers was discovered and awoken from his icy slumber, he joined up with the Avengers to fight for justice, etc. Move down a successful line of hero/villain struggles and the government enters as one new possible nemesis. The Super Hero Registration Act is put into play and Captain America is asked to help enforce it. At this point in his career, he goes by the way of civil liberties and begins the new “Secret Avengers” to combat S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government. A ‘Civil War’ ensues between Avengers and Secret Avengers – the critical focus being around Captain America and friend, Iron Man. After they lay waste to the city in a cacophonous battle, Captain America gives himself over to law enforcement as Steve Rogers. It’s on his way to arraignment at the Federal Courthouse that he’s assassinated. Of course, as is true to Superman and all things make believe, death is inevitable, but not always permanent.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass