Captain America is an American comic book superhero published by Marvel Comics. Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the first character appeared in Captain America Comics # 1 (March 1941) by Timely Comics, a predecessor to Marvel Comics. Captain America was conceived as a patriotic superhero who fought the Axis powers in World War II and was the most popular character in Timely Comics during the war.
The popularity of superheroes declined after the war and the Captain America comics were discontinued in 1950, with a short run in 1953. In 1964, the character was reintroduced as a participant in the Marvel Universe. Captains Americas wear costumes inspired by the United States flag and are armed with an almost indestructible shield (made of an alloy of adamantanium-vibranium, fictitious metals) that shoot at their enemies.