Captain America gave hope and entertainment to the Allies during World War II, but in the eight decades since, the hero has evolved into something more. The characters who carry the mantle of Captain America are among the most complex in Marvel history, and the writers behind them used the concept of America’s greatest hero to examine the country’s zeitgeist. You’ll find that some of the best Captain America comics are examinations of how the hero’s patriotic spirit deals with an American dream that often turns nightmarish.

For our selection of the best Captain America comics, we chose a mix of Cap-centric stories and universe-shaking events. The hero has been around for a while, so it’s tough to narrow our selection down this small. So, take these entries as stepping-off points for more stories featuring the hero.

Captain America: Operation Rebirth has the hero’s nemesis, Red Skull, reviving him to stop Adolf Hitler. Hitler, trapped in a Cosmic Cube, is being used by a Nazi sect that wants to start up a new Reich. However, things aren’t what they seem, and Steve Rogers will have to face old nightmares from World War II to complete his mission.

Cap’s final fight against Hitler gave the series focus in a time when comic books were struggling to reach a new audience. Operation: Rebirth takes Steve Rogers back to his roots and allows him to take on two of his mortal enemies as an older and wiser Captain America.

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The nation is in mourning after the death of Captain America. The Avengers, grieving the loss, arrive at his funeral, only for the casket to suddenly burst open, releasing knockout gas — the Agents of Hydra plan to bury the unconscious Avengers alive. Luckily, new sidekick Rick Jones, too heartbroken to attend the funeral at first, finds the motivation to show up. And because he missed the gas attack, he’s able to help save the day… and with the help of a shocking guest.Beyond being a wildly fun story, the artistic stylings of Jim Steranko are reason enough to include this issue on the list. Inspired by H.G. Wells and Hitchcock, with surreal, dreamlike sequences that feel straight out of a Salvador Dalí painting, this comic breaks the mold of traditional storytelling, which we love.

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Written by J.M. DeMatteis, The Death of the Red Skull is not only one of the best Captain America comics but also one of the most historically significant in terms of the character’s legacy. One of the most memorable encounters with Cap’s arch-nemesis, the story is a clear and successful attempt to separate the symbol of Captain America from the man underneath the mask.In the story, an aging Red Skull is willing to do whatever it takes to take down Captain America, including kidnapping Cap’s friends and allies and attempting to age Steve to match his real age. While the ending in issue #300, appropriately titled “Das Ende!” feels a bit rushed, it does give us a satisfying fight between a grief-stricken Captain America and the Red Skull in an underground bunker. The showdown is nothing short of epic. Also worth mentioning is the great villain dialogue, including the dramatic: “We will pass the boundaries of life with our souls entwined and grapple for all eternity!”

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Captain America No More is an 18-issue comic book arc published between 2007 and 2008.  Written by Mark Gruenwald, Kieron Dwyer, and Tom Morgan, our hero has relinquished his role only to be compelled back into uniform due to a specific legal loophole and is now obliged to act on behalf of the U.S. government. Uncomfortable with having to carry out acts for policies he disagrees with, Steve Rogers steps down as Captain America. He’s replaced by vigilante John Walker, who becomes increasingly violent, causing Steve Rogers to head to America to help clean things up.

This arc stands out as one of the best Captain America comics because it showcases Rogers’ unwavering moral compass. Even while wearing the stars and stripes, he refuses to serve mindlessly and chooses justice and personal integrity over government orders. This comic helps prove that being Captain America isn’t about the uniform but about the values it represents.

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Well, we can’t have this list without The Winter Soldier — a story arc from the ongoing series published between 2005 and 2009. Written by Ed Brubaker, the arc follows Captain America as he discovers that his former WWII partner, Bucky Barnes, is still alive, albeit brainwashed by the Soviets and turned into a deadly assassin. The story is not only a blast to read, but also Brubaker’s way of bringing Bucky back into the fold after decades. The attempt was not an easy one, either, and met with resistance. But hey, we’ve got Bucky back, and we’re glad for it. 

Of course, The Winter Soldier was such an important and influential Captain America comic that the MCU adapted most of it into the film of the same name. It even features a cameo from Ed Brubaker himself, who later revealed that he made more in residuals for that brief appearance than he ever did for writing the comic.

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Written by Rick Remender with art by John Romita Jr., Castaway in Dimension Z took Captain America far from his usual espionage roots and launched him into full-blown sci-fi territory. After a run-in with the eco-terrorist known as the Green Skull, Steve Rogers enters a subway car that suddenly vanishes in a flash of light. He wakes up strapped to an operating table, face-to-face with the villain Arnim Zola, trapped in Dimension Z.

Fortunately, Cap manages to escape, but he’s now stuck in this bizarre, hostile world. To make things even weirder, he becomes the adoptive father of Zola’s genetically engineered son.This Marvel relaunch brought a bold new flavor to Captain America. We got wild sci-fi action, the emotional perils of fatherhood, and a healthy dose of camp. And even with all that genre-bending, we never lose the core of who Steve Rogers is.

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We selected the best Captain America comics based on the strength of their character arcs, their historical significance to the larger Marvel universe, and the impact they’ve had on defining who Steve Rogers is, both as a man and as a symbol. We also gave special recognition to titles with standout artwork that helped boost the storytelling and pushed the boundaries of comic book visuals.