Captain America is Marvel's flag-costumed supersoldier who built up a large internet following through Chris Evans' film run and dedicated fan pages. In May 2016, fans launched the viral #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend hashtag pushing Marvel to give Steve Rogers a same-sex love interest.
Origin
Writer Joe Simon invented Captain America in 1940 for Marvel Comics, and the first issue titled Captain America Comics #1 hit newsstands in March 1941 with the character in his American flag costume and shield[3]. The film Captain America: The First Avenger was released on July 19th, 2011, kicking off the modern movie run with Chris Evans in the role and setting the version most online fans engage with[3].
- Platform: Marvel Comics (print) / Twitter (viral hashtag spread)
- Creator: Joe Simon
- Date: 1940
Overview
Captain America is a Marvel Comics superhero built into a wide online fandom through film releases, dedicated social pages, and hashtag campaigns[3]. Steve Rogers is drawn in a stars-and-stripes costume with a round shield, and Chris Evans played the film version starting with Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011[1].
The character's online footprint includes a Facebook page that pulled more than 16 million likes[5], a subreddit for fan discussion[4], and a Twitter feed with over 1.18 million followers by 2016[6].
How It Spread
A Facebook fan page titled "Captain America" was created in July 2010 and picked up more than 16 million likes over the next six years[5]. The /r/CaptainAmerica subreddit launched on February 3rd, 2011 for fan discussion of the hero[4], and the @CaptainAmerica Twitter feed followed in July 2012, gathering over 1.18 million followers[6].
In late May 2016, fans on Twitter and Tumblr launched the hashtag #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend, asking Marvel to give Steve Rogers a same-sex love interest in future films[1]. Bustle laid out the debate between shipping Steve with Bucky Barnes versus Tony Stark, pointing to a Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #2 storyline where an alternate-universe Iron Woman named Natasha Stark marries Cap[2].
On May 24th, 2016, GLAAD entertainment media strategist Megan Townsend told the Associated Press that big-budget comic films had an opportunity to build out established characters with new backstories, giving the campaign a mainstream push[1].
How to Use
Fans typically use Captain America in shipping edits and reaction images, often pairing Steve with Bucky Barnes ("Stucky") or Tony Stark ("Stony")[2]. Urban Dictionary lists joke slang riffing on the character's old-fashioned virtue and patriotism as well[7].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Captain America?
A Marvel Comics superhero created in 1940 who became an internet fixture through film releases, fan pages, and shipping hashtags[3].
Where did Captain America come from?
Writer Joe Simon invented the character for Marvel in 1940, and Captain America Comics #1 was published in March 1941[3].
What does Captain America mean?
It depends on context. Urban Dictionary users apply the name to old-fashioned virtue, patriotism, or the character himself[7].
How do you use Captain America?
Fans commonly use the character in shipping edits and reaction images, often pairing Steve with Bucky ("Stucky") or Tony ("Stony")[2].
Is Captain America still popular?
Yes. By 2016 the Facebook page had over 16 million likes[5] and the @CaptainAmerica Twitter feed had over 1.18 million followers[6].
