This story reworks another tale from Captain America #1, titled “The Riddle of the Red Skull”, originally created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. In this iteration, the story is revamped for the Silver Age by Stan Lee. On the opening page, Lee declares his intent to write it in the style of the Golden Age comics. Thanks to modern access to both versions, readers can easily compare and judge how well this homage holds up.

The story begins shortly before the Red Skull attacks Major Croy, using a gas that wipes his memory for months. The FBI investigates, questioning Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, who had dropped Croy off at home earlier. However, our heroes take matters into their own hands, with Bucky discovering the gang led by the Red Skull. The boy is captured, but not for long—Captain America bursts onto the scene, takes down the gang, and forces their retreat, though the Red Skull himself escapes.

Fast forward to a test flight gone wrong: the plane crashes, and the executive of the aircraft corporation, Mr. Maxon, seems more concerned about his reputation than the lives of the men aboard. This raises Captain America and Bucky’s suspicions, leading them to seek out the general. Unfortunately, they arrive just after another Red Skull attack—this time on the general himself—and intervene to stop him as he threatens the housekeeper.

This confrontation leads to the unmasking of the Red Skull, revealing him as a man impersonating Mr. Maxon. In a last-ditch effort, the villain escapes through a window as members of his gang keep Captain America and Bucky occupied.

Silver & Gold: Changes & the comics code

This story is a great opportunity to explore the differences between the original and the remake, especially given the opening declaration of intent to echo the Golden Age style. Let’s focus on some key differences. Instead of dissecting panel by panel, I’ll zoom out to highlight bigger themes:

1. In the original, the Red Skull kills the Major and the General using a “hypnotic eye stare,” which is later revealed to involve a hypodermic needle.
2. Captain America and Bucky’s teamwork differs: in the original, Captain America tells Bucky to stay behind, but the boy ignores him and finds the gang on his own.
3. the implication of Mr. Maxon dialogue after the plane crash is different, in the original he does not talk about his reputation but instead how it was a lovely plane, it gives the scene a deferent feel
4. The housekeeper in the Silver Age version replaces Mrs. Manors from the original. In the earlier story, Mrs. Manors tries to defend herself with a gun, only for Red Skull to dismiss her as “not important enough” for his wrath.
5. The climactic fight with Captain America differs. The original sees a more intense struggle, during which the hypodermic needle is revealed, exposing the Red Skull’s methods and true identity.
6. Instead of escaping, the Red Skull accidentally rolls onto his own needle in the original, killing himself. Bucky implies Captain America could have stopped him, but Steve chooses not to discuss it (suggesting that he may in fact have chosen to let the Nazi kill himself to me).
7. The reveal of Maxon’s backstory changes: in the original, Maxon isn’t a replacement but the same man, corrupted by Hitler’s promises of prestige and power.

These seven changes significantly alter the tone and implications of the story. Some are likely editorial decisions, while others reflect the constraints of the Comics Code Authority. By 1965, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby simply couldn’t tell the same story Joe Simon and Jack Kirby did in 1941. For instance, the avoidance of the needle—while not explicitly banned—may have been influenced by Part C of the Comics Code.

If you’re unfamiliar with the history of the Comics Code Authority, it’s a fascinating topic for any fan of classic comics. The restrictions often shaped the kinds of stories that could be told, particularly in darker or more morally complex areas.

the review in short:

While I personally prefer the original version, this remake is still an engaging read and a great Silver Age adventure for the Star-Spangled Avenger. It reflects the evolution of Captain America’s character during this era, a progression that continues to this day, shaped by modern storytelling and retcons.

I’d love to hear what others think about the two versions—what works better, what doesn’t, and how they reflect their respective times.