9 of the Best Captain America Books and Comics to Devastate, Delight, and Inspire

It wasn't just Captain America who loved and lived to serve his country, but the man behind the shield, Steve Rogers. He stood as a symbol of all of the United States' greatest ideals, and he strove to be the best hero he could be to inspire the millions that looked up to him.

And now someone has killed the national hero and icon in cold blood.

In the wake of Cap's devastating murder, his friends and colleagues must scramble to find a way forward. While Cap's lover, Sharon Carter, becomes weighed down with grief, his long time partner, Falcon, sets out for revenge.

As the new head of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Stark must decide who will be the next to take up the mantle of Captain America, but Bucky Barnes—the Winter Soldier—hold him responsible for Cap's death. He wants him dead, and when the Winter Soldier wants someone gone, they usually end up that way…

This is an incredible prose adaptation of the graphic novel by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. In this format, the story is even more lived-in and fleshed out, creating an immersive feel to this top-tier story.

Captain America is called aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Heli-carrier at midnight for a shocking task: identifying the corpse of his greatest adversary, the Red Skull. But just because the Red Skull has been murdered, that doesn't mean his nefarious plans have been put to rest.

Whoever killed Red Skull has stolen his last project, an unfinished Cosmic Cube with the capability to alter reality itself. As if that weren't bad enough, a horde of Skull's followers have set forth a plan to devastate Paris, London, and Manhattan with bombs.

Captain America must juggle solving his nemesis' murder with tracking down the Cube before it can wreak havoc. But our most patriotic Avenger is thrown a distraction when all of his desperate questions and frantic dreamings are answered.

But sometimes getting what you want can be a cruel, cruel thing. And General Lukin wants to make his brutal assault one that leaves scars that never heal.

The basis behind the film of the same name, Captain America: The Winter Soldier collects Captain America #1-9 & #11-14.

If you ask me—which, if you're here, you kind of are—the Civil War arc is one of the best stories told in all of comic history. I'll die on the hill that the movie fumbled the bag hard.

So, if you haven't dipped your toe in the source material, get ready for a heartbreaking and beautifully told story beyond anything you could ever imagine. If you have read this arc, we both know it's good enough that you're about to sit down and read it again.

Civil War: Captain America collects Captain America (2004) #22-24 and the Winter Soldier: Winter Kills one-shot, zooming in Cap's perspective in the high-stakes clash. To find the full story of the Civil War arc, find the rest of the collection here.

Now in a brutal disagreement with not only his government but his dearest friends, Captain America finds that the people he loves are paying the price. His girlfriend's life begins to crumble as her superiors take advantage of her complicated and divided loyalties.

Meanwhile, a new villain rises amidst the chaos, the Red Skull causes trouble, and the Winter Soldier reunites with Cap. But where will his loyalties lie?

Another prose adaptation, this book is based on the gripping comic series by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch.

Agent Clint Barton—codename Hawkeye—is working a desk on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier when there's a breach in security. The beautiful redhead causing trouble is a Russian super-spy known as Black Widow, and Barton can't pretend he's not intrigued, even as they tussle.

Once the assassin is subdued, S.H.I.E.L.D. ships her off to the only prison that can hold her: the Raft. Floating in New York City's East River, this high-security super-prison contains the world's most dangerous criminals.

Until these deadly villains—along with Black Widow—escape.

The Avengers have dismantled, but the world is in desperate need of heroes. It's up to Iron Man and Captain America to forge a new team and track these runaway villains down.

As Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, and Luke Cage team up to protect the world, Hawkeye is tasked with one singular objective: bring back the Widow, dead or alive.

Captain America has defended the United States for more than seven decades. But now that the nation has been taken over by Hydra, Cap has fallen to a figure of great controversy.

As America has lost faith in it's greatest hero, it falls under threat of Taskmaster and an army of Nuke super-soldiers. Cap has to act fast and with scarce resources to stop the influence-broker cabal known as the Power Elite, run by a shocking villain.

This volume collects Captain America (2018) #1-6 and material from Free Comic Book Day 2018 (Avengers/Captain America).

Steve Rogers has passed the iconic shield onto none other than the former Falcon, Sam Wilson. Our brand-new Captain America is joined by a new partner, Nomad, as they take on threats from Scarecrow, Batroc, and Baron Zemo's Hydra.

But it's not so easy filling such iconic boots, and before long, Sam finds himself in conflict with both Steve and S.H.I.E.L.D.

This collections includes Captain America (2012) #25, All-New Captain America: Fear Him (2015) #1-4, All-New Captain America (2014) #1-6, Amazing Spider-Man Special (2015) #1, Inhuman Special (2015) #1, All-New Captain America Special (2015) #1,  and Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #1-6.

After Steve Rogers' apparent death, Bucky Barnes took on the responsibility of Captain America. But now that Steve has come back, a decision must be made about who will continue to wield the shield.

As Steve steps up as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., Bucky's dark past as the Winter Soldier comes back to haunt him. With our brave heroes distracted by a brutal trial, Baron Zemo and Sin launch a nefarious plot.

This collection includes Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield?, Captain America (2005) #602-619 and #615.1, Steve Rogers: Super Soldier #1-4, and Captain America (2011) #1-10.

This gripping comic doesn't shy away from the dark and ugly parts of American history. It introduces the character Isaiah Bradley, who you might have seen make an appearance in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier miniseries.

Everyone knows that, out of World War II, came the patriotic hero Captain America. But you probably didn't know just how desperate the military was to replicate the success of Steve Rogers.

This comic shows the history of the U.S. War Department's single-minded and brutal efforts to perfect the Super-Solder Serum, and the unit of African-American soldiers that were involuntarily used as test subjects.

Rising above devastating odds, Isaiah Bradley survived the serum to put on the iconic red, white, and blue uniform. But at what cost?

This volume collects Truth: Red, White & Black (2002) #1-7.

As World War II was winding down, Steve Rogers, under the heavy weight of the Captain America title, seemingly sacrificed his life to protect his country. Then, decades later, he is abruptly revived.

Waking up in an America he can barely recognize, Cap meets the heroes he inspired, and quickly understands just how much his sacrifice meant. But that doesn't change what he lost: his partner and friend, Bucky Barnes, who is long-dead.

It seems, however, that Cap may have the means to travel back in time and save his dearest friend. For the sake of the timestream, it's up to the Avengers to do everything they can to stop him.

This volume collects Captain America: Man Out of Time #1-5 and Avengers (1963) #4.