Captain America Comics #21

(December 1942)

[Contents Page] (Table of Contents: 1)

table of contents / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Al Avison

Inks

Al Avison

Letters

typeset

Characters

Captain America [Steve Rogers]; Bucky [Bucky Barnes]

Synopsis

Illustrated contents page that lists Stan Lee as Managing Editor and Syd Shores as Associate Editor (indicia lists Martin Goodman as President). There is also a typeset promotional ad for Krazy Comics, Terrytoons Comics and Comedy Comics.

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

The Creeper and the 3 Rubies of Doom! (Table of Contents: 2)

Captain America / comic story / 19 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Al Avison (ghosted for Syd Shores) (signed)

Inks

Syd Shores (ghosted for Vince Alascia) (signed); George Klein

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Bucky [James Buchanan Barnes]; Captain America [Steve Rogers]; Adolf Hitler (cameo) (villain); Franklin D. Roosevelt; Sergeant Michael Duffy; Serge; Dane the Fifth (Highness of Alslavia); The Creeper [Ambassador John Lissom, aka Lisson] (villain, introduction); Eric (villain)

Universe

Marvel : mainstream

Synopsis

One of Hitler's agents, the Creeper, steals a tri-rubied treaty ring in hopes of disrupting the signing of a treaty that pledges the last neutral European country to fight alongside the Allies, because he thinks that, when the U.S. ambassador Lissom signs the treaty without wearing the ring he was gifted by the ruler, the country will perceive a slight and choose to throw in with the Axis instead.

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

Keywords

Daily Globe; Elby Haunted House

Indexer Notes

The Masterworks edition lists writer as unknown, penciler as Syd Shores, and inks by Vince Alascia & unknown and George Klein.

America's Funniest Three! (Table of Contents: 3)

promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page (report information)

Script

Stan Lee (signed as Lee)

Pencils

Bill King ?

Inks

Bill King ?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

anthropomorphic-funny animals

Characters

Toughy Tomcat; Ziggy the Pig; Baldy; Pookey; Gandy Goose; Andy Wolf (inset); Frenchy Rabbit (inset); Oscar Pig (inset); Bertie Mouse (inset)

Synopsis

Illustrated promotional advertisement for Krazy Komics #2, Terry Toons Comics #2, and Comedy Comics #12, covers pictured.

Indexer Notes

Artist credit suggested by Who's Who.

The Cobra Strikes (Table of Contents: 4)

Human Torch / comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Mike Sekowsky; ? (assistant)

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Human Torch [Jim Hammond]; Toro; un-named South American Ambassador; The Cobra (villain, introduction); chauffeur of South American ambassador (villain)

Universe

Marvel : mainstream

Synopsis

The Torch and Toro spot the kidnapping of the South American Ambassador, but they are gassed by the perpetrators. With Toro still out and maybe dead, the Torch chases the criminals into the lair of the Cobra to rescue the Ambassador from the clutches of the madman and his gang.

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

Indexer Notes

The Masterworks edition lists writer as unknown, pencils by Mike Sekowsky & unknown, inker unknown.

Satan and the Sorcerer's Secret! (Table of Contents: 5)

Captain America / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Pierce Rice; ?

Inks

George Klein; ?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Captain America [Steve Rogers]; Bucky [Bucky Barnes]; Johnny; Balthar (villain, introduction, sorcerer, death); Satan (villain, introduction, possibly the father of Daimon Hellstrom)

Synopsis

Balthar comes to Bald Mountain in order to study Egyptian writings on how the souls of the dead can be brought back to life, when Satan appears and claims the sorcerer's soul until he can redeem it. How? Bring back the world's greatest champion so that the Prince of Evil can defeat him.....and that man is Captain America!

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

Keywords

Bald Mountain

Indexer Notes

The Masterworks edition lists the writer as unknown, pencilers as Pierce Rice & unknown, and the inkers as unknown & George Klein.

Catch That Firebug! (Table of Contents: 6)

text story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

crime

Characters

Mickey Forrest; Lieutenant Malone (Policeman); unnamed Police Inspector; "Matches" Birken (villain)

Synopsis

Young Mickey Forrest believes that he can decipher a typewritten code that even top police can't decipher, and when he does, he uncovers the plans of a known arsonist out to set fire to a warehouse.

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

Keywords

Nelson's Warehouse

Wake Up Americans! (Table of Contents: 7)

war stamps / public service announcement / 1 page (report information)

Script

Martin Goodman ? (credited)

Pencils

?

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Characters

Captain America [Steve Rogers]

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

Indexer Notes

Illustrated PSA with Captain America, urging readers to buy war stamps every day.

The Sinister Spies (Table of Contents: 8)

Dippy Diplomat / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Guy Blythe (signed)

Pencils

Guy Blythe (signed)

Inks

Guy Blythe (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Guy Blythe ? (signed)

Genre

humor

Characters

Dippy; Swizzelstick (Dippy's military aide); Mergetroide (Dippy's chauffeur); two un-named spies (villains)

Synopsis

Dippy is going to sign a treaty with the United States but decides first to play a game of golf, not knowing two spies are out to kill him before the treaty can be signed.

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

Indexer Notes

Story title taken from the contents page.

Letterer credit by Craig Delich 2013-1-27.

The Masterworks edition states that Blythe is a pen-name, but the Who's Who disagrees.

Two Smashing Successes! (Table of Contents: 9)

promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page (report information)

Script

Stan Lee (signed as Lee)

Pencils

Bill King (signed as King); Alex Schomburg (All Winners cover); Alex Schomburg ? (Young Allies cover)

Inks

Bill King (signed as King); Alex Schomburg (All Winners cover); Alex Schomburg ? (Young Allies cover)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Captain America [Steve Rogers]; The Human Torch [Jim Hammond]; The Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]; Adolf Hitler (head view); Benito Mussolini (head view); Hideki Tojo (head view); The Young Allies [Toro; Bucky; Percival Aloysius O'Toole [aka Knuckles]; Jefferson Worthington Sandervilt; Whitewash Jones; Henry Tinkle [aka Tubby]]; The Owl

Indexer Notes

Illustrated promotional advertisement for Young Allies Comics #5 and All Winners Comics #6, with covers pictured.

The Case of the Silent Hermit (Table of Contents: 10)

The Secret Stamp / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Stan Lee ?

Pencils

Paul Rico; ?

Inks

George Klein; ?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

adventure; superhero

Characters

The Secret Stamp [Roddy Colt]; Mr. Colt; Mrs. Colt; The Hermit [Mr. Schores] (villain, introduction, a spy)

Synopsis

Roddy attempts to sell some war stamps to an old hermit, but is led to believe that the old man has little money to keep body and soul together. Roddy's Dad, after hearing the story, tells Roddy to tell the man that he is now hired for his father's defense plant. When the hermit refuses the work, Roddy becomes suspicious and tries to snoop around, but Mr. Schores susprises him, telling Roddy that he intends to blow up the plant!

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)
• in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus (Marvel, 2014 series) #2 (2021)

Indexer Notes

The Masterworks edition lists writer as unknown, pencil by unknown & Don Rico, and inks by unknown & George Klein.

The last panel states that The Secret Stamp will also be appearing in a new magazine called Kid Komics, which would go on sale September 20, 1942.

Sentinels of Liberty Secret Club News (Table of Contents: 11)

Sentinels of Liberty / letters page / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

?

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Characters

Captain America [Steve Rogers]; Bucky [Bucky Barnes]

Reprints

• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America (Marvel, 2005 series) #6 ([December] 2012)

Indexer Notes

Illustrated edition of Captain America's Sentinels of Liberty Secret Club News page in which Cap announces the results of the picture contest from Captain America Comics #18. Listed are the 50 winners of the contest, each of whom received a crisp new $1 bill in the mail.