More Newtons: Captain America

We're now nearing the end of the run for the Newton Comics line. After this entry there should be only be about another two, three at the most, as the bulk, if not all, of the line will be fully documented.

Captain America was launched right at the end of the first run of the Newton line, in December 1975. The book was immediately canceled, as were other titles, but unlike some it was relaunched and continued on until it's second, and final, cancellation. As these titles were released while the company was in a state of flux and transition they're amongst the hardest to find with the first issue being the most common. Previously to the title being launched the following Captain America stories had appeared in Newton books:
'Them' (Tales Of Suspense #78) in Giant Team-Up Annual #1
'The Hero That Was' (Captain America #109) in Hulk #1
'No Longer Alone' (Captain America #111) in Hulk #3 (a story that featured The Hulk)
'When Wakes The Sleeper' (Captain America #101) in Hulk #9, #10 & #11.

#1

Date: December 1975

Contents:
The Sleeper Strikes by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Syd Shores (Captain America #102)
The Origin Of Captain America by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Frank Ray (Tales Of Suspense #63)

This issue's lead story picked up where the Hulk reprints had ended. The poster for this issue was of Dracula #7.

#2

Date: December 1975

Contents:
The Weakest Link by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Syd Shores (Captain America #103)
In The Name Of Batroc by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Dan Adkins (Captain America #105)

The title was overhauled slightly between the first and second issues to reflect the need to get more product out at a higher price. Thus the page count was increased to include two complete stories, albeit out of sequence. The book was canceled after this issue and relaunched with the February 1976 restart of the Newton line.

#3

Date: February 1976

Contents:
Cap Goes Wild by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Frank Giacoia (Captain America #106)
If the Past Be Not Dead… by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Syd Shores (Captain America #107)

I have no details about the poster for this issue. The two stories did at least run in sequence.

#4

Date: March 1976

Contents:
The Snares of the Trapster! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Syd Shores (Captain America #108)
Tomorrow You Live Tonight I Die by Stan Lee, Jim Steranko & Joe Sinnott (Captain America #111)

The Steranko cover is now an iconic image and is even more striking with the bare background behind it. Despite the cover advertising a poster it appears that no such poster was included in this issue. The centre spread of the book features cover ads only. With this issue the book was canceled properly.

CAPTAIN AMERICA/THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN SPECIAL #nn

Date: Early 1976

Contents:
The Goblin And The Gangsters by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko (Amazing Spider-Man #23)
Captured by J. Jonah Jameson! by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko (Amazing Spider-Man #25)
Lest We Forget! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & George Tuska (Captain America #112)
The Strange Death of Captain America by Stan Lee, Jim Steranko & Joe Sinnott (Captain America #113)
The Vengeance of Loki! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers (Journey Into Mystery #88)

This was an unusual and now rarely seen book. Combining the remaining stories from two recently canceled titles, Newton managed to end ongoing stories in the one book (for good measure a Thor story was also thrown into the mix). As the Captain America stories run sequentially from Captain America #4 I expect that it was released very shortly after that issue. The alternate title for this book is '100 Page Marvel Extrava-ganza', as shown on the top of the book itself.

Annual #1

Date: March 1976

Contents:
Break-out In Cell Block 10! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Chic Stone (Tales Of Suspense #62)
The Red Skull Strikes! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Chic Stone (Tales Of Suspense #65)
The Fantastic Origin of the Red Skull by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Chic Stone (Tales Of Suspense #66)
Lest Tyranny Triumph! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Frank Giacoia (Tales Of Suspense #67)
The Sentinel and The Spy! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Frank Giacoia (Tales Of Suspense #68)
Midnight In Greymoor Castle! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers (Tales Of Suspense #69)
If This Be Treason by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & George Tuska (Tales Of Suspense #70)
When You Lie Down With Dogs! by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, George Tuska & Joe Sinnott (Tales Of Suspense #71)
If A Hostage Should Die by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, John Romita & Frank Giacoia (Tales Of Suspense #77)

The cover here isn't a bad scan. Much like the Origins 'blue' cover, the cover itself was miscoloured and I'm not sure if any got into the marketplace with the correct colour scheme. As Newton wanted to get product into the marketplace such printing errors were overlooked. The book itself is nothing short of amazing. It managed to print what is assumed to be the remainder of Newton's inventory of Tales Of Suspense stories in the one volume, in glorious black and white.

The book had a Captain America iron on as the giveaway.

I have to thank Peter Ivan for the bulk of the scans and the information relating to the contents for these books. They remain high on my own Newton wants lists, as I'm sure they are on several other such lists. If other Newton collectors out there have any information on the Captain America books then get in touch - let's make this all complete!

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