
As I count down my five favorite Captain America stories, I begin to realize what an incredible character he is and what amazing stories have been told about the Star Spangled Avenger!
My number 5 pick is an interesting one... because it never even happened!
'What If' # 5 (from 1977) tells the story 'What If Captain America hadn't vanished during World War Two'. We all know that the motorcycle Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes were using failed to reach Baron Zemo's rocket in time. In the ensuing explosion Bucky was killed (well, sort of) and Steve fell into the ocean, being revived by the Avengers 20 years later.
In this story (written by Don Glut), the motorcycle was a few seconds faster and both Cap and Bucky stopped the rocket and in turn survived to see the end of World War Two. From that moment, events and history is changed 'What if' style. Cap becomes head of SHIELD, Buck becomes Cap and Nick Fury dies in combat. Obviously now the Avengers history will be completely different, BUT Rick Jones still becomes Bucky.
With pencils by George Tuska, inks by Russ Jones and Joe Sinnott and an amazing cover by Rick Hoberg, this book is not only one of the best 'What If' stories ever, but it ranks as my 5th favorite Captain America story!