12 Essential Captain America Stories

By Mark Ginocchio /

6. Captain America For President (Captain America #250)

In another story that was seemingly inspired from the world of American politics, 1980's €œCaptain America for President,€ is the highlight of the brief Roger Stern/John Byrne run on the book. In this story, Cap is urged by the public to run for president of the United States. Cap thinks on it for a bit, before trusting his gut and rejecting the public€™s pleas for his leadership. Of course, in 1980, the United States rejected the incumbent Jimmy Carter in favor of former movie star Ronald Reagan. In Captain America #250, Cap is just as popular as Reagan (perhaps moreso), but recognizes that just because he has long fought for the advancement of the American dream as a superhero doesn€™t mean he is remotely qualified to be president of the United States. He tells the throngs of people cheering him on, €œYou need to look within yourselves to find the people you need to keep this nation strong €€ Subtle, but prescient words.