Red, Dead and Redeemed

One of the scariest tropes of Halloween is the skull. Add some red, and you’ve got today’s guest of honor in our countdown to the 31st.

The Red Skull first appeared in Captain America Comics issue one in 1941 – less than a year before we entered the war. The Timely Publication is probably better known for its intro of the titular hero, but tossing in his greatest nemesis didn’t hurt.

The Red Skull made his first – and last – appearance in that same issue. Or, what was supposed to be his last appearance. By story’s end, Red Skull had committed suicide.

His demise was greatly exaggerated as Red Skull would return in book three. Only to die again. This time by hand grenade.

Just as his first death was a sham, so was his second. Red Skull made his third appearance in Cap number seven. Following, he would moonlight in other titles as the 1940’s waned. His last Golden Age appearance would be in the final issue of Captain America, by then titled Captain America’s Weird Tales reflecting the growing in horror books.

Red Skull

After an absence of five years, the Red Skull would guest in 1954’s Young Men Comics issue 24. The story, Back From the Dead, would serve up a more materialistic Skull as he headed up a common criminal adventure only to die – again.

The Red Skull rested in peace just a hair over a decade before returning in Tales of Suspense issue 65. This return to World War II saw Cap and Skull duke it out Jack Kirby style in the Silver Age. His reappearance was explained away by using the ol’ double saying there were two prior and the other died. The current Skull had been frozen in suspended animation only to be revived to continue his battle against the first Avenger.

Since that time, the Red Skull has guested off and on throughout the Bronze, Copper and Modern Ages. His notoriety has earned him spots outside the four-color world on both big and small screens.

Here the old man has been immortalized by Ben Copper as a costume choice. Makes ya wonder how many outside the comic book community recognized him.