Captain America #198
Published and © by Marvel, June 1976
Title: “Captain America’s Love Story”
Synopsis: During his search for the Madbomb, Captain America falls for a sickly young woman.
Writer: Jack Kirby
Penciler: Kirby
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Review: During the comic-book industry’s early years, Jack Kirby (along with then-partner Joe Simon) created both Captain America and the romance comic. So it might seem obvious that the King could pair those two career high points into something special. Nope. At least not at this point in his career. The stilted dialogue and wooden characterization that often plagued Kirby’s work as a writer are made exponentially worse when removed from the action-packed plots of his more traditional superhero fare. This issue is unintentionally funny at best and full-on painful in places. Not recommended.
Grade: D
Second opinion: “Kirby’s art gives even the hackneyed ‘discovery of secret factory headquarters’ scene new life. … 3 out of 4 stars.” – Marvel Art Review #2, 1976
Cool factor: Nope. Just nope.
Not-so-cool factor: Steve Rogers is shocked when Carol figures out who he is – even though he’d been wearing his Captain America costume. 😳😂
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 30¢ variant and a 10p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant. … Beware, this issue contains Marvel Value Stamp (Series B) #91.
Character quotable: “That’s a heavy thought. I think you’re a very sensitive person!” – Carol Harding, just chilling with the masked stranger who just broke into her bedroom (good thing for her it’s Captain America!)
Editor’s note: This review was written July 13, 2026.
