Captain America #195
Published and © by Marvel, March 1976
Title: “1984!”
Synopsis: In a vast complex under the “western badlands,” Captain America and the Falcon struggle against the forces of the Elite.
Writer: Jack Kirby
Penciler: Kirby
Inker: D. Bruce Berry
Review: The lack of subtlety that plagued Jack Kirby’s mid-’70s return to Captain America feels more like full-on, blunt-force trauma by this third issue. The King’s art still packs power and punch aplenty. It’s as a writer that Kirby struggles. While the legendary creator clearly has a lot to say about power and privilege, his concepts here are reduced to an almost abstract level; it’s literally “The Elite” lording over the “Labor Force” in what reads like a poli-sci parable for eight year olds. Layer on some seriously stilted dialogue and this story becomes quite a slog.
Grade: B-
Second opinion: “This is how I like it! … I’ve never seen Kirby art this good since the New Gods.” – Dave J. Edge, Bemusing Magazine #9, May 1976
Cool factor: The King
Not-so-cool factor: Cheer Chadwick? Gen. Argyle Fist? The names of these new characters make Nick Fury seem subtle.
Notable: First appearance of Cheer Chadwick and Gen. Argyle Fist. … First brief appearance of Dr. Hesperus Chadwick.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 9p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there are also Mark Jewelers and National Book Store variants. … Beware, this issue contains Marvel Value Stamp (Series B) #42.
Character quotable: “There’ll be no slaves … merely a classified labor force which will live and fight for the benevolent rulers.” – Unnamed scientist for the Elite
Editor’s note: This review was written July 1, 2026.
