Comics fandom was shocked in 2016 when Captain America, the man who famously socked Adolf Hitler in the jaw on the cover of his first comic, said, “Hail Hydra,” the famous catchphrase of the modern heirs to Nazism in the Marvel Universe. This launched a massive crossover storyline, “Secret Empire,” which lasted over a year and culminated in Captain America leading Hydra in a fascist takeover of the United States of America (which was thwarted at the last minute in typical dramatic comic-book style).

Soon after their hero’s alarming proclamation, fans learned that Captain America had been brainwashed by the Red Skull into believing he was raised since childhood in Hydra’s fascist ideology. In his mind, he was a sleeper agent who only pretended to be the champion of freedom and democracy until the time was right for Hydra to activate him and help overthrow the country.

This story represented a radical transformation to the character of Captain America, who had long been the epitome of virtue in the Marvel Universe, but it also served as an insightful portrayal of how fascism works, illustrating many points made by prominent scholars in the field.1

After their successful takeover of the country, Hydra spreads the idea that they, not the Allied forces, won World War II. This shows fascists’ insistence on creating a false historical narrative based on what philosopher Jason Stanley calls the........

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