It’s been two years since the beacon of American ideals, Captain America, was gun down on the steps of a court house as he awaited trial for crimes against the United States.  This summer he will be Reborn.

Marvel comics today announced what it’s been teasing for the past few months, the return of one the original Captain America, Steve Rogers.  July 1 is the launch of Captain America: Reborn.  A five part limited series that sees the return of Steve Rogers to the Marvel Universe.

In issue number 25, Captain America was gunned down by an assassins bullet while awaiting trial for acts of terrorism against the United States Government.  In a story line mirroring the political headlines of the time, a tragic 9/11 like event leads to a super hero registration act similar to the real world Patriot Act. This divided the Marvel Universe resulting in a “Civil War” with Captain America leading the rebel heroes.

The death of an American icon was an amazing act of symbolism for it’s time, Marvel editor Tom Breevort has this to say:

“The tenor of the world now is when we’re at a point where we want to believe in heroes. Someone who can lead the way,” said Breevort. “It just feels like the right time.”

Captain America was created in the early part of World War II and advogated for the United States to enter the war, close to a year before Pearl Harbor.  He’s fought Hitler, Tojo, terrorists, and the numerous costumed baddies over the years.

After his assassination Cap’s partner from World War II, Bucky Barnes took over the mantel and struggled to fill the void left and live up to his predecessor’s ideals.  It has not been revealed how Steve Rogers’ return will affect Bucky’s mission.

Check out the full interview with editor Tom Brevoort, writer Ed Brubaker, and artist Bryan Hitch.

Marvel has released this variant cover.

“We got very fortunate in that the death of Cap garnered so much mainstream media attention and affected so many people,” reflects Brevoort. “I think [that was] both because of what Captain America symbolizes even to people who haven’t been following his adventures month after month, and that it happened just as there was a shift in the overall tenor of the nation. Cap’s death came to be seen as indicative of some larger truths about the state of [America]. The death of Cap seemed to symbolize the death of hope.

“In terms of bringing Steve back, that too seems to reflect today’s feeling of positivity [and] a world in which we want to believe in heroes again, that good men can triumph and that we can be our own better selves.”

The Sentinel of Liberty was struck down, seemingly ending his life. But can the American Dream really die? Find out this July.