Steve Rogers upholds many ideals as Captain America, but above them all is the dream. The Dream of a land where anyone can seek a fresh start, and where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are available to all. However, a new story reveals that a young Steve Rogers was taught something of a citizen’s responsibility by an unlikely American patriot.
The tale of Steve Rogers’ mentor unfolds in Captain America #3 by J. Michael Straczynski, Jesus Saiz, and Lan Medina. The comic continues a series of flashbacks, in which the young Cap heckles the German American Bund at its rallies. This act of bravery gets the attention of a man named Meyer Lanksy.
While recognizing Lansky as an infamous gangster, Rogers still agrees to speak with him at his office. Lanksy speaks to Steve of his youth on the Lower East Side and his own battles with bullies like the German American Bund. Seeing a kindred spirit, Lansky recruits Steve as a spy, to help him prevent a Nazi plot called Operation Garden.
The real Meyer Lanksy, explained
The real Meyer Lanksy was a complicated and contradictory man, yet his portrayal in Captain America #3 is historically accurate. Lanksy was a notorious gangster and financial genius, known as the Mob’s Accountant. Despite this, and a reputation for ruthlessness, Lanksy was never convicted of any crimes more serious than illegal gambling.
In the 1930s, Lanksy and his men broke up several rallies organized by the German American Bund before World War II. He recalled years later how “most of the Nazis panicked and ran out,” when confronted. When Judge Nathan D. Perlman offered to pay Lanksy for his efforts, he refused, saying that he did what he did for “the Jews in Europe who are suffering. They are my brothers.”
During World War II, Lansky took on a key role in protecting America’s military assets. Coordinating with a high-ranking United States Navy official, Lanksy put the mob to work protecting Allied ships in port and hunting down saboteurs. This Operation Underworld prevented the destruction of many American ships by Nazi sympathizers.
While undoubtedly motivated by the knowledge that his Jewish heritage made him a target, Meyer Lanksy still did much to defend his adopted homeland. This makes him an ironic mentor to the young Captain America. His story also serves as a reminder that the American Dream inspired many people, and that a desire to do good can burn in even the darkest of hearts.
Captain America #3 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
