The Premium Format of Captain America simply represents one of the most popular statues among Marvel collectibles. All over the world there is no fan of the superheroes' Universe who does not yearn to have this jewel, characterized by an incomparable appeal and a unique aesthetic impact. Released in 2006, the statue has a height of about 41cm, a size of 28x22 cm and a weight of 12 Kg. The edition size counts for 1100 samples for the regular version and 875 for the exclusive, which allows to display the hero with the classic attire of the II World War: an open mask on face and neck and the original three-pointed shield. Furthermore, in order to make more coherent the chronological difference between the two variants, the exclusive also includes a German helmet acting as the foothold on the base and an alternative to the Ultron's head, appearing in the regular version. From an aesthetic point of view, Captain America is no doubt of the most beautiful and fascinating character of the Marvel Universe: the scaly costume at the top of the torso (embellished with large white stars), the classic stripes of the American flag at waist and the overall contrast of blue with red gloves and boots create a really magnificent chromatic balance. If we add the fascinating side flaps of the mask, the large "A" on the forehead and the stunning visual impact of the famous shield, it is easy to recognize the incredible figurative appeal that this character is able to arouse in the collective imagination and his own aesthetic impact on all Marvel fans. However, the super-soldier created to fight the Nazi troops is not only a wonderful and multicolor figure. Captain America is the hero par excellence, the symbol of the noblest ideals, the embodiment of the virtues that do not belong to the American people only (which, in practice, he is a living flag of), but of all those who recognize themselves in the principles of justice, honor and freedom. We could identify him as a sort of human Superman, where the unnatural and alien power of the DC character is replaced by an equally granitic faith in the purest ideals. And the pose adopted by Martin Canale to realize the stunning sculpt of this Premium Format could not be more appropriate to represent this "idea" of the character! As a veritable bastion of the American Dream, the figure stands out with the shield in good evidence, the gaze lost on the horizon and the incredible elegance of a perfect, powerful body, wrapped in his flamboyant costume with stars and stripes. In essence, the base represents a war scenario: the ruins of a crumbling wall, enriched with a twisted plank of metal, shards of plaster and, at the feet of the super-soldier, what remains of the enemy (a German helmet or the Ultron's head) after the battle. Note the extreme attention to all details, even the smallest ones, which enhance the visual impact of the piece. The colors of the wall, floor, and pieces of plaster coexist in an excellent chromatic contrast, while the ruins of the opponent are pointed out by scuffs on the helmet and/or burns on the face of the android, artfully reproduced on the contours of the mask. The costume is made flawlessly. The upper part of the torso is carved and shows the typical and fascinating scaly suit in a very intense blue color with a centered and very well proportioned white star on both chest and back). The coloring is equipped with just sketched and darker shades, putting a great emphasis on the contours of the powerful muscles. The lower part at waist and legs, on the contrary, are covered with a cloth suit, while the red gloves and boots (with semirigid lapels) and the black belt with a silver buckle complete the suit, very faithful to the original Comics. The sculpt is breathtaking! In spite of the brightness of colors and the thickness of fabric on the corresponding patches, it is easy to distinguish to the naked-eye the lines of demarcation of biceps, quadriceps and abdominals, in a general framework equipped with an amazing realism. The face of Steve Rogers, with the classic blue eyes and the famous mask with side flaps, is realized to perfection. The regular version is characterized by a very wide "A" on the forehead and a face slightly rotated on trunk; in the exclusive version the head is just more frontal, the adopted font is narrower and the mask shows rounded contours on the face, as to uncover the mighty hero's neck. In both cases the coloring is sublime. Both shields are beautiful, very well proportioned with respect to the character, equipped with bright colors and a perfect curvature which exalt their appearance and fit perfectly to the handle. Also the red gloves and boots are sculpted in a workmanlike manner; in this regard, it should be noted the long seam of the left glove and the detailed folds, on both the left hand (half-open, in a posture that enhances the epic flavor of the hero) and the right wrist, with his fist tightening the buckle inside the shield. The boots are characterized by a large lapel and carved with a painstaking care, as revealed (for example) by the indentation of the bottom part of the boot at the ankle level. By analyzing carefully the many details of this statue, it is easy to understand why, over the years, it reached some stratospheric quotations on the collectibles' market and it is so hard to find. And whatever piece may be released in the future devoted to Cap, I believe the beauty and charisma of this statue will remain simply unapproachable.