Captain America Creator Jack Kirby's Son 'Mortified' by Capitol Mob Using Superhero Image

Neal Kirby has said he was "mortified" by images of the Capitol Hill rioters donning symbols of the iconic Captain America comic book superhero created by his father, Jack Kirby.

Captain America, which first appeared in 1941, tells the story of a superhero who fights for his country, often against World World II axis forces—Germany, Italy and Japan. Although the story was discontinued in 1950, it was later revived by Marvel Comics and made into several films.

The violence at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. unfolded on January 6 after President Donald Trump held a rally nearby, once again claiming without evidence that the election results were invalid. His supporters then descended on the building in an attempt to disrupt a session of Congress that would formalize President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the November 3 election. Five people died in the siege; four protesters and a police officer.

The outgoing president is the first in U.S. history to face a second impeachment after being accused of inciting the violence on January 6.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives formally charged Trump for inciting a violent insurrection against the U.S. government. The president released a video message condemning the mob violence but failing to acknowledge the impeachment.

In a statement issued late on Wednesday, Neal Kirby said that Captain America was "the absolute anti-thesis" of the president. He added that he was "appalled and mortified" at the footage of rioters wearing Trump/Captain America T-shirts and using shields with the superhero's brand on. Neal Kirby said he was shocked to find that such merchandise was widely available to purchase online.

Neal Kirby, 72, said his father and Joe Simon, World War II veterans and the co-creators of Captain America, would be "absolutely sickened by these images" and it was "an insult to both their memories."

"Captain America has stood as a symbol and protector of our democracy and the rule of law for the last 79 years. He was created by two Jewish guys from New York who hated the Nazis and hated bullies," Neal Kirby said.

"Captain America stood up for the underdog, and, as the story was written, even before he gained his strength and prowess from Army scientists, always stood for what was righteous, and never backed down," he added.

Neal Kirby said he had "vivid personal memory" of different political crises since Fidel Castro's revolution in Cuba in the 1950s.

"However, the events that transpired at our nation's Capitol on Jan. 6, an insurrection, inspired and fomented by our own president, will be the event that haunts me forever," he added.

He said that Captain America fought for his country and democracy, while Trump thrived on personal power and autocracy.

"If Donald Trump had the qualities and character of Captain America, the White House would be a shining symbol of truth and integrity, not a festering cesspool of lies and hypocrisy."

"Several of our presidents held the same values as Captain America. Donald Trump is not one of them."