Captain America is dead (at least for the time being). In a recent Marvel Comic Series, Captain America returns from fighting a Civil War where he battles his former friend, Iron Man, over the government's mandatory Super-Human Registration Act and in the climactic scene revels himself as Steve Rogers, surrendering to Registration forces to save the lives of innocent civilians.
During his extradition to stand trial for criminal charges he is brought back to New York and on his way into the courthouse, is gunned down by a sniper and soon dies. This has been seen by most as a rather tragic end to an American Hero, particularly now when America is beset by so many evil forces inside and out.
Although Captain America has perished in several series only to be resurrected to fight another day, this death seems to have some lasting finality to it (or so we're lead to believe). Author Jeph Loeb reflected on the death of his own teenage son whom he lost to cancer when killing off the fictional character. Indeed, he invoked many of the same themes in the character's death as he did when he eulogized his son, a comic writer in his own right who'd attracted a large following abroad. To him, the death of a comic hero should have some meaning and not be used as just another plot twisting device - only to have the character reappear an episode or two later, or indeed on the next page.
Of course, this precisely what has happened in the past to Captain America (and countless other superheros). Here is a list of Cap's other purported deaths as well as some information about a comic book store (where the initial coordinates take you) that has helped the art of comic book writing and comic book reading stay alive.
Final Coordinates are 44°AB.CDE 88°FG.HIJ Use the last digit for the year in which the comic death occurred. It is not necessary to go near the railroad tracks 90' south or 125' east of the posted coordinates.
A: Killed by the Mad Titan.
B: Presumed killed by super-villain Onslaught (but just transferred to an alternate universe).
C: It is established that Roger's body regularly creates Super Serum.
D: Fell into a state of suspended animation. Thinking Rogers is dead, Bucky marries his fiancée Gail. (+1)
E: Bobbi's husband takes on the identity of Captain America.(-5)
F: Presumed assassinated by Francis Castiglione.
G: Killed several times by the Ruler of Latveria, only to be resurrected each time by an incarnation of a Cosmic Cube.
H: Not only is Captain America shot in the back, he is also hit another H times by his assailant, Brock Rumlow.
I: Clinically dead but resurrected by Cyrus Fenton who reverses the irreversible cellular damage to his body.
J: Murdered by cosmic villain the Enemy but resurrected on the next page.
Geochecker.com; Resurrection!
Here's a permanent link to the Captain America page that was used to build the puzzle.
UPDATE: Cap's Alive July 4, 2009. The Sentinel of Liberty lives!