I'm still new to learning about Captain America. I've read quite a few comics, watched some of the cartoons, and so forth. But can someone explain to me the concept of Cap's abilities?
From what I understand he's the perfect specimen. So he's essentially a human being that can do extrodinary things. Obviously he's not powerful like Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, and Superman when it comes to speed and strength.
But I've always been confused about his abilities. So in a sense he's like Batman in the top physical peak department? Because I would think certain villains would wipe the floor with Cap.
Cap is different than Batman. While Bats is simply a supremely top level and top trained individual, Captain America is "peak human" in all aspects of his athletic ability.
So that means that Cap will be as fast as it is possible for a human body to be, as strong as it is possible for a human body to be, as quick as it is possible for a human body to be ect. ect.
Now, when the writers first came up with this, they gave Cap stats that reflected what the "peak" humans of the day could do. For example, they lifted Cap at being able to be able to bench around 600lbs.
However, this isn't completely accurate, because one thing the writers didn't take into account is that the human body is one functioning machine, and that each muscle group supports the other.
So, Cap would actually be able to bench more then the best bench-presser in the world, because not only is his upper body at it's peak strength level, his legs are also as strong as the strongest lower body lifter in the world as well. Cap would actually be faster than the fastest sprinter in the world, because his legs have the added power of the strongest lower body lifter in the world, ect. ect.
Each thing builds off the other, giving him added power. So really, 616 Cap is at a much higher level then the writers had him listed at.
And
Timstuff, I more or less agree with you. I don't mind it if they give Cap Ultimate level strength, in fact, the point of this thread was to show that 616 Cap could be substantially more powerful than what his listings are at.