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Captain America is back in free military comic

Your mission: Infiltrate your closest exchange service store and snag a copy of the free, military-exclusive “Spirit of America” Marvel Comics book that will be available around Nov. 10

In “The New Avengers: Spirit of America,” Captain America appears — sort of — for the first time since his death in March in his own comic-book title after nearly 60 years in print. When a bunch of insurgents attempt to infiltrate the Los Angeles Air Force Base, the New Avengers receive a video with a message from Captain America asking them to protect an Army soldier serving overseas, who is a central character in the story.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service joined forces with Marvel Comics to distribute their free comic book, the fifth installment of a military-only series that began in April 2005 with “The New Avengers,” a partnership between Marvel Comics, America Supports You and AAFES.

You can grab one of the comic books at your nearest AAFES store on Army and Air Force bases, while supplies last. Any customer authorized to shop at military exchanges — including active-duty service members, National Guard and reserve troops, retirees and their families from all branches of service — can get a free copy.

Fifty-three AAFES facilities in the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom theaters of operation are also distributing the comic books. A million copies have been printed.

When the previous free comic hit stores, they were gone within two to six weeks, depending on the store, said AAFES spokesman Judd Anstey.

“AAFES coordinates and distribute these complimentary comics as a way of saying, ‘Thank you,’ to troops and their families,” said AAFES Chief of Staff Col. Max Baker, in a statement announcing the comics. “If the first four comic books are any indicator, this edition will certainly become a ‘must have’ for our customers. Exclusive military distribution combined with the first appearance of Captain America in eight months should create an unprecedented demand.”

DISCUSS: Captain America’s return