The superhero Captain America has been murdered but fans believe there may be more to the death than meets the eye.

Marvel Comics have shocked fans by assassinating the main character in the latest edition of the Captain America comic book.

The 'super soldier' is shown bleeding to death in his red and white costume after being shot by a sniper.

But some readers cannot believe it is the end of the long-running series.

New York reader Tony Dreannan said: "I think it's in some ways representative of what's going on in this country. I think a lot people have lost a lot of hope and this is what that symbolises."

But Marvel Comics editor-in-chief J Quesada said: "Everybody reads something different into it. Especially when you are dealing with a character like Captain America who wears the American flag, I think people tend to project their ideals, their beliefs, their patriotic beliefs, what they feel America should be or is, onto Captain America when they see him."

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