The Red Skull is an alias used by several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily Johann Schmidt. The first Red Skull appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941), created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.  Usually portrayed as a Nazi agent and protégé of Adolf Hitler who is disfigured or wearing a red skull mask, the Red Skull is regarded as the archenemy of the superhero Captain America.