As a lifelong comic book nerd, I this week was a big one for me. Since Marvel Comics launched its own production studio a few years back and announced its plans to begin bringing the primary characters of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time, I had been highly anticipating the release of the film about the brand’s patriotic poster child, Captain America.

That release came to Demopolis this week when the Marengo Theater landed Captain America: The First Avenger on its opening weekend. I had already watched and enjoyed both Iron Man movies, The Incredible Hulk – not to be confused with The Hulk, which starred Eric Bana and made Marvel immediately pretend the film did not exist – and Thor. Now, it was time to meet the man who would become the leader of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

But more than just highly anticipating the next release in a line of films, I was excited about Captain America because he has long been my favorite character.

I have had an affinity for the character since I first got a Captain America action figure as a child. I had a slew of Marvel Comics figures, good guys and bad guys. Inevitably, however, the unusual team of Captain America and Gambit seemed to win just about every battle.

I am not exactly sure what it was about the character that I initially liked. Maybe it was the costume or the colors or the shield. Most likely, it probably had something to do with the fact that he seemed to always know the difference between right and wrong and all of the other heroes in the Marvel universe held him in high esteem.

My connection with the character has grown so deep that I have often stated that, even though I am not a tattoo guy, I would get Captain America’s shield on my bicep if I were to ever decide to get ink placed permanently on my body.

So the week finally came when Captain America hit theaters. With Marvel overseeing all of the creative aspects of the movie and Chris Evans, one of my favorite actors, playing the role, I was pretty sure this moviegoing experience would have to rank near the top for me.

When I got in the theater and sat down, I actually found myself a little more jazzed than I expected when the opening trailers ended. Legitimately, I went from 29 to 9 years old in a span of about two hours.

Self respect? Dignity? Eh. Overrated. I have long been an advocate of embracing one’s inner geek. This week, thanks to my wife, I got to spend right at two hours doing just that. Now, I’m all geeked out about The Avengers movie set to release next summer.

Jeremy D. Smith is the community editor of the Demopolis Times.