Most, when asked which comic book character best represents the ideals and beliefs of America, would probably identify Marvel Comics’ Captain America as the superhero who best represents the symbol of patriotism in America. While Captain America may be the most recognized comic book icon associated with America, he is not the only one by far.
The Golden Age of Comics introduced multiple characters, not only from Marvel and DC Comics, that embraced the red, white, and blue and had adventures protecting the values of and ideals of the American way of life. The following list contains a few of those characters NOT named Captain America.
10 Uncle Sam - DC Comics
Uncle Sam first appeared in Quality Comics in July of 1940, almost a year before Captain America’s debut, and was created by Will Eisner. Uncle Sam’s original origin was that he was the spirit of a slain patriotic soldier who died during the American Revolutionary War, and would mystically reappear whenever the country needed him. The character was later acquired by DC Comics during the 1950s and would serve as a supporting character in the 1970s Justice League of America.
As a property of DC Comics, Uncle Sam would undergo some changes to his origin. The most significant change to his origin was that he was now a spiritual entity created by the Founding Fathers through an occult ritual, then bound to a powerful talisman that would take physical form, merging with deserving patriot when they died. Uncle Sam would be eventually become the leader of the Freedom Fighters on Earth-X, a world where the Nazis won World War II, expanding the empire to the United States and beyond.
9 American Eagle - Marvel Comics
American Eagle is a Marvel Comics character created by Doug Moench and Ron Wilson. His real name is Jason Strongbow, and he is a member of the Navajo tribe. During a run-in with the Black Panther villain Klaw, while attempting to save a mountain sacred to the Navajo, Strongbow received a blast of sonic energy. This, combined with the uranium in the mountain, gave Strongbow superhuman strength, speed, enhanced senses, and causing his crossbow to fire energized bolts.
Aside from appearances in various digital comics, American Eagle has never had a solo title yet remains a favorite amongst writers. Recently, Strongbow resurfaced, accepting a part-time position working with Black Panther as an Agent of Wakanda.
8 American Maid - New England Comics
American Maid, the superhero from the '90s cartoon starring The Tick. While the character is an amalgamated parody of Captain America and Wonder Woman, there is no one more American than her. American Maid was one of the more effective superheroes in The Tick universe, even though she has no superpowers. Due to this fact, she instead depends on her acrobatic talents and weapons: A pair of stiletto high-heels and a tiara. Both of which she can throw like a boomerang with high accuracy and effectiveness
American Maid is a strong and able female hero who was surrounded mostly by males who are trying too hard to be heroes. These and many more attributes, made the character a red, white, and blue allegory, fighting for the working-class.
7 U.S. Jones - Fox Feature Syndicate / Dynamite Entertainment
U.S. Jones first appeared in Wonderworld Comics #28 (August 1941). While not the first hero to adopt the patriotic theme, nor a particularly memorable one, he was the only Golden Age hero to call on America’s children to join in the fight, even before America entered into World War II.
Jones did this by encouraging readers to protect democracy no matter the cost by keeping fit, conserving resources, and watching those around them. With only a fierce heart and the might of his limbs, he would throw himself against the threat of tyranny and defend the nation against the would-be dictators of the world. In 2009, Dynamite Entertainment reimagined U.S. Jones as part of the Black Terror miniseries but faded back into comic book limbo soon after this appearance.
6 Mister America - DC Comics
Mister America is a legacy DC Comics character first appearing in Action Comics #1 (June 1938), created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily. The Golden Age Mister America was Harold “Tex” Thompson, a well-trained spy with no superpowers, but great hand-to-hand combatant. Aside from his trademark whip, he also had a carpet, altered with chemicals that doubled as a cape allowing him to fly. Mr. America was a member of the All-Star Squadron, and also operated behind the German lines at the request of FDR as “The Americommando.”
In 2009, Geoff Johns reintroduced Mister America as Trey Thompson, the great-grandson of Tex. Shortly after beginning his vigilante career, tragedy struck as Vandal Savage killed him and his family. Jeffrey Graves, a Special Agent who worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and former partners with Trey, took up the mantle and joined the Justice Society of America.
5 Miss America - Marvel & DC Comics
Miss America is a patriotic character in both the Marvel and DC Comic universe. The DC Comics character, like Uncle Sam, was originally a Quality Comics character who appeared just before Wonder Woman made her debut. Miss America, whose alter ego was Joan Dale, first appeared in Military Comics #1 (August 1941). Once acquired by DC Comics origin was changed so that she gained her powers after she fell asleep and dreamt of the spirit of Lady Liberty.
Marvel’s version of Miss America (Madeline Joyce Frank) first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (Nov. 1943). Created by Otto Binder and Al Gabriele for Timely Comics, the precursor to Marvel Comics, the character was an attempt to appeal to a young female audience. Madeline Joyce was a socially aware teenaged heiress who was the niece/ ward of radio mogul James Bennet, who was struck lightning in a lab accident. Using her new abilities to fly and enhanced strength, she joined Timely’s All-Winners Squad. She fought with Captain America and Bucky, the original Human Torch and Toro, the Sub-Mariner.
4 Yankee Poodle - DC Comics
Patriotic characters in DC Comics can be found throughout the Multiverse. Case in point, Yankee Poodle, an inhabitant of Earth 26 and a member of Captain Carrot’s super-powered anthropomorphic superhero team, The Amazing Zoo Crew.
Yankee Poodle’s alter ego Rova Barkitt, based on the TV personality Rona Barrett, was hit by a meteor sent by that huge and always angry space starfish Starro. As a result of this incident, she developed “animal magnetism” superpowers, which manifest as shooting semisolid electromagnetic stars that repel objects from one hand and red and white stripes that attract objects from the other.
3 The Fighting Yank - Startling Comics
The Fighting Yank first appearing in Startling Comics #10 (Sept 1941) and featured Bruce Carter III. The Fighting Yank gained his abilities when Bruce Carter I, a hero from the Revolutionary War, appeared to his descendent as a ghost to guide him to a magical cloak that gave him invulnerability and super strength. Bruce kept his identity as Fighting Yank secret with only his girlfriend knowing his alter ego.
Fighting Yank’s outfit, along with his magical cloak, included a tri-corner hat, square buckles, a white shirt with the American flag on the chest, and blue pants. Fighting Yank fought on both the home front and helped with the war effort in Europe. Following a few short-lived revivals, Alan Moore revived Fighting Yank, for his series Tom Strong, from DC Comics’ imprint America’s Best Comics.
2 The Shield - MLJ Comics/Archie Comics
The Shield, created by Harry Shorten and Irv Novick for Pep Comics #1 (1940), was published by MLJ Comics (now Archie Comics). The Shield was the first hero to incorporate the American flag into his costume, as a response to the patriotism that swept the country as the war in Europe spread.
The Shield/Joe Higgins used his knowledge as a chemist to create a formula that gave him enhanced speed, strength, and heightened senses. The Shield was most recently reintroduced in as part of the Dark Circle line, which started in DC Comics and then returned to Archie Comics.
1 Minute-Man - Fawcett Comics/DC Comics
Minute-Man (Jack Weston) took his patriotic moniker after the minutemen of the American Revolution. Originally published by Fawcett Comics, he debuted in Master Comics #11 (Feb 1941), and a three issues self-titled comic (1941 - Spring 1942) followed. A private in the Army, Weston was in great physical condition and donned a patriotic costume to combat enemy agents behind enemy lines on unsanctioned missions.
Minute-Man lived on Earth-S, home of the Fawcett heroes, and made his first appearance in Shazam! rescuing Billy from Mr. Mind and the Rainbow Squad. Post-Crisis Weston defended Fawcett City following the war with his fellow heroes before eventually retiring from fighting as a costumed hero, becoming an agent for the government.