Superhero Countries: Ranking the Top 5

Get Your Passport Ready

Superhero stories are usually set in America, more specifically New York City, but there’s a whole world ripe for adventure. Ancient temples hidden in frozen mountaintops, long-lost kingdoms in shadowed jungles, and hundreds of cultures for heroes to explore. But why not introduce a few more unique countries built for and by superheroes?

Superhero countries are a godsend for storytellers. The hero needs some high-tech gadget or magical focus? Then it’s a good thing their country specializes in making them. Want terrorists that don’t offend anyone? Head to Nazia or Qurac, which may resemble, but certainly aren’t based on real countries, honest. So what are the Top 5 Superhero Countries? Let’s find out. 

#5 Atlantis

Universe: DC
Ruler: Aquaman
Capital: Poseidonis

This is the oldest known superhero country. It was created by Plato in the 4th century as philosophical fan fiction after Athens lost a war. The setting’s been adapted thousands of times, but DC Comics is the only one where King Arthur rules Atlantis.

Atlantis was one of the first great civilizations. King Arion ruled wisely over the nation, encouraging the combined use of magic and technology. A meteor caused massive earthquakes, and Atlantis sank. The capital Poseidonis survived thanks to an impenetrable dome while sister city Tritonis used magic to transform their citizens into merfolk.

The Atlanteans evolved over millennia, adapting to their new home. Magic, bioengineering, and interbreeding with the Tritons created a new species that could endure the ocean depths, swim like fish, and breathe underwater. Some noble lines could also command marine life or manipulate water.

Arthur Curry is the most recent king of Atlantis, but he often struggles to ensure his subjects’ loyalty because of his half human heritage. Aquaman’s blonde hair is also considered a point against him by superstitious Atlanteans, seen as a deformity reminiscent of the infamous tyrant Kordax.

#4 Superhero Country: Krakoa

Universe: Marvel
Ruler: The Quiet Council
Capital: The Grove

The X-Men want a Mutant-led nation, but damn me if they ain’t bad at running ’em. Their first attempt, Genosha, ended with a genocide that killed sixteen million Mutants. Utopia did better, but collapsed under poor leadership. Is the third time the charm?

Krakoa was an ancient living island awakened by atomic bombs. The X-Men investigated Krakoa and were captured when the sentient island fed on their energy. Professor X assembled a new team that freed the original X-Men and seemingly killed Krakoa, but it survived and returned to menace them many times.

The X-Men, several villainous factions, and Krakoa signed a treaty to make the latter into a Mutant-led nation in exchange for energy donations. The newly-formed Krakoa became a stronghold focused on Mutant culture. Humans were largely forbidden from entering Krakoa, and teleportation gates blocked non-Mutants. The Five were Krakoa’s secret weapon, a group of Mutants able to flawlessly resurrect the dead that made the X-Men functionally immortal.

Krakoa fell when the anti-Mutant alliance Orchis invaded with an army of Sentinels. Krakoa and resurrected Genoshan Mutants were sent to another dimension for their own safety. They founded New Krakoa, creating a post-scarcity utopia and choosing to live in their paradise dimension forever. The X-Men were again left nationless.

#3 Paradise Island

Universe: DC
Ruler: Queen Hippolyta
Capital: Themyscira

Apologies, but we’re going to need all men to disembark for this part of our grand tour. Only women are allowed in this superhero country with some very rare exceptions. Until then, there’s a combination bookstore, gift shop, and cafe to explore. We’ll be back soon.

Aphrodite created the Amazons to teach humanity about equality, virtue, and love. Ares opposed their mission and helped Heracles infiltrate their lands to rape Queen Hippolyta and enslave the Amazons. They eventually overthrew Heracles, but the Olympians decided the Amazons had failed and banished them to what would become Paradise Island.

Paradise Island, also known as Themyscira, became a nation devoted to the Amazon’s original mission and the art of war. Some modern versions reimagine Themyscira as a haven where murdered women are reborn as Amazons, literally immortal warriors forged from injustice.

Wonder Woman served as a Paradise Island ambassador and slowly reconnected the Amazons to Man’s World. They often act as the cavalry during major event stories and take in refugees, even if they are men.

#2 Superhero Country: Latveria

Universe: Marvel
Ruler: Doctor Doom
Capital: Doomstadt

Bah, the title of superhero country is so readily claimed by the rabble. The leftovers of a long-dead philosopher, another of Mutantkind’s failures, and misandrists in a walled garden. Perhaps visiting a true superpower will show you what a superhero country could be, even if fools decry the monarch as a villain.

Latveria was a destitute country ruled by a tyrant hunting Romani citizens. He was deposed by a Roma named Victor von Doom, who took over as tyrant and singlehandedly turned Latveria into a first world country. Crime was abolished while infrastructure and living standards improved. So what if the country became a police state guarded by an army of killer robots?

Despite the lack of freedom and his many crimes, Latverians revere Doctor Doom for fixing the country and making it one of the safest in the Marvel universe. It helps that Doom has arranged for Latveria to be entirely focused and reliant on himself, ensuring that things immediately go wrong if he is removed from power.

Dr. Doom genuinely cares about his citizens. He goes to great lengths to encourage their loyalty and happiness. He has often claimed that bringing safety and security to all is why he wants to conquer the world. Infinite power and freedom to smite his enemies is just gravy.

#1 Wakanda

Universe: Marvel
Ruler: Black Panther
Capital: Birnin Zana

Show of hands, who didn’t think Wakanda would be our number one? It’s always been a Marvel power player, but 2018’s Black Panther shone a spotlight on the afro-futurist city. So what makes this superhero country so important?

Eons ago, a meteor crashed into eastern Africa. Several indigenous nations discovered the meteor contained a quasi-magical metal called vibranium and warred for control of it until the first Black Panther united them and formed the hidden Kingdom of Wakanda.

Vibranium gave the Wakandans a massive boost. Their technology outpaced everyone on Earth, bolstered by magic bestowed by their patron goddess Bast. The Black Panther served as the guardian of vibranium and ruler of Wakanda, passing the mantle from parent to child.

Modern Wakanda is the strongest nation on Earth. They could conquer all nations with ease, but prefer leading by example. Besides, Earth is small potatoes when they have already formed an intergalactic empire with universal reach. King T’Challa won Civilization and has moved onto harder games.

What Superhero Country would you visit if given a chance? Did we miss your travel destination? Tell us in the comments.

Image courtesy of Marvel Animation

Jared Bounacos

Jared Bounacos has written for Movie Rewind since 2016.