American Superheroes: The Top 5 for the 250th

250 Years of American Superheroes

The United States of America celebrated its Quarter-Millenial in 2026. Two hundred and fifty years have passed since the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Colonies broke away from Great Britain. America has grown into one of the most powerful nations in the world, but did some shady shit to get there.

These five American Superheroes were chosen to represent their country because they reflect its past. Some are flashy, others idealistic. One embodies the many sins and hard calls the government has made. Who are the heroes who best represent America? Let’s find out.

#5 Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E.

Voiced By: Brec Bassinger, Giselle Loren 

Time changes all things. The Greatest Generation had different views than the Baby Boomers. Gen X and Millennials are not the same. Who knows how Zoomers, Gen Alpha, and whatever is next will interact? But while American Superheroes change with the times, Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E. are forever.

Courtney Whitmore was a bratty teenager who discovered her stepfather Pat had been Starman’s sidekick, The Star-Spangled Kid. She stole his uniform and gear to become the newest incarnation. Unable to stop his willful daughter, Pat built the S.T.R.I.P.E. armor to fight by her side. 

The Star-Spangled Kid and S.T.R.I.P.E. butted heads over different approaches. She was brash and carefree, he was more serious and restrictive for her safety. Dozens of adventures helped them bond. Courtney eventually earned Starman’s Cosmic Staff and became Stargirl to show that she had matured.

You don’t need the Cosmic Staff to illuminate this duo’s past. Just check out our Stargirl Backstory.

#4 American Superhero: Amanda Waller

Played By: Viola Davis, C.C.H. Pounder

America is no stranger to atrocities. The Trail of Tears, the Japanese internment camps, daily fuck-ups under Trump’s command, and thousands more can be laid at its feet. This American Superhero will commit a million more if it keeps the country safe.

Amanda Waller was a housewife living a quiet life until her daughter was raped and murdered. Mr. Waller died avenging her, leaving Amanda to raise their remaining kids alone. She became a government agent and rose through the ranks until she became the leader of a black-ops division called Task Force X.

Waller began recruiting supervillains for suicide missions, keeping them under her thumb with implanted remote control bombs. She ordered assassinations, human experimentation, coup d’états, and many other objectionable operations. The Justice League knows about her crimes, but allows her to continue because Waller gets results and does what they won’t do.

We’ve finished decrypting the rest of Amanda Waller’s backstory. Commit it to memory, her Suicide Squad is on the way!

#3 Captain America

Played By: Chris Evans, Reb Brown

I’ll give you a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor. Who could have guessed that a blond-haired, blue-eyed behemoth dressed in red, white, and blue with an American flag-themed shield would be one of the most American heroes?

Steve Rogers was the child of Irish immigrants. When World War II began, he volunteered for a secret experiment to create super soldiers. He was the only success before a saboteur killed the serum’s creator. Steve became Captain America for propaganda purposes and began kicking nine kinds of Nazi ass.

Captain America was joined by a teenage sidekick nicknamed Bucky. The heroes shifted focus from normal Nazis to fighting the occult science of HYDRA. Captain America and Bucky went MIA after a fateful mission. He was eventually found and revived in the modern day, where Steve’s old fashioned values became a yardstick for his modern allies in The Avengers.

Extra, Extra, read all about it! Captain America’s Backstory uncovered; alleges war hero is a traitor!

Fun Fact: Captain America Comics #1 was published before America entered the second world war. Many American Nazis sent death threats and marched outside Timely Comics’ headquarters, but NYC Mayor La Guardia ordered police to protect the authors.

#2 American Superhero: Superman

Played By: David Corenswet, Christopher Reeve, Henry Cavill

This superhero is as American as Ma Kent and apple pie. An immigrant who champions freedom, rebels against corrupt authority while supporting rule of law, and who is always willing to lend a hand. Who else but Superman?

On the dying world of Krypton, scientist Jor-El built a rocket and sent his infant son Kal-El to Earth. He landed in the midwest and was adopted by kindly farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent. They named him Clark and raised him as their son. He eventually moved to Metropolis and became Superman.

Superman stepped up to deal with villains and bullies of all stripes. He’s even scored some wins in the real world. The Adventures of Superman famously helped weaken the Ku Klux Klan’s popularity by revealing their rituals in a radio serial. Superman was also used as a propaganda symbol against the Nazis, who had to put out their own anti-Superman propaganda. It’s hard to not like someone who goes after both groups of bigoted bastards.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s our Superman backstory! You should go read it before this list’s thrilling conclusion.

Wait a second, something’s screwy. If Captain America isn’t the superhero best representing America and Mr. Truth, Justice, and The American Way isn’t either, who could beat them?

#1 Uncle Sam

Voiced By: Peter Renaday

Don’t worry, we’re not being propagandists here. DC really did transform Uncle Sam, the famous personification of America, into a superhero. Who better to punch Nazis?

America’s Founding Fathers performed an occult ritual to summon a “Spirit of America” to merge with a patriot and fight for the country. The spirit began as a minuteman and changed over time, becoming Brother Jonathan, and later splitting into Billy Yank and Johnny Reb. The spirit finally settled when it became Uncle Sam.

Uncle Sam originally resided in Earth-X, a world where the Nazis won WWII. He recruited a team of superheroes dubbed the Freedom Fighters and fought to overthrow the regime. Crisis on Infinite Earths retconned the Freedom Fighters to be a WWII-era team that Sam occasionally restarts when they’re needed.

Uncle Sam has superhuman strength, speed, and durability fueled by faith in America and its ideals. Specific details don’t matter, such as the time Plastic Man revived Sam by teaching an alien race his screwed up takes on American history and getting them to believe it. Doubt weakens Uncle Sam and his values can be distorted if Americans begin developing a new perception of America.

Which superhero do you think best represents America? Tell us in the comments.

© 2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Batman and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and copyright of DC Comic

Jared Bounacos

Jared Bounacos has written for Movie Rewind since 2016.