10 Patriotic Comic Book Characters To Raise A Drink To This Independence Day!

It's Independence Day, and that means we get to celebrate the United States of America with good food, good company, fireworks, and a look at the most patriotic characters from the Marvel and DC Universes!

By JoshWilding - Jul 04, 2021 08:07 AM EST

Filed Under: Captain America

Just like Greece will forever be remembered for the mythology that spawned the likes of Zeus and Hercules, so too will America for superheroes. Quite rightly described by Stan Lee as being a present day version of Greek or even Norse mythology, the colourful comic book characters dominating newsstands, theaters, and TV shows are rooted in the United States and its most formative years.

It should hardly come as a surprise, then, that there are a lot of very patriotic superheroes. Many of these were created during the dark days of World War II, though there are some who both pre and post date that conflict. The one thing they all have in common, though, is the love of their country.

The characters listed here may have been created to help get people through tough times when things weren't looking so good for America, or simply embody everything that's great about the USA without wearing the flag on their chest, but they're all true patriots for very different reasons.

To check out the full list of heroes, all you guys need to do is click the "Next" button below!

10. American Eagle

American Eagle was created by Doug Moench and Ron Wilson and is a member of the Navajo Tribe. Also known as Jason Strongbow, he's never starred in his own series, but has become a recurring presence in the Marvel Universe (including in the pages of Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda.

Jason actually received his powers during a run-in with Black Panther villain Ulysses Klaw, and after a blast of sonic energy combined with the uranium in the sacred mountain he was looking to protect were combined, he gained a number of incredible superhuman abilities.

American Eagle represents a different side of America, but one that's every bit as important as the red, white, and blue-clad characters you'll see elsewhere in this feature.

9. Miss America

Miss America is a Golden Age superhero who was a member of both The Invaders and All-Winners Squad. Despite being a wealthy teen heiress who could have easily spent World War II living in comfort, the second Madeline Joyce gained superpowers in a freak accident, she suited up to fight for the country she loved.

With "the strength of a thousand men" and the power of flight, Miss America was a key ally to Captain America and company as she battled alongside him against the Nazis.

Unfortunately, Marvel decided to resurrect the character years after her death as a racist in the pages of X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl. While she ultimately renounced the beliefs that sent her to hell, this soured the character's legacy, hence why she doesn't place higher here.

8. The Comedian

He may be batsh*t crazy (not to mention a reprehensible human being for a lot of different reasons), but make no mistake about it, The Comedian loves his country.

While Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen pointed to the "hero" only fighting in Vietnam because he was able to kill indiscriminately, DC Comics' controversial Before Watchmen prequel series shed some more light on The Comedian's motivations and his love for the good ol' US of A.

Hell, we're talking about a guy who actually mourned alongside one of his greatest foes when JFK was shot, because unlike the original series and Zack Snyder's movie, this comic revealed that Edward Blake wasn't actually responsible for the President's assassination. Ultimately, The Comedian is a bad dude who got what was coming to him, but he's still an American patriot.

7. Uncle Sam

Unsurprisingly, there have been a few different versions of Uncle Sam in the comic books over the years, with the original first debuting back in 1940 as a revolutionary war soldier who was magically resurrected to fight for the United States whenever the country came under the threat.

Created by The Spirit's Will Eisner for Quality Comics, DC Comics later acquired the character and made him a supporting player in the pages of Justice League of America.

There, he led the Freedom Fighters, and was depicted as a spiritual entity created through an occult ritual by the Founding Fathers whose powers could be utilised whenever he merged with a dying patriot. He basically had all the powers of Captain America, and most recently appeared in "Blackest Night" and The New 52.

6. Iron Patriot

The first Iron Patriot - Norman Osborn - really didn't care about his country and only suited up in this armour to stick it to Captain America and Iron Man after he took over the Marvel Universe. Thankfully, a real patriot later took over the mantle in the form of Tony Stark's closest friend, Colonel James Rhodes.

Of course, it's Kevin Feige, Shane Black, and Drew Pearce who deserve credit for that as they gave Rhodey the Iron Patriot armour in Iron Man 3 before the company's comic book division stole the idea and launched an unsuccessful solo series for the character.

Rhodey didn't wear the flag for long (he went back to being War Machine before dying in the pages of Civil War II), but he's a legit war hero, so you just know he displayed this armour proudly while he had it. Marvel Comics has since resurrected Rhodey and the Iron Patriot concept, and that's resonated with fans in a bigger way.

5. U.S. Agent

Despite starting off as a villain and in many ways representing the antithesis of a patriot, U.S. Agent has developed over the years into someone every bit as willing as Captain America to step up and do what's right for his homeland.

He may have more of a killer instinct than Steve Rogers, but despite once being a Super Patriot who showed off the darker side of nationalism, he's found the right balance somewhere along the line.

Still, it could be argued that he's both the most patriotic hero and villain in comic book history! Either way, his beliefs and actions often make for an interesting parallel to Captain America, and with the way the world has changed since his introduction in 1986, some might argue that he's more relevant today than ever. That's something we hope to see explore more in the MCU moving forward.

4. Isaiah Bradley

Isaiah Bradley is a character with an upsetting and harrowing history. One of 300 African American soldiers used as test subjects in attempts to recreate the Super Soldier Serum, he was the only survivor and ended up taking on the Captain America mantle.

Sentenced to life in prison for donning the stars and stripes to battle the Nazis, we're not sure Isaiah has the same love for his country he once did. However, we're talking about a superhero here who put everything on the line to fight for America, with the tragedy being that he was then unfairly punished for that.

While the government did everything within its power to keep Bradley's legacy a secret, he still became a legend and a hero to the Black community, and someone who definitely deserves your admiration and respect.

3. Wonder Woman

It's easy to forget, but Wonder Woman is surprisingly patriotic to America...even if she does hail from Themyscira! The Amazon Warrior clearly fell in love with her new home after leaving that island and has fought on the country's behalf on countless occasions.

Clearly respectful of the American Dream and the freedom America grants its citizens, it's no wonder she's so closely associated with the States.

The fact is, Wonder Woman represents American ideals. She firmly believes that all men are created equal and that they're endowed with certain unalienable rights; truth, justice, and the American way, basically. For that reason, Diana Prince is definitely worthy of a place here, even if her patriotic nature hasn't perhaps received that much of the spotlight in recent years.

2. Superman

The Man of Steel may have renounced his country in a controversial and - now forgotten story - from before The New 52 reboot, but make no mistake about it, Superman loves America.

While he may be an alien (a term that applies to many of the people who immigrated to America around the time he was created), Clark Kent being brought up by a hard-working American family in Kansas helped to reinforce his sense of right and wrong.

He isn't decked out in the colours of the flag, but Superman represents the whole world in some ways, bringing the best things about America to other nations and even the universe. Fighting for truth, justice and the American way, this hero brings to life the qualities pretty much every patriot would like to see in themselves.

1. Captain America

While Steve Rogers may have that classic American look, the fact that he started off as a sickly, skinny kid from Brooklyn has ensured that he's remained true to his roots. From back when he was fighting Nazis in World War II to when he became a member of The Avengers decades later, Captain America has always represented everyone.

Yes, he's questioned his government at times, but like any true patriot, he has his own beliefs and simply wants to see people treated equally so that they have a fair shot at also achieving the American Dream. Upholding the honourable qualities on which his homeland was founded, Cap represents all the good things about the country.

Other heroes have held the Captain America mantle, of course, and we're excited to see what Sam Wilson does as Cap in the MCU, exploring a different side of the U.S. in the process.

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42 Comments

1 2

MosquitoFarmer - 7/4/2021, 8:19 AM

Lest we forget how Team America has saved us countless times.

SpideyPuffsMJ - 7/4/2021, 8:40 AM

Cheers! Hot dogs and beer for everyone!

marvel72 - 7/4/2021, 8:59 AM

Shame Marvel Comics disrespected Captain America 80th Anniversary, just in time for 4th July.

Read some back issues of Captain America in a show of respect for the character.

OmegaDaGrodd - 7/4/2021, 8:59 AM

inkniron - 7/4/2021, 12:50 PM

@OmegaDaGrodd - The best part there is Eli shaking his head in the background

LongMayHeReign - 7/4/2021, 9:05 AM

Blergh - 7/4/2021, 2:03 PM

@LongMayHeReign - Bucky forever the bridesmaid, never the bride

marvel72 - 7/4/2021, 9:05 AM

LongMayHeReign - 7/4/2021, 9:54 AM

@marvel72 -

marvel72 - 7/4/2021, 1:10 PM

@LongMayHeReign - Fitting tribute from were it began to Endgame.

He has come a long way.

LittleSween - 7/4/2021, 10:07 AM

Ain't even checked the article or the list. Going to make some mad assumption that Cap or Superman are No.1

Twenty23Three - 7/4/2021, 10:14 AM

I hope everyone is enjoying themselves over there. Whilst the whole concept of the holiday always seemed a bit strange to me I’d happily join you in a party and some fireworks

WruceBayne - 7/4/2021, 10:40 AM

I feel Flagg from Rising Stars should’ve made this list.

Side note: I would’ve put a pitch of him up here but I don’t know how to do it from my phone. 🤷🏾‍♂️

WruceBayne - 7/4/2021, 12:40 PM

@WruceBayne - picture not pitch. 🤦🏾‍♂️

dragon316 - 7/5/2021, 3:27 AM

@WruceBayne - people call cellphones smart phones but phones use spell checker mess up word picture in form of pitch

THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 7/4/2021, 10:59 AM

#1.

AnthonyVonGeek - 7/4/2021, 11:17 AM

inkniron - 7/4/2021, 12:47 PM

Kind of weird to see someone from the Motherland raising a drink to toast American independence from the Brits.

bkmeijer2 - 7/4/2021, 2:39 PM

@inkniron - heresy of the highest order right? Zod doesn't approve

inkniron - 7/4/2021, 4:02 PM

@bkmeijer - Nah, he's like f loyalty.

IcePyke - 7/4/2021, 2:56 PM

Happy 245th Birthday U.S.A.! 🇺🇸🎂

WackyBantha - 7/4/2021, 3:30 PM

I thought #1 was going to be Condiment King. I guess I was wrong.

1 2

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10 Patriotic Comic Book Characters To Raise A Drink To This Independence Day!

It's Independence Day, and that means we get to celebrate the United States of America with good food, good company, fireworks, and a look at the most patriotic characters from the Marvel and DC Universes!

10. American Eagle

9. Miss America

8. The Comedian

7. Uncle Sam

6. Iron Patriot

5. U.S. Agent

4. Isaiah Bradley

3. Wonder Woman

2. Superman

1. Captain America

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