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5 Patriotic Comic Book Characters!

Celebrate Memorial Day by reading comics? Sure, why not!

So much of what exists in our society and in our culture is prevalent in the comics we read. While comics are fictional, and superheroes aren't real, sometimes we take from reality and what exists in it and use it as inspiration for the fictional world we want to create. The idea of patriotism is one of those very things. There are countless symbols of patriotism in comics, and there are likely too many to count. So, to celebrate Memorial Day, I thought I would list five symbols of patriotism that I have found in comics that are most obvious to me. Maybe you guys can help me name a few? 
 

 Captain America
 Captain America

Captain America

This is the obvious one, I mean, just look at his name! Captain America was first introduced in 1941, a full year into World War II and was given his very own comic book, Captain America #1. He has since appeared in over 3,400 comic books and has been a staple of Marvel comics as one of their most prominent characters. While his costume has changed over the years, and has been modified by different artists, the red white and blue stars and stripes that have made him so iconic have remained.
 
 == TEASER ==

Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman

Of course, if you know me then you know I would throw her into the mix. For obvious reasons, Wonder Woman has always been symbolic of patriotism to me, not simply because of her costume. After first donning red white and blue to embark on her journey to deliver Steve Trevor back to the American goverment after he accidentally landed on Paradise Island, Diana has retained the costume and continued to wear it as a symbol of respect for America. Not only that, but she loved the U.S. so much, that she decided to stay and fight alongside members of the Justice League. 
 
 Superman
 Superman

Superman

To me, Superman epitomizes what it means to be a patriot. Beyond the fact that he bears the colors of the American flag as his uniform, he represents what made this country what it is. Superman is an immigrant from another planet that has settled in America and fallen in love with the people and their culture. He is, to me, what it means to be American and one of my absolute favorite superheroes. 
 
Now, for two of the more obscure examples...
 

 Reagan's Raider's #1
 Reagan's Raider's #1

Reagan's Raiders

One of the strangest examples I have come across, was a series that was first released in 1986 during the Reagan Administration. Published by Gary Brodsky under Solson Comics, Reagan's Raiders only lasted for about three issues. The release of the first issue came in October of 1986, shortly following the height of the Iran-Contra during Reagan's term. Not only did the team hold Reagan's name in their title, but one of the team members even had his likeness.

 

The Shield

Before Captain America and the great Steve Rogers, there was The
 The Shield
 The Shield
Shield, published by DC Comics. Created in 1940 by Harry Shorten and Irv Novick for Archie Comics, The Shield saw success for about a year, that is until Archie trumped him. Archie Comics made several attempts to bring the character back into the limelight unsuccessfully, that is until 2009 when they teamed up with DC Comics. DC took the Shield and used the character as a part of their Red Circle series. The Shield saw some more time in the spotlight in his very own self titled ongoing from DC, but the lack of sales inevitably doomed the series and it was quickly canceled. However, something tells me this is not the last that we have seen The Shield!  
 
What other patriotic comic book characters can you name that you have found in comic books?

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Emerald Dragonfly

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@Roninidas: 
Actually, I don't discredit him - I think that he is a legend, as I said before, and that's why I don't like what happened to him - Bucky will just wear the suit of Captain America and have the same powers Steve did, but that new Cap is not the one who made the image of a man in such a costume a symbol. And new way of "evolving" Steve is... Well, let's say, it's not what I wanted it to be. Legend is a legend, but the brightest period of it's life is left behind. And about plotwriters - I didn't say that DC guys are awesome, I only said that MARVEL went totally crazy.
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Roninidas

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@Emerald Dragonfly: 

That's just it.  The only thing that has really changed for Steve Rogers is his job.  He still stands for what he stood for while he was Captain America.  the thing that really excites me is the now that he is in Nick Fury's old position he has the opportunity to set so many things right and apply his school of thought to so many different things.  His reach literally just was extended 1000 fold.  So, is he going to rise above and bring America back to its former glory or will he succumb to the political pressures of his new found post?  I don't, but it is exciting.   
 
Bucky Cap is great; he doesn't have the same abilities of Steve Rogers.  Bucky never took the Super Soldier Serum, the only part of him that is remotedly close to Steve in strength is the Cybernetic Arm.  The only part of him that can wield the Shield.  Other than that he is an Average Joe like the rest of us trying to live up to the standard Steve Rogers created.  Which, I love that Idea and concept.   
 
Furthermore, you seem like an intelligent guy, I am not joking or being an asshole, I am being completely sincere.  You know, when we get closer to the Captain America Movie, they will put Steve back in the traditional Red, White and Blue Costume.  I don't know what will happen between now and then, but I look forward to it.  I hope its good.   
 
I like the direction Marvel went it.  When they killed Steve Rogers, I was mad.  My train of thought was, How do you replace Steve Rogers?  You can't?  Then Bucky took over... and basically was on the same page as me.  Same tain of thought.  I can't replace Steve Rogers, so I won't, I will just try to live up to his standards.  Just like that, I was hooked.  I think Marvel has there act together with Captain America.  I especially like the idea of the Herioc Age.  I just think DC is a couple steps behind.  I like some of DCs Titles, but all in all, they are all gimmicks and don't capture me with their characters the way Marvel does, especially Captain America.  He is my favorite.  I think the best is yet to come for Bucky, for Steve and for Captain America!
   
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Farley Deering

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Edited By Farley Deering

You could add most of the heroes from Project Superpowers, most seem to be a rift on Captain America/WW2 patriotic hero thing.  As I'm British, well really I'm Scottish but as there is no Captain Scotland (and why not?), I'll see your America patriots and raise you Captain Britain! 

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Drifter1699

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@Emerald Dragonfly:
I have to respectfully disagree in regard to your "new Cap is lame" comment.   
In Capt America #50, Bucky is attacked by terrorists.  After he beats them one says "you aint the real Captain America."  To which Bucky replies "Believe me, I know that better than anyone...but I'm tryin."  This is the essence of the new Cap.  That inward struggle between what we are and what we should be.  It's human.  It's us.  In otherwords, it's why we all know who Captain America is and what he stands for and why I had to look The Shield up on wikipedia. 
   

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Andferne

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 Statesman
 Statesman

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Roninidas

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@Drifter1699:
Oh S*** ! That just happened!  Shake and Bake!  Shake (Hand Motioning Shake) and Bake (Hand Motioning Bake).  That just happened! 
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damswedon

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Edited By damswedon

Almost anything on DC that is Pre 60's. American Patriotism in comics makes me cringe. maybe thats because in England being a Patriot almost always means being a BNP supporter. 
 
that being said i would not be against Miss America coming back.

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Silver Knight75

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@Andferne: NICE
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llagrok

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Edited By llagrok

Superman protects the entire world, not just America. I think Uncle Sam is a spot more patriotic than Kal.

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dr.x

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of coures  the frist one  of them  is The Shield . 
 
 
or  Man Of War 
 
 
, Super-American
 
 


 
 
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LP

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 He is, to me, what it means to be American and one of my absolute favorite superheroes. 


 
Must agree....
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Cezar_TheScribe

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General Glory
General Glory

 

 

Superpatriot
Superpatriot