# Comic Book U.S. Presidents (Fictional, or otherwise) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 15, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398 "2003-11-15T06:41:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/1 "2003-11-15T06:41:04Z")
I’m just hungry for some information about the U.S. Presidency in the major comic book universes. In the DC comics universe, real-life President Clinton was in office during Superman’s “death,” but the current President is the fictional Lex Luthor. (Would it be OK to be mad at Nader for _that_ election’s outcome? 😉 ) I seem to recall that Superman met JFK at one point, too. Marvel comics, as I remember, had a fictional President during the early 70s…one who committed suicide after being exposed as a HYDRA mole. But the current U.S. President in the continuity is George W. Bush. But in an “Ultimate X-Men” a little while back, there was another fictional president in power. In the “X-Men” animated series from the early 90s, there was an (unnamed?) female President, who was followed by President (ex-Senator) Kelly. The recent “X-Men: Evolution” had had a fictional president, too. So…do any dopers out there have any information on the other fictional Presidents of the worlds of the comics, if there are any? Or what other real-life Presidents have been seen in the comic book Oval Offices? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/2 "2003-11-15T06:46:40Z")
In The Authority, I believe Jack Hawksmoor told off President Clinton in #13, but Bush was already in power by the time the replacement Authority took over in #22. (And didn’t the real team kill him upon their return, around #29?) ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/3 "2003-11-15T06:54:20Z")
When Booster Gold first came out, he made references to his buddy Ronnie. Then when they told about his first adventure after coming from the future, it turned out that he had saved Reagan and Bush was an assasin. Prez was an old DC comic about a 18 year old who becomes president. In the 25th century DC Universe, Colossal Boy’s mother was president for a while after the president before her embezzeled all of R. J. Brande’s funds to help pay for the damage done during Earthwar. Of course, this was Pre-Crisis, Pre-Reboot ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/4 "2003-11-15T07:48:28Z")
Reagan also appeared as president in Justice League International #7 (from 1987 or so), where he assured Superman he was “a good American.” ---
**Author:** ![Mazikeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9a28c/32.png) [@Mazikeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mazikeen)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/5 "2003-11-15T15:30:46Z")
Neil Gaiman did his own take on Prez in Sandman: World’s End. I believe Richard Nixon also appeared briefly in the same story. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/6 "2003-11-15T16:09:24Z")
In Garth Ennis’ take on Hellblazer, there’s a crazy bit where John Constantine ends up in a bizarre alternate post-apocalypic dream-America where he runs around a bit with a JFK who’s a little runny around the skull. The whole thing was very creepy in a great way, and now I’ll have to go find my copy and read it again. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/7 "2003-11-15T16:47:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mazikeen \* > \*\*Neil Gaiman did his own take on Prez in Sandman: World’s End. I believe Richard Nixon also appeared briefly in the same story. \*\* He did–he showed up in a dream Prez had, I think. Or perhaps it wasn’t a dream; that story was a little strange in spots. I remember when the Prez comics originally came out (yes, I’m old). Never read them though; but I wish I had, after reading Gaiman’s story. Did he really have a hobby of fixing clocks, does anybody know? As for the OP, I did read Superman and Batman in those days, and I seem to recall that one of them did acknowledge that JFK was president–I don’t recall if JFK actually made an appearance, but I do recall that one of the heroes (Batman?) met Jackie Kennedy in the White House at one point. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/8 "2003-11-15T16:58:41Z")
Not only did Superman meet JFK, but Jack found out about his secret identity, and helped Superman conceal it by impersonating Clark Kent! The story actually came out just after the assasination, which gives superman two of the worst incidences of timing in comic history (the other being a cover showing a burning Metropolis, complete with smashed towers in September of 2001). ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/9 "2003-11-15T18:11:49Z")
Although not from the majors, the _X-presidents_ could not go without a mention: [http://www.eshopperweb.com/books/viewitem.cfm/item/0679783628.html](http://www.eshopperweb.com/books/viewitem.cfm/item/0679783628.html) > [@](#): > > Taken by itself, this book is a masterpiece of sophisticated humor _and_ political relevance masked as a “Super Friends”-like cartoon book knock off. There are obscure references to famous utterances associated with each of the ex-Presidents that I hadn’t thought of in 25 years or more. To see Jimmy Carter taking on a villain with the line “I have lusted in my heart…to kick your ass.” Man, that’s funny stuff. By: Robert Smigel, Adam McKay, and based on the animated sketch that Smigel made for Saturday Nigh Live. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/10 "2003-11-15T18:45:00Z")
Batman saved Reagan from a rogue Russian agent known only as “The KGBeast”. He was trying to knock off the leadership of the SDI. He got most of 'em too. That’s probably why Star Wars never worked. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/11 "2003-11-15T19:26:48Z")
In **Elektra: Assassin** , there was briefly a President Ken Wind. who looked to the public like a cheap JFK clone. Actually, he was in thrall to some Chthulu-type, until the consciousness of Elektra’s secret agent pal was put into his head. I don’t think he served a full term. In **American Flagg** , the protagonist, Reuben Flagg, briefly served as president. But the office was fairly meaningless by the time he got it and he, likewise, didn’t last long. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/12 "2003-11-15T19:31:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Menocchio \* > \*\*Not only did Superman meet JFK, but Jack found out about his secret identity, and helped Superman conceal it by impersonating Clark Kent! > > The story actually came out just after the assasination, which gives superman two of the worst incidences of timing in comic history (the other being a cover showing a burning Metropolis, complete with smashed towers in September of 2001). \*\* So, following standard comic book laws, JFK had to die because he knew a superhero’s secret identitity (e.g., Joe Chill). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/13 "2003-11-15T20:04:38Z")
Actually the Ultimate X-Men pres has always been GeeDub. He mentions in later issues how Prof X saved his butt on the White House lawn and how the X-Men saved his daughter’s life too. He was very obviously shown in Ultimates as Bush (eating a pretzel) but in Ultimate Six his face is obscured for some reason. I guess the artist didn’t want to date the comic (good idea) or maybe he’s just not good at drawing George Bush. My favorite comic book pres was from the New Universe. Can’t remember his name off the top of my head, but he had the paranormal ability to copy anyone else’s paranormal ability, and he could use as many powers at once as he needed. He ran the Institute for Study of Paranormal Activity (or whatever it was called) in DP7, but was only interested in gaining the power of those around him. I think he got brainwiped at some point before becoming president though (or maybe not…) ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/14 "2003-11-15T21:52:18Z")
Both Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton pardoned the Hulk for his crimes. Which I’m sure was effective for about 10 minutes… ---
**Author:** ![Selkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Selkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Selkie)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/15 "2003-11-16T00:57:44Z")
**Eagle: The Making of an Asian American President** is supposed to be a _fantastic_ series, though I, alas, have yet to read it. Too many good comics, too little time and too few funds… (Link to first book in series [here](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569314586/ref=pd_sim_books_1/103-0919742-7007043?v=glance&s=books) ). ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/16 "2003-11-16T03:02:59Z")
In _Superman/Batman: Generations_, Dick Nixon appears, looking grubbier than usual. Nixon also appeared in at least one issue of the _Fantastic Four_. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/17 "2003-11-16T05:23:40Z")
Of course Nixon remained president throughout Watchmen, and he was also up to no good in the Radioactive Man miniseries (yes, based on the Simpsons character, but a great parody of comics through the ages). ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/18 "2003-11-16T12:52:59Z")
An amazingly preserved Ronald Reagan was apparently President for Life in THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. ---
**Author:** ![bmoak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@bmoak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoak)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/19 "2003-11-16T18:20:00Z")
And here for your viewing enjoyment is a look at the career of[Prez](http://ape-law.com/GAF/Page04/index.html), the teenaged POTUS. In addition to his own short-lived series, he also showed up as President in a 70s issue of Supergirl. Neil Gaiman’s “The Golden Boy” is a prime example of a comic book creator making lemons out of lemonade. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398/20 "2003-11-16T21:44:29Z")
Hal Jordan became president in one of Byrne’s _Generations_ series. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-u-s-presidents-fictional-or-otherwise/213398.md?page=2)