# Who Are the Most Popular Superheroes Not Created/Based in the USA? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527 "2013-10-06T20:25:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/1 "2013-10-06T20:25:05Z")
I was asked this earlier today and, not being much of a comics fan, I was totally stumped. Are there any hugely popular superheroes in Europe, South America, Asia, or elsewhere who are not of U.S. origin (either in that official biographies or in their creators)? Any suggestions for who would be the most popular superhero not widely known in the U.S.? British friends have referenced Action Man a lot over the years, usually nostalgically. Is he still big? I’m guessing the answer to “biggest” would be an anime or manga character, but I’m not into either, so I’m just curious. Thanks for any answers. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/2 "2013-10-06T20:33:40Z")
Well there is [Ultraman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraman) who I only know of through the works of Brad Warner- [Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_Zen). ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/3 "2013-10-06T20:39:03Z")
I’m gonna go ahead and guess [Captain Britain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Britain) and/or [Marvelman.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvelman) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/4 "2013-10-06T20:48:49Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > British friends have referenced Action Man a lot over the years, usually nostalgically. Is he still big? Action Man was a child’s toy when I was growing up. A good one, but I doubt Action Man was ever intended to be a “Superhero”. It’s a doll for (mostly) boys. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/5 "2013-10-06T20:55:52Z")
Goku would be my guess. Kamehameha is a go to reference in nerd culture for any sort of beam attack or beam battle. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/6 "2013-10-06T21:34:09Z")
I don’t know how representative this is, but Cracked has a great [list](http://www.cracked.com/article_17514_the-6-most-baffling-superheroes-from-around-world.html) of baffling superheroes from around the world. You’ve got to watch the video embedded for their number 1 pick - it’s quite something to behold. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/7 "2013-10-06T22:44:18Z")
[Dan Dare](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Dare), maybe (although he may not qualify as a superhero). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/8 "2013-10-06T23:56:42Z")
On a technicality, I wouldn’t say Zorro is based in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/9 "2013-10-06T23:59:35Z")
Does Sherlock Holmes count? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/10 "2013-10-07T00:04:53Z")
What is a superhero? Does he or she have to wear tights? Because there are lots of graphic art characters with fictional powers. Is [Naruto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto) a superhero? [Astro Boy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_Boy)? How about the characters in [Neon Genesis Evangelion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion)? That franchise has grossed over $1 billion, including merchandising. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/11 "2013-10-07T00:18:02Z")
There are plenty of superheros with non-US origins according to their biographies: Superman, Thor, and Wolverine all come to mind, just from recent movies. I don’t think that’s interesting enough to be what you’re referring to, though. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/12 "2013-10-07T00:19:29Z")
I think superheroes are almost exclusively an American thing. Only Japan would come close with their fantastical characters. International pop culture heroes tend to be a little more grounded, being spies or adventurers or space travellers, like Dan Dare, James Bond, Judge Dredd, or Doctor Who. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/13 "2013-10-07T00:30:21Z")
Not too many Yanks know about [Garth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_%28comic_strip%29), a British comic-strip superhero. He had a nice long run. Peter O’Donnell, who created the Modesty Blaise comic strip, was one of Garth’s writers. [Do Asterix and Obelix count?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_%28comic_strip%29) They dose themselves with “magic elixir” and become super-strong. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/14 "2013-10-07T00:34:21Z")
> [@BrokenBriton](#): > > Does Sherlock Holmes count? With all regrets, no. He’s not really even an “action hero,” although some of the stories have action-adventure bits. He’s a “detective hero” – and almost certainly the best-known of the class. At least in theory, there is nothing “super” about his talents; he consistently attempts to teach his methods to others, which indicates that he (at least) believes them to be entirely ordinary. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/15 "2013-10-07T00:40:21Z")
Most celebrated non-US superhero? That would be Canada’s own Wolverine. From European comics? Asterix, hand down. And yes, I’m counting him as a Superhero: the Gaul has superstrength, fights against evil and always wears the same clothes. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/16 "2013-10-07T01:17:35Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > How about the characters in [Neon Genesis Evangelion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion)? No, they’re just normal kids. The only super thing about them is their angst. Shinji may have prevented the world from turning into delicious tang but you can’t be a super hero if I can beat you up. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/17 "2013-10-07T01:23:46Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > No, they’re just normal kids. The only super thing about them is their angst. Shinji may have prevented the world from turning into delicious tang but you can’t be a super hero if I can beat you up. You can probably beat up Tony Stark, too 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/18 "2013-10-07T02:06:00Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > . . . and always wears the same clothes. I’m nominating my brother-in-law. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/19 "2013-10-07T02:13:57Z")
Japanese heros are an entire world unto themselves. Wikipedia has articles on super sentai (kind of like the Teen Titans or Justice League, but they usually form a giant robot,) kaiju (large beasts or robots,) and individual heros like kikaida, kamen rider, etc. Manga and anime also have many heroes. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/20 "2013-10-07T02:43:13Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > No, they’re just normal kids. The only super thing about them is their angst. Shinji may have prevented the world from turning into delicious tang but you can’t be a super hero if I can beat you up. > [@Kobal2](#): > > You can probably beat up Tony Stark, too 😃 Yeah, I had Ironman in mind as a comparison when I wrote that. Tony’s suit is fantasy, as are the Evas/robots in Evangelion. Anyway if Superheros are defined narrowly they are a US creation because that’s where Marvel and DC are located. Define them broadly and the Evangelion franchise probably beats Superman in terms of popularity ($, not mindshare). Star Wars, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings defeat them both by a wide margin. As do Spiderman and Batman. > **[Can 'The Hobbit' Make 'Lord Of The Rings' The Top Film Franchise Of All Time?](https://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2012/12/13/can-the-hobbit-make-lord-of-the-rings-the-top-franchise-ever/)** > > If 'The Hobbit' movies earn as much as the 'Lord of the Rings' films did, the franchise could become the second-highest grossing series of all time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527.md?page=2)