# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/81 "2013-10-09T09:17:50Z")
I picked one hero at random, Green Arrow, didn’t get a named series until 1983. 23 series. At best a tier 3 hero, at worst, a lifelong sidekick to a hero that could actually kick butt. > **[Series search for green arrow](https://comicbookrealm.com/search/comics/?a=search&series=green%2Barrow&method=all&x=0&y=0)** > > The number 1 free online comic book community featuring a comic book price guide database, friends, lists, blogs, and more Also, numerous TV appearances in Smallville and has his own TV show recently. Probably appeared in the animated adaptation of the Dark Knight, but I didn’t watch it. Judge Dredd’s publications: > **[Series search for judge dredd](https://comicbookrealm.com/search/comics/?a=search&series=judge%2Bdredd&method=all&x=0&y=0)** > > The number 1 free online comic book community featuring a comic book price guide database, friends, lists, blogs, and more Quite a few at first glance, but it appears that more than half the list are reprints and one-shots. Seems to almost be a wash if you take out the ones published by Rebellion. Edit: On second glance, Green Arrow might have more total publications. ---
**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 9, 2013, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/82 "2013-10-09T09:19:28Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > John exists in a milieu where anyone can have supernatural powers/make demonic contracts/cast spells, though, which renders him somewhat less…exceptional? Well, sure, but as \*\*Ylaria \*\*notes even if the secret of magic is that any cunt can do it, he’s \*really \*good at it. And carries with him some “hero with a thousand faces” overtones, as it seems no matter the period there always was _a_ Constantine, mucking up the works with their powerful magic. > [@](#): > > But it’s not a costume, which to me is the signature thing about superheroes. But if we accept the notion put forward earlier in the thread that Asterix is a kind of superhero, the signature looks being a costume isn’t necessary :). And besides, Namor doesn’t really have a costume, he’s still a superhero. Ghost Rider would be another example - I don’t know much about the character but far as I know, his leather & chains style is just how he dresses. But the Thor talk brings me to : would Hercules/Herakles be considered a superhero ? The mythological one I mean. I suppose he’s less “hero” (at least, in the figurative sense) and more “omnicidal maniac only vaguely steered by the gods”, but still. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/83 "2013-10-09T09:24:07Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Well, sure, but as \*\*Ylaria \*\*notes even if the secret of magic is that any cunt can do it, he’s \*really \*good at it. And carries with him some “hero with a thousand faces” overtones, as it seems no matter the period there always was _a_ Constantine, mucking up the works with their powerful magic. > > But if we accept the notion put forward earlier in the thread that Asterix is a kind of superhero, the signature looks being a costume isn’t necessary :). > And besides, Namor doesn’t really have a costume, he’s still a superhero. Ghost Rider would be another example - I don’t know much about the character but far as I know, his leather & chains style is just how he dresses. > > But the Thor talk brings me to : would Hercules/Herakles be considered a superhero ? The mythological one I mean. I suppose he’s less “hero” (at least, in the figurative sense) and more “omnicidal maniac only vaguely steered by the gods”, but still. Regarding Greek “superheros,” I just realized that Odysseus wore a disguise when he returned to Ithaca after answering the Sphinx’ riddle, so that would count under the “secret identity” bit. Didn’t Hercules also have to disguise himself when doing one of the 7 tasks? ---
**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 9, 2013, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/84 "2013-10-09T09:29:13Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Edit: On second glance, Green Arrow might have more total publications. I don’t know why you’re trying to discredit Dredd from this thread. All that matters is if he’s a popular comic book hero in his native country, and Judge Dredd is. He has been in [2000AD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Dredd#Publication_history) comic, every single week, without a break, since 1977. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/85 "2013-10-09T09:57:56Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I don’t know why you’re trying to discredit Dredd from this thread. All that matters is if he’s a popular comic book hero in his native country, and Judge Dredd is. He has been in [2000AD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Dredd#Publication_history) comic, every single week, without a break, since 1977. It’s a drop in the bucket. Look at [Case Closed](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_Closed). Something like 14 movies, numerous video games, continuous publication for decades, tv show that has like a thousand episodes, international syndication, etc. etc. etc. Dredd shouldn’t even be in the conversation. It’s kind of like saying tennis is the most popular sport in the US when the conversation is about football, basketball, and baseball. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/86 "2013-10-09T10:53:55Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > But if we accept the notion put forward earlier in the thread that Asterix is a kind of superhero Which I don’t, BTW. Asterix is a hero but falls ouside the superhero genre. > [@](#): > > And besides, Namor doesn’t really have a costume, he’s still a superhero Sure he does. It may be even tinier that Starfire’s, but it’s definitely a costume. Compare The Thing - would you say Ben wasn’t wearing a costume? > [@](#): > > . Ghost Rider would be another example - I don’t know much about the character but far as I know, his leather & chains style is just how he dresses. I think there the _flaming skull_ is the costume element. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/87 "2013-10-09T10:56:35Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Yes and no. Demonic contracts may be up for grabs, but it’s definitely established that different magic users have different potential power levels. Constantine comes from a long line of powerful, but nearly cursed, magic users. Fair enough, I don’t dispute he’s a powerful Occult Hero. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/88 "2013-10-09T12:04:31Z")
Re: Constantine - one of his major character points is an utter contempt for superheroes (save for Zatanna, who frequently has utter contempt for _him_). He exists in a superhero universe, but he’s not 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 9, 2013, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/89 "2013-10-09T12:23:19Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Didn’t Hercules also have to disguise himself when doing one of the 7 tasks? Regardless, doesn’t he sort of get that _Skin-Of-The-Nemean-Lion_ bit for a costume? (At that, I get a “Green Lantern” vibe from Perseus: no powers like Hercules or Achilles, but he’s chosen from among all others by mighty entities who grant him a wondrous [del]ring and lantern[/del] helmet and sandals, the better to fly around or turn invisible easy as battling an evildoer to protect the innocent.) ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/90 "2013-10-09T21:43:06Z")
Asterix is a superhero? I read it once or twice when I found it in the library, it seems to be more along the line of Harvey Comics’ Archie, Casper, Richie Rich, etc. Lil Dot, a b-feature in the Archie and Richie Rich comics features a character with superhuman strength, Lil Lotta, but I doubt anybody would call her a superhero. Jackie Jokers, another supporting character, often would display superhuman powers of disguise, ventriloquism, and super joke telling ability. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/91 "2013-10-09T21:47:08Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Asterix is a superhero? I read it once or twice when I found it in the library, it seems to be more along the line of Harvey Comics’ Archie, Casper, Richie Rich, etc. Lil Dot, a b-feature in the Archie and Richie Rich comics features a character with superhuman strength, Lil Lotta, but I doubt anybody would call her a superhero. I think of Asterix as the Gallic equivalent of Popeye, and I believe it was comics historian Bill Blackbeard who once labeled Popeye as “the first (arf, arf!) superhero of them all.” ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/92 "2013-10-09T21:49:27Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I get a “Green Lantern” vibe from Perseus: I never thought about it that way, but I like it. Especially since the story of Perseus has always been my favorite myth, and Green Lantern my favorite comic book superhero. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/93 "2013-10-09T21:49:51Z")
No love for Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita? (5th Century BC) What about Jesus, Mohammad, David, Sampson, etc. from the various world bibles? Theseus was the one I thought who got an inordinately large amount of swag: mirrored shield and special sword to fight medusa, pegasus to ride to face the kraken? ---
**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 9, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/94 "2013-10-09T22:17:59Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > What about Jesus, Mohammad, David, Sampson, etc. from the various world bibles? > > Theseus was the one I thought who got an inordinately large amount of swag: mirrored shield and special sword to fight medusa, pegasus to ride to face the kraken? Samson was mentioned back in post 66. And IIRC it was Perseus who dropped Medusa and used her severed head to defeat the rampaging sea monster; Theseus is the one who killed a lot of other bad guys before facing the Minotaur. ---
**Author:** ![Aman27deep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aman27deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aman27deep)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/95 "2013-10-09T23:28:04Z")
Thousands is Japan. Shaktimaan in India. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/96 "2013-10-10T00:58:44Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Asterix is a superhero? I read it once or twice when I found it in the library, it seems to be more along the line of Harvey Comics’ Archie, Casper, Richie Rich, etc. Lil Dot, a b-feature in the Archie and Richie Rich comics features a character with superhuman strength, Lil Lotta, but I doubt anybody would call her a superhero. Jackie Jokers, another supporting character, often would display superhuman powers of disguise, ventriloquism, and super joke telling ability. Asterix is more Coyote/Rabbit/Anansi/Fox to me, the archetypal Trickster: sure, he has super-strength on occasion, but he thrives more on outwitting his enemies with his cunning and duplicity. ---
**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 10, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/97 "2013-10-10T01:31:22Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Asterix is more Coyote/Rabbit/Anansi/Fox to me, the archetypal Trickster: sure, he has super-strength on occasion, but he thrives more on outwitting his enemies with his cunning and duplicity. You could arguably describe, say, Darkman the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/98 "2013-10-10T01:35:28Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Asterix is more Coyote/Rabbit/Anansi/Fox to me, the archetypal Trickster: sure, he has super-strength on occasion, but he thrives more on outwitting his enemies with his cunning and duplicity. What kind of enemies? Iirc, they were along the lines of Archie vs Reggie, richie rich vs Reginald van dough, satishi vs the rocket twins, etc. More for comedy than crime. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/99 "2013-10-10T01:46:30Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > What kind of enemies? Julius Caesar. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/100 "2013-10-10T02:52:15Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > What kind of enemies? Iirc, they were along the lines of Archie vs Reggie, richie rich vs Reginald van dough, satishi vs the rocket twins, etc. More for comedy than crime. Well, in the first book alone, Getafix is abducted by the Romans, who are keen to learn the secret of his magic potion in order that their ambitious commander can usurp Caesar. Asterix allows himself to be captured in order to rescue the druid, and pretends to submit to torture, only to feign his spirit has broken before it begins, in order that he and Getafix can amuse themselves having the Romans scour the Empire for exotic, and unnecessary and hard to procure ingredients like strawberries out of season. Then Getafix concocts a hair-growing potion, which is tested upon an idiot local, whom Asterix then pretends to be knocked out by. Convinced they have the strength potion, the Romans guzzle it _en masse_, and then begin growing hair and beards at an alarming rate. Finally, Asterix and Getafix escape the camp, and upon being captured by Caesar and his legions, reveal the commander’s treasonous political ambitions, and are released by a grateful Caesar. He’s a trickster through and through. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527.md?page=6)