# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/101 "2013-10-10T10:01:58Z")
lots of mentions of Judge Dredd, but he is really only the tip of the 2000AD iceberg. What about Rogue Trooper, Robohunter, and Strontium Dog? Also, quick mention of Death’s Head, the robotic future bounty hunter (err…“freelance peace-keeping agent”). As far as I know, he was the only character created by Marvel UK who ended up in mainstream marvel continuity (ok, Motormouth once cropped up in an issue of the Hulk, but I think that was a one off) ---
**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 10, 2013, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/102 "2013-10-10T10:21:50Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > lots of mentions of Judge Dredd, but he is really only the tip of the 2000AD iceberg. What about Rogue Trooper, Robohunter, and Strontium Dog? In terms of awareness, Dredd has a much higher profile than any of the other 2000AD comics (except maybe _Dan Dare_, as I mentioned earlier). But the British writers didn’t really go for superheros (in the US sense) - bravery, courage and comradeship seem to me to be far more important to British writers than extraordinary powers. ---
**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 10, 2013, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/103 "2013-10-10T11:35:59Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > In terms of awareness, Dredd has a much higher profile than any of the other 2000AD comics (except maybe _Dan Dare_, as I mentioned earlier). But the British writers didn’t really go for superheros (in the US sense) - bravery, courage and comradeship seem to me to be far more important to British writers than extraordinary powers. I don’t think Dan Dare is particularly well known outside the UK, frankly, while Judge Dredd has managed to get two big-budget Hollywood productions. UK writers, if we are talking about people like Ennis. Morrison, Millar, and so on, are mostly known for being strongly cynical with a penchant for de-constructing US-created narratives, and Dredd is a prime example of that. Bravery, courage and comradeship? Well, maybe _Roy of the Rovers_. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/104 "2013-10-10T11:46:26Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > In terms of awareness, Dredd has a much higher profile than any of the other 2000AD comics (except maybe _Dan Dare_, as I mentioned earlier). But the British writers didn’t really go for superheros (in the US sense) - bravery, courage and comradeship seem to me to be far more important to British writers than extraordinary powers. Technically, Dan Dare was created in the Eagle (and on radio), although I think that 2000ad have since bought the rights There used to be a lot of ‘heroic’ comic books in the UK, but they were always more based on wartime heroics, rather than crime fighting (I’m thinking of things like [Victor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Victor_(comic)) or [Warlord](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlord_(British_comics))). They tended to be anthologies though, rather than about a specific character. ---
**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 10, 2013, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/105 "2013-10-10T12:10:55Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > 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? Ben Grimm is indeed wearing a costume, because the blue spandex thing is “different” by human standards (and uniform with the rest of the team). Even if he wasn’t a big pile of rocks, he would look goofy in his plastic bermuda. OTOH, all of the Atlanteans wear the same sort of non-clothes as Namor. It might look like a costume to us, but from his perspective it’s just casual Friday. It’s not something he wears to set himself apart from the muggles. He’s certainly not using it as a _disguise_, either (unless the secret is that he’s really a nice Jewish boy :D) : much like Super-Man, his real disguise is when he’s wearing casual clothes. Whereas Constantine’s trench is worn for deliberate effect as much as anything. Whether it’s Russian secret agents or Neo, there’s something both intimidating and mysterious about a (chain-smoking) dude in a long, concealing coat. All the moreso that nobody really wears them any more, these days. ---
**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 10, 2013, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/106 "2013-10-10T12:20:03Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > OTOH, all of the Atlanteans wear the same sort of non-clothes as Namor. Fair point - although lots of “alien” superheroes then wouldn’t really be wearing a costume so much as “native garb” in that case. > [@](#): > > Whereas Constantine’s trench is worn for deliberate effect as much as anything. Is this ever stated? ---
**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 10, 2013, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/107 "2013-10-10T12:36:17Z")
Well, maybe not (I couldn’t point to any specific panel or issue anyway), but he sure doesn’t seem to mind people getting intimidated by his looks and demeanor 🙂 ---
**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 10, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/108 "2013-10-10T13:42:24Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > Technically, Dan Dare was created in the Eagle (and on radio), although I think that 2000ad have since bought the rights > > There used to be a lot of ‘heroic’ comic books in the UK, but they were always more based on wartime heroics, rather than crime fighting (I’m thinking of things like [Victor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Victor_(comic)) or [Warlord](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlord_(British_comics))). > > They tended to be anthologies though, rather than about a specific character. Which is my point - those were comics that were about heroic people, not superheros. The Eagle had a specific moral goal, but the war comics were about ordinary people who were brave and sometimes sacrificial. In the 50s and 60s, this was very clear to the British people - they didn’t need superheroes, because ordinary British people could do the job if they were pushed around. 2000AD ran comics (Bill Savage in Invasion: 1999 comes to mind) in this vein, as well as the Judge Dredd style deconstructionalist and dystopian future comics. It is a very different attitude and I think this is reflected in the general lack of specific British superheroes. It is why the possible candidates (Dredd, Dare) seem pretty weak compared with their American counterparts. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/109 "2013-10-10T14:29:50Z")
Geez, folks, doesn’t anyone actually read the question. Firstly, the character must be a superhero. The exact definition is debatable, but one essential feature is that they are independent and unofficial. I don’t think that any policeman\*, soldier, spy or fireman counts. Secondly, that the charactger is not based in USA. Thirdly that the character is not created in USA. Most of those nominated clearly do not count. ANY character created by Marvel or DC is de facto American, including Constantine, Thor and Captain Britain. Zorro books, comics are almost all written by Americans. TV shows and movies are usually made in America and star American actors. Action Man is a soldier. Answers I’d consider correct include Asterix, Hercules and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Judge Dredd is a policeman, not a superhero. Also, he operates in USA, or at least the post-nuclear remains of it. And creator John Wagner is American by birth, and spent a large part of his childhood there. International Rescue /Thunderbirds are unofficial rescue operatives, so they count. Captain Scarlett, as a member of an official Military organisation doesn’t count. - Except Green Lantern. But even then, he fights crime on Earth, but isn’t part of any Earth police force. ---
**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 10, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/110 "2013-10-10T14:35:39Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > It is a very different attitude and I think this is reflected in the general lack of specific British superheroes. It is why the possible candidates (Dredd, Dare) seem pretty weak compared with their American counterparts. I just want to re-mention _Zenith_. Definitely a superhero, and a forerunner for other Grant Morrison creations. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/111 "2013-10-10T14:36:41Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > International Rescue /Thunderbirds are unofficial rescue operatives, so they count. Captain Scarlett, as a member of an official Military organisation doesn’t count. Isn’t the Avengers an official Military organisation? ---
**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, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/112 "2013-10-10T14:45:53Z")
[QUOTE=Bakhesh] Isn’t the Avengers an official Military organisation? [/QUOTE] Regardless of the Avengers in general, isn’t Captain America in particular a superhero? > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Secondly, that the charactger is not based in USA. > > Thirdly that the character is not created in USA. A lot hinges on how you read that “or” in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/113 "2013-10-10T16:56:24Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Most of those nominated clearly do not count. ANY character created by Marvel or DC is de facto American, including Constantine, Thor and Captain Britain. Captain Britain was created for Marvel UK. The clue is in the name. > **[Captain Britain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Britain)** > > Captain Britain is a title used by various superheroes in comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Excalibur. The moniker was first used in publication by Brian Braddock in Captain Britain #1 by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe, and is currently held by Brian's twin sister, Betsy Braddock. > The designation of the publisher's primary continuity as Earth-616 originated in Dave Thorpe, Alan Davis and Alan Moore's Marvel UK Captain Britain stories. The strip... > [@](#): > > The character was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe and originally appeared in Captain Britain Weekly,[1] an anthology comic published exclusively in the United Kingdom by the Marvel Comics imprint known as Marvel UK. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/114 "2013-10-10T17:17:38Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Geez, folks, doesn’t anyone actually read the question. > > … > > Secondly, that the charactger is not based in USA. > > Thirdly that the character is not created in USA. Well, the OP was a little ambiguous. “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)?” First, it’s not really clear if the first part is asking about hugely popular superheroes who are in Europe, etc., or superheroes who are hugely popular in Europe, etc. Second, the part in parentheses could be saying that the both the character and creators do not have U.S. origins, or it could be saying that either the character or the creators are not of U.S. origin. Interpreted one way, Wolverine is the obvious answer. But I suspect that what the OP really wants to know is if there are any superhero characters created and published outside the U.S., whose adventures are set outside the U.S., and who are hugely popular outside the U.S. ---
**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 10, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/115 "2013-10-10T17:43:55Z")
Fine. So, we are looking for the most well-known character -Created outside the U.S. -By a non-U.S. company. -Without U.S. citizenship. -Based, as a character, outside of the U.S. Who classifies as a Superhero because the character: -Fights evil. -Using supernatural powers (What about Batm…? oh, fine.) -Wears a uniform -Not as a job and outside governmental influence (Not sure about this one, I mean, Alpha Flight? Heroes for Hire?-- Whatever.) The answer is clearly Son Goku, from _Dragon Ball_. By a long mile. ---
**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, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/116 "2013-10-10T18:56:50Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > Isn’t the Avengers an official Military organisation? > [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Regardless of the Avengers in general, isn’t Captain America in particular a superhero? And the movie version, at least, of War Machine is an active duty officer in the US Air Force. Also, the Silver Age Batman was an official deputy of the Gotham Police Force. Had a badge and everything. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/117 "2013-10-10T19:31:23Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > Fine. So, we are looking for the most well-known character > > -Created outside the U.S. > -By a non-U.S. company. > -Without U.S. citizenship. > -Based, as a character, outside of the U.S. > > Who classifies as a Superhero because the character: > -Fights evil. > -Using supernatural powers (What about Batm…? oh, fine.) > -Wears a uniform > -Not as a job and outside governmental influence (Not sure about this one, I mean, Alpha Flight? Heroes for Hire?-- Whatever.) ok, sticking within this fairly narrow criteria, the only UK ones I can think of are the occasional super hero that turned up in comics such as the Beano or Dandy. These comics were mostly full of (supposedly) funny comic strips, and are aimed at a fairly young age range, so you got the odd jokey superhero such as [Bananaman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananaman) or [Superted](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperTed). These were both popular enough to eventually get their own cartoon on TV. Going back earlier, these comics would publish the occasional strip played straight, and often featuring some sort of hero, and a couple might fit the definition. The only one I can really remember from when I was a kid was [Billy the Cat and Katie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Cat_and_Katie), which pretty much played to the superhero trope (climbing buildings, swinging on ropes etc), but with the exception that they were both kids. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/118 "2013-10-10T20:43:40Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > lots of mentions of Judge Dredd, but he is really only the tip of the 2000AD iceberg. What about Rogue Trooper, Robohunter, and Strontium Dog? . . . Nemesis the Warlock! (Eh? Anti-hero or even villain? Oh, shizzle!) ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/119 "2013-10-10T20:47:08Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > . . . Judge Dredd is a policeman, not a superhero. . . . Can be argued. He’s the result of genetic selection and manipulation, so he isn’t quite the same as any other ordinary policeman. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527/120 "2013-10-10T21:05:00Z")
We’re getting off topic here, but I don’t think Dredd is a superhero - at least not in the traditional sense. “Super anti-hero”, maybe, but the dude has far more in common with The Punisher than he does, say, Batman. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-most-popular-superheroes-not-created-based-in-the-usa/670527.md?page=7)