For Numbers 10-6 CLICK HERE.
5. Magneto (or X-Men)
This guy only wants a radical social reform. All of his actions, are extremely drastic, but have one purpose- to be accepted into society. Magneto’s search for reform mirrors several social revolutions such as civil rights movements. His leadership has been compared to that of Malcolm X and other prominent hardcore social reformers. Another more modern example could be gay/lesbian social reformation and their struggle, minus the awesome powers. The mutants just want to be accepted into society, either peacefully like Prof. Xavier or not, like Magneto.
4. Red Skull
He has been a Nazi. He has been a communist. He is a villain based on a political ideology.
3.
V
Alan Moore’s character is possibly the truest anarchist in any comic book. His constant crusade to destroy the government is his main goal. The original series consisted of anarchy vs. fascism theme; plus Moore described himself as anarchist once. The Wachowski Brother’s V has been criticized for being a more liberal then anarchist. The film seemed to mirror liberalism vs. neo-conservatism theme, making it more ‘relevant’ for today’s people. Still, V’s motives were always politically-driven.
2.
Superman
Not my favorite, but I think he is the ideal hero. Representing so much more then what he is, the fictional kryptonian is a modern example of the literary character that parallels ancient to modern drama. A literal illegal alien who embodies all what America is. He is truly a character who assimilated into American culture and so much that he is willing to defend it with his life. His colors are reminiscent of the American flag, and he is usually shown holding the flag. When he died his casket was covered with the flag!! Aside from the fact that he is an American Jesus, he can also be seen as the ideal immigrant. After America’s immigration influx of the 20th century, there were groups that were being discriminated. If it weren’t the Germans, then the Irish, if it weren’t the Italians, then the Jews- Sups came right after that. This guy represents the ideal citizen with “truth, justice, and the American way.”
1.
Captain America
First of all, he is the walking flag. He has America in him name. He fought Nazism and Communism (democracy’s biggest enemies). What makes him the most political is that although he has embodied forms of American ideology, he represents ALL American ideology. There is no doubt that his conception was created for a sole anti-Nazi purpose. A year before the U.S’s involvement in WWII, the newly created American was punching Hitler in the face. His WWII birth resulted in the biggest ally for the Allied Powers. After the comic book popularity declined, Cap was fighting America’s next enemy- communism. After some really odd stories (fake Steve Rogers), it was prevalent that America was not the perfect country the comics were depicting. One of his major political alterations was during the social issues of the 1970s. In a time when the U.S. was facing new social revivals the government was facing problems of its own, such as Nixon’s Watergate Scandal. Cap did fight alongside the first African-American hero, the Falcon, but he was no match for the embarrassment of the U.S. government. Steve Rogers, the man that was created by the government, who fought for the government, was now facing an internal dilemma. After creating a different identity, Rogers finally decided that Captain America could be used as a symbol for American ideals and beliefs, and not the American government. The Vietnam War era changed the way American citizens view their government, Rogers was no different. Instead of the patriot fighting for America, he fought for change in poverty, racism, and corruption. He has been the most nationalistic character, but recently he has been more of a democratic figure, then an American nationalistic. In Civil War he opposed federal mandatory registration and joins the Anti-Registration movement. The registration act is an absolute move to right-wing politics, a huge change from civil liberties, even for super powered beings. This quasi-fascist move would have certainly sparked opposition from small-town American guys like Rogers. With his Thomas Paine quotes, he became everything the American foundation was about, freedom to protest, freedom to believe in what he wants, and human rights. Cap’s Allied Power birth has changed from an American nationalist, to a democratic crusader, all he needs is the American constitution as a cape. His death seems to represent a debate outside the comic book universe. The ideal American is now dead, not because of Nazism, Communism, or even terrorism, but because of an internal imbalance between freedom and security. If Steve Rogers ever returns he would definitely reignite truth, justice, and liberty for all.