13 superheroes that rock red, white, and blue costumes

Uncle Sam (Image via DC Comics)

10. Uncle Sam

Yes, Uncle Sam has been playing the personification of the United States since sometime in the early 19th century. We’ve all seen him on that famous U.S. Army recruiting poster (which is actually based on an earlier poster from Britain).

But, did you know that Uncle Sam is also a comics character? And he isn’t even a modern-day satirical character, either. Uncle Sam first appeared in National Comics #1, published in July 1940. He’s part of the crop of ultra-patriotic World War II-era heroes, many of whom can be found beating up various representatives of the Axis Powers.

His backstory is pretty strange, too. Originally, Sam was a sort of mythical being who was part slain soldier from the American Revolutionary War. Whenever the United States has need of a hero, he arises like King Arthur and proceeds to beat up whoever’s causing trouble.

In later incarnations, Uncle Sam was a spirit summoned up by the Founding Fathers during an occult ritual. You can never convince me that comics aren’t the some of the craziest forms of entertainment out there.

When the character was acquired by DC Comics, he became a supporting character in the Justice League of America during the 1970s. He was also tapped as the leader of the Freedom Fighters, which was in part based in a parallel universe where World War II dragged on into the 1970s.