History Main / CaptainPatriotic

No matter how near the cynical end of SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism the major premise is, he will be idealistic. In the FiveManBand he is TheLeader, on a SuperTeam or any other kind of [[TheSquad super group]] he will be TheCaptain. He can be very [[GoodIsNotNice harsh and strict]] - TheCowl may not get along with him. The AntiHero should not expect to see him among his fans. If you are a NinetiesAntiHero, better stay the hell away from him if you don't want to get your butt kicked. On the other hand, he is respectful of true patriots, no matter what country they serve - he will quickly recognize that their patriotism is akin to his own. The same goes with dissenters with his government's policies and/or his nation's current public sentiments, if their ultimate principles are in keeping with the larger ideals he values. For instance, if a historical 1960s American Captain Patriotic heard growls accusing UsefulNotes/MartinLutherKingJr of being a traitor simply because he is making the nation look bad by opposing its injustice, he'd be first to answer, "No, he is a true American patriot!"

* And then there's Comicbook/BlackPanther, the king and national hero of Wakanda, a fictonal super-scientific nation in Africa.

* Doctor Doom is arguably an inversion of this trope, because he has forced the fictional European nation of Latveria to reflect his image instead of the other way around. Ironically, in-universe, the people of Latveria ''like'' him and think of him as a good ruler. And while he may be a tyrant, he honestly loves his country and people and protects and provides for them.

*** Speaking of Captain Britain, his Ultimate Universe counterpart portrays him as part of an EU-sponsored task force, rather than being empowered magically and being a living representation of the UK. Among his teammates, there's Captain France, Captain Italy and Captain Spain.

* Creator/ArchieComics character ComicBook/TheShield, created fourteen months before Captain America, brought back for a while by Creator/DCComics, and [[TheMentor who is now the mentor]] to the ''Comicbook/NewCrusaders''. He is also a LegacyCharacter. The modern day version of the character is a woman.
* There have been several different versions of Richard Comely's Canadian superhero Comicbook/CaptainCanuck, originally published by Comely Comix in the 1970's, and rebooted in 2015 by Chapterhouse Comics.

* In the 1970's, several months before Captain Canuck premiered, James Waley's alien-fighting Canadian superhero the Comicbook/NorthernLight was published in ''Orb Magazine''. Later, in the 1980's, the independent superhero series Comicbook/{{Northguard}} gave us an Alan Moore-influenced "realistic" take on the Canadian Captain Patriotic.
* In the early 2000's, the webcomic series Webcomic/{{Canadiana}} introduced the first female Canadian-flag superhero with her own series.

** DC's Spirit of America went through a metamorphosis from Minuteman (Revolutionary War) to Brother Johnathan (antebellum period), then splitting into Billy Yank and Johnny Reb (the Civil War), then merging again and becoming Uncle Sam (post-Civil War to today). Well, okay, he was also briefly the Patriot circa 2002, but went back to Uncle Sam after only one or two appearances in that form.

** Franchise/WonderWoman was this initially, but her character has developed significantly over time. In her first stories she was a foreigner dressed in a costume that Americans would interpret as "patriotic", apparently as conscious propaganda. These days, she's too integrated with Myth/ClassicalMythology to be a straight-up patriot (ComicBook/{{Superman}} being a better fit for this role, what with the whole "truth, justice and the American way" thing).

* In ''ComicBook/RisingStars'', corporate superhero [[CaptainGeographic Flagg]] (who later changes his name to Patriot) is working on his reputation as one. However, the real Captain Patriotic in this universe is officer Matthew Bright. Bright wanted to serve America and its people so much he joined the police force. He has to hide his powers, because Specials cannot be members of any force. And when the government found out and was trying to kick him out, his fellow police officers protested so much, they had to give up and try to use a LegalLoophole to forbid him from wearing a police uniform and badge, thus making it impossible for him to work. They underestimated his friends from the Police Department, who just brought an uniform and badge designed only for him.

* Ritter Germania, from the ''ComicBook/{{Block 109}}'' series. A InUniverse [[PropagandaMachine nazi propaganda]] hero, with InUniverse movies and comics to boot. He actually reflects ALighterShadeOfBlack within an [[AlternateHistory alternate]] UsefulNotes/NaziGermany, since he represents the New Teutonic Order, which is in an InterserviceRivalry with the SS and didn't take part to the monstrous crimes nazis were infamous for (which went UpToEleven as the war lasted longer than in reality). And the actor playing him goes on a killing spree among the Nazi leadership.

* ComicBook/SuperAmerican has the most Captain Patriotic codename ever, and was specifically sent from the future to defend the United States.

* ''ComicBook/TheBoys'' has at least two: the Homelander and Soldier Boy, ersazten of Superman and Captain America respectively. Being super"heroes" in a Creator/GarthEnnis comic, the first is naturally a hedonistic mass-murderer [[spoiler:gaslit into insanity by his secret clone]], and the second an easily-manipulated idiot who yells out a random state every time he ShieldBashes someone. [[spoiler:When Billy kills him, he makes his contempt for claiming to be a veteran (as a LegacyCharacter, the first one wasn't much smarter and got killed during his first deployment) clear, saying it's an insult to the dead soldiers of World War II]].

** [[UnreliableNarrator Mephisto]] explains at one point that the large number of 'flag heroes' during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII were mostly the result of a broad-spectrum series of SuperSoldier experiments by the US military (as every major power were dabbling in things like that at the time) - every inductee was given a test to see if they might be a suitable candidate for one or another of the processes, and the 2% who were would become guinea pigs. The surviving 'heroes' were then sent into action on the home front against saboteurs and criminals, to test whether they would go psycho in the thick of the fight; those who didn't, and lived through the fight itself, were swept them off to train for some deep-cover mission, while those who did were pumped up with speed and painkillers for a glorious suicide attack on the front lines. Either way, the costume would then be handed over to the next schmuck to survive the experimental processes...

** Homelander is both a deconstruction and subversion of this trope. He sells himself as an American patriot, to the point of wearing the flag as a cape, but he espouses a specific, right-wing, militaristic version of patriotism. It's also heavily implied that the entire persona is a fully invented marketing ploy, and he really cares about nothing but himself. The Brazilian translation downright calls him very close to the trope name, "Capitão Pátria" ("Captain Homeland" -- the comic went for a simpler "Patriot").

* ''TabletopGame/IronKingdoms'' Cygnar's Commander Coleman Stryker is described in-universe as such : "Coleman in a word ? Patriot."

* Legacy in ''TabletopGame/SentinelsOfTheMultiverse'' is a fusion of Captain America and Superman. His entire family, from the Revolutionary War onward, have used their genetic superhuman powers to protect America and the rest of the world from various villainous threats. While their outfits tend toward the red, white and blue, their ChestInsignia is a little unique, not being the stars and stripes or any combination thereof -- it's a stylized lantern, as in "One if by land, two if by sea," because the first Legacy's SpiderSense was what alerted the colonies to the British arrival.

* Statesman, Hero One and Hero 1 from ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes''.

** For one of those rare patriotic superheroes who are not from English speaking countries, [[MeaningfulName Tricolour]] from ''Freedom Force vs The Third Reich''. As her name indicates, she is French (the French flag is often referred as "Les Trois Couleurs" (The Three Colours). She broke out of a BrainwashedAndCrazy state hearing a member of the [[LaResistance French resistance]] about to be executed after she was forced to capture him sing the French National Anthem (La Marseillaise), triggering her IntrinsicVow and prompting her to dispatch the Wehrmacht troopers about to shoot.

** ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII'' has Ratonhnhaké:ton / Connor Kenway, a half-British/half-Mohawk Native American CaptainEthnic warrior who fights alongside the Patriots in key events of the Revolutionary War from his participation in the Boston Tea Party to his presence on the frontlines of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. He's also incredibly loyal to his new country despite its shortcomings. Additionally, his Assassin robe has the same colors as the Star-Spangled Banner of the United States with a bald eagle on the hood.

* Creator/DCComics takes it [[UpToEleven up to 11]], having its equivalent of Captain America as [[Comicbook/FreedomFighters Uncle Sam]] - the AnthropomorphicPersonification of the American Spirit - himself.

** Miss America, who steps in when Uncle Sam dies (he does this all the time) while leading the ComicBook/FreedomFighters and is also a frequent member of the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica, is a Golden Age hero whose powerset means she hasn't really aged since the '40s when she was fighting in World War II.

* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' has Jack Morrison, aka Soldier 76. Not only does he have an American flag-themed costume that is equal parts Captain America and Winter Soldier but even his name is a reference to the United States' year of independence.

* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, a.k.a. Steve Rogers, [[UrExample is the most famous, and greatest embodiment of this trope ever]]. If you need to sum up his deepest values with one line, it's "I am loyal to nothing... except the [American] Dream." The "River of Truth" speech in ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #537 makes it clear that Cap is ''not'' guilty of blind jingoism; he says (paraphrased) that if someone else, or even the whole country, decides something wrong is something right and tells you to move out of the way, "your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world -- 'No, '''''you''''' move.'"

** Miss Liberty from ''ComicBook/{{Tomahawk}}'', who was a patriotic heroine of the Revoutionary war.

* Other Marvel examples include: Miss America, Citizen V, Josiah X or Patriot from ''ComicBook/YoungAvengers'' (the latter two are actually the son and grandson of one of the guys to wear the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers). Also the [=Superpatriot=]/[=USAgent=], the original Patriot, the Spirit of '76, the Defender, Jack Flagg, Free Spirit, American Eagle, etc. The first three especially, since at one point or another they were Captain America themselves! Of course, there are dozens of failed attempts at replicating the Captain America formula for success (or prototypical attempts that didn't fare well either). Anti-Cap (the Navy's Super-Sailor), Protocide (failed early attempt), GI Max, Nuke, the 50s Cap who went crazy, etc.

* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander is both a deconstruction and subversion of this trope. He sells himself as an American patriot, to the point of wearing the flag as a cape. But he espouses a specific, right-wing, militaristic version of patriotism. It's also heavily implied that the entire persona is a fully invented marketing ploy, and he really cares about nothing but himself.
** The Brazilian translation downright calls him very close to the trope name, "Capitão Pátria" ("Captain Homeland" - the comic went for a simpler "Patriot").

** Wrestling/KurtAngle could be seen as a {{Subversion}} of this, especially at the beginning of his career. He even adopted The Patriot's old music, which is now known as the "You Suck" theme.

** Minuteman and Liberty Lad are basically ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, but different enough to not pay copyright fees. "I don't know what will come from all of this, but I must use these new powers to help my country fight her enemies -- within and without. Those reds might have killed Frank Stiles, but they're about to meet... The Minuteman!" He also happens to be a GeniusBruiser, having been a nuclear physicist working on the Manhatten Project.

* Bayek of Siwa in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOrigins'' is one of the last living Medjay in Ptolemaic Egypt who seeks to uphold the dying values of the Middle Kingdom amidst the Roman Republic's encroaching influence. He even carries a shield and has a kindhearted personality similar to Captain America (the UrExample of this trope).

* Played straight, parodied, played for laughs, lampshaded, ''and'' justified with America in ''Webcomic/AxisPowersHetalia''. As he is the (admittedly stereotypical) personification of the US, he is deeply loyal to it. He hates Communists and Nazis, and claims, [[CatchPhrase "I'm the Hero!"]] However, he is completely clueless (giving him the nickname AKY in the Japanese fandom, short for Aete Kuuki Yomenai, which roughly means "Doesn't read the atmosphere") and orders his allies to be his backup. [[note]]Although, perhaps his ego is a little justified considering he was swinging ''a full-grown bison'' over his head. ''As a baby.''[[/note]]

[[caption-width-right:350: [[Main/IAmVeryBritish Beg pardon.]] Were you expecting [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica someone else?]]]]

* All Might from ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' looks like the result of ComicBook/{{Superman}} and ComicBook/CaptainAmerica performing the FusionDance: He's a [[HeroicBuild tall, muscular]] [[PhenotypeStereotype blonde man with blue eyes]] who wears a hero costume that's primarily red, white, and blue, is TheCape through and through, and his [[CallingYourAttacks special attacks]] are all named for the 50 States (i.e. "Texas Smash")...and he's also 100% Japanese (real name: Toshinori Yagi). He's just '''really''' fond of America. The [[Anime/MyHeroAcademiaTheTwoHeroes movie]] reveals that he adopted such things after he went to college and started his hero career in America as a form of tribute.

* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander is both a deconstruction and subversion of this trope. He sells himself as an American patriot, to the point of wearing the flag as a cape. But he espouses a specific, right-wing,
militaristic version of patriotism. It's also heavily implied that the entire persona is a fully invented marketing ploy, and he really cares about nothing but himself.

* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander is both a deconstruction and subversion of this trope. He sells himself as an American patriot, to then point of wearing the flag as a cape. But he espouses a specific, right-wing,

* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander appears like this, the leader of the team who literally wears an American flag as a cape. Subverted in that privately he doesn't seem to really care about the US at all.

No matter how near the cynical end of SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism the major premise is, he will be idealistic. In the FiveManBand he is TheHero, on a SuperTeam or any other kind of [[TheSquad super group]] he will be TheCaptain. He can be very [[GoodIsNotNice harsh and strict]] - TheCowl may not get along with him. The AntiHero should not expect to see him among his fans. If you are a NinetiesAntiHero, better stay the hell away from him if you don't want to get your butt kicked. On the other hand, he is respectful of true patriots, no matter what country they serve - he will quickly recognize that their patriotism is akin to his own. The same goes with dissenters with his government's policies and/or his nation's current public sentiments, if their ultimate principles are in keeping with the larger ideals he values. For instance, if a historical 1960s American Captain Patriotic heard growls accusing UsefulNotes/MartinLutherKingJr of being a traitor simply because he is making the nation look bad by opposing its injustice, he'd be first to answer, "No, he is a true American patriot!"

* [[ComicBook/DarkAvengers Iron]] [[ComicBook/DarkReign Patriot]] is supposed to [[AmericanRobot look like one]], but is the ultimate perversion of this. The MCU treatment of "Iron Patriot" carried over back to the comics: Rhodey now wears an Iron Patriot armor more like the one in the movie, while Ultimate Tony Stark took on the moniker in a new suit with a paint job similar to Norman Osborn's. In MC 2, this role is occupied by [[LegacyCharacter American]] [[DistaffCounterpart Dream]].

* In the ''Roleplay/GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'', there's Captain Texas, Ultra-Man, the Citizen, Doc Liberty, Independence, Uncle Sam, and every single member of the Arsenal of Democracy.
** Interestingly enough, the otherwise appropriately-named hero known as "The Patriot" is not a Captain Patriotic, as he is themed after the New England Patriots football team, and not on patriotism. Despite the correct color scheme, he's definitely Captain Sporting-Goods, not Captain Patriotic.

* Miss (later Ms.) Victory of ''ComicBook/{{Femforce}}''.

* Lady Liberty and the Patriot in ''TabletopGame/FreedomCity'' setting for ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds''.

* Hauptmann Deutschland ("Captain Germany") was introduced in the Captain America series as modern Germany's Captain Patriotic. However, Marvel's German licensee balked at using the name, because it sounded far too nationalistic, right-wing and even vaguely Nazi to postwar German ears. As such, in German translation Hauptmann Deutschland became Freiheitskämpfer ("Freedom Fighter" or "Freedom's Warrior").

* Ritter Germania, from the ''ComicBook/{{Block 109}}'' series. A InUniverse [[PropagandaMachine nazi propaganda]] hero, with InUniverse movies and comics to boot. He actually reflects ALighterShadeOfBlack within an [[AlternateHistory alternate]] UsefulNotes/NaziGermany, since he represents the New Teutonic Order, which is in an InterserviceRivalry with the SS and didn't take part to the monstrous crimes nazis were infamous for (which went UpToEleven as the war lasted longer than in reality).

* In ''Film/{{Wonder Woman}}'', Diana's outfit is color coordinated to evoke a patriotic feeling in the country where she will be visiting (red, white and blue works for both the U.S. and the U.K.) Unfortunately, it's 1914, and women don't walk around wearing a one-piece bathing-suit and above-the-knee boots.

* All Might from ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' looks like the result of ComicBook/{{Superman}} and ComicBook/CaptainAmerica performing the FusionDance: He's a [[HeroicBuild tall, muscular]] [[PhenotypeStereotype blonde man with blue eyes]] who wears a hero costume that's primarily red, white, and blue, is TheCape through and through, and his [[CallingYourAttacks special attacks]] are all named for the 50 States (i.e. "Texas Smash")...and he's also 100% Japanese (real name: Toshinori Yagi). He's just '''really''' fond of America.
** The [[Anime/MyHeroAcademiaTheTwoHeroes movie]] reveals that he adopted such things after he went to college and started his hero career in America as a form of tribute.

* Major Glory from ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'' is a spoof of this. He even hawks a snack named "[[DeliciousFruitPies Justice Fruit Pies]]," and periodically recites lyrics or lines from famous American works (such as the national anthem, the Constitution, and the Pledge of Allegiance). However, the jabs are entirely [[AffectionateParody affectionate]].

* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': He appears like this, the leader of the team who literally wears an American flag as a cape. Subverted in that privately he doesn't seem to really care about the US at all.

* Creator/ArchieComics character The Shield, created fourteen months before Captain America, brought back for a while by Creator/DCComics, and [[TheMentor who is now the mentor]] to the ''Comicbook/NewCrusaders''. He is also a LegacyCharacter. The modern day version of the character is a woman.