Originally posted by Cogito
How many groups across space/time has Cap inspired? Because Superman has several with thousands and thousands of members.
Well in the original GoTG arc, Cap's shield was treated as a legendary relic, and his reputation had a great deal to do with it.
Granted, that's like a branched off timeline, but everything else before that applies.
Anyway, in absolute terms its Superman.
Proportionately, it goes to Cap.
Capt. America seems to inspire people when it comes to fighting. Superman inspires people when it comes to being peaceful and living happily. Superman stands before the world leaders and talks to the entire world. He inspires people in every sort of way. The inspiration that Cap gives is never quit, superman is that, plus hope. And hope is powerful inspiration.
Originally posted by MF DELPH
Gotta be Superman. IIRC he even inspired religious cults which worshipped him and his deeds in a couple storylines.
Stuff like this makes this thread's premise a hard question to answer. The Legion of Heroes and the Superman Dynasty makes scale easily in Clark's favor so Captain America obviously doesn't have as wide a reach but I think to the people that know them, Captain America inspires them better then Superman, at least recently. For example, if JLA/Avengers were on a battle field, it'd be Captain America that leads the charge or gives the inspirational speech imho. But DC's Earth at one time was so different, that even Wonder Woman might have a wider reach then Captain America as a global ambassador. Thor's been worshiped and has been inspiring people for a very long time and far into the distant future more then even Steve, even on distant secluded parts of the Universe they tell stories of his legend as the greatest. Even Gods have prayed to him. So I don't think devotion, worship and reach should determine inspiration. At least imho, I understand this is all debatable.
I think the DCnU is a lot similar to Marvel and so was Post Crisis DC near the end there, with things taking a much darker tone, different factions distrusting Superman and the league etc. This is a tricky subject.
Also Delph, this wasn't really addressed to you. Just thought you brought up an interesting point.