Captain America - Every National Hero In Marvel Comics Explained

10. Major Mapleleaf

Louis Sadler Sr. first took up the mantle of Major Mapleleaf during World War 2 after being empowered by an undisclosed process. He fought with the Allied superhero group the Invaders, but he is perhaps best known for his role in fellow Canadian hero Northstar’s “coming out.”

When Sadler Sr.’s eldest son passed away from AIDS-related illnesses, he was incensed by the homophobic public reaction to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Mapleleaf embarked on a rampage shortly after, only to be stopped by Northstar, who came out as gay in the same storyline.

The second Major Mapleleaf was the former’s second-born, Louis Sadler Jr. This incarnation didn’t really have any powers to speak of, but his horse Thunder was apparently gifted with flight and invulnerability - probably a nice nod to his time as part of the Canadian Mounties. Louis Jr was certainly not his father's favourite; he became the victim of frequent abuse at the hands of his father, who couldn't get over his wife's death in childbirth.

Despite a psychologically scarring upbringing, Sadler Jr. still went on to be a valued member of the Canadian team Alpha Flight. He was first enlisted as part of its new line-up, sent to rescue the original team. The new recruits worked well as a team, and stayed together to serve as Canada's premier super-powered task force.