10 Most Iconic Superhero Symbols

It's only fitting that a symbol designed after the American flag would be one of the most recognizable superhero symbols of all time. Cap's shield didn't start with its famous circular design though, and in fact got there a lot faster than you might think it did, landing on the circular design as early as the second issue of the original run back in 1941.

And it isn't hard to see why this shield has been cap's trademark ever since. The bullseye design for the front of the shield is a great way to arrange the red white and blue color scheme, mostly in how it draws your eye to the central idea of the weapon, that being - of course - the star at the center.

Giving it a bullseye-esque design also adds to the daring, swashbuckling feel to cap's character. It's essentially a physical DARE for his enemies to try and hit him, which obviously won't work, but it makes sense for a guy who runs headlong into hordes of enemies to have a shield that goads people into trying to attack it.