Vigilantes

The phrase "It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman!" did not come from the comics. It came from the Superman cartoons created by Max Fleischer during the Forties. The cartoons also originated the catch phrase starting with "Faster than a speeding bullet . . .".

American culture has contributed one unique character archetype to literature - the superhero. What separates this archetype from everything previous is not super powers - superhuman characters are as old as Gilgamesh - but the way they relate to society; a difference that says a lot about America. Whereas previous "inspirations" of the superhero - Robin Hood, Zorro - fought against cruel laws and evil rulers, the superhero fights FOR law and order - without joining the forces of law and order. A pro-order vigilante - practically an oxymoron.
The superhero is an extension of the cowboy hero. The cowboy works alone, and although he trusts the law, he doesn't trust authority. He will work as part of a group, but only in a group of his peers - the posse will consist of his friends; easterners and Indians are not invited.
The superhero is the same. Batman is not a policeman, although they can consult him by shining a searchlight into the clouds. He takes great pains to make sure the authorities cannot find out who he is, and therefore coerce him into working for them full time. He helps when it suits him.
Here is the American psyche in full bloom - fiercely independent, distrustful of Big Business and Big Government, confident in his ability to go it alone, no matter what the odds.
Ladies and gentlemen, here is the ideal American. Uncle Sam wears a mask and cape.