Today, on Indigenous Peoples' Day, we proudly shift the focus from a problematic past to a vibrant, powerful present and future. Comic books, at their best, are a reflection of the world, and for decades, Native American characters have been stepping out of the shadows of stereotype to become some of the most complex, formidable, and essential heroes in the medium.
From the Cheyenne Nation to the Apache and the Choctaw, these 10 characters are more than just super-powered—they are proud, spiritual, technologically brilliant, and absolutely bada$$. They didn't just join the fight; they often led it, leaving an indelible mark on their respective universes.
1. Echo (Maya Lopez)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Nation: Cheyenne
Debut: Daredevil Vol. 2 #9 (December 1999)
Creative Team: David Mack (writer), Joe Quesada (artist)
Maya Lopez, known as Echo, is a game-changer for several reasons. She is one of the few deaf comic book characters and a proud member of the Cheyenne Nation. Her powers of "photographic reflexes"—allowing her to perfectly mimic any physical action she sees—make her a master martial artist and a threat to anyone, even Daredevil, who was her first major adversary. She also carries the mantel of Ronin, a significant role in the Marvel Universe. The fact that she recently headlined her own Disney+ series cements her status as a mainstream icon, blazing a trail for Indigenous representation across all media. Her story is one of overcoming prejudice and finding her place not just as a hero, but as a person deeply connected to her heritage.
2. Dani Moonstar (Mirage)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Nation: Cheyenne
Debut: Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants (1982)
Creative Team: Chris Claremont (writer), Bob McLeod (artist)
As one of the founding members of the New Mutants, Dani Moonstar is a cornerstone of the X-Men universe. Her original mutant power was to project three-dimensional illusions of her target's greatest fears, or later, their deepest desires. More profoundly, her heritage granted her a natural connection to the mystical, culminating in her becoming a Valkyrie for the Asgardian gods. Her journey from troubled youth to powerful leader, capable of staring down death itself and wielding a magical sword, shows an unparalleled strength of character. Dani is a powerful representation of Cheyenne strength, resilience, and connection to the spiritual world.
3. Warpath (James Proudstar)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Nation: Apache (Mescalero Apache)
Debut: New Mutants #16 (June 1984)
Creative Team: Chris Claremont (writer), Sal Buscema (artist)
The younger brother of the original Thunderbird, John Proudstar, James initially sought revenge against the X-Men for his brother's death. He eventually grew into one of the most physically powerful and morally complex heroes in the Marvel stable, serving on both the New Mutants and the ultra-bada$$ X-Force. Warpath possesses incredible super-strength, speed, and durability, turning him into a living engine of destruction. His character arc is a profound look at grief, anger, and ultimately, a path toward redemption and leadership, constantly honoring the memory of his brother and the pride of his Apache lineage through his relentless pursuit of justice.
4. Forge
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Nation: Cheyenne
Debut: Uncanny X-Men #184 (August 1984)
Creative Team: Chris Claremont (writer), John Romita Jr. (artist)
A mutant inventor and shaman from the Cheyenne Nation, Forge represents the perfect fusion of science and spirit. His mutant ability allows him to intuit the function of any machine and invent anything he can conceive. He's a technological genius who has created everything from the Neutralizer gun to advanced power suits, yet he is also a powerful mystic. This duality makes him one of the most unique and valuable figures in the X-Men's history. Forge's journey is one of immense responsibility and power, as his inventions—both magical and mechanical—have fundamentally changed the fate of the Marvel Universe multiple times.
5. Super-Chief (Jon Standing Bear)
Publisher: DC Comics
Nation: Iroquois (Wolf Clan)
Debut: All-Star Western #116 (June 1961)
Creative Team: Robert Kanigher (writer), Carmine Infantino (artist)
Super-Chief is DC Comics' premier Native American hero, pre-dating many others. He is a modern-day descendant of a long line of champions of the Iroquois Wolf Clan. By holding a magical meteorite fragment, he is granted the "strength of a thousand bears, the speed of a hundred deer, and the ability to leap higher than any wolf." The title of Super-Chief is passed down through his family, connecting him directly to an ancient legacy of honor and protection. He has served with the Justice League and is a powerful reminder that Native American heroes have a deep, foundational history in the superhero landscape.
6. Rainmaker (Sarah Rainmaker)
Publisher: Wildstorm/DC Comics
Nation: Apache (San Carlos Apache)
Debut: Gen¹³ #1 (March 1994)
Creative Team: Brandon Choi, J. Scott Campbell (writers), J. Scott Campbell (artist)
A founding member of the incredibly popular 90s team Gen¹³, Rainmaker is a powerful weather manipulator (a "weathereater") with the power to control precipitation, temperature, and atmospheric electricity. Her character is known for her rebellious spirit and her proud, assertive nature. As an openly lesbian, Native American superhero with near-limitless power, she represented a huge step forward for diversity in mainstream comics. Rainmaker's characterization firmly rejects stereotypes, instead embracing complexity and unwavering self-determination.
7. Dash Bad Horse
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
Nation: Oglala Lakota
Debut: Scalped #1 (March 2007)
Creative Team: Jason Aaron (writer), R.M. Guéra (artist)
While not a traditional "superhero," Dash Bad Horse is arguably one of the most important Native American characters in modern comics due to his starring role in the critically acclaimed crime noir series Scalped. Dash is an undercover FBI agent who returns to the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation to take down the local crime boss. His story is heavy, realistic, and brutally honest, exploring themes of identity, poverty, tribal sovereignty, and historical trauma. The series, which ran for 60 issues, placed a Native American character at the center of a profound, sprawling epic, giving a raw and nuanced look at life on the reservation that is essential reading.
8. Michael Twoyoungmen (Shaman)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Nation: Sarcee (Tsuut'ina)
Debut: Uncanny X-Men #120 (April 1979)
Creative Team: Chris Claremont (writer), John Byrne (artist)
A founding member of Canada's premiere superhero team, Alpha Flight, Michael Twoyoungmen is a brilliant surgeon who became a powerful shaman after a personal tragedy. He is an expert in the mystic arts, capable of summoning power from a magical pouch (the "Medicine Bag") that can store virtually anything. Shaman is a mature, guiding force for his team and a respected magic-user in the Marvel Universe. His power is a direct result of embracing his ancestral knowledge, a theme that celebrates the profound wisdom of Indigenous cultures.
9. Arak, Son of Thunder
Publisher: DC Comics
Nation: Native American (Indigenous-European mixed heritage)
Debut: Warlord #48 (August 1981)
Creative Team: Roy Thomas (writer), Ernie Colón (artist)
A unique mix of high fantasy and historical fiction, Arak is a Native American hero from the 9th century who was separated from his tribe as a child and raised by Vikings. As an adult, he is a formidable warrior—equal parts Native American warrior and Viking berserker. His adventures saw him interact with King Arthur, Viking gods, and ancient mystics. The very premise of the character is a bold, action-packed fusion of cultures, showing a powerful Indigenous hero at the center of one of history's most mythic eras.
10. Turok, Son of Stone
Publisher: Gold Key / Valiant / Dynamite Entertainment
Nation: Kiowa
Debut: Four Color #596 (1954)
Creative Team: Paul S. Newman, Rex Maxon (artists and writers vary over time)
Turok, the 'Son of Stone,' is a cultural icon known widely from both comics and video games. While his initial stories (where he was a Neanderthal) were problematic, modern interpretations have recast him as a Kiowa warrior who finds himself trapped in a hidden, prehistoric land full of dinosaurs and other monsters. Turok is a master survivalist, hunter, and tracker. His ability to adapt, endure, and dominate a world where only the fittest survive speaks to the incredible resilience and resourcefulness often celebrated in Native American tradition. He is a perpetual main character, a testament to his enduring power and appeal across nearly 70 years of comics history.
A Legacy of Pride and Power
This Indigenous Peoples' Day, let us celebrate the stories, the strength, and the indelible mark these characters have made. From the cosmic flights of Dani Moonstar to the gritty realism of Dash Bad Horse, these heroes are proof that Indigenous narratives are essential to the ongoing story of comics. They embody pride, honor, and a power that is both ancient and utterly modern. They didn't just walk the trail; they helped build the road for the next generation of Indigenous heroes to follow. Hoo'ohe!