Character Wars: Most Iconic
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse.
There, he’s already won this debate.
But for the purpose of making this a fair and “close” competition, let’s run through a list of Mickey’s qualifications (as if we don’t already know them). Sorry Captain America, it’s nothing against you personally, but Mickey Mouse is such a household name that there’s not much of a competition here.
To have been iconic for so long is a feat in itself. Mickey was born in 1928, and is still a classic today, close to a century later. In this time, he’s graced one hundred and thirty films, been nominated for ten academy awards, and was the first animated character to have his own star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Not to mention, he was the first Walt Disney character, and is definitely the most iconic one. Just walk into Disneyland (or the Disney store if you’re broke) and you’ll be swarmed by people sporting Mickey Mouse ears.
And if you aren’t into the Mickey ears, don’t worry; there’s much more merch you can get your hands on. In an era of customized apparel, gadgets, and devices, you can land some pretty wacky Mickey swag. I’m talking Mickey Mouse tighty-whities, Pandora charms, and waffle makers. Yes, you can whip up a batch of Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles for your breakfast—be sure to serve it with the other clubhouse members for the full experience!
Let’s also take a moment to appreciate how Mickey is almost ninety years old (his birthday is November 18th), but hasn’t aged a day. He looks identical to how he did in 1928, so evidently he’s found some fountain of youth that he owes his fresh-faced glow to. In his charming youth, Mickey’s still flaunting his classic red dad shorts, white magician gloves, and those golden kicks. Some fashion trends just never die.
To be honest, this competition was over the moment Mickey joined it. Looks like Walt Disney was wrong about one thing: “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.”
Because, really, this debate was ended by a mouse.
Captain America
A short, scrawny kid from Brooklyn defeats a powerful and ambitious Nazi leader, and wins the war for his country through a sequence of victorious battles. It’s the American Dream—arrive with nothing and achieve your most ambitious goals. Not only does Captain America embody this dream, he’s a powerful icon that serves as an inspiration and a beacon of hope.
Icons arise from the most treasured characters, and we love everything about Captain America. He is quite literally the poster child for patriotism. His whole outfit, from his shirt to his shield, is covered with the stars and stripes, representing his loyalty and devotion to America.
And it’s not just the costume—he is selfless beyond the capabilities of even the most morally driven among us. Captain America made the ultimate hero’s sacrifice, giving up his life for his country and to end the tyranny of the Nazi regime. He’s also hard-working and resilient; even without his powers, he never backs down from injustice. “I don’t want to kill anyone. I don’t like bullies; I don’t care where they’re from,” he says.
If you’re still not convinced that he’s the more beloved and iconic character, just think about his universally recognized symbol: a gleaming shield, painted in the colours of his country, used to defend liberty and eliminate cruelty. On the other hand, Mickey Mouse is merely known for his gigantic ears. The winner seems clear to me.
We love Captain America. He embodies all of the traits that we wish we had. The sight of his shield itself assures us that any alien ship that falls from the sky won’t stand a chance against Captain America’s courage. Plus, his biceps are #goals.
