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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
{{quote|''"Captain Cold... Captain Boomerang... they probably would have gone for it if I was a captain."''|'''[[The Flash|Trickster]]''', ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]''}}
{{quote|''"Captain Cold... Captain Boomerang... they probably would have gone for it if I was a captain."''
|'''[[The Flash|Trickster]]'''|''[[Justice League Unlimited]]''}}


There is a definite prejudice in [[Superhero]] comics towards using force rather than reason to sort things out. As a result, a fighting man with a military-sounding background gets more respect than a thinking man with a [[Morally-Ambiguous Doctorate|doctorate or a medical qualification]]. This is probably an inheritance from the early days of comics, where the patriotic [[World War II]] setting made military good guys obvious. The rank of "Captain" probably became common as, in the Army, it is low-ranking enough to be approachable and avoid the [[We Have Reserves|inevitable moral ambiguity]] of the most senior ranks, but high enough to deserve some respect.
There is a definite prejudice in [[Superhero]] comics towards using force rather than reason to sort things out. As a result, a fighting man with a military-sounding background gets more respect than a thinking man with a [[Morally-Ambiguous Doctorate|doctorate or a medical qualification]]. This is probably an inheritance from the early days of comics, where the patriotic [[World War II]] setting made military good guys obvious. The rank of "Captain" probably became common as, in the Army, it is low-ranking enough to be approachable and avoid the [[We Have Reserves|inevitable moral ambiguity]] of the most senior ranks, but high enough to deserve some respect.


The upshot of this is that [[Captain Superhero|characters whose names begin with "Captain"]] are almost always good, unless explicitly subverting this or a Nazi. (In the case of a Nazi, or in the case of German officers from other periods, the correct title ''Hauptmann'' could occur. If the Nazi Captain is referred to as Kapitän we might have a case of [[Did Not Do the Research]], since Kapitän exclusively refers to the marine. Another trap for the unwary is referring to an SS officer of this rank as ''Hauptmann'' when he would in fact be a ''[[wikipedia:Hauptsturmf%C3%BChrer|Hauptsturmführer]]''.)
The upshot of this is that [[Captain Superhero|characters whose names begin with "Captain"]] are almost always good, unless explicitly subverting this or a Nazi. (In the case of a Nazi, or in the case of German officers from other periods, the correct title ''Hauptmann'' could occur. If the Nazi Captain is referred to as Kapitän we might have a case of [[Did Not Do the Research]], since Kapitän exclusively refers to the marine. Another trap for the unwary is referring to an SS officer of this rank as ''Hauptmann'' when he would in fact be a ''[[wikipedia:Hauptsturmführer|Hauptsturmführer]]''.)


"[[Commanding Coolness|Commander]]" carries similar connotations to "Captain." As a naval rank, it's a likely designation for commanding officers in [[Space Navy|Space Navies]].
"[[Commanding Coolness|Commander]]" carries similar connotations to "Captain." As a naval rank, it's a likely designation for commanding officers in [[Space Navy|Space Navies]].


Not necessarily [[The Captain]].
Not necessarily [[The Captain]].
⚫
{{examples}}


⚫
{{examples}}
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
* ''[[Busou Renkin]]'': Captain Bravo-- Good.
* ''[[Busou Renkin]]'': Captain Bravo—Good.
* The Captain from ''[[Hellsing]]'', sometimes called Hans Günsche ''a la'' his prototype version: Evil because he's a Nazi, but shows occasional "good"ness, or at least helpfulness to the goodies.
* The Captain from ''[[Hellsing]]'', sometimes called Hans Günsche ''a la'' his prototype version: Evil because he's a Nazi, but shows occasional "good"ness, or at least helpfulness to the goodies.
** On the other hand, Captain Pip Bernadette/Bernadotte/Vernedead stays on the good side to the end... And even after that.
** On the other hand, Captain Pip Bernadette/Bernadotte/Vernedead stays on the good side to the end... And even after that.
* From ''[[One Piece]]'', Captain Luffy: Good. Then again, then there are the other pirate captains in this series which can be good or bad...but usually bad.
* From ''[[One Piece]]'', Captain Luffy: Good. Then again, then there are the other pirate captains in this series which can be good or bad...but usually bad.
** Eustace "Captain" Kidd: Based on his record, bad, including going so far as to crucify opponents who were trying to run away and killing civilians.
** Eustace "Captain" Kidd: Based on his record, bad, including going so far as to crucify opponents who were trying to run away and killing civilians.
** Also various Marine captains, who can also be good or bad depending on the person (but they would all tell you they're good).
** Also various Marine captains, who can also be good or bad depending on the person (but they would all tell you they're good).
* ''[[Gurren Lagann]]'': Captain Viral -- Became captain of the Chouginga Dai Gurren after his [[Heel Face Turn]].
* ''[[Gurren Lagann]]'': Captain Viral—Became captain of the Chouginga Dai Gurren after his [[Heel Face Turn]].
* [[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha|Captain Nanoha Takamachi]] - Good. Likes to [[Defeat Means Friendship|befriend]] people.
* [[Lyrical Nanoha|Captain Nanoha Takamachi]] - Good. Likes to [[Defeat Means Friendship|befriend]] people.
* In ''[[Gundam]]'', Captain Bright Noah of the ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam|White Base]]'', ''[[Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam|Argama]]'', ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ|Nahel Argama]]'', and ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack|Ra Calium]]'': Good, [[Team Dad]], [[Fan Nickname|nicknamed]] "The Eternal Captain" (obviously for a good reason).
* In ''[[Gundam]]'', Captain Bright Noah of the ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam|White Base]]'', ''[[Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam|Argama]]'', ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ|Nahel Argama]]'', and ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack|Ra Calium]]'': Good, [[Team Dad]], [[Fan Nickname|nicknamed]] "The Eternal Captain" (obviously for a good reason).
** Also from the Universal Century: [[Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory|Captain Eiphar Synapse]], good. [[Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team|Captain Norris Packard, good for a Zeke. Captain Ethan Ryer, General Ripper of a Feddie]].
** Also from the Universal Century: [[Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory|Captain Eiphar Synapse]], good. [[Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team|Captain Norris Packard, good for a Zeke. Captain Ethan Ryer, General Ripper of a Feddie]].
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** ''[[Gundam Seed Destiny]]'''s Captain Talia Gladys of the ''Minerva'': Good, but loyal to a [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]] leader.
** ''[[Gundam Seed Destiny]]'''s Captain Talia Gladys of the ''Minerva'': Good, but loyal to a [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]] leader.
*** Captain Neo Roanoke of the ''Girty Lue''. [[Manipulative Bastard]], [[Criminal Amnesiac]], and all around bastard. Bad, [[Team Dad]]. Later {{spoiler|pulls a [[Heel Face Turn]] after regaining his memory}}.
*** Captain Neo Roanoke of the ''Girty Lue''. [[Manipulative Bastard]], [[Criminal Amnesiac]], and all around bastard. Bad, [[Team Dad]]. Later {{spoiler|pulls a [[Heel Face Turn]] after regaining his memory}}.
⚫
* Captain [[Irresponsible Captain Tylor|Justi Ueki Tylor]]: Good for the most part. Now, whether this is through sheer [[Achievements in Ignorance|dumb]] [[Born Lucky|luck]] or [[Magnificent Bastard|the most brilliant]] [[Obfuscating Stupidity|tactical mind]] or [[Take a Third Option|some combination of the two]] [[Alternate Character Interpretation|is up to debate]].
* ''[[Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water]]'': Captain Nemo. Good.


== [[Comic Books]] ==
== [[Comic Books]] ==
* [[Captain America]]: Good. Was briefly "Nomad" and later "The Captain" before Nextwave's version, but went back to America. Still good.
* [[Captain America (comics)]]: Good. Was briefly "Nomad" and later "The Captain" before Nextwave's version, but went back to America. Still good.
* [[Captain Atom]]: Good, but occasionally falls into [[Knight Templar]]; led to the accidental destruction of Kansas in ''[[Kingdom Come]]''. Note that he originally actually had the rank of Captain in the Air Force, but was later promoted to Major.
* [[Captain Atom]]: Good, but occasionally falls into [[Knight Templar]]; led to the accidental destruction of Kansas in ''[[Kingdom Come]]''. Note that he originally actually had the rank of Captain in the Air Force, but was later promoted to Major.
* Captain Britain: Good.
* Captain Britain: Good.
* Captain Canuck: Satirical but good.
* Captain Canuck: Satirical but good.
* Captain Cold: Enemy of [[The Flash]], Evil.
* Captain Cold: Enemy of [[The Flash]], Evil. (they "[[Worthy Opponent|got mutual respect]]", however)
** Captain Boomerang: Enemy of [[The Flash]], Evil.
** Captain Boomerang: Enemy of [[The Flash]], Evil.
** The above two led to a [[Lampshade Hanging]] in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "Flash and Substance," where they teamed up, and the Trickster laments that they never bought into his ideas, saying, "Maybe if I were a ''captain'' they'd listen to me."
** The above two led to a [[Lampshade Hanging]] in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "Flash and Substance," where they teamed up, and the Trickster laments that they never bought into his ideas, saying, "Maybe if I were a ''captain'' they'd listen to me."
* Captain Comet: Good.
* Captain Comet: Good.
* [[Dynamo 5|Captain Dynamo]]: Good.
* [[Dynamo 5|Captain Dynamo]]: Good.
* Captain Liberty ([[The Tick|New England Comics]]): Employed as a hero by the US government. Purposely given a name that would make people assume she's a man.
* Captain Liberty ([[The Tick (animation)|New England Comics]]): Employed as a hero by the US government. Purposely given a name that would make people assume she's a man.
* [[Shazam|Captain Marvel]] ([[The DCU]]): Good.
* [[Shazam|Captain Marvel]] ([[The DCU]]): Good.
* [[Captain Mar-Vell]] ([[Marvel Universe]], more than one incarnation): Good, although the Genis-Vell incarnation was a [[Knight Templar]] and completely off his rocker.
* [[Captain Mar-Vell]] ([[Marvel Universe]], more than one incarnation): Good, although the Genis-Vell incarnation was a [[Knight Templar]] and completely off his rocker.
* Captain Metropolis (''[[Watchmen]]''): Good... but bigoted.
* Captain Metropolis (''[[Watchmen]]''): Good... but bigoted.
** There's also [[Added Alliterative Appeal|Captain Carnage]], who is not so much ''evil'' as a totally fucked up [[Combat Masochist]].
** There's also [[Alliteration|Captain Carnage]], who is not so much ''evil'' as a totally fucked up [[Combat Masochist]].
** And a Captain Axis, who the first Nite Owl once beat up.
** And a Captain Axis, who the first Nite Owl once beat up.
* Captain Nazi: A hero of his nation, but as his nation was [[Villain by Default|Nazi Germany, evil.]]
* Captain Nazi: A hero of his nation, but as his nation was [[Villain by Default|Nazi Germany, evil.]]
** In ''[[Justice Society of America]]'', the current Captain Nazi leads a squad of other Nazi villains, many of whom are also Captains. This gets [[Lampshaded]].
** In ''[[Justice Society of America]]'', the current Captain Nazi leads a squad of other Nazi villains, many of whom are also Captains. This gets [[Lampshaded]].
* The Captain of ''[[Nextwave]]'': Grand mockery of this trope.
* The Captain of ''[[Nextwave]]'': Grand mockery of this trope.
** ''HIS NAME IS THE CAPTAIN!!!''
** ''HIS NAME IS THE CAPTAIN!!!''
* [http://www.heromachine.com/2008/07/23/captain-rectitude/ Captain Rectitude] was not actually a made-up example. Bad. Also badly dressed.
* [http://www.heromachine.com/2008/07/23/captain-rectitude/ Captain Rectitude] was not actually a made-up example. Bad. Also badly dressed.
⚫
* Captain [[Irresponsible Captain Tylor|Justi Ueki Tylor]]: Good for the most part. Now, whether this is through sheer [[Achievements in Ignorance|dumb]] [[Born Lucky|luck]] or [[Magnificent Bastard|the most brilliant]] [[Obfuscating Stupidity|tactical mind]] or [[Take a Third Option|some combination of the two]] [[Alternate Character Interpretation|is up to debate]].


== [[Film]] ==
== [[Film]] ==
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* Captain Zoom - Initially reluctant, but heroic in the end.
* Captain Zoom - Initially reluctant, but heroic in the end.
* In ''[[Godzilla]]'', Captain Gordon: Good, and a incredibly huge [[Badass]]. The man defeated Godzilla by burying him in ice, successfully lead a resistance against the massively powerful alien force with just his crew and Godzilla and killed aliens with a katana and his bare hands, and even at the end of the movie when Godzilla brought down he still is prepared to fight him with just a sword.
* In ''[[Godzilla]]'', Captain Gordon: Good, and a incredibly huge [[Badass]]. The man defeated Godzilla by burying him in ice, successfully lead a resistance against the massively powerful alien force with just his crew and Godzilla and killed aliens with a katana and his bare hands, and even at the end of the movie when Godzilla brought down he still is prepared to fight him with just a sword.
* ''[[Star Wars]]'''s Captain Han Solo: Good.
* ''[[Star Wars]]'''s Captain Han Solo: Good.
** ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'''s Captain Rex: Good... Which very likely changes with Order 66.
** ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'''s Captain Rex: Good... Which very likely changes with Order 66.
* ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]'': Commander Lyle Rourke is a subversion of this, and a good one too. There are a couple hints in his dialogue that he's not what he seems, but overall he does a good job faking the audience out and setting up the reveal.
* ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]'': Commander Lyle Rourke is a subversion of this, and a good one too. There are a couple hints in his dialogue that he's not what he seems, but overall he does a good job faking the audience out and setting up the reveal.
* In [[MASH|M*A*S*H]], Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, "Duke" Forrest, and "Trapper" John [[Mc Intyre]] are all Captains. They're not quite as good as their television counterparts, but they're much better than their counterparts in the novel.
* In ''[[M*A*S*H (film)||M*A*S*H]]'', Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, "Duke" Forrest, and "Trapper" John McIntyre are all Captains. They're not quite as good as their television counterparts, but they're much better than their counterparts in the novel.


== [[Literature]] ==
== [[Literature]] ==
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* ''[[Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea]]'''s Captain Nemo: It varies, depending on the interpretation used in the film/story in question.
* ''[[Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea]]'''s Captain Nemo: It varies, depending on the interpretation used in the film/story in question.
* ''[[Treasure Island]]'''s Captain Smollett: Somewhat reprehensible (except when played by [[Muppet Treasure Island|Kermit the Frog]]), but basically good. Captain Silver: Ostensibly the villain, but far more [[Affably Evil|affable]].
* ''[[Treasure Island]]'''s Captain Smollett: Somewhat reprehensible (except when played by [[Muppet Treasure Island|Kermit the Frog]]), but basically good. Captain Silver: Ostensibly the villain, but far more [[Affably Evil|affable]].
* Captain Jack Aubrey - Good Dude, [[Badass]].
* Captain [[Aubrey-Maturin|Jack Aubrey]] - Good Dude, [[Badass]].
* Captain [[Horatio Hornblower]] - Good.
* Captain [[Horatio Hornblower]] - Good.
** Hornblower's sidekick eventually becomes Captain William Bush - also good. In fact even the 'evil' Captain Sawyer was really a figure of pity due to his increasing insanity.
** Hornblower's sidekick eventually becomes Captain William Bush - also good. In fact even the 'evil' Captain Sawyer was really a figure of pity due to his increasing insanity.
* ''[[Moby Dick]]'''s Captain Ahab - [[Anti-Hero]] or Villain.
* ''[[Moby Dick]]'''s Captain Ahab - [[Anti-Hero]] or Villain.
* [[Captain Underpants]]: Good, but [[Good Is Dumb|dumb]].
* [[Captain Underpants]]: Good, but [[Good Is Dumb|dumb]].
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* ''[[Chuck]]'''s "Captain Awesome" Devon Woodcomb - Awesome.
* ''[[Chuck]]'''s "Captain Awesome" Devon Woodcomb - Awesome.
* ''[[Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger]]'''s Captain Marvelous - Good by means of being Goukai Red.
* ''[[Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger]]'''s Captain Marvelous - Good by means of being Goukai Red.
* Classic ''Battlestar Galactica'''s Captain Apollo
* Classic ''Battlestar Galactica'''s Captain Apollo


== Meta ==
== Meta ==
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== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* [[Captain Commando]]: Good. Equal opportunity employer, as evidenced by partners being ninja, mummy and infant.
* [[Captain Commando]]: Good. Equal opportunity employer, as evidenced by partners being ninja, mummy and infant.
* ''[[F-Zero]]'''s Captain Falcon: Good. Will [[Super Smash Bros|Knee]] you in the face if you say anything about his outfit.
* ''[[F-Zero]]'''s Captain Falcon: Good. Will [[Super Smash Bros.|Knee]] you in the face if you say anything about his outfit.
* ''[[Disgaea]]'''s '''Captain Gordon, Defender of Earth!''': Good, but kinda [[The Ditz|dumb]]...and [[Large Ham|hammy]].
* ''[[Disgaea]]'''s '''Captain Gordon, Defender of Earth!''': Good, but kinda [[The Ditz|dumb]]...and [[Large Ham|hammy]].
* ''[[Advance Wars]]'''s Captain Brenner/O'Brian: [[The Messiah]]. In an [[After the End]] setting. Good.
* ''[[Advance Wars]]'''s Captain Brenner/O'Brian: [[The Messiah]]. In an [[After the End]] setting. Good.
* ''[[Pikmin]]'''s Captain Olimar: Good, teamed up with Captain Falcon in the [[Super Smash Bros|Subspace Emissary]].
* ''[[Pikmin]]'''s Captain Olimar: Good, teamed up with Captain Falcon in the [[Super Smash Bros.|Subspace Emissary]].
* [[Captain Novolin]] - Real, Good, but bad concept...
* [[Captain Novolin]] - Real, Good, but bad concept...
* ''[[Valkyria Chronicles]]'''s Captain Eleanor Varrot - Good. Boss of the young leader of [[The Squad]].
* ''[[Valkyria Chronicles]]'''s Captain Eleanor Varrot - Good. Boss of the young leader of [[The Squad]].
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* ''[[Call of Duty]]'''s Captain Price: Good, if a bit too eager to resort to brutality in his ''CoD4'' incarnation.
* ''[[Call of Duty]]'''s Captain Price: Good, if a bit too eager to resort to brutality in his ''CoD4'' incarnation.
** SAS. They are brutal. But patriotic and rather too good at lateral thinking for regular squaddies.
** SAS. They are brutal. But patriotic and rather too good at lateral thinking for regular squaddies.
** Captain "Soap" MacTavish: Good, and he's taken more than [[Took a Level In Badass|a few levels in badass]] since the last time we saw him.
** Captain "Soap" MacTavish: Good, and he's taken more than [[Took a Level in Badass|a few levels in badass]] since the last time we saw him.
* ''[[Dawn of War]]'': Captains Gabriel Angelos, Davian Thule and Inrick Boreale - Good, for Imperium commanders, although the last one is an exemplar of [[The Peter Principle]].
* ''[[Dawn of War]]'': Captains Gabriel Angelos, Davian Thule and Inrick Boreale - Good, for Imperium commanders, although the last one is an exemplar of [[The Peter Principle]].
** In ''[[Dawn of War]] II'': Captain Apollo Diomedes - Good, [[Fatal Flaw|but too proud for his own good]].
** In ''[[Dawn of War]] II'': Captain Apollo Diomedes - Good, [[Fatal Flaw|but too proud for his own good]].
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* ''[[Viewtiful Joe]]'''s Captain Blue! [[Henshin Hero|Henshin a go-go, baby!]] {{spoiler|Evil.}}
* ''[[Viewtiful Joe]]'''s Captain Blue! [[Henshin Hero|Henshin a go-go, baby!]] {{spoiler|Evil.}}
* ''[[Comic Jumper]]'''s Captain Smiley: Self-absorbed idiotic Jerkass.
* ''[[Comic Jumper]]'''s Captain Smiley: Self-absorbed idiotic Jerkass.
* ''[[Ace Combat]] 5'''s [[The Obi-Wan|Captain Bartlett]], "[[Player Character|The]] [[AFGNCAAP|Captain]]", [[The Lancer|Captain Nagase]], [[The Big Guy|Captain Davenport]] ({{spoiler|post-humously promoted to Lieutenant Colonel}}), [[Ensign Newbie|Captain Grimm]], and [[Sixth Ranger|Captain Snow]]. All good.
* ''[[Ace Combat]] 5'''s [[The Obi-Wan|Captain Bartlett]], "[[Player Character|The]] [[Featureless Protagonist|Captain]]", [[The Lancer|Captain Nagase]], [[The Big Guy|Captain Davenport]] ({{spoiler|post-humously promoted to Lieutenant Colonel}}), [[Ensign Newbie|Captain Grimm]], and [[Sixth Ranger|Captain Snow]]. All good.


== [[Web Comics]] ==
== [[Web Comics]] ==
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== [[Web Original]] ==
== [[Web Original]] ==
* ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'''s Captain Butch Flowers: Good, and disturbingly nice towards his men.
* ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'''s Captain Butch Flowers: Good, and disturbingly nice towards his men.
* ''[[Doctor Horribles Sing Along Blog]]'''s Captain Hammer: Subverts and Lampshades this trope. Despite being a superhero and beloved by the whole city, he's also a tremendous jerk and far less sympathetic than villainous Dr. Horrible.
* ''[[Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog]]''{{'}}s Captain Hammer: Subverts and Lampshades this trope. Despite being a superhero and beloved by the whole city, he's also a tremendous jerk and far less sympathetic than villainous Dr. Horrible.
* ''[[Whateley Universe]]'''s The ''other'' Captain Bravo: good. [[Idiot Hero|Well, he thinks he's good, but he's a pinhead.]] And he's not allowed to use the 'captain' part of his codename until he graduates from [[Super-Hero School|Whateley Academy]] and earns the title in the military. Titles from the military, nobility are academic titles must be earned the hard way before they can be used in a codename.
* ''[[Whateley Universe]]'''s The ''other'' Captain Bravo: good. [[Idiot Hero|Well, he thinks he's good, but he's a pinhead.]] And he's not allowed to use the 'captain' part of his codename until he graduates from [[Super-Hero School|Whateley Academy]] and earns the title in the military. Titles from the military, nobility are academic titles must be earned the hard way before they can be used in a codename.
* In the ''[[Global Guardians PBEM Universe]]'', Capitao Batalha ("Captain Battle") is the premiere hero of Brazil. There's also Captain Australia, Captain Speedy, Captain California, and Captain Hammer. In the 50s and 60s, there was Captain Amazing, but he's dead now.
* In the ''[[Global Guardians PBEM Universe]]'', Capitao Batalha ("Captain Battle") is the premiere hero of Brazil. There's also Captain Australia, Captain Speedy, Captain California, and Captain Hammer. In the 50s and 60s, there was Captain Amazing, but he's dead now.


== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* ''[[Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels]]'''s Captain CAVEMAAAAAAAN! - good
* ''[[Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels]]''{{'}}s Captain CAVEMAAAAAAAN! - good
* ''[[Drawn Together]]'''s Captain Hero: [[Idiot Hero|Dumb as a box of hammers]], doesn't mean so well.
* ''[[Drawn Together]]''{{'}}s Captain Hero: [[Idiot Hero|Dumb as a box of hammers]], doesn't mean so well.
** But there's also Captain Hero from [[Sim City]]: Definitely Good -- if he decides to show up.
** But there's also Captain Hero from [[SimCity]]: Definitely Good—if he decides to show up.
* ''[[Captain N]]: The Game Master''. Also Good.
* ''[[Captain N]]: The Game Master''. Also Good.
* [[Captain Planet and the Planeteers|Captain Planet]]: Good. [[Evil Knockoff|Captain Pollution: Evil.]]
* [[Captain Planet and the Planeteers|Captain Planet]]: Good. [[Evil Knockoff|Captain Pollution: Evil.]]
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[[Category:Goodness Tropes]]
[[Category:Goodness Tropes]]
[[Category:Superhero Tropes]]
[[Category:Superhero Tropes]]
[[Category:The Good Captain]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Good Captain, The}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Latest revision as of 14:26, 3 August 2020

"Captain Cold... Captain Boomerang... they probably would have gone for it if I was a captain."

—Trickster, Justice League Unlimited

There is a definite prejudice in Superhero comics towards using force rather than reason to sort things out. As a result, a fighting man with a military-sounding background gets more respect than a thinking man with a doctorate or a medical qualification. This is probably an inheritance from the early days of comics, where the patriotic World War II setting made military good guys obvious. The rank of "Captain" probably became common as, in the Army, it is low-ranking enough to be approachable and avoid the inevitable moral ambiguity of the most senior ranks, but high enough to deserve some respect.

The upshot of this is that characters whose names begin with "Captain" are almost always good, unless explicitly subverting this or a Nazi. (In the case of a Nazi, or in the case of German officers from other periods, the correct title Hauptmann could occur. If the Nazi Captain is referred to as Kapitän we might have a case of Did Not Do the Research, since Kapitän exclusively refers to the marine. Another trap for the unwary is referring to an SS officer of this rank as Hauptmann when he would in fact be a Hauptsturmführer.)

"Commander" carries similar connotations to "Captain." As a naval rank, it's a likely designation for commanding officers in Space Navies.

Not necessarily The Captain.

Examples of The Good Captain include:

Anime and Manga

Comic Books

Film

  • Captain Chaos: Good but goofy in The Cannonball Run; evil but goofy in the Scottish Amicable adverts.
    • And Captain USA at the very end of the movie. Dom Deluise blooped "Captain America" as can be seen in the end credits.
  • Mystery Men's Captain Amazing: Strictly commercial. Vanquishes baddies, but also occasionally gets them released from prison for selfish publicity-seeking reasons.
  • In Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack Sparrow: Good (?), though often drunk/crazy. Or is he? Occasionally sells out his friends as part of a Batman Gambit. It's okay, they frequently return the favor, and unlike them, Jack usually has a Plan B to get them out of it...
  • Captain Zoom - Initially reluctant, but heroic in the end.
  • In Godzilla, Captain Gordon: Good, and a incredibly huge Badass. The man defeated Godzilla by burying him in ice, successfully lead a resistance against the massively powerful alien force with just his crew and Godzilla and killed aliens with a katana and his bare hands, and even at the end of the movie when Godzilla brought down he still is prepared to fight him with just a sword.
  • Star Wars's Captain Han Solo: Good.
  • Atlantis: The Lost Empire: Commander Lyle Rourke is a subversion of this, and a good one too. There are a couple hints in his dialogue that he's not what he seems, but overall he does a good job faking the audience out and setting up the reveal.
  • In |M*A*S*H, Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, "Duke" Forrest, and "Trapper" John McIntyre are all Captains. They're not quite as good as their television counterparts, but they're much better than their counterparts in the novel.

Literature

Live-Action TV

Meta

Video Games

Web Comics

Web Original

  • Red vs. Blue's Captain Butch Flowers: Good, and disturbingly nice towards his men.
  • Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog‍'‍s Captain Hammer: Subverts and Lampshades this trope. Despite being a superhero and beloved by the whole city, he's also a tremendous jerk and far less sympathetic than villainous Dr. Horrible.
  • Whateley Universe's The other Captain Bravo: good. Well, he thinks he's good, but he's a pinhead. And he's not allowed to use the 'captain' part of his codename until he graduates from Whateley Academy and earns the title in the military. Titles from the military, nobility are academic titles must be earned the hard way before they can be used in a codename.
  • In the Global Guardians PBEM Universe, Capitao Batalha ("Captain Battle") is the premiere hero of Brazil. There's also Captain Australia, Captain Speedy, Captain California, and Captain Hammer. In the 50s and 60s, there was Captain Amazing, but he's dead now.

Western Animation

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