Miss America (DC Comics)

Miss America is a name used by two different superheroes in DC Comics. Both characters are associated with the All-Star Squadron during the Golden Age of comics.

The first Miss America was Joan Dale, created by Ken Battefield and first appearing in Military Comics #1 (August 1941). Joan Dale was a young woman who gained superhuman strength, speed, and flight after being exposed to a ray of light. She initially fought alongside the Freedom Fighters before joining the All-Star Squadron. Her powers were derived from the American spirit itself. She was eventually retconned to have had her powers since childhood, unknowingly inherited from her father.

The second Miss America was Madeline Joyce, originally a Quality Comics character acquired by DC Comics. She first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943) published by Timely Comics (later Marvel Comics). Although originally associated with Marvel, her connection to the All-Star Squadron was later established through retroactive continuity, placing her alongside the Golden Age heroes. She married Robert Frank (the Whizzer) and became a member of the All-Star Squadron. While the character’s origin story began at Marvel, her presence within the DC universe during the Golden Age era and association with the All-Star Squadron solidifies her status as a Miss America iteration within DC Comics lore.