1

Superman

Image: Jon Tyson

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s our first entry to this article! For many, the "Man of Steel" is the epitome of an American superhero : Not only is he one of the oldest superheroes still in circulation, but he is also a die-hard defender of truth, justice, and the American Dream.

Superman’s story has been told countless times, but here’s a quick summary just in case: Born in the far-away planet of Krypton, Kal-El was sent to Earth as a baby, where he was adopted and named Clark by Martha and Jonathan Kent. Young Clark discovered his amazing powers at an early age, and grew to become Superman, the "Man of Tomorrow".

2

Batman

Image: Obi - @pixel8propix

Right along with Superman, Batman is perhaps the world’s most famous superhero. What’s interesting is that, although both superheroes are equally iconic, they couldn’t be more different: While Superman is a superpowered public figure, who regularly engages with the American people in a friendly manner, Batman is a dark and mysterious figure , who fights evil-doers from the shadows and has no superpowers other than his superhuman determination (and his fair share of high-tech gadgets!).

Bruce Wayne, the man behind Batman, has a backstory that’s almost as dark as his alter ego: Born into the wealthy Wayne family, Bruce's parents Thomas and Martha were tragically murdered when he was eight years old. Determined to fight the evil that took his family away from him, Bruce spent his life and fortune to become Batman, Gotham City’s Dark Knight.

3

Spider-Man

Image: Jean-Philippe Delberghe

Up until the emergence of this beloved superhero, whatever our childhood heroes did for a living was not particularly important. For instance, Clark Kent is a Pulitzer-winning reporter, while Bruce Wayne comes from an extremely wealthy family. However, what separates Spider-Man from the rest (besides his groundbreaking arachnid powers ) is the fact that he had to juggle his superhero activities with his education and part-time photography job. In a sense, Peter Parker was the first to show us that superheroes could also come from struggling backgrounds.

When he was first published in 1962, Spider-man was also one of the youngest superheroes out there: At age 15, Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, which gave him his amazing and uncanny abilities . Spiderman can climb up walls, swing around skyscrapers, and sense danger with his trusted "Spider-sense".

4

Iron Man

Image: Igor Bumba

Even before being immortalized by actor Robert Downey Jr . in what’s probably the most lucrative film franchise in history, Iron Man was already one of Marvel’s most recognizable superheroes. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1962, this hero drew his abilities from machines’ raw power and mankind’s insurmountable ingenuity.

Unlike many superheroes, Tony Stark’s backstory is characterized by his search for redemption: Born into a wealthy family, he sought to dismantle his family’s lucrative arms-dealing business after he witnessed first-hand the horrors his products caused. Tony used his superior intellect to design and construct his iconic "Iron Man" suit , a metal exoskeleton armor that grants him flight, superhuman strength, and access to repulsor blasts and other high-tech gadgets.

5

Wonder Woman

Image: Dale de Vera

Comic books are usually considered a boys’ club, but the truth is that not all superheroes are male. We could have chosen from a myriad of iconic female heroes, but we finally settled on one of DC’s powerhouses : Wonder Woman. Though she recently saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to her 2017 jump to the big screen, this Amazonian warrior has always been a force to be reckoned with.

Princess Diana comes from the island of Themyscira, a fictional island home to the warrior race of the Amazons. Wonder Woman’s strength is almost unmeasurable, and she also possesses the gifts of flight, speed, and invulnerability. She is also armed with her indestructible bracelets and her iconic "Lasso of Truth" , which forces those trapped in it to reveal their secrets. Fun fact: Wonder Woman’s creator William Moulton Marston invented the lasso while working on his other groundbreaking invention, the modern lie detector.

6

The Hulk

Image: Hermes Rivera

When Robert Louis Stevenson published his 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , he wasn’t aware that he was also creating the basis of one of the world’s most iconic superheroes. While The Hulk is known mostly for his brutish strength and uncontrollable rage , this seemingly simple superhero also deals with mankind’s fear of its own dark side, and what happens when this more violent aspect of ourselves is let loose.

You are probably aware of the Hulk’s origin story: Dr. Bruce Banner, a brilliant scientist, was hit with a heavy dose of gamma rays after an experiment went wrong. This accident transformed Dr. Banner, turning him into the green-skinned, rampaging Hulk whenever his anger reaches a breaking point. While his powers are definitively destructive, over the years the Hulk has turned into a force of good, and a superhero in his own right.

7

X-Men

Image: Erik Mclean

The first superhero team to make it to this list, the X-Men introduced the world to "mutants", the next step of human evolution. Mutants displayed fantastical powers from an early age, although some of their mutations made them look threatening or off-putting to society. In the end, prejudice was one of the X-Men’s greatest foes, and a recurring theme throughout this series’ 60 years.

The X-Men saw a resurgence in popularity throughout the 90s and early 2000s, in part thanks to an amazing TV adaptation and a series of films produced by 20th Century Fox. Among the team’s most famous roster, we have the X-Men’s leader Cyclops (who can shoot energy beams from his eyes), Storm (a mutant that can control the weather), and Wolverine (who can heal almost instantly, and whose skeleton was reinforced with an unbreakable metal).

8

The Flash

Image: Joel Muniz

Superman might be "faster than a speeding bullet", but the Justice League’s undisputed speedster is definitively The Flash. While his superspeed power might seem simple, it is anything but: Flash is connected to an extradimensional energy source known as "the Speed Force", which allows him to move, think, and react at superhuman speed.

While the first character to take this name was Jay Garrick in 1939, the Flash most people are familiar with is Barry Allen, who was granted the powers of the Speed Force after an experiment gone wrong. His red suit and lightning-fast reflexes have made him one of the most recognizable heroes in history.

9

Thor

Image: Manuel Salinas

As we mentioned before, many believe superheroes to be our modern myths. However, what’s fascinating about this superhero is that it perfectly combines the standard characteristics of a comic book hero with the amazing feats of the most adventurous Nordic god . Thor Odinson, Marvel’s iconic otherwordly protector, is definitively the best of both worlds.

When Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created Thor in 1962, they kept many aspects of the Nordic deity: Marvel’s Thor has super-human strength, can control thunder, and is always aided by his enchanted hammer, Mjolnir . However, the modern adaptation added a new layer: Deemed too arrogant by his father Odin, Thor was banished to Earth, where he became our planet’s trusted guardian.

10

Captain America

Image: Marjan Blan

We’ll end this list with an American icon. In 1940, worried by the advancement of WW2, writer Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby sought to create a superhero that would both encompass the values of American life and fight to preserve peace and justice in the free world. And with that, Captain America was born.

The Captain’s story has been told many times: Steve Rogers was a frail but brave American who was administered a "Super Soldier" serum that gave him super-human speed, strength, and reflexes. However, one of Cap’s superpowers that is usually overlooked is his tenacity, both in comics and in real life: After being canceled in the 1950s, this character was brought to life once again by Stan Lee, who designed the modern version of Captain America that we now know and love.

1

Philadelphia: Jawn

Image: ActionVance

Meaning: used as a placeholder for a noun.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Philly, be aware that the word jawn can and will be used in every sentence, no matter if the jawn in question is a thing, person, event, or place. If it’s a noun, it can be jawn’ed.

2

New England: Grinder

Image: Yoad Shejtman

Meaning: a sub sandwich.

Subs must be one of the most widely known American sandwiches, and rightfully so. Its possibilities when it comes to fillings are seemingly endless, no matter your personal tastes. But you must consider that not every sub is called a sub. If you are passing through New England and fancy a sandwich, looking for a grinder will get you there quicker.

3

Midwest: Schnookered

Image: Vinicius amnx Amano

Meaning: wasted, scammed.

Is there a connection between excessive alcohol consumption and being easy to deceive? Midwesterners apparently think so, because they use the same term for both situations. We tend to agree, nothing good can come from doing business while under the influence.

4

New York: Schlep

Image: Keagan Henman

Meaning: a difficult task, to carry something with difficulty.

As far as hectic places go, New York seems to be leading the rankings. No wonder they have a dedicated slang repertoire for difficult situations. If you are planning on visiting the Big Apple, take it easy; you will most likely encounter a schlep.

5

Florida: No-see-ums

Image: Aditya Vyas

Meaning: tiny biting midges.

Ah, Florida! The land of cruises, alligators, and invisible attacking bugs. These welcoming critters are known for attacking at dawn and leaving itchy marks that will sting for days. They go by the government name of Ceratopogonidae, but the no-see-ums nickname seems more accurate.

6

Boston: Regular

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Meaning: coffee with cream and sugar.

Forget about americanos, lattes, and espressos, a regular is the Boston way to go. Associated with a popular Dunkin’ order, it will come already creamed and sugared. Not advisable for diabetics and lactose intolerants.

7

Puerto Rico: A mi, plín!

Image: Ana Toledo

Meaning: I don’t care.

Puerto Rican slang can be hard to decipher even if you speak some Spanish, but this makes it even more unique. This phrase —literally translated as ‘to me, plin’— is commonly used to express that something or someone is of no concern to you. What is a ‘plin’? We don’t really know, but to us, plin!

8

Pacific Northwest: The mountain is out

Image: Caleb Riston

Meaning: there is good weather

Mount Rainier is one of the icons of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, even though the stormy weather can often make it difficult to admire. On the days when the sky is clear and cloudless, this natural wonder "is out" and can be seen in its entirety. For the locals, the mountain being out has become synonymous with lovely weather and sunny skies.

9

Texas: Fixin’ to

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

Meaning: about to.

We are including this phrase as Texan slang, but you might hear it from Southerners of other states. What do they use it for? Not to talk about repairs, but to say they are about to do something or getting ready for something. Important: do not confuse it with ‘fixins’, a way to refer to side dishes or condiments.

10

Alaska: Sourdough

Image: DDP

Meaning: a long-time resident.

Alaska is filled with natural wonders, but it has always been a tough place to live in, especially during the time of the pioneers. These brave people relied on a few food sources, one of them being sourdough starter to make bread and biscuits. In time, seasoned Alaskans came to be referred to as ‘sourdough’, as a way of honoring their resilience and love for the territory. Opposite to a ‘sourdough’, you can find a ‘cheechako’ or newcomer.

11

Utah: RM

Image: Taylor Brandon

Meaning: someone who returned from their missionary service.

Utah is known for many things, one of them being its high number of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members (commonly known as Mormons). Many members of the Church choose to serve as missionaries, an activity that can take them to a different state or even a different country for up to two years. Once they come back, they might be referred to as RM, or ‘returned missionary’.

12

Hawaii: Da kine

Image: little plant

Meaning: placeholder for something.

If you are in Hawaii, you might notice locals using this phrase to refer to various things, similar to how other English speakers use ‘whatsit’ as a placeholder. A common phrase in Hawaiian Pidgin, ‘da kine’ can be used for objects, people, places, ideas, and much more.

1

Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina

Image: Alano Oliveira

The largest collection of figurative American sculpture in the world –over 2,000 works– can be seen at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina.

Everything is displayed outdoors, in gardens laid out in 1931 in the shape of a butterfly by the sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, rail magnate Archer Milton Huntington. The gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2

Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis

Image: Nathaniel Shuman

With 105 acres and over 70 works, Laumeier is one of the largest urban sculpture parks in the nation . It has some really big pieces, including works by Alexander Liberman, Tony Tasset, Jonathan Borofsky, Odili Donald Odita, and more.

3

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis

Image: Meizhi Lang

The massive sculpture of a cherry atop a huge spoon prompts visitors to photograph it using perspective tricks to make it look like they’re eating the cherry. As spectacular as this artwork is, the garden has many more world-class sculptures, including important pieces by Alexander Calder, George Segal, Judith Shea, and Roy Lichtenstein.

4

Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas

Image: Zalfa Imani

Taking a walk through the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas feels like being inside a prestigious world-class museum, but outdoors . Works by Rodin, Picasso, Brancusi, Koons, Calder, de Kooning, Giacometti, Matisse, Serra, and other masters can be found on the premises.

These grounds offer an uncrowded, intimate experience in which the sculptures feel like they're in conversation with one another.

5

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.

Image: Andriy Oliynyk

If you happen to visit the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. in the winter months, you will find a skating rink along with Louise Bourgeois' Spider with a light dusting of snow, a Chagall mosaic, a variation by Robert Indiana on his famous LOVE statue , and 17 other important works of modern art. The garden is one of the most serene places in the city.

6

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City

Image: Omar KH

Being at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, in Kansas City, feels a bit like walking through a land of giants, amidst their huge everyday objects . Visitors will find mammoth shuttlecocks, amongst other monumental works of art.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum's outdoor sculpture park was originally named after Henry Moore because it contains a large number of bulbous works by that artist. His pieces eventually were joined by a fanciful glass labyrinth by Robert Morris, as were sculptures by Magdalena Abakanowicz, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, and others.

7

Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle

Image: Elham Abdi

The Olympic Sculpture Park treats its visitors with sweeping views over Elliott Bay . The monumental sculptures complement the view in both directions. And, if you stand in just the right spot, Alexander Calder’s Eagle frames the Space Needle perfectly.

The park also features notable works by Louise Nevelson, Roxy Paine, Richard Serra, Louise Bourgeois, Mark di Suvero, and Beverly Pepper.

8

Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, New York

Image: Mike Hindle

With 500 acres, Storm King is the largest sculpture park in the United States , offering its visitors several distinct ecosystems —woodlands, meadows, and lakes among them.

The park boasts works by numerous 20th-century art stars, including Maya Lin, Isamu Noguchi, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Richard Serra, Andy Goldsworthy, Anthony Caro, Louise Bourgeois, Sol LeWitt, and David Smith.

9

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Michigan

Image: Albert Dehon

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts Victorian gardens with pieces by famed artists Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin , a collection of carnivorous plants, sweeping outdoor gardens (which include a 1930s-era farm garden), a Japanese garden, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts famed musicians every summer.

10

The Stuart Collection, California

Image: Is@ Chessyca

The Stuart Collection is an amazing grouping of artworks by world-famed artists like Michael Asher, John Baldessari, Mark Bradford, Jackie Ferrara, Do Ho Suh, and more. One of the collection’s goals is to reexamine conventional views of public art in playful and thought-provoking ways as it showcases experimental art to the public and the community.