To give a little history, Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers, was created in the 1940's during WWII created to represent the struggle of the US against the Axis Powers. Being a classic piece of wartime propaganda, the comics were a huge success in America.
What is it about Steve Rogers that makes him sit well so many people? I think his good old fashioned moral code is a huge factor. What separates Cap from any other superhero (with the exception of maybe Superman) is that he simply does the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
Take any other hero and they have have a tragic back story enabling them to do good and fight crime. For example, Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered in front of him or Peter Parker's uncle was shot after Peter had the chance to stop him.
Steve Rogers was born a humble kid with a heart of gold. Rogers naturally disliked bullies and had the utmost respect for his peers. After being deemed too scrawny to enlist in the U.S. army, he volunteered for the Super Soldier program. This did not make him superhuman, but it made him stronger and faster to the 9th degree.
Powers wise, the Captain has nothing on the Hulk or Thor but he sure knows how to lead. He knows exactly the course of action that needs to happen to reach a certain goal. The fact that he is not superhuman makes him relatable.
Although Captain America is never called a Christian because that would not be considered "politically correct" in today's world, there are subtle things in his long history and in the movies that hint at it. His actions can be considered Godly too. Him being a Christian would not affect my liking for the character anymore but it is something else to admire!
Captain America is the embodiment of human good. He is also the most relatable in that he isn't a billionaire playboy like Iron Man and he isn't out of his mind like Batman. He is a man that is grounded in reality.
Yes... Captain America is a flag-waving, apple pie eating boy scout, but a "man out of time" like Captain America is exactly what we need in the 21st century to restore civility and respect into our personal lives and our politics.
Not to say we literally need a superhero like Cap to come save the world, but rather society, including myself, should practice his moral code, his attitude, and his chivalry to help make the world a better place. Also, we should begin doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do with no other motive or hidden agenda. Some may argue the Captain's ethics are too old-fashioned, but I see them as timeless.
The writer of Cap's most recent incarnation in 2012 describes him perfectly: Captain America “is a patriotic soldier, directed by a personal ethical compass, belief in the American dream and faith in his fellow man ... He can punch bad people and jump through glass. He’s the person you wish you were.”
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