I think you're missing an element that goes a little farther back in American storytelling. We do have our myth, often closer to the original than we can see for the ancient myths: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, Joe Magarac, John Henry... Some closer to real people than others. All the tall tales were foundational AMERICAN mythology, some are older than others. Honestly, I think that's the fascination with our old west in a lot of places... it's our age of myth.
I think you're missing an element that goes a little farther back in American storytelling. We do have our myth, often closer to the original than we can see for the ancient myths: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, Joe Magarac, John Henry... Some closer to real people than others. All the tall tales were foundational AMERICAN mythology, some are older than others. Honestly, I think that's the fascination with our old west in a lot of places... it's our age of myth.
Superheroes at their best are Human. Superman isn't a god come down to Earth. He's a human with the Powers of a god.
When superheroes forget that they are humans, they are starting down a Bad Path no matter what "good" they may still do.