I do not know much about Alan Ford as a comic book character. I know that this character and comic book was popular in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Comics ridicules aspects of American society, including capitalism and racism. As I know that the comic became the basis for creating a cartoon, references were used in films and even in music. I think that for people of that generation this is of great importance

On the other hand, you said that American superheroes were widely condemned and considered "stupid." In fact, most American superheroes have pure fantasy and a violation of the laws of nature and physics :) Now it's popular to make films about superheroes. They are created for the mass public and with one goal - to make money. The bottom line is that if people did not watch it - then they would not be popular. Demand creates supply. I'm not a fan of their comics :)
Thank you