We've been spending a lot of time talking about "Greatest Evers" in the course of the superhero genre. But we all have a soft spot for a character that we know might not be "The Greatest", yet whom we love anyway. For me, it's The Flash. I know he's kind of a one-trick pony, and I know the history of the men who've worn the suit is spotty at best. Nonetheless, something about the combination of costume, the time in my life when I was reading them, and the simplicity of Barry Allen combined to make him my favorite.
That's what this poll is about -- the character who might not, in some abstract sense, be "The Greatest" but who is still your favorite anyway.
I'm leaving it open for you to add your own answers if you like, but please don't abuse them or I'll have to (again) delete the response.
Tell us who you picked and why they're your favorite!
("Power Lightning Vomit GO!!" image © DC Comics.)
Spider Man. Of all the super hero comics I read as a young lad, he seemed the most well rounded. He had dtrengths and weeknesses. He had to run away to fight another days on numerous occasions but he always returned to finish the job. Courageous but still felt fear. Plus he’s a bonified Nerd, I could always relate to that. 🙂
Spider-man. The first hero I ever read about, and he’s probably the best balanced character in terms of personality and powers. Sadly, Joe Quesada is going out of his way to destroy the fandom.
Superman would be a very close second.
I added in Martian Manhunter because he’s so powerful, but the calm guy who is just kind of in the back but really invaluable to the JLA
Captain America of course, a classic but supermans cool too if you like that tall dark and virtually invinceable look lol. I would of chose dead pool if he was on here. never much cared for spider man but the scarlett spider or venom were cool.
Ah, will the Spider be able to take down The Goddamn Batman?I went with Captain America, because well, he’s my favorite. I also added The Hulk, because even though I’m not a fan, he should be on the list.
@Me, Myself, and I:
I think (well, I hope) you mean “bona fide.”
(“Spider-Man, Spider-Man
Does whatever a…dude, you are so totally torqued!”)
I added thor, because, well, he’s sort of an outsider, like wonder woman, a mix between superhero and fantasy, but with a much more mythological feel.
That, and he makes me laugh.
I voted Thor, simply because I am addicted to power, and he is tops. The opening cinematic to Marvel: Ultimate Alliance he gets shot in the back by an airplane (or Dr. Doom’s version of an airplane) and turns around and says, “How dare you strike the son of Odin!!” Then blows it up with a swing of Mjolnir….awesome. I was also debating between Wolverine for his depiction in that same cinematic and Hulk because he is just pure, unadulterated power and rage. Another superhero I like is DareDevil (despite the Hollywood trash) because he is the only one (that I know of) with a disadvantage…
When I was five I decided that I wanted to be Wonder Woman when I grew up. I’m still working on that one…
I know it’s uber-cliche but undoubtably the best has to be batman! Unlike most heroes, he hasn’t been handed any magical abilities through sheer luck. He is just a man who, though pure determination and perseverance, has dragged himself up to the ranks of super-being. His only powers come from his unwavering willpower to not only dedicate his entire existence to defending Gotham, but also to never back down, even in the face of overwhelmingly powerful enemies.
Superman’s contingency plan, if he ever goes rogue, is for Batman to bring him down. The most powerful hero in DC doesn’t want the Flash (who’s faster), wonder woman or green lantern to take him on. He know’s Bat’s the man for the job!
That’s why it has to be Batman.
I put down Savage Dragon. He’s green, fully-finned, and not afraid to bust some heads when he needs to.
The book is very juvenile in a lot of ways but a lot of fun.
Spider-Man! He was the first super-hero I got into and it’s mostly because of him that I even know anything about most of the others.
Looks like he’s holding his own against Batman in this poll! Yay! 🙂
I picked Oracle, because when life handed her a huge lemon, she made the biggest pitcher of lemonade in the DC Universe, and in the process became so much more powerful than she ever was as Batgirl.
My second choice would’ve been Nightwing, just because he does everything Batman does and actually smiles while doing it. I guess I just like optimists apparently.
Boomshadow…Mike Boomshadow (6) yup I meant “bona fide.”
🙂
Need to self edit more I see. This is what happens when you try to do to many things at once I guess.
I can’t get the “Add answer” thing to work, but my favorite comic book character is the original Deathlok the Demolisher. He really was a tortured soul, yet the comic book still had elements of humor. Rich Buckler’s artwork is great,as was Doug Moench’s stories.
I added Deadpool… just because
Frevoli (16): As much as I rail against Liefeld, I have to admit a soft spot for the Merc with a Mouth. The early Joe Kelly series, especially with the fairly cartoonish Ed McGuinness drawings in the beginning really helped move Deadpool away from the fast-talking mercenary Liefeld originally had envisioned when he created him, and more into the well-armed buffoon he’s recognized as these days.
I like that you used the Flash: Rebirth cover as poster for this one. I gotta say that Green Lantern is my favorite. I can never decide between Hal Jordan or Kyle Rayner as my favorite. I like that they both have very different origins and reasons for donning the mantle of the Green Lantern. Whereas Hal was originally making up for putting his brother in the hospital and trying to rise above his dad’s legacy at Ferris Aircraft, Kyle was trying to prove that he wasn’t just some scared kid and then avenging Alex’ death. They have very different demons and connections to the Corps. It also says a lot about them that their main weapon relies solely on their own force of will to operate. Especially right now with Geoff Johns at the helm of the GL stories, they are the best story lines that I’ve read in recent years. Even the oath is great, telling just how bright their light shines. Unlike Superman, you can separate GL from his powers and he’ll still be able to kick ass.
Looks like I’m just a mind-numbed robot on this one. Spiderman was the first character I really connected with as a kid. A smart alec geek with just enough power to make it interesting but not so much that you can’t see him taking down a mugger. There’s a great balance in the character that even from a young age I really got into.
My second place is a tie between the Hulk and Captain America. In the Hulk, I enjoyed the duality of the tremendous power and child-like mind. He’s like a giant, walking Id with a touch of the ego keeping him in check. Playing with birds one minute at peace and throwing a main battle tank the next put him in a category that only he could fill. I get always wanting to be left alone and in peace. I think most geeks do.
Cap, on the other hand, was that ideal person. Intelligent, strong, articulate, and an excellent combatant set him by himself in the MU. Not really being a superhuman, by the force of his character and personality he was able to lead a team of heavy hitters into battle. I will never forget the scene in the first Secret Wars series when they were debating leadership. Wolverine (not my choice for this line) shouted something to the effect of, “Why should we follow him? He’s the least of us!” It was Thor who answered that he would follow Cap into the fires of Hell. Debate over.
Spiderman will always be my favorite. His everyman personality and his quippage make him one of my favorite characters.
My second favorite would have to be Cap, as anyone who punched Hitler is awesome in my opinion.
For me, it’s Colossus. I mean, I am a huge Batman fan, along with Captain America, Spider-Man, and the Hulk; but for me, Colossus has always been my favorite. Maybe it’s the accesnt or the cool superpower or his self-sacrificing humility…I’m not sure.
It could just be that he grows taller with his power and that’d be nice. lol
Oh snap! I forgot to mention War Machine. Yeah, he’s pretty BA in my book, too.
Added the Question. I like both of them, actually, but since Gotham Central was my gateway drug to collecting comics again, I’d have to say my favorite is Montoya.
I voted Gambit with an awesome coat, cool attitude and the ability to make anything explode. C’mon
The Goon.
Most under-appreciated bad ass ever. Read vol 6 Chinatown if you’re ever going through a breakup.
I’m adding Mr. A, the character that Rorscharch was based off of. For those who’ve never read his comic, he’s a sort of counterpart to the Question, but is much more brutal and direct in his methods. So just think of him as the Question if he was bipolar 😉
@McKnight57(18): Great summation of Green Lantern. I voted GL for same.
Supes. Always appealed to me, no matter how I’ve felt, unlike other heroes.
Are web comics allowed? If they are, I’d have to say my favorite would be… darn it all, I still can’t decide between Roy Greenhilt (Order of the Stick), Axe Cop (Axe Cop), Sockarang (Axe Cop), Clovis the Teddy Bear (Imagine This) (though he might actually qualify as a villain), or Blackbelt (8-Bit Theater). First, we have a fighter who isn’t dumb at all but rather an intelligent, wise, and pragmatic character, then we have two over-the-top characters that are really beyond explanation (in a rather awesome way, I might add), an angry, sadistic teddy bear who still manages to do good on occasion, and a guy who is so stupid and ignorant of the laws of physics and common sense that they no longer apply to him.
If web comics aren’t allowed, then I still can’t decide. We have the Hulk, who, like myself, becomes an invulnerable instrument of destruction when enraged; we have Batman, who, like myself, probably has Asperger’s Syndrome (which, I admit, is debatable due to his Bruce Wayne identity); we have Captain America, who, totally unlike myself, is an extremely capable leader and inspirational figure; the list just goes on and on…
I think I should stop rambling now.
I know this will sound strange to all who listen to my rants about how awesome Batman is in other polls, but my favourite character is, in fact, the Stephanie Brown Batgirl! Being a teenaged girl myself, I find her very relatable and realistic. And the wit! It is literally the only comic I read that makes me laugh no matter how many times I read the issue. Don’t get me wrong, Batman is still one of the most fantastic people in existance, but sometimes he is just too cold and has too little humor.
I voted Thor! I love Norse mythology and besides that Thor is an awesome character.
The Savage Dragon is a fantastic comic-book but he’s not just not that standout of a character.
And ever since I read the Blood Line Saga, I have been a fan of Orion, son of Darkseid.
Voted Captain America
2 Thor
3 Wolverine
4 Superman
5 Shazaam
I have to admit, though I don’t dislike them, I’ve never been a hugh spider-man or batman fan.
I love Spider-man for his self depricating humour, but inside takes the super hero role seriosly. I think this is what makes him better than batman who is serious all the time and can be kida dark and depressing.
Under threat of torture and/or death, I must officially announce that my favorite hero is none other than Doctor Doom.
*Looks around suspiciously, checking if Doom is paying attention* Actually…my favorite superhero is Superman. Some of my fondest memories revolve around watching the Christopher Reeve Superman movies with my father. Won’t lie, but I love the whole “Superman as Jesus” characterization those movies built upon.
Anyway, I’ve said too much. After the Reed Richards debacle from the last poll…well, Doom is keeping my balls in an Infinity Gem encrusted goblet. SIGH
🙂
@ Legatus (31): Pah! Thor is a pansy boy with daddy issues. Savage Dragon has the attitude and an awesome finhawk.
Added Dare Devil. I have had a crush on Matt since I saw the movie. Come on, admit it, there is something special in a guy who is disabled, can make jokes about his own blidness and still kick the villain’s ass any day.
Well, technically the Phantom isn’t a comic book hero. He’s a comic strip hero. But I picked him anyways as he’s been my favorite hero since I was a kid. For one, he was the first to wear the skintight costume and to have no visible eyes under his mask. Second, he’s got a pair of vintage Colt M1911 sidearms. Third, he’s got the whole “Ghost Who Walks” reputation. And third, he’s got seriously awesome rings for punching bad guys in the face. SLAM EVIL!
Er, the rings are fourth. Long day.
Dark Claw the perfect combination of Batman and Wolverine.
I had to vote Gambit when i saw him added, purely because to me personally he’s the most awesome Super Hero i’ve come across. There are others who in my opinion have a better look (Nightwing, Iron Man) a better personality (Nightcrawler, Spider Man) or Better powers (Dr Strange, Kevin Levin from Ben 10) but i find Gambit to be the complete package, a great balance between personality, power and look. It’s nice to see as well that Gambit relies often on his other abilities, like his skill as a thief and acrobat, or hand to hand fighter. As an interesting person Gambit is a mysterious individual, with (as is often the case) a difficult past. But it’s this intrigue that has fueled many storylines in the past. His look too is good, simple and functional but little touches make the outfit stand out, not least his distinctive eyes. Finally his powers: i’ll just say, who wouldn’t wanna make things go boom?
All of the above is merely my personal opinion, so feel free to disagree 🙂
Not to nit-pick or anything, but there should be a clear differentiation between superHERO and superVILLIAN (Venom, Joker and Juggernaut just to name a few that stood out). Though I thoroughly enjoy the exploits of all three, they are not heroes. Also, there are at least 3 “added by guest” options that appear twice…let’s try to read a little more carefully next time.
i dare not answer this question because there is no right answer that is just one