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Who is the greatest comic book hero of all time . . .

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 8:51 am
by HighLordDave
and why?

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 10:25 am
by fable
Krazy Kat. :D A hero or heroine (no one was ever able to figure out which, since the gender reflexive pronoun kept changing) who transforms acts of violence into statements of love, never loses faith in his/her dreams, never pays attention to worldly concerns or values: what's not to love? (Especially when you throw in bizarre landscapes, a host of other weird characters, and fantastical language that mixes a bit of everything from gutter slang to Victorian purple prose. Gods, what a comic strip that was. :D )

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:20 am
by Gwalchmai
Superman. 1938 saw the beginning of a revoultion in comics with the introduction of the super powered visitor from another planet. All other heros have just been variations on his theme. ;)

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:57 pm
by Galuf the Dwarf
I honestly had to go with "Other". Though my favorite (which I've read about him, since there are similar incarnations of him in this comic AND in a modestly well-known cartoon from the 80s) is actually a robot, he's often been modeled as quite the hero. He went as far as dying more than once and being brought back to life that many times! He stood for his cause no matter how much he would end up in despair from circumstances. Honestly, in a comic, I cannot think of a better hero - as a character, roll model, etc. - as Optimus Prime of the The Transformers. In Marvel comics, he was often pressed to the limit of his abilities, and shined through no matter what. Sure, he wasn't human, but do all superheroes have to me.

Besides, I don't mind big red and blue robots that turn into big red Mack trucks, anyway. :D

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 7:45 pm
by Tamerlane
I was going to go with Superman but then I saw The Tick, I love my heroes to have a sense of humour ;)

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 4:20 am
by Minerva
Atom (Astroboy) by Osamu Tezuka, or Captain Harlock by Leiji Matsumoto. :D They are above the just comic book heroes. :p You can't beat the coolness of Harlock, and for Atom, well the final scene of his "life" leaves everyone in tears...

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 10:32 pm
by Aegis
Well, I chose Batman, but know that I think about it, I'd choose none other then the Hemp Knight, Bluntman. :D

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:43 am
by Maharlika
Superman.

...I guess for most people, he is widely known as the one who started it all... (not sure though, if he indeed is the one who actually started it)

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:44 am
by Kevka
Best character in a comic.

........*thinks*........

Necron!

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:09 am
by garazdawi
Re: Superman.
Originally posted by Maharlika
...I guess for most people, he is widely known as the one who started it all... (not sure though, if he indeed is the one who actually started it)
started what? comic book heroes? I'm sure that there where someone before him (pre egypt I think had comic books and most probably heroes as well), but in modern time he might have been the first...not sure at all...

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:46 am
by Kevka
Human culture has always relied on role models.

Most of the egyption hylogrifics are about all the different gods. I've never seen one about "Bob the swordsman" or whatever the egyption equivelent.

In japan they have had comic books for years. I think they were the first to have real "heros" in comic form.

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:26 pm
by Aegis
The eariliest Manga/Comic book hero was indeed created in Japan, in the guise of Astro Boy (under another name at the time, I beleive). I'll find the source of that.

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:05 pm
by /-\lastor
Johnny or 'Nny as he likes to call himself. Randomly kills and tortures people and selfhating like hell. My hero! :D

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 12:51 am
by Valahan
Batman!

Why Batman, say you!?

Pah! Ridiculous you would think otherwise!

Well, the main reason I think Batman is the greatest superhero of all time is because he's human. Pure human! Not some mutant freak or alien from another planet/dimension/whatever.

He's just a guy with alot of money(and gadgets!), who does his best to help save people/kick some bad guy BUTT! He's vulnerable, REALLY vulnerable IMO, more so than other heroes. Batman isn't batman without his gadgets/suit, but Spider man doesn't REALLY need a costume to use his 'spider' powers. Same goes for all the other freaks. :D

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 1:44 am
by Aegis
Re: Batman!
Originally posted by Valahan
Why Batman, say you!?

Pah! Ridiculous you would think otherwise!

Well, the main reason I think Batman is the greatest superhero of all time is because he's human. Pure human! Not some mutant freak or alien from another planet/dimension/whatever.

He's just a guy with alot of money(and gadgets!), who does his best to help save people/kick some bad guy BUTT! He's vulnerable, REALLY vulnerable IMO, more so than other heroes. Batman isn't batman without his gadgets/suit, but Spider man doesn't REALLY need a costume to use his 'spider' powers. Same goes for all the other freaks. :D
Just to add to this. he's peak physical condition. There is no human out there that is in better shape then Batman. That, and he drives a really cool car...

Now, if only we knew why he slides down pulls and hangs around with a teenage boy all day :eek:

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 2:30 am
by fable
Originally posted by Kevka
Human culture has always relied on role models.

Most of the egyption hylogrifics are about all the different gods. I've never seen one about "Bob the swordsman" or whatever the egyption equivelent.


Actually, there are novels written by Ancient Egyptians about ordinary human beings who find themselves in extraordinary situations. One of those which has survived is in fact considered among the finest novels of all time. And it really is damn good, too--book by a fellow named (in Latin) Apuleius.

Not that this contradicts your point. I'm just blathering. Carry on. :)

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 10:12 am
by RandomThug
..........

This is a very deep question. First off what is "Greatness" in the sense of a comic book hero? Popularity? Strength? Pulp following?

To be honest I am ashamed three others voted the way of your friendly neighborhood spiderman and didnt comment.

Spider man is definitly the greatest "comic hero".

Superman is great trust me... If you want a great Superman read go out right now and grab Superman - Red Son. It's an elseworld tale that takes up the idea that a little alien spaceship did not land in little farm town USA but little farm town USSR.

Batman, much more than the simple superman, is extremly full of depth as well. Yet falls from the same problem Superman does... black/white. It's easy to write off stories about these guys... because thier so blank and...

Ok its early and I've lost my point i believe... anyhow..


Spiderman is the perfect (Jesus, Christian?? Im not religious and forgot the quote im robbing) character, always paying for his first original sin. Not overly bearing of might in any form, emotional or physical. Simply the under dog put into a postion of responsibility. Forget the movies... Im talking about spider man of yore, a guy in a suit trying to gain forgiveness.


And if you want real goodness, grab the daredevil dvd not for the movie but the second disk and watch the hour and a half special on the comic dare devil (With commentary from all of the comics writers from mr. marvel himself to kevin smith).


Also I will take into consideration this...


SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 1:52 pm
by Luis Antonio
A Duck: uncle Scrooge Mc Duck!

Hehehehehe, he rocks!

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 5:12 pm
by fable
Originally posted by Luis Antonio
A Duck: uncle Scrooge Mc Duck!

Hehehehehe, he rocks!


And I thought I got strange after imbibing caffeine... :rolleyes: :D ;)

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 4:09 am
by Luis Antonio
Originally posted by fable
And I thought I got strange after imbibing caffeine... :rolleyes: :D ;)


Guess I shall cut coffe... or stop studying economics! lol