Random Thoughts

Monday, February 06, 2006

A List characters.... B Listers... where do they fit?


The ICONS are characters that ANY non-comic book fans (like your grandmother) have no problem recognizing.
Examples (and there are only four): Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Spiderman.

There are some up and coming icons... Wolverine, Hulk, and Robin the Boy Wonder.


A Characters
These are characters non-comic book fans would recognize but might have some trouble identifying. They can sustain a solo series.

Examples: Fantastic Four, Captain America, Catwoman, Daredevil, Lex Luthor, the Joker, Green Goblin, Supergirl.


B Characters
These are characters that roughly 90% of people buying comics would recognize. They might or might not be able to sustain a solo series.

Examples: Maritan Manhunter, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Flash, Punisher, Thor, Batgirl, Nightwing, Dr. Doom, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Captain Marvel (Shazam) and Iron Man


C Characters
These are characters that might be hard for the casual comic book fan to identify or are currently very popular. Some might be able to sustain a solo series (most have had one or even several).

Examples: Black Canary, the Atom, Elektra, Spider-Girl, Jean Grey, Spectre, Deadpool, Nick Fury, Sgt Rock, Namor, Venom, Emma Frost, Hawkeye, Cyclops, Ms Marvel, Storm, She-Hulk, Silver Surfer, Superboy, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Spider Woman, Moon Knight, Cable, Black Panther, Steel, Sub-Mariner.


D Characters
Decent characters that are primarily used as "extra's" in books (especially team books) and who cannot sustain a solo series.

Examples: Blue Beetle, Susnspot, Artemis, Deadman, Booster Gold, Warpath, Kitty Pride, Nightcrawler, Wasp, Hank Pym, Shanna, Wildcat, Hercules, Hourman, Quicksilver, Psylocke, Beast, Kid Flash, Diamondback, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Firestorm, Vision, Union Jack, Captain Britain, Plastic Man, Elongated Man.


E Characters
These are the bottom of the barrel. Used as cannon fodder when companies want to show death still means something in comics.

Examples: Kole, the Spot, D-Man, Black Lightning, Sersi, Gilgamesh and pretty much everyone else not named.


I've tried to only list heroes unless the villain warrants special attention like The Joker or Lex Luthor.

Agree? Disagree?

posted by He Said... She Said at 9:03 PM

3 Comments:

  • Sorry but Storm is easily an A list character not a C list one.

    By Blogger Effect, at 11:58 AM  

  • "But I have got to ask, how are Green Goblin and Dr. Doom not on the same level? Is it because Spider-man being an icon bumps up his rival?"

    Pretty much. The exposure given the Goblin over the last 40 years has kept him in the spotlight while the FF and their villains were primarily known to hard core comic fans and perhaps some casual ones... but not the general populace that would have some knowledge of the Green Goblin.

    That's my take anyway.

    By Blogger He Said... She Said, at 5:13 PM  

  • "Sorry but Storm is easily an A list character not a C list one."

    Why? Justify it. I did.

    Storm can't sustain a solo series, is not recognizable to the average person and is only known through her association with the X-Men.

    And I said the Fantastic Four... as a team NOT individually. Sue would be a C list as well.

    By Blogger He Said... She Said, at 5:15 PM  

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