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thehefnerSo someone took a vote and did a list of the 52 (har) Greatest DC Comics characters ever.
It's an excellent list, and I'm happy to see two of my all-time favorites listed prominently there. Some of the descriptions are quite excellent. My favorites include:
38. JOHN CONSTANTINE
Created by Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben (Saga Of The Swamp Thing #37, June 1985)
Constantine was modeled on Sting, and although he appeared after the Police had broken up, I like to think of him as the slightly wild-eyed, spiky-haired frontman of the “Synchronicity” tour. Constantine tended to be more sedate than that, of course. Still, picture Sting chain-smoking his way through a Denis Leary impression while fighting demons. Does that sound like Keanu Reeves? No it does not.
32. JAMES W. GORDON
Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger (Detective Comics #27, May 1939)
More than the Lestrade to Batman’s Holmes, or a mere public servant flipping on the Bat-Signal, Jim Gordon is integral to the Batman mythology. Straddling the line between upholding the law and condoning vigilantism also elevates him above a mere cheerleader for the folks in the masks. A few years ago it looked like he had retired for good, but returning him to his old role has helped restore the Bat-books' equilibrium.
23. DARKSEID
Created by Jack Kirby (Jimmy Olsen #134, November 1970)
The truly scary core of Darkseid can be seen in his perpetual quest for the Anti-Life Equation. He doesn't just want to rule all of creation, he wants creation to forget that there was any other alternative.
21. TWO-FACE, Harvey Kent/Harvey Dent
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane (Detective Comics #66, August 1942)
The villain who keeps himself company, Two-Face's appeal is (fittingly) twofold: his deceptively-simple high concept, and the pathos springing from his former friendship with Batman. Still, it's harder than it looks to do a good Two-Face story.
14. GREEN LANTERN/PARALLAX/THE SPECTRE, Harold Martin “Hal” Jordan
Created by John Broome and Gil Kane (Showcase #22, October 1959)
Most people take their image of Hal Jordan from his test-pilot background, but I think it’s fascinating that Gil Kane apparently based his look on the young Paul Newman. That kind of flinty, cocksure swagger can be strangely endearing, even as it tends to seem frozen in time. It’s perhaps appropriate, then, that Hal got such a rude awakening in the 1970s, after the passing of the Jet Age into which he was born; and that once again he's struggling to find his proper place in the world.
Damn, so THAT'S why some people have had so much trouble "getting" Hal! The guy needs to be frickin' Paul Newman of space! Other acceptable takes on Hal include Dennis Quaid, Bruce Campbell, and Ben Browder.
Excellent list. Only thing I disagree with? Superman should be number 1, not Batman. The description of Superman says it all quite eloquently:
2. SUPERMAN, Kal-L/Kal-El/Clark Kent
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Action Comics #1, June 1938)
"You'll believe a man can fly," they said, and rightly so. Superman is about the almost Quixotic belief that the world can be changed through even one person's example -- which, in the face of apathy and cynicism, is probably on par with three-steps-and-jump! flying. It's easy to dismiss Superman as Quixote, out of touch and upstaged by more believable superheroes. The never-ending battle sometimes looks like the impossible dream, as well. Therein lies the thrill of realizing what's in the sky is not a bird, not a plane: it's *him*, unstoppable, invincible, out there for *you*. Does this make Superman Jesus, or even God? No. He's not the avatar of a movement, just a guy doing the best he can with the gifts he was given. He's the power lurking behind all our metaphorical glasses. Believe.
It's an excellent list, and I'm happy to see two of my all-time favorites listed prominently there. Some of the descriptions are quite excellent. My favorites include:
38. JOHN CONSTANTINE
Created by Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben (Saga Of The Swamp Thing #37, June 1985)
Constantine was modeled on Sting, and although he appeared after the Police had broken up, I like to think of him as the slightly wild-eyed, spiky-haired frontman of the “Synchronicity” tour. Constantine tended to be more sedate than that, of course. Still, picture Sting chain-smoking his way through a Denis Leary impression while fighting demons. Does that sound like Keanu Reeves? No it does not.
32. JAMES W. GORDON
Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger (Detective Comics #27, May 1939)
More than the Lestrade to Batman’s Holmes, or a mere public servant flipping on the Bat-Signal, Jim Gordon is integral to the Batman mythology. Straddling the line between upholding the law and condoning vigilantism also elevates him above a mere cheerleader for the folks in the masks. A few years ago it looked like he had retired for good, but returning him to his old role has helped restore the Bat-books' equilibrium.
23. DARKSEID
Created by Jack Kirby (Jimmy Olsen #134, November 1970)
The truly scary core of Darkseid can be seen in his perpetual quest for the Anti-Life Equation. He doesn't just want to rule all of creation, he wants creation to forget that there was any other alternative.
21. TWO-FACE, Harvey Kent/Harvey Dent
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane (Detective Comics #66, August 1942)
The villain who keeps himself company, Two-Face's appeal is (fittingly) twofold: his deceptively-simple high concept, and the pathos springing from his former friendship with Batman. Still, it's harder than it looks to do a good Two-Face story.
14. GREEN LANTERN/PARALLAX/THE SPECTRE, Harold Martin “Hal” Jordan
Created by John Broome and Gil Kane (Showcase #22, October 1959)
Most people take their image of Hal Jordan from his test-pilot background, but I think it’s fascinating that Gil Kane apparently based his look on the young Paul Newman. That kind of flinty, cocksure swagger can be strangely endearing, even as it tends to seem frozen in time. It’s perhaps appropriate, then, that Hal got such a rude awakening in the 1970s, after the passing of the Jet Age into which he was born; and that once again he's struggling to find his proper place in the world.
Damn, so THAT'S why some people have had so much trouble "getting" Hal! The guy needs to be frickin' Paul Newman of space! Other acceptable takes on Hal include Dennis Quaid, Bruce Campbell, and Ben Browder.
Excellent list. Only thing I disagree with? Superman should be number 1, not Batman. The description of Superman says it all quite eloquently:
2. SUPERMAN, Kal-L/Kal-El/Clark Kent
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Action Comics #1, June 1938)
"You'll believe a man can fly," they said, and rightly so. Superman is about the almost Quixotic belief that the world can be changed through even one person's example -- which, in the face of apathy and cynicism, is probably on par with three-steps-and-jump! flying. It's easy to dismiss Superman as Quixote, out of touch and upstaged by more believable superheroes. The never-ending battle sometimes looks like the impossible dream, as well. Therein lies the thrill of realizing what's in the sky is not a bird, not a plane: it's *him*, unstoppable, invincible, out there for *you*. Does this make Superman Jesus, or even God? No. He's not the avatar of a movement, just a guy doing the best he can with the gifts he was given. He's the power lurking behind all our metaphorical glasses. Believe.
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Number 14? Number 14?!?!
Date: 2006-05-30 06:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-05-30 11:46 am (UTC)The guy who's REALLY constantly pushing his own envelope doesn't have heat vision, super hearing, or a debatable number of cousins (one of whom can never drown.)
And yeah, Hal should have been WAY up the list. So should Wally/Barry/Jay; I don't know what this recent push for Wonder Woman is all about, but I'm getting a little tired of it. You didn't hear people pissing on about how she was "the heart of the League" when that League faced Scarabus or The Beefeater, did you? No you did not.
Black Canary beats Catwoman, even by one spot?
Oh, man. I could go on forever, but I have to get on with my day.
no subject
Date: 2006-05-30 02:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-05-30 03:16 pm (UTC)Superman ISN'T supposed to be the guy pushing his own envelope. He's the potential in all of us; not just the potential, but also the potential to do good with our "powers", rather than be corrupted by it.
The guy who's REALLY pushing his own envelope doesn't have super agility, Holmsian intellect, metal claws, spider-sense, etc. It's metaphor and myth. They're mirrors of humanity.
Look, that's how I see it anyway. It's the reason I personally love comics and DC especially. They're less down to earth and yet somehow all the stronger for their mythological and symbolic value. Imbue humanity into that combination, and you have a brilliant character. And in many ways, there are few superheroes more human and humane than Superman.
Yeah, any list like this, there are bound to be qualms. Space Cabby made it pretty damn far. And of course, I think Hal needs to be higher up, but then, after the guy on scans_daily threatened anybody who dared to vote for Hal, I'm frankly happy he was there at all. There's too much pointless hatred for Hal out there (as there is for Superman).
Re: Number 14? Number 14?!?!
Date: 2006-05-30 03:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-05-30 03:19 pm (UTC)Beware my power...>8)X
Date: 2006-05-30 05:15 pm (UTC)Somebody threatened Hal fans? I may be in self-imposed exile, but I'll cut a punk for that. It seems really idiotic, too, especially after Geoff Johns pulled Ron Marz' bacon from the fire once and for all (it's a parasite? Ohoho Mr. Johns, you are a most formidable handyman INDEEEED!) I'll wear the power ring when I whup that ass, kid! And I will recite the oath when I pack your remains for shipment to four different post offices, too!
In the introduction to one of the Batman anniversaries, maybe Batman 400, Stephen King wrote that there are really only two kinds of people: Batman people and Superman people. I concur.
I respect Superman people (some of my best friends are Superman people, and I mean that!), and view them as utterly necessary to the cosmic balance (so to speak.) I love the feeling of flight when he's done properly, and I am really enjoying the current story (when it gets collected, I plan on buying it), but...I'm just one of those Batman people. Everybody has a right to like what they like, but hopefully we'll find some stuff in common. Given that I am a comic book omnivore, that seems likely.
That said, I have no sympathy for bitches who would threaten Hal fans. I may disagree with people's choices, but that is uncool.
Props to my homies in the Great Green Yonder,
Guthrie
no subject
Date: 2006-05-30 05:22 pm (UTC)G'Nort. Ah, the ever-reliable Mr. Gneesmacher. I think the people who responded to this poll were as unaware of his pivotal role in the later Giffen JLA issues as they were over-exposed to Plastic Man's work in Morrison's JLA.
I don't think Barry deserves to beat Wally, any more than Bart belongs there at all.
Re: Beware my power...>8)X
Date: 2006-05-30 06:02 pm (UTC)As for Superman people and Batman people... I'm not sure how much I agree with that. I mean, ok, if I HAD to choose, I'd choose Superman. But, uh... can't I love both? Can't I love them both as night and day, for that's what they are? They're complimentary, even... what's the word? Symbiotic? No, that's not it. It's not like choosing between DC and Marvel, that's more of a personal preference thing. I just don't... can't... see it that way.
It just bothers me, understand, that the vast MAJORITY of people dislike Superman, and as I see it, for all the wrong reasons. Many of these people have, I suspect, never read one of the truly fine Superman comics, basing their prejudices on the idea of the character rather than the character himself. That goes for all the "whitebread boy scout" characters- Supes, Cap, Hal, Scott Summers, etc. It just really bugs me.
But yeah, seriously. He threatened to, I believe, "cut youuuuu!" if anyone dared to vote for Hal. This was followed up with a "word," I believe from another notorious Hal hater.
Re: Beware my power...>8)X
Date: 2006-05-30 06:51 pm (UTC)In reference to your Boingo/Lantern icons, I think you should make a Hal As Parallax one with "You're out of control" or a Hal-Spectre separation one with "...he's gonna have to fight me first." OOO! Or a picture of John Stewart at the drafting table with "This is my private life" or...ok, I'll stop now.
(Yeah, I got a half-gig of That Ol' Mystic Knight Goodness on the hard drive. I told you I was hip.)
I like Superman for the very reason you describe...he's the contrast. I also like Cap and Cyke (although I prefer Avengers-era Hank McCoy, as drawn by George Perez, above all other X-Men.)
I can get into genuinely good guys AND Warren Ellis' characters. I just love stories, whether it's comics, movies, books, or the odd tapestry.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-03 10:21 pm (UTC)This is clearly an evil retconning of the character.
Or perhaps the real Blue Beetle, Theodore, is safely alive while this imposter Edward has been killed by Max Lord.
I have to say, I missed Death, Yorick, Cain and Abel, Max Lord, The Riddler, and Amanda Waller on the list. But I am glad that John Constantine, Ted and Booster, Zatanna, Peege,
and Ollie made the list. I guess you can't have everything.