We collected input from hundreds of visitors to the site, convention attendees, and industry professionals to compile the list of the 100 Greatest Fictional Characters of All Time. You can see the beginning of the project here, where you’ll also find an index of all the results to date.
After counting down the previous 99 characters, today we bring you the character who topped the voting list and earned the #1 spot!
1. Batman
Appears In: DC Comics
Created By: Bob Kane and Bill Finger
Influence:
It’s no huge surprise to us that the Caped Crusader is the top character on our list of the Greatest Fictional Characters of All Time, as voted by our readers. From his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 in 1939 through his current movie dynasty, cartoon series, and comic books, Batman has been an enduring hero for the ages. His origin and storylines have influenced future comic heroes toward darker tales, and his rogue’s gallery has redefined the importance of entertaining and engaging villains. Batman’s cultural impact is evident and unquestionable.
Fandom:
Batman is a superhero without superpowers. In the face of tragedy and adversity, he has trained himself to be the most brilliant and capable man he can be, and he uses gadgets and tools to appear otherworldly to his enemies. He also operates with a strict code of conduct and ethics, setting him apart from the villains he pursues. It is Batman’s reliance on his own human abilities, coupled with his unbending morality, that makes him a unique and favorite character for legions of fans.
Voter Comments:
“Batman is almost self-explanatory as a choice for number one. He is vengeance, he is the night, but he is also the very best and worst of humanity distilled. Who else is a coldblooded badass and a sensitive loner? Who else is as unforgiving and merciful? Everyday life is our Gotham, and Batman is that innate sense of justice that we all feel deep down when someone picks on the little guy.” – Perry Frost
“He’s simply the best any normal human can be.” – ADP
Previous character: #2
Thank you for following our countdown all the way from 100 to 1! On Monday we’ll look back at some of the characters who didn’t quite make the list, and we’ll also examine some rankings and selections that surprised us.
What a surprise. I thought God would be #1 for sure.
@Claybraham: God is not a fictional character. He is a real character.
@beyamakulama: No. Fictional
I wish Hercule Poirot made the list!
Where’s Andrew Ryan???
IT’S THE SUPERHERO I CAN’T STAND MOST BLAAAAA
This list isn’t that great BUT I definately agree with the number #1 character Batman!! Hell YEAH!!! but Buffy is ranked higher than Darth Vader now that’s just wrong
It would have been cool if someone from Lost (Dr. Jack Shepard, John Locke, Ben Linus, even Sayid Jarrah) had cracked the list. Very cool to see Batman at the top above Superman.
Wow! No Lost characters at all? John Locke, Desmond Hume, and Benjamin Linus should’ve all been on this list.
Where is santa claus?
john 117
missing someone?
how about rorshack (probably spelled that wrong) from watchmen?
Yes Batman’s number 1 I totally agree with it.
Batman’s number one! Yessss! And Darth Vader deserves to be on the top5. :|
There’s no Paul Atreides, Leto II or Duncan Idaho. So this list means nothing…
Superman should have been 1st place.
But screw Lost, I’m glad none of their piece of junk characters made the list.
Batman deserves to be ontop he rocks everyone, so he deserves it
Why is Dumbledore not on this list?
Also, Aragorn > Frodo.
How bout the man with no name?? Probably the most influential western character of all time
No Special Agent Dale Cooper? For shame!
what about video game people?
I agree with the top two, but the Doctor definitely ranks higher than buffy, and I would venture to say that Buffy shouldn’t even have broken the top 5. Any of the ones on the 10-6 would be better suited then Buffy.