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.
A REAL list (as opposed to this phony one)would have had as top five (descending): Batman, Superman, Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood, and King Arthur.
No, I’m not English but hey, facts are facts.
Biggest mistakes:
1. Buffy. Top 100 why not, but top 10, come on…
2. Rocky and the Man with No Name are missing from the ENTIRE list. Solid top 20 characters.
3. Terminator, predator and alien should all qualify to top 50 with flying colors. So should Hannibal Lecter.
4. The people commenting here about the characters of Lost, Kelso or Dr House: go ask Dirty Harry what he thinks about your opinions.
5. God should’ve been no 1, but I understand the neutrality here. Batman is top 5 (definitely the highest ranking comic hero), but not the alpha dog.
Clearly Goku from DBZ should be number 1, he is stronger than anyone ever and according to 118 118 he would own both Superman and Chuck Norris in a fight without being SSJ
Batman, for real??? He’s the #1 fictional character of all time?? That was utterly disappointing.
and wait, Homer Simpson beat Frodo Baggins???? Who the **** made this list???
Spider-Man should have been #1. He is more popular than Superman and Batman
Where is Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase
Hannah: I think you mean, “Where ARE Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase?” The answer to that, as well as to all the other “where are” questions, is that they’re not on this list because of YOU. It clearly says readers voted on this thing for a long time, so you had plenty of chances to support your peeps. Anybody bitching about hating the list because it doesn’t have their favorite character should remember YOU are the ones who let them down by not voting for them.
I remember voting on this thing like 2 years ago. You don’t see me complaining because some of my folks didn’t make the final list, because my folks DID make it, probably partly because I got off my ass and voted for them.
I was hoping to see Roland from the Dark Tower on this list. Oh well. Thanks for sharing.
Where are the ladys!? There are like 5 out of 100 disappointing!! Mostly where is super woman
I actually expected to see Captain Jack Sparrow on the list – was quite surprised he didn’t make it somewhere.
Where in the hell is Santa Claus on this list?!?!
Wow I thought that at least one Miyazaki character might be on here, but whatever
I knew Batman was going to be #1, but part of me was hoping Tyler Durden would be somewhere in the top 10. Son, I am disappoint.
I find Batman to be a very interesting character, but I think he should be below The Joker who is an extremely complex character in that maybe he isn’t insane, maybe he is a little TOO sane and he creates his character on how he sees human nature. I think the Joker should’ve at least made #2… Now, where is Dumbledore?? Dumbledore is a brilliant character! Also, I would’ve liked to see Hannibal Lecter and Bill or Beatrix Kiddo (from Kill Bill).
Sheldon Cooper? WHERE?
batman #1. spiderman #2. superman dead in a ditch
batman is [word edited out because commenter is homophobic]! he has no awesome backstory or any superpowers! superman shouldve been #1
What the f**k?i agree wid batman.bt where is the greatest villian in the history of comic books,wheres joker?nd gandalf @33.wtf?nd the most shocking tng harry potter at 8.wtf?he deserves to be below severus snape.snape is the best hp character.nd wat bout legolas,sheldon cooper,dante?yea,where the f. . Ck is dante?he is the most badass character ever.
what about the zelda characters? link? zelda? ganon?