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.
Batman……AWESOME!!
Just glad they didn’t have anyone from Twilight on here.
Unfortunately they ended up putting Harry Potter WAY to high on the list
Thank you!
Surprised Buffy made it so far, but in the end Batman was #1. This is all that matters.
It had to be batman, realistically, I’m happy its Batman. But what happened to Naruto? Luffy? L (from Death Note) people!? Mufasa even.. lol
Why is there no one from Game of Thrones here?
And just to make myself clear, I am aware that Game of Thrones was not a television show at this point, but The Song of Ice and Fire was.
@Nicholas Ryan: The Song of Ice and Fire was still around*
I find it offensive that Goku isn’t here. Dragon Ball Z was my childhood, and probably to millions of others out there too..
@JSlick: me too buddy
was anyone else waiting for jesus
>no sonic or Link, yeah, the list sucks…
It saddens me that classical characters barely show up in this list….when compared with Shakespeare’s creations the average superhero (superman, wolverine, batman, Buffy (what is she even doing here) looks like a hollow vessel. Their characters are mainly kept shallow with a few solid lines but nothing extraordinary. The rest is them doing good things and a lot of hype.
i was expecting Goku or Naruto on the top 10 but they’re not even on the list.
Spongebob? I’m pretty sure he ought to be on here. Probably not twenty but I’d put it in the top 50.
Just thought I’d throw it out there that there’s literally only one black person on this list. Since this was created through the fan base, it lends credence to the fact that there isn’t enough representation in media…all our heroes are white.
@Chris: Wow — I’m taken aback by this fact, as well as our failure to notice that and the fact that no one else has mentioned it since this list went up over five years ago. I agree completely that it’s an illuminating (and depressing) reflection of the media and our culture at large.
very happy with no.1
but u cud hav atleast tom or jerry or scooby mentioned in the list
where the fook is edward elric?!
What about Jesus?
I understood batman being 1st but hannibal lector is freaking amazing how is he not in the top 5
Really? Fucking Barney from how I met your mother is on here, but you couldn’t spare a spot for Goku!? You know, Goku, the main protagonist from one of the most influential animes in history. Plus people voted for all sorts of mythical creatures, but not Jesus, talk about bias. He’s EXACTLY like King Arthur in the regard that you can’t prove he actually existed. Wouldn’t wanna offend anyone though huh guys? Plus, I agree with the others, sonic should definitely be on here as well as captain America and link!
Not a bad list. Everyone is going to get emotional about one of their favourite characters not being on the list, myself included. They covered a lot of good characters who deserve to be there but there are a few of my personal favs I would have liked to see: Dean Winchester, Hannibal Lecter, Ezio Auditore, Black Canary and even Jigsaw/John Kramer.
Why is there no The Hunger Games Characters?! WHY!?