This is a list which could cover many numbers. Comic book characters have enchanted us and thrilled us through our childhood. They have endured generations, and while we have grown older and our children have begun to read these comic strips, the cast of the comics have remained the same age and have continued their antics and escapades through decades.
Here, in no particular order, are some of the comic book characters who have been a part of the children’s lives for many years:
1. Asterix:
Asterix and his merry Gauls have been fighting the Roman invasion with the help of their magic potion and all the guile of their fellow villagers. The names are lyrical, the stories are delightful and the characters are whimsical. Obelix, a druid named Getafix, and dog named Dogmatix – what more do you need to sit back and relax and smile.
2. Mickey Mouse:
This tiny mouse has become the worldwide symbol of Walt Disney. Formulated in 1928, today he has spawned countless films and comic books and comic strips. The enchantment lies in his realistic stories and his ability to live happily in a world full of human beings.
3. Tarzan:
He may not be so popular now but for many decades he ruled the jungles of Africa and the hearts of comic book readers. Riding on elephants, swinging through the trees and have lions and monkeys as best friends, which child can resist a story like this one.
4. Phantom:
Another hero from Africa, Phantom was the precursor of masked heroes like Superman and Batman. He also lives in Africa, and has a wolf as his constant companion. But in many of his episodes he has visited the urban areas to deal with problems which have cropped up there.
5. Superman:
While we are talking about masked superheroes how can we forget the best of them all – Superman. Clark Kent – aka Superman has been the hero of successful films and comic strips. Superhuman’s strength and the ability to fly through cities marked him as a force to be reckoned with.
The basic plot of these comic books created by John Cassaday and Joss Whedon revolves around such mutants who have supernatural powers because their genetics have undergone severe mutation. Even though their powers are considered to be impressive and they are thought to be part of the new phase of human development, their existence is laced with fear as well. The main characters are Cyclops, Beast, Emma Frost, Wolverine and Shadowcat.
The main characters that dominate the plot of the JLA are Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman. Even though the roster has been changed over the years and new titles have been added, the main focus of the team has always on battling villains that threaten to destroy the Earth and the universe.
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this comic book features such superheroes that are considered to be the mightiest and the strongest on the planet. They fight against such enemies that are larger than life and a strong emphasis is placed on the conspiracy ideas that form the crux of their plans.
Created by Bob Kane, this comic book’s main villains are the Joker, the Penguin, Two Face and The Riddler. Batman’s main strength is his intellect which he combines with his supercomputer to defeat the Joker and solve tricky riddles created by The Riddler. In addition to that, he is also trained in a number of martial arts.
This well-known comic book has been created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Peter Parker is Spider-Man whose superhuman strength and spider-like abilities help him to fight crime and destroy villains like the Green Goblin and Venom. He has combined his agility and extraordinary reflexes with technology and scientific logic.
Watchmen has been created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons takes care of the art. When this comic novel was first released, it gained instant popularity due to the new style of humor that laced the dialogues. The characters are compelling and the creators make sure that every detail of the plot is clearly explained.
Maus is created by Art Spiegelman and is the only comic novel to have won a Pultizer Prize Special Award. A number of courses around the world including those that focus on History and Literature include Maus in the compulsory reading lists.
This comic novel is considered to be at par with Watchmen as it changed all the ideas that surrounded Batman. The character became edgier and the climax of the plot was always nail-biting. It is definitely a must-read.
The plot of this comic novel revolves around a simple query- what if the individual, known as the Sandman, had greater capabilities that surpassed his abilities to help humans sleep by sprinkling sand into their eyes? This comic novel satisfies an intelligent mind, will tickle your funny bone and will keep you gripped till you turn the last page.
Preacher is written by Garth Ennis and the art has been created by Steve Dillon. This comic novel is considered to be quite controversial as it looks into elements that focus on religious aspects. The protagonist of the book is called “Arseface” who is considered to be the most unfortunate looking and pathetic character in comic novel history.
