1. Superman
My all time favourite superhero, comic book and fictional character. He became my favourite through a mixture of the Disney Hercules film, the Superman cartoons and the Black Lace song Superman. Being British, Superman isn’t an American icon to me. Instead he represents the best attributes of humanity and the ultimate force for good imaginable. Superman represents us at our absolute best. He’s an ideal of humanity but flawed and relatable enough to be a compelling character, not a distant icon. The irony behind Superman for me is that despite being an alien with godlike powers, he’s as human as the rest of us due to his upbringing from Jonathan and Martha Kent. His selfless attitude, compassionate demeanor and desire to always do the right thing are traits we could learn from and aspire to in real life. Superman’s been used in my upbringing as a source of moral code and remains to me the archetype of the superhero by which all others are measured. I’m almost certain there’ll never be a comic book or fictional character I’ll have more of a preference for than Superman in my lifetime.

2. Batman
Currently the coolest superhero around, I did watch the immensely successful 1990s Batman cartoon but the Batman Beyond cartoon is what got me interested in Batman. Obviously, Bruce Wayne is my favourite now. His obsessive crusade against the endless wave of crime in Gotham City has made him an endearing character and Batman’s gritted determination to carry on his war on crime against all the odds make him an utterly awesome character which makes his stories all the more legendary. Batman is an example that if we set our minds to something, we can do or be anything we choose to be. Not to mention his inherent contradictions deepen the character even more. His logical demeanour is countered by his flair for the theatrical, his vigilante status contrasted by his presence as the protector of Gotham and his ultimate loner figure alongside a family of fellow heroes. And ultimately, despite Batman being a no comprimise fighter against criminals, he holds himself in check with a strong moral code. This then is what makes Batman an utterly engaging character.

3. Spider-Man
Watching the 1996 Spider-Man cartoon and finding Spidey’s wisecracks very amusing plus owning several classic Spider-Man comics, this guy is my 3rd favourite superhero. After all, Peter Parker is the most relatable superhero around. Throughout his 50 year tenure, Peter has faced at least one problem which most readers can relate to in some degree. Throughout his history, there’s probably been at least one problem readers and fans can relate with. And despite all the tragedy in his life, Spider-Man picks himself up and carries on fighting thanks to those immortal wise words: “With Great Power comes Great Responsibility.” Even though he may make mistakes and screw up, Spider-Man is utterly dedicated to doing the right thing again and again. And that’s what makes him an iconic, everyman superhero who is somebody we can all relate to.

4. Thor
His place here is down to JMS’ run on the Thor series. JMS gave me a new look at Thor’s character, namely giving him epic fantasy, engrossing adventures whilst also humanising the God of Thunder. This lead me to read more into the world of Thor. His place in mythology interested me further as I have always had a soft spot for ancient myths and legends. Thor’s nobility, honour and humility make for excellent characteristics and is the juxtoposition and link between the ancient mythologies in human history and the modern day comic book superhero stories. This is what makes Thor an engrossing character for writers and fans alike.

5. Hal Jordan
A more recent addition. Originally my favourite Green Lantern was John Stewart and I knew more about Kyle Rayner than Hal Jordan but since hearing the hype about the Sinestro Corps War, I read Blackest Night and started collecting the Geoff Johns Green Lantern series. This showed me what a brilliant character Hal is. His determination, cockiness and ability to strive for a better life in spite of his past were all brilliant characteristics in my eyes. As such, Hal is now my favourite Green Lantern.

6. Wonder Woman
The Justice League cartoon was where I first saw Diana and further reading into JLA comics gave me more information about the character. Her position as both a powerful and graceful representation of women whilst also being an ambassador for peace and a fearsome warrior gave me new admiration for Wonder Woman. Plus her Greek mythological background is tied into her stories well and I’m a sucker for Greek mythology in particular. Wonder Woman is a smart, strong, independently liberated heroine who is not only an interesting female character but an icon for those who don’t feel perfect to show them that just being a better person is all that matters. Her complexity and her balance of peaceful diplomacy and strategic fighting deepen Wonder Woman as an intriguing character.

7. Hulk
His place is more owing to the classic, temperamental Savage Hulk, Pak’s quintessential run on the character which brought the badass Green Scar version but admittedly, my main reasons for liking Hulk so much come from Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and Avengers: EMH’s interpretation of Hulk. The clash between the monster inside Bruce Banner and the Hulk’s epic fights make him a brilliant character to write about. Despite having the looks of a beast or a monster, the Hulk is a heroic figure through and through at the end of the day. Someone who uses his near limitless strength to protect the puny humans who fear and loathe him from the real monsters in the world and the universe. If that’s not the mark of a hero, I’m not sure what is.

8. Captain America
OK I’m British so the whole American patriot thing isn’t why Cap is here. He is an astonishing individual. His leadership, charisma and dedication to doing the right thing has made Steve Rogers an impressive hero in my book

9. Martian Manhunter
J’onn J’onzz is a character who has often acted as the soul of the Justice League, if not arguably the DC Universe itself. He’s distant and mysterious but possesses an enormous amount of compassion and empathy to his character. J’onn plays up the alien visitor aspect to his character much better than Superman and it’s this contrast that makes his desire to protect his second home all the more appealing to me.

10. Dick Grayson
Dick is the perfect example of a character’s development and progress over the years. He’s gone from being the original Boy Wonder to crafting his own unique identity and status amongst the superhero community and even replaced Batman himself. Dick’s growth over the years has made him a truly endearing character.

11. Thing
Trapped in his monstrous form, Grimm is an unhappy yet reliable member of the team. He trusts in his friend Reed Richards to one day develop a cure for his condition. However, when he encounters blind sculptress Alicia Masters,[16] Grimm develops an unconscious resistance to being transformed back to his human form. Subconsciously fearing that Masters prefers him to remain in the monstrous form of the Thing, Grimm’s body rejects various attempts by Richards to restore his human form, lest he lose Masters’ love. Grimm has remained a stalwart member of the Fantastic Four for years. The Thing first fought the Hulk early in his career,[17] with many such further clashes over the years. Not long after that, he is first reverted to his human form, but is then restored to his Thing form to battle Doctor Doom.

12. Human Torch
Like the rest of the Fantastic Four, the Human Torch gained his powers on a spacecraft bombarded by cosmic rays. He can engulf his entire body in flames, is able to fly, can absorb fire harmlessly into his own body, and can control any nearby fire by sheer force of will. “Flame on!”, which the Torch customarily shouts when activating his full-body flame effect, has become his catchphrase.
The youngest of the group, he is brash and impetuous in comparison to his reticient and compassionate sister, Susan Storm, his sensible brother-in-law, Reed Richards, and the grumbling Ben Grimm.

13. Mr. Fantastic
Richards acts as the leader and father figure of the Fantastic Four, although in recent years he has increasingly been portrayed as being cold and distant towards his teammates due to his scientific, methodical nature. This is particularly true with his best friend, Ben Grimm, who partially blames Richards for his transformation into a large, rocky creature called the Thing. Whenever Richards is confronted with a challenge, his attention can be so focused that he can neglect even his own family. Regardless, he is the loving husband of Susan Storm, father of son Franklin Richards and daughter Valeria Richards, and mentor of his brother-in-law, Johnny Storm.

14. Invisible Woman
An object of infatuation for Doctor Doom and, most notably, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Sue’s passive invisibility power translated into her frequent deployment as a damsel in distress during the team’s early adventures. However, upon developing the ability to project powerful fields of energy, Sue Storm became a more powerful member of the Fantastic Four, and the team’s second-in-command with a growing assertive confidence. While Sue operated somewhat in the shadow of her brother and her husband in the early years, she is now the soul of the Fantastic Four and one of the premiere heroes in the Marvel Universe.

15. Wally West
I struggled between Wally and Barry for some time but eventually due to Michael Rosenbaum’s comedic performence on the character in the Justice League cartoon and the fact I knew him as the Flash before Barry meant Wally gets this spot.

16. Aquaman
While awaiting transport to Miami, Florida, a young man named Arthur Joseph Curry is washed out to sea when a storm ruptures the tank he is in. This Arthur Curry, whose origin closely resembles that of the Golden Age Aquaman as well as that of Neptune Perkins, is the son of oceanobiologist Dr. Phillip Curry. Arthur’s mother, Elaine, died in childbirth and Dr. Curry was forced to use a mutagenic serum on his son when he was born three months premature. Arthur has lived his whole life in the main tank of his father’s research facility at Avalon Cay, his only window to the outside world being television.

17. Green Arrow
Oliver Queen is perhaps the finest archer ever known. He claims to be able to shoot 29 arrows per minute (he stated this himself, in the Sound of Violence story arc, when he corrected Black Canary for saying 26). He has a wide-variety of trick arrows, ranging from bola arrows to time-bomb arrows to his infamous boxing-glove arrow. In recent years he has used these arrows sparingly, preferring the time-tested simple arrow. Green Arrow has shown the ability to shoot an arrow down the barrel of a gun, pierce a drop of water as it leaves a tap, as well as shoot almost any part of the human body: although he aims only to wound and not kill when he shoots. He once shot two arrows down two different gun barrels while upside down, in mid-flip while somersaulting off a building.

18. Kyle Rayner
I was familiar with Kyle before I knew about Hal. Kyle’s role on the JLA along with his significance in resurrecting the Green Lantern Corps interested me a great deal.

19. Superboy

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20. Leonardo

21. Raphael

22. Donatello

23. Michelangelo

24. Silver Surfer

25. Iron Man
His new film spiked my interest for the character as the Tony Stark presented there was intelligent, cocky and extremely funny. And then Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes cemented my interest in Iron Man.

26. Barry Allen

27. Tim Drake
Tim is my favourite Robin by far. His intelligence at such a young age makes for an excellent counterpart for Batman. What’s more, Tim wasn’t given the role of Robin like Dick and Jason were. He actively sought to find out who Batman was and become the next Robin. That is why Tim is my 3rd favourite member of the Batman family.

28. Black Canary

29. Billy Batson

30. Orion

31. Hercules

32. Daredevil

33. Supergirl

34. Black Panther

35. Wolverine

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36. Cyborg

37. Steel

38. Donna Troy

39. Vixen

40. Raven

41. Plastic Man

42. Red Tornado

43. Barbara Gordon
Specifically as Oracle.

44. Beast Boy

45. Hawkgirl

46. John Stewart

47. Starfire

48. Zatanna

49. Ray Palmer

50. Damian Wayne

51. Huntress (Bertinelli)

52. Hank Pym

53. Hawkeye

54. Professor X

55. Jericho
Before he turned evil.

56. Rorschach

57. Dr. Manhattan

58. Nite Owl (Dreiberg)

59. Nick Fury

60. Hawkman

61. Bart Allen

62. Bucky Barnes

63. Alan Scott

64. Jay Garrick

65. Cassandra Cain

66. Phantom Stranger

67. Blue Beetle

68. Black Lightning

69. Mr. Miracle

70. Big Barda

71. Booster Gold

72. Kilowog

73. Wasp

74. Silk Spectre

75. Miss Martian

76. Knight

77. Firestorm

78. Nova

79. Beast

80. Skaar

81. Lightray

82. She-Hulk

83. Captain Atom

84. Power Girl

85. Vision

86. Damage

87. Mr. Terrific

88. Beta Ray Bill

89. Squire

90. Mon-El

91. Black Widow

92. Simon Baz

93. Geo-Force

94. Adam Strange

95. Iron Fist

96. Kaine

97. Wildcat

98. Jesse Chambers

99. Wonder Man

100. Carol Danvers

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