Most fanboys have a list of favorite characters they love to follow. This particular fanboy, of course, has their own. The following is that list as well as the reasons why. There will also be links to each character's bio.
1. Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Never used to be a fan of Captain America until service to my country in the Air Force. Since then, some of the first issues I read were in the late 90's when Kubert was the illustrator. Since then, I have been a fan. It must have been my patriotic blood but the more I read the series, the more I needed my fix for the star-spangled Avenger. It's amazing how much a man like Rogers can take on some of the most super-powered villains and beat them. He's a great tactician, leader and one of the best fighters in the Marvel Universe. Civil War #1 was an awesome read when
S.H.I.E.L.D. attempted to take down Rogers, he battled his way out of the heli-carrier and escaped on a jet in mid-air. The man is fearless and well respected (even
Thor). He definitely deserves to be one of the holy trinity of the Avengers.
2.
Cyclops
Scott Summers is a character I respect very much. He has always been my favorite X-Man. He doesn't always get a lot of credit but he is one of the best fighters in the class of mutants. He is a man who can hold his own against Wolverine if need be and just may have real good odds of winning. There is a reason he is the leader of the
X-Men (as well as the man in charge of
Utopia). Summers is even respected by Magneto. In the last year, he has shown time and time again he is a leader you don't mess around with. He definitely has the tactics of a team leader and commands the X-Men very well to win almost every single battle he has ever been in. In addition, he has also held his own with the ladies from
Jean Grey,
Emma Frost and
Psylocke (who used to constantly test him in the early 90's). He has always been a force to be reckoned with but he really came into the spotlight when Jim Lee took over for the X-Men.
3.
Daredevil
Since Daredevil was rebooted in the late 90's by Joe Quesada and Kevin Smith, Daredevil became a top character to me. The story and art were amazing and it redefined the character. Since then, Matt Murdock has been a character I can't help but follow. He's another one of those characters who have the ability to take down super-powered villains with his amazing fighting style (and blind). Had the chance to go back and read the Fall of
Kingpin and it was an amazing story arc as well. Recently, Murdock became leader of
The Hand and it was interesting to see how the story unfolded, unfortunately
Shadowland fell a little short though (except when he killed
Bullseye...classic). Now he's back to reclaim Hell's Kitchen, as well as his reputation.
4.
Deadpool
I'm a big fan of comedic aspects in comic books and Wade Wilson definitely fits that bill. Wade started off a little less comedic but since his appearance, he is one of the most off the wall characters in the Marvel Universe. He's so unpredictable and unstable, most heroes and villains are speechless when they deal with him. One memorable moment was when he was in his unstable relationship with
Siryn (what does that say about her), and he went to
Taskmaster's training compound. When they confronted each other, Taskmaster started to get the upper hand on Wade due to his ability. But, of course, Wade had a counter for that by being very unpredictable and dancing around like a fool, which threw Taskmaster for a loop and, and gave Wade the opening he needed to defeat Taskmaster. It was definitely classic Deadpool.
5.
Human Torch (RIP...for now)
Human Torch has always been a personal favorite. Johnny became part of the top ten after seeing him in constant appearances with Spider-Man (first character I started reading). It's hilarious to see the both of them go toe-to-toe in the battle of comedic quips. Johnny was a very irresponsible at times, but when it counts, he is a very formidable and serious hero. He wasn't part of the
Fantastic Four (now
Future Foundation) for nothing.
6.
Iceman
Looking at this top 10 list, I realize I am a big fan of the goofy, comic relief heroes and Iceman is no different. He has been with the X-Men since the beginning and has earned the right to be one of the top 10. Aside from his personality, Bobby is a very powerful mutant and has tangled with a large list of villains (to include Magneto) time and time again. His powers continue to evolve as well and he just becomes more powerful. Bobby may be a prankster but he is well respected in the Marvel Universe. I still personally believe
Joseph Gordon-Levitt would make the perfect Bobby Drake/Iceman.
7.
Kyle Rayner
I was never a real fan of DC comics until I started picking up issues of Justice League when they relaunched in 1997 with Kyle Rayner on the team. The first story arc was so amazing when it came near the end and Batman ended up taking down the white martians after discovering their secrets. But this is the point I started branching out to other DC characters and Kyle was one of them. Don't get me wrong, I do like Hal Jordan (who doesn't) but Rayner is my favorite Green Lantern. He has shown time and time again why he was chosen to wear the ring and still does in the pages of the
Green Lantern Corps. He's fought off
Parallax and has even gone toe-to-toe with
Sinestro. He's one of the most powerful Lanterns in the Universe.
8.
Magneto
Although he's left his evil ways behind (for now), Magneto is one of the most powerful and dangerous mutants alive. This is a man who has survived the
Holocaust, tangled with the X-Men time and time again and, at one point, ripped the
Adamantium right out of
Wolverine. His recent portrayal by
Michael Fassbender was spectacular and it shows how dangerous he can actually be. Magneto, by far, is my favorite villain to date.
9.
Red Robin
Tim Drake is by far my favorite Robin of all time and he just gets better and better. There was a quote by
Ra's Al Ghul recently in which he said, "Tim Drake is not Bruce Wayne. He isn't Grayson, or even Damian. Drake is different. Look behind his eyes. I suspect he's already won." This only goes to show how skilled he is and makes Drake stand out from the rest of the Bat-Universe. Tim has the potential to surpass even
Batman when he comes of age (if not now). If he ever does don the cowl, I believe he will be the best Batman of all time.
10.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man was the very first love when it comes to comic book characters. Spidey is the hero who got me into the Marvel Universe and he just gets better and better. Spidey probably has the largest rogue's gallery of all the heroes combined and boy do they hate him. It's always entertaining to see him irritate villains with his quips and frustrate them so much until they are defeated. For the longest time he has always seemed down on his luck and most readers usually relate to his life because it was more realistic. But all that has changed recently with his new found status as an
Avenger as well as Johnny Storm's replacement on the Future Foundation (formerly Fantastic Four). Peter Parker also has a full-time job at
Horizon Labs, teaches at the
Avengers Academy, as well as a new steady girlfriend,
Carlie Cooper. Spidey's life is definitely at its high point right now but how long will it last? Only time will tell.
Well fanboys, that's my list. Feel free to bash, comment or just add your two cents. Any input is greatly appreciated and hopefully this article is entertaining to readers.