MY 13 FAVORITE COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS THAT I WILL ALWAYS GO BACK TO WITHOUT CONSIDERING IF I SHOULD BECAUSE I LIKE THE CHARACTER GENUINELY

I have read a lot of comics in my life. I still love the genre as I reach fifty. There is so much that can be done with ease in comic books that is not so easy to achieve in any other form whether that is animation or live action. I have read many titles and enjoyed most, but these ten are one's I return to often because each offers so much freedom with few limitation. In spite of change in creative, the concept holds together where something good will most often come through even if not all stories are awesome. A steady gamble in other words. Fun fact, each on my list originated as a comic book character. Origins; backstories; supporting characters and style started here. This was the template for all the relaunches; reworks and reboots. Steady evolution of the character with little change from the beginning. Get confused by a show or movie, check the comics, good direction finder. These Universes are complete and whole. They have rules of how things operate. You can relate to these people.

Of course most of these titles have been published by various publishers but I am looking at where many started from and many remained. I am looking at you Marvel and DC. You know, the ones that never throw away anything. Shelved, yes. Get of rid, no.

13. Madman (Darkhorse) 1990 - Frank Einstein Born Zane Townsend, an agent of the Tri-Eye Agency, who died in a car accident. Stitched back together and brought to life by Dr. Egon Boiffard and Dr. Gillespie Flem. Given the name Frank, Frank SInatra, and Einstein, Albert Einstein, by Boifferd, as this was a new beginning for the subject. The procedure left Frank an amnesic amplified physical capabilities with superhuman agility and reflexes and a slight precognitive and empathic power. Evey story deals with weird tales of alien invasion; mad scientists; time travel and everything in between. 12. The Phantom (King Feature Syndicate) 1936 - Kit Walker A line of crime-fighters which began in 1536, where a ship wrecked survivor witnessed the death of his family and crew by pirates. Swearing an oath on the skull of his father's murderer to fight evil, Christopher began a legacy of the Phantom which would pass from father to child, usually handed to the son. And in the case of the son, the name Kit is always passed down and for the daughter, Heloise. The character has no superpowers, he relies on his strength, intelligence, skill at firearms and the myth of his immortality to fight evil. 11. The Maxx (Image) 1993 - A Street Vagrant A purple clad hero of two worlds: our world and the Outback. In the real world, Maxx is a vagrant, while in the Outback, a fantasy reality, he is the powerful protector of the Leopard Queen. The Outback is full of fantastically imagery mirroring the world we know. In our reality, the Queen exists as Julie Winters, a freelance social worker. She usually bails Maxx out of jail but is unaware of the Outback. Is the Maxx insane? Or does he have an insight that is shred by no one else?

10. Hellboy (Dark Horse) - Anung Un Rama ('And Upon His Brow Is Set A Crown Of Flame') A literal spawn of the devil, a baby demon was liberated in the closing days of World War II in Europe. Summoned to aid Hitler in victory, the baby was raise at Area 51 to become a defender of the humans he was meant to destroy. Hellboy denounce his heritage by sawing off his horns fighting the occult and aliens with a very mismatchexd make shift family.

9. Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse) 1984 - Usagi Yojimbo The Edo period of Japanese history and features a rabbit rōnin, Miyamoto Usagi, wanders the land on a  (warrior's pilgrimage), occasionally selling his services as a bodyguard and taking up crusades he feels obligated to do. Everyone is an animal sort with human qualities. The style is traditional cartoon with serious take on honor and loyalty. Yojimbo means bodyguard.

8. Spider-Girl (Marvel) 1998 - May Day Parker Daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson-Parker, May had inherited her father's Spider powers and his sense of moral responsibility. She is a interesting mix of both parents. A genius; popular and an athlete with a more laid back attitude in many ways. This was the next generation of The Marvel Universe. We see what happened to the original cast of Spider characters and new ones

7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Mirage Comics) 1984 Michelangelo; Leonardo; Donatello; Raphael - Four brothers raise in the sewers by a rat. They are taught the ways of the ninja while forming a family as typical as anyone you could find. They fought mutants; space aliens; gangsters; the supernatural and discrimination. Nothing was off the table. Did I mention they were named after Italian artists and are mutated turtle. Just a a fun ride.

6. Wonder Woman (DC Comics) 1941 - Princess Diana Raised amaong a race of Amazon warriors from the island, Themiscara, Diana, chooses to enter the world of Man, forsaking the gods, to fight for justice. She is naive; couragous; powerful; fearless; compassionate and fully a woman but also a full warrior. Also quite a beautiful woman who can snap your neck or love you.

5. Superman (DC Comics) 1938 - Clark Kent

The sole survivor of the destruction of the planet, Krypton, Clark Kent was raised by Jonathon and Martha Kent. The Earth's sun grants Clark enhanced powers and his upbringing gave him a sense of morality which made him Earth's protector. He is the definition of a stranger in a strange land though he knows no other life but the one on Earth.

He is human as he chooses to be human though he technically is not.

4. Green Lantern (DC Comics) 1993 - Kyle Rayner The Green Lantern Corp has been destroyed b7y Hal Jordan. The last guardian of OA, grants the last Green Lantern ring to human/artist Kyle Rayner making him the last Green Lantern. Though this story would later be retconned, it lasted over ten years. Rayner was the DC universes' answer to Peter Parker. Trails and struggles to ultimately triumph but without loss. His ability an artist opened new avenues to his ability to create new constructs never seen before. A descent guy who tries to see the world/Universe with an open mind while doing the right thing. Always tested but does surrender.

3. Doctor Who (BBC) 1964 - The Doctor The adventures of a time traveler know simply as 'The Doctor'. A renegade Time Lord meddling in time and space breaking the first rule of non interference of his people. Capable of cheating death at least twelve times through regeneration. An he travels in a time machine, The TARDIS, that is very old looking like a 20th century Blue Police Box. This was a continuation of the TV series with no limitations as to where the series could go in terms of effects and themes.

2. Batman (DC Comics) 1939 - Bruce Wayne A young child witnessed the death of both his parents in an alley. Dedicated his life to fight evil so no one would have to endure what he had, Trained himself both physically and mentally to the breaking so to launch his war on crime. Taking on the identity of a bat as evil are superstitious fearing such creatures. The series tends to deal with mysteries; noir stories and the supernatural as Batman must out think his foes when he has no superpowers.

1. Spider-Man (Marvel Comics) 1962 - Peter Parker Bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker learned with great power comes great responsibility as an error judgement led to the death of his Uncle Ben. Spider-Man was born of tragedy. He is relatable as he struggles but triumphs putting the neads of others above his own.