# Which was the most recent "universally" known comic character? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 20, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784 "2010-02-20T18:30:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/41 "2010-02-22T19:26:17Z")
A distinctive, easily remembered costume given widespread media exposure is the key here. That is what makes the top six stick in collective memory. No matter who draws them or who wears the costume in a movie they are easily recognizable. Yes, I know The Hulk doesn’t wear a costume, but his green skin works the same way. Wolverine? He’s Hugh Jackman with a shitty haircut to almost everybody. Show a non-reader a picture of Wolverine in his original dumb yellow costume from a 70’s comic and you’ll get a blank look. Give a non-reader a picture of Batman from any of his media incarnations and they’ll identify him every time. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/42 "2010-02-22T19:41:41Z")
> [@](#): > > Actually, the answer should have been obvious: Fables. I guarantee that everyone has heard of their individual members, even if they don’t know about the context. The book dates from 2002. And there was a comic book published just last month that had Superman in it; that doesn’t make Superman new. We’re looking for recent characters, not recent books. This would also apply to Sandman and Death. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/43 "2010-02-22T19:47:40Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I don’t know how far you’re taking the word “universal,” but the average American on the street DOES know Wolverine. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/44 "2010-02-22T19:50:51Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. Doesn’t make him wrong though. Wolverine is the correct answer. People keep wanting to pigeonhole universal to mean everybody and their grandmother when it reality, as long as you’ve got just everybody, you’re pretty universally known. It’s not the geeks’ fault some people live under a rock when it comes to mainstream media. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/45 "2010-02-22T19:58:07Z")
Except that even the people who do live under a rock will still recognize Superman. If we’re going to call Wolverine “universal”, then what’s Supes? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/46 "2010-02-22T20:21:13Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Except that even the people who do live under a rock will still recognize Superman. If we’re going to call Wolverine “universal”, then what’s Supes? There’s different levels of universal. Look at the biggest musical acts. Lady Gaga was interviewed by Oprah, but even after watching it, how many of her viewers know she’s a singer? What I’m trying to say is that recognition on sight isn’t necessary for universality. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/47 "2010-02-22T21:00:43Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. Umm, what word? Wolverine is **mainstream**. If you want to stick to a strict definition of “universal,” then you have ruled out everybody. Superman is not “universally” known. Mickey Mouse is not “universally” known. Mario is not “universally” known. Jesus is not even universally known. I have family members who don’t know who Michael Jackson is (was), and he’s probably at least as “universal” as Superman. I think a lot of you are underestimating how popular the X-Men cartoon was with people who are now ~20 to ~35, and most parents are at least passingly familiar with what their kids are watching, so that bumps it back another generation. > [@](#): > > In its prime, X-Men garnered very high ratings for a Saturday morning cartoon, and received wide critical praise for its portrayal of many different storylines from the comics. > > The show currently has a score of 9.0/10 on [IMDB.com](http://IMDB.com), and 8.9/10 on [TV.com](http://TV.com). > > In 2009, IGN ranked X-Men as the 13th greatest animated show of all time in their Top 100 list ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/48 "2010-02-22T21:04:25Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > How well known is Optimus Prime? Would the Marvel comics (starting in the same month as the cartoon, and the same year as the toys) mean he counts? He was named by Marvel Comics writers (they all were), and the comic technically showed first. (But a commercial showed before either.) Remember, the date on the comic was something like three months before the actual date, in those days. Long story about how long to keep things on a newsstand. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/49 "2010-02-22T21:23:52Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Wolverine is **mainstream**. Only as long as there are X-Movies in current rotation and he’s played by a famous hot actor. I really question whether it will be true in 5 years. I hang around with a lot of people who would recognize Wolverine and a lot who wouldn’t. I don’t think he’s in the same range as Spider-man or Hulk, or even Iron Man, honestly. It’s close, but I think they have more name recognition. I would also throw in the Flash and possibly the Green Lantern into the mix. The Flash is more iconic, and so more people would probably recognize “the guy who runs really fast” vs the green ring, but both have some popular appeal. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/50 "2010-02-22T21:31:26Z")
For a non-American, quasi-Third World perspective, I vote **Wolverine**. the X-Men movies are shown on broadcast TV here in SA, as were the cartoons. Hugh Jackman is a favourite of the ladies, too. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/51 "2010-02-22T21:37:03Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Except that even the people who do live under a rock will still recognize Superman. If we’re going to call Wolverine “universal”, then what’s Supes? Multiversal? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/52 "2010-02-22T22:10:18Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > [Pikachu](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikachu) – first published in 1996, and probably more universally recognised than most American superheroes. Pikachu occurred to me earlier actually. Good suggestion. Garfield is very recognisable, possibly wider recognised than Calvin etc. I wasn’t just looking for superheroes but Wolverine does seem like he would be well known. I’m going to show my mother (in her 60s, Irish) a picture of Wolverine and see if she knows him. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/53 "2010-02-23T05:49:08Z")
Do the **[Men in Black](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_in_Black_%28comics%29)** (1990) count? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/54 "2010-02-23T05:58:53Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > A distinctive, easily remembered costume given widespread media exposure is the key here. That is what makes the top six stick in collective memory. No matter who draws them or who wears the costume in a movie they are easily recognizable. Yes, I know The Hulk doesn’t wear a costume, but his green skin works the same way. > Wolverine? He’s Hugh Jackman with a shitty haircut to almost everybody. Show a non-reader a picture of Wolverine in his original dumb yellow costume from a 70’s comic and you’ll get a blank look. Give a non-reader a picture of Batman from any of his media incarnations and they’ll identify him every time. I’d say that Wolverine with his claws out counts as a “costume” at least as much as the Hulk with no shirt on does. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/55 "2010-02-23T12:53:56Z")
Can I include cartoon characters? My vote is Spongebob Squarepants. The dude is ubiquitous. Apologies if he’s already mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/56 "2010-02-23T14:03:33Z")
Snoopy. With Charlie Brown a close second. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/57 "2010-02-23T15:00:33Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’d say that Wolverine with his claws out counts as a “costume” at least as much as the Hulk with no shirt on does. Point taken. However, in addition to a distinctive appearance, appearing in something other than comic books is critical. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Captain America, and the Hulk have all had cartoons, TV shows, and movies (though WW’s and CA’s movies/shows were craptastic). These characters are cultural icons going back decades. Wolverine may well become one with the success of the movie series and the animated shows; but he also needs a live action show and time. When even the “old folks” can identify him from a drawing or movie still, then he’s universally known. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/58 "2010-02-23T15:08:29Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Can I include cartoon characters? My vote is Spongebob Squarepants. The dude is **ubiquitous**. Apologies if he’s already mentioned. Well, not quite. I have never heard of this character, and have no idea what he looks like. Perhaps ‘_very nearly_ ubiquitous’. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/59 "2010-02-23T16:47:28Z")
Captain America? I guess so - I vaguely recall a TV show in the 80’s. He’s questionable in my mind. I agree with **Justin\_Bailey** ’s list, though might vary the order in Wonder Woman, Hulk, and Spiderman - they’re all pretty even, though. I also agree that I don’t think anyone else has really made that transition. Wolverine is on the cusp. There are more players at the second tier level. Wolverine probably heads that list, but it includes the Fantastic Four, Ironman, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Actually Turtles may outrank Wolverine. To be honest, to really tell these things look at popular media and frequency of appearance. How often do people turn to the well? Superman? All the time. Batman? All the time. Spiderman? Been on Seasame Street, for Pete’s sake. Wolverine is starting to get there. Sure, there have been a lot of movies lately bringing heros to mainstream attention, but having a movie or two out in this current climate doesn’t guarantee anything. It’s popular to make “comic book movies”, so studios are trying to find the next big property. Really, it takes time to establish a breakout. Old people who don’t follow comic books aren’t going to pay much attention to comic book movies, and not going to absorb the characters from ads only. The best way to make sure old people know your property is to have your property in mainstream attention long enough for your audience to become old people. I’m going to stick to superheroes, rather than the broader category. Different markets, different exposure levels, different reasons for being well-known. As an interesting addition, I’ll throw out GI Joe. Comic books, tv cartoon, huge toy line, now live-action movie. I know he started as just a doll - er, 12 inch action figure, but the cartoon/comic book version has rebranded the look. GI Joe may be fighting with Wolverine for transition to the top tier. The Punisher doesn’t even register on _my_ radar. Okay, I’ve heard the name, and seen the logo, but don’t always connect the two, and know bubkis about him other than that. **Ellis Dee** said: > [@](#): > > When thinking about superhero Q ratings, sports are a decent analogy. Think of your Comic Book Guy friends and whether they know who Tom Brady or Pudge Rodriguez are. They’re roughly equivalent to knowing the “big six” superheroes and lower tier heroes (like Punisher or Hellboy) respectively. Going with that analogy, Superman is Joe Dimaggio. Batman is Yoggi Berra. Wolverine is A-Rod. “Tom Brady” and “Pudge Rodriguez” are Nite-owl and Aquaman - they’re known by followers of the genre, but not audiences at large. (I’ve never heard of those two sports people.) **RealityChuck** said: > [@](#): > > Actually, the answer should have been obvious: Fables. I guarantee that everyone has heard of their individual members, even if they don’t know about the context. The book dates from 2002. To my mind, that doesn’t count. They stole common lore and made a modern comic book hero out of it. Not the same as a Superman, or Wolverine - newly created character. Besides, you’re the first I’ve heard of that comic. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784/60 "2010-02-23T17:23:21Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > There are more players at the second tier level. Wolverine probably heads that list, but it includes the Fantastic Four, Ironman, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Actually Turtles may outrank Wolverine. Eh, I’m not sure I’d count the Ninja Turtles or G.I. Joe or the Transformers. The Turtles because most people have no idea they even are comic book characters and the Joes and the Transformers are disqualified in my mind because while both debuted in comics, the toy line/cartoon were much more important to the franchise and only debuted later because of the lead time needed to make a TV show or toy versus a comic book. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-was-the-most-recent-universally-known-comic-character/529784.md?page=4)