2006-12-05 16:01:04 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Comics & Animation
Superman has to be the answer. He may not be the favorite, or the most popular, but he IS the most influential character of the 20th century, for without him, the genre would never have even gotten off the ground. Consider his instant appeal and effect on post depression-era culture, the first iconic character of his time, on radio, film serials, animated shorts, the first action figure, the first mild-mannered alter-ego, the first superhero for all intents and purposes. Everything after him were variations on a theme.
The greatest GN of the 20th Century in my opinion was The Dark Knight Returns. I won't go into details for fear of spoiling it for the uninitiated, but suffice it to say, the author Frank Miller (Sin City fame) acheived his goal with this work... he "gave Batman his balls back".
Crazy thing is I am far and away a much bigger Marvel fan than I am DC, but both of these answers seem obvious to me, despite my preference to the House of Marvel.
2006-12-05 17:39:52 · answer #1 · answered by john k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Influential Comic Book Character:
Superman
http://www.dccomics.com
Most Influential Graphic Novel:
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
http://www.neilgaiman.com
2006-12-06 00:42:23 · answer #2 · answered by lyoskowitz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Watchmen" by Alan Moore. Hands down. I am teaching a course on the Graphic Novel soon and that book tells so much about the comic book industry in the 20th Century, as well as what the future may hold for comics. Nothing has surpassed it since.
2006-12-06 09:51:34 · answer #3 · answered by PieOPah 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most influential character I would have to agree with Superman. Every child that ever dreamed of flying with a cape has thought about Superman. As for graphic novel, cant really think a really really good one, but as for story arc that have been made into graphic novels, I would either say the Xmen Phoenix Saga, or my all time favorite The Infinity Gauntlet.
2006-12-07 10:53:25 · answer #4 · answered by Rodney W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Character... Batman, of the Miller Dark Knight Returns days
Graphic Novel... I think it hasta be, as cliched as it is, "The Watchmen"... it really was that great a mini-series and influential a comic
The Comics we know now, the sexualism, the violence, the dark nature of alot of comics, fromt he Xmen, to The Avengers, to Teen Titans, to Faust, To The Darkness, to the Top Cow books and Image and Dark horse books.. the violence and realism and vivid sex in comics began with Alan Moore's "The Watchmen" and Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns"... NO other books have had the rippling effect over the genre as those two series...they changed how comics are writen and drawn, and the Imagery they displayed.
2006-12-06 00:10:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Considering that modern comics originated in the 20th century, it has to be Superman. There are plenty of characters I like more than him, and plenty who have altered the depth and meaning of comics altogether, but comic books and graphic novels would never have gotten their start (at least in any recognizable form) without the first true superhero.
2006-12-06 00:06:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here's some candidates for characters
Superman: He was the first super hero in comics. Since his creation comic book character have changed from normal people who fought evil to super powered heroes fighting super powered villians.
Batman: In a world where super powers were becoming the norm Batman managed to remain a major character without any special powers. He is the normal man who stands among the gods.
Spider-Man: Before Spider-Man teenagers were usually just sidekicks in comics. In addition to being a teenage superhero he conneted with fans by being like them with the same life problems they face in addition to his career as a super hero.
2006-12-06 00:23:42 · answer #7 · answered by namic2007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jimmy Corrigan
2006-12-06 00:42:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I choose the same answer as Kimtastic.
Frank Miller's Dark Knight and The Watchmen.
2006-12-06 00:14:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, this is a loaded question... There are quite a few... Batman gets my vote, though - Batman made wearing black okay for good guys to do and glamorized utility belts... and manga-wise, I'd have to say Pokemon had the biggest influence there (even though asked for just one of all of these).
2006-12-06 00:08:11 · answer #10 · answered by Deus Maxwell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋