What does it take to make a comic book character eternally famous? Is it the number of film adaptations, the length of their comic book runs, or the frequency at which you can spot their silhouette emblazoned on a T-shirt? Perhaps it’s a combination of all those things—and something else. Perhaps it’s the way these characters have etched themselves so deeply into our shared imagination. Let’s stroll down memory lane, through the decades of superhero comics, newspaper strips, and cartoon shows. Whatever your childhood was like, whether you were stuck on comic books or got wind of these guys through pop culture osmosis, you’ll likely recognize more than a few here.
10. Garfield
Everyone’s beloved cranky orange cat, Garfield, has been a staple of popular culture since the late ’70s. He despises Mondays, adores lasagna, and inexplicably gets away with being perpetually relatable. Whether by way of the long-running comic strip, cartoon shows such as Garfield and Friends, or the sporadic movie reboots, Garfield’s sarcastic wit and lazy charm have endured. His name alone evokes a smirk.
9. Peanuts (Charlie Brown & Snoopy)
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts crowd have been pulling on heartstrings for decades. From comic strips to old-school holiday specials such as A Charlie Brown Christmas, these characters combine gentle humor with an unexpected degree of emotional heft. Snoopy dancing, Lucy pulling away the football—those moments are seared into pop culture’s brain forever.
8. The Incredible Hulk
You wouldn’t want to mess with him when he’s mad—and that alone says something about how iconic the Hulk has become. With his dual personality, superhuman strength, and unmistakable green figure, the Hulk has been a star in comics, on TV, and in film for generations. The 1970s TV show cemented him as a legend, and his cameos in recent blockbuster movies are just further proof of his staying power.
7. Spider-Man
No hero embodies teen angst and duty like Spider-Man. Since swinging onto the comic book scene in 1962, Peter Parker has grown into one of America’s favorite heroes. With great power comes great responsibility—and a fair amount of iconic villains, friends, and alternate realities. From the original cartoons to the wacky Spider-Verse movies, Spidey just keeps on hooking audiences.
6. Wonder Woman
She’s not only the most popular female superhero—she’s one of pop culture’s most iconic figures, period. Wonder Woman, her bulletproof bracelets and golden lasso aside, is the embodiment of strength, justice, and empowerment. From her World War II beginnings to today’s blockbuster movies, she’s been inspiring generations of readers and audiences worldwide.
5. Robin
The final sidekick turned superhero in his own right, Robin, has been an integral part of the Batman canon for generations. Dick Grayson is the name fans most recognize as the first Robin, although others have filled the role. Both as a loyal partner to Batman and as leader of the Teen Titans, Robin injects a sense of youthful vigor and keen ability into any tale in which he appears.
4. Batman
Dark, brooding, and boundlessly intriguing, Batman is a colossus of comic book lore and more. He’s not a superhero—just brains, grit, and an awful lot of machinery. From the campy absurdity of the 1960s television series to the realistic darkness of contemporary movies, Batman’s versatility has made him an eternal symbol. His foes—Joker, Riddler, Catwoman—are practically as well-known as he is, and his emblem is enough.
3. The Avengers
A comic book team-up spun into a cultural phenomenon. The Avengers—particularly the core team of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk—are household names these days thanks to a string of smash films. Although they weren’t always comic book heavy-hitters, their popularity surged in the 2010s, and they became the standard-bearers for contemporary superhero storytelling for a new generation.
2. Superman
He’s the first superhero, and to many, he remains the greatest. Superman established the template: the secret life, the cape, the extraterrestrial origin story. For almost a century, he’s represented hope, justice, and superhuman power. Whether flying across comic book pages, retro TV series, or the big screen, Superman remains the personification of what a superhero is.
1. Batman
Yes, once more—because no character makes a shadow like the Dark Knight. Among all heroes in capes and cowls, Batman is the king. His universe is darker, his decisions more nuanced, and his popularity infinitely wider than most. He’s not only a hero—he’s a legend. And whether it’s in comics, on film, in video games, or on TV shows, Batman never goes out of fashion.
These characters aren’t mere names on paper or faces on an action figure—they’re contemporary myths, embedded in our day-to-day conversation, our fashion sense, our Halloween costumes, and even our ethics. They’ve adapted with the times but maintained the essence of what made them great to begin with. So, whether you’re rooting for the brooding loners, the misunderstood monsters, or the sarcastic cats who just want to nap, these American comic icons aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.