15-On-15 - Top 15 Fictional Characters of All Time

Below you will find my Top 15 Fictional Characters of All Time. I have to say, this was a hard list to cut down on. After an initial perusal of my favorite books, movies, cartoons, and video games, I easily had a list of like 20 names, and that only took about 10 minutes. So I stopped there, satisfied that I had a good mix of people that accurately reflect the kinds of things I like and the sorts of qualities I respect. I couldn't resist having one more than 15, so we start with the honorable mention.

Honorable Mention: Keyser Soze - if you haven't seen "The Usual Suspects," please stop reading now, because there's a spoiler ahead. Otherwise, if you have, or you don't care, please don't stop now. Keyser is the ultimate fictional character because he's made up by made-up characters, so he's like a fictional fictional character. Assuming however that he is in fact Kevin Spacey from the film, then he is the ultimate bad ass. He's the criminal mastermind who sits calmly in a policehouse and weaves a tale of deceit, all the while acting like an innocent little man who got caught up in some bad business. He doesn't miss a beat and his lies are weaved flawlessly, or at least they're good enough for him to get away with everything. I never liked liars in real life, but he's just too good to ignore.

15. George Bailey - good old George Bailey. He's the father dude from "It's a Wonderful Life," a film I watch every Christman because it's one of the best films ever. Here we have a nice guy that's just a regular dude who wants to go to college, make something of himself, and end up with a girl he loves. And then his dream of success goes to shit when it's up to him to save his small town from the clutches of a greedy banker. He's selfless in a way that I've never seen in real life. I'm sure there are people in this world like that, but I haven't come across them. And ultimately, he realizes he got everything he could have ever wanted, with his family and all, even if his big-time dreams never happened. That kind of leaves me sad, thinking that this man could have done so many greater thing. But then I guess he wouldn't be George Bailey. As odd as it sounds, by being more ordinary, he became extraordinary.

14. Link - Link is my favorite video game character, straight out of all those Legend of Zelda games, and especially "The Ocarina of Time," which is definitely one of the best videogames ever (my third favorite videogame of all time, but I guess that's for another list). One thing I've always loved about Link is the fact that Zelda is totally after him. And let's face it, Zelda is pretty damn hot (although I'd also have to say that the hottest female videogame character is probably Samus Aran from the "Metroid" series). Plus Link has kick-ass sword fighting abilities and manages to find himself in the most memorable adventures one can find in the videogame world. Plus he's got a great head of hair; you can't top that.

13. James Bond - James Bond has to be like on almost every guy's list. He's the ultimate ladies man, and over the course of several decades, he's pretty much a superhero in a man's body. I mean this dude doesn't age, he keeps getting laid by like every woman he comes across (and apparently maintains his high performance levels, at least that's what I gather from lines like, "I thought Christman only came once a year"), and he never gets really hurt. He's defeated like a million criminal masterminds, all of which, at some point, plotted to take-over the world, and yet he always comes out on top with a babe on one hand, and a sick weapon in the other. I don't even remember ever seeing him sweat. And he's also got like all the money in the world thanks to his government connections. This means access to all the highest-tech gadgets there are, which are every nerds dream.

12. Spiderman - I dig Spiderman because he is just some schmo who got lucky. I mean it's not like he was born a mutant or a superhero; he was just at the right place at the right time. And after watching the 2nd film, I've come to realize that not only does he have some sick acrobatic abilities, but apparently he also has super-strength (from how he stopped that runaway subway car and walked away from the whole thing with merely a ripped costume). I also have to respect his ability to put work and responsibility before that cock-tease Mary Jane. I mean sure she wants him when he's all super, but she didn't even give him the time of day when he was himself. He knows she's a total user and I love how he brushes her off because he's got other shit to take care of. Fine, so he might be a little lonely, and we all know they'll end up together in the end, but he deserves a lot better than that floozy.

11. Encyclopedia Brown - The Encyclopedia Brown books were my favorite books growing up. I know I read through 18 of them, so if there are more than that out there, I guess I'm not as true a fan as I could be. Regadless, here was a kid, about my age, who was this total genius, solving mysteries no one else could figure out. I was mesmerized with how much interesting stuff kept happening in his little town, and how he somehow got himself caught up in all that drama. Plus he had his sidekick Sally, who I had a total crush on in the book, and later in the show (the chick that played her was hot).

10. Frankenstein's Monster - I read this book at least 4 times, and each time I have more and more respect for The Monster. You like that, don't you? How I know it's "The Monster" and not "Frankenstein," since The Monster didn't ever have a name. Yeah, that shows you I know what the hell I'm talking about. Anyway, The Monster somehow developed an impecible gift for oration while he was lounging about in the woods, and ends up delivering some of the most moving speeches I've ever read. You love him and you hate him, and you feel bad for him, while you want to kill him for the things he does. He's the ultimate human metaphor, of how we're all just masses of emotion and logic, trying to figure out what decisions to make, and reacting against our environment when thing stand in our way. The Monster was a pitiful genius, and was always much more human to me than his creator.

9. Aragorn/Strider - gotta give my props to the "Lord of the Rings" characters. Aragorn is the lost king, who knows he should be treated with respect and admiration, but also bides his time, knowing that soon he will have an opportunity to prove himself. He's genuine and humble, never acting kingly, even at the end, when he finally claims the power that's rightfully his. He's also in the middle of the action, risking his own life for his cause, rather than just standing back and letting pawns do the work. He's always at the front line of every battle and never leaves a friend to fend for himself. He treats people with as much respect as they give him. Plus he's also amazing with his fighting abilities and he's always apt to deliver a killer one-liner, like at the end of the film - "my friends...you bow to no one." Perfect moment in movie history, I have to say.

8. Amelie - one of my favorite films, and one of my favorite people ever. This is the only female on my list, but I don't know how I could have done any better. What gets me about her is how much she loves life. I get chills when I see her little smile as she bounces rocks on the river and performs all these little miracles. She's quirky to no end, but she's also ridiculously cute. The girl spends hours trying to improve other people's lives while ignoring her own. Not that this ignoring part is healthy, but the caring part is. She just an all-around beautiful human being that knows not to take anything for granted. It really is all about the little things.

7. Forrest Gump - another one of my favorite movies, but also one of my favorite characters. I love how Gump manages to find himself everywhere and get out of it on top, even though he doesn't really understand the magnitude of his situation. Maybe that's why he always ends up winning - because he's just relaxed about everything and trying to do a good job. While the rest of the world is getting all worked up and nervous about things, Forrest just goes through life with a happy-go-lucky charm, always trying to live in the moment and commited to the task at hand. And when he's done with something, he has no qualms about moving on. I never saw him as dumb, just simple. Sometimes I wish I can be that simple.

6. Superman - Superman is too easy a character to pick, but it's hard not to imagine him on most peoples' lists. Ariel claims that Superman is practically a God, and in fact, too powerful to be considered a superhero. Fine, so he was killed by Doomsday, but that was a fluke. I mean, what's this guy's weakness? Some element compound? That's it! Sure he could be caught off guard and crushed and mauled with enough force, but if I recall correctly, this man was able to spin the world in the opposite direction, causing everything to go back in time! What the heck is up with that! Not only can he fly, not only does he have superstrength and laser eyes, not only does he have super-fast reflexes and boyish good looks, but he's also a human time machine. Oh yeah, and I'm forgetting that he is fully capable of flying underwater or into space without the need to use any artificial breathing device. This man is ridiculous, and it's incredibly entertaining to watch a film where you know there's no way in hell anyone is going to beat him.

5. Obi-Wan Kenobi - definitely my favorite Jedi. I mean, he is the most powerful Jedi, as was demonstrated by his man-handling of Anakin and the fact that he's the one who trained Luke. His "death" in the first/fourth film was totally orchestrated, because no way would he allow himself to lose to Darth Vader so quickly. Plus, even if he did lose, here's a guy who was like 70, while Vader was half his age and had his whole body reinforced with a bionic suit - is this a fair match? I honestly liked both Obi-Wans, but Alex Guinness is my favorite, because he's got the eyes of a fighter and the subtlety of his delivery makes you feel like he's talking to you. I will also forever feel bad for this guy after someone he considered a son betrayed him, and then he has to go on to live with that heartbreak for decades, never disclosing the secret of the situation. What focus and discipline.

4. Gandalf - yes! This wizard is the man. He's like the wisest person in book/film history. Maybe that has something to do with his being about 1000 years old or something. First he's this grey schlub, but still a killer behind the staff, and just when you think he's dead, he reemerges in a sick white get-up with his hair all clean and his powers increased immeasurably. I totally think he could have taken on Sauron himself, but I guess that wouldn't have made for as interesting a story. I respect Gandalf because of his intellect, his wit, his wisdom, and his ability to let everyone play a role. He knows he can take care of shit himself, but he likes to give everyone a chance and lend a helping hand when it's needed. He's very selfless and not power hungry, committed to fighting for more than just himself (even though he had so many chances to rule the world, he always passed them up because it was about more than him).

3. Indiana Jones - Again, another brainy character. I can't get enough of these really intelligent guys who also happen to be adventurous, attractive, and smooth. Plus Indiana Jones wasn't just involved with bad guys like James Bond, but he was also dealing with the supernatural and mysterious, making for an even more exciting combination. What could be a better job than looking for the mysteries and treasures of the world? I can also appreciate how, although all the movies had love interests, it was never really about the girl, and she always seemed in the background, getting in the way if anything. He was a committed man working to discover great things, and he always seemed aggitated that he had these annoying people tagging along. For whatever reason, I found that very entertaining.

2. Howard Roark - the protagonist of one of my favorite books "The Fountainhead." I clicked with Roarke in the first few pages into the novel. He's a quiet rebel, the sort of self-involved genius that's not about making a fuss in standing up to society, but he does it quietly, methodically, almost Gandhi-esquely. He knows exactly what he wants and he goes and does it, and when he finds himself pushed down, he simply keeps going without missing a beat. He's a human machine and a desperately logical beast, which is maybe why I like him so much. And besides all this, he's just good - the ultimate humanist who is a celebration of what it means to be alive, and the responsibility we have to make the world a better place.

1. Neo - We finally get down to this - the greatest fictional character. But let me qualify this with the fact that I only refer to the Neo in the Matrix, because to be honest, the Neo outside of the Matrix was sort of lame. He was basically a God within the mainframe and while the later two movies sucked, the first one is one of the best ever made. This guy could do anything in the Matrix, plus he had the ability to generate whatever he needed, whether that was food or guns or a pimp pad. Neo was quite literally The One. And if he wasn't a God, then he was the Messiah or something. I don't know what those crazy W Brothers were thinking when they made Neo, but whatever they were thinking, they did something right. Neo in the Matrix is an unbeatable superhero, greater than Superman or The Hulk. So I guess what it comes down to is that I like him because of his sheer omnipotence. I take it this means that if I could choose one quality to have above all else, it would be omnipotence. I'll get to work on that one.