Is The Joker The Most Famous Fictional Bad Guy of all time?

[The-Dark-Knight]

I was thinking today and cannot think of another fictional villian more famous and well known than the joker, sure superman has lex bend has Dr. No, goldfinger and oddjob and spider-man had the green goblin star wars has vader but none have of those are as iconic or as well known as the Joker (okay vader comes close, very close). Am i right?

Is the Joker the most famous fictional villian of them all?

[kez1984]

Dracula.

[Nirvana]

Nope.

[Nirvana]

Satan is the most popular fictional villain of all time. :up:

[kez1984]

Satan is the most popular fictional villain of all time. :up:

I was going to say that as well but was unsure if he was a real entity.

[shapeshifter]

i would say joker is the most famous comic related bad guy.

[Carcharodon]

I dunno. Venom's pretty damn popular. I don't like Venom very much, but it's the truth.

[The-Dark-Knight]

Dracula.

I actually forgot about him and Frankenstein's monster.

[JustABill]

I dunno. Venom's pretty damn popular. I don't like Venom very much, but it's the truth.
Venom doesn't even come close as to being a recognizable name as Joker, Satan, Dracula, or hell even Frankenstien or Wolfman. The Creature from the Black Lagoon even tops Venom! :o

[Lighthouse]

I actually forgot about him and Frankenstein's monster.

I never really considered the Monster to be the villain. Dracula's without a doubt is the most famous villain.

[luke1234]

darth vader

[Majik1387]

Darth Vader isnt anywhere close.

As for the most famous, the classic Universal Monsters take that title.

[Lobo]

I'd say Lex is as known as The Joker is. I think kez might be right with Dracula.

[cerealkiller182]

The Joker in general is definitely up there, but not the best

[Apollo]

There is a lot of famous fictional bad guys. The Wicked Witch, Dracula, Darth Vader, Lord Voldemort, Hannibal Lecter, Uwe Boll, hehe

i can tell you right now there are going to be a lot of Joker's this halloween. :woot:

[Eagle_23]

No....that would be Darth Vader.

[hippie_hunter]

The most famous is debatable, but he's certainly up there with Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter, and the Wicked Witch.

And no, Venom is nowhere near as famous as those guys.

[Joker]

In the movie world? No.

In the comic book world? Most likely.

[Apollo]

I think Doc Ock is more famous then Venom in the movie world. If venom was done in a better approach he could have been just as famous as Doc Ock.

[bullets]

yeah they basically ruined venom in the movie world . i would say joker has always been well known and he is up there with darth vader , dracula , frankenstein.

[Franklin Richards]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/darth-vader.jpg


:doom: :doom: :doom:

[marukisu]

if were talking comic book wise maybe.

[Asteroid-Man]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/darth-vader.jpg


:doom: :doom: :doom:
:up:

[raindog13]

Comic book-wise, possibly. But of all time? Like others have said, Dracula and Vader rival and/or surpass him.

[Majik1387]

Vader doesnt measure up to Dracula.

[Red Mask]

Satan is the most popular fictional villain of all time. :up:

He's definitely up there. God bless him.

But there's also Dracula, Frankenstein, Darth Vader, the Wicked Witch of the West, evil Queen from Snow White, the Boogey-Man, & Megatron.

[Red Mask]

Darth Vader isnt anywhere close.

As for the most famous, the classic Universal Monsters take that title.

In over-all science fiction/fantasy, they sure do. Look how many remakes we've had on them along. We're even getting a new Wolfman film next year! Awoooh!

[Zephyr Alexian]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/darth-vader.jpg


:doom: :doom: :doom:

I'm surprised it took this long to post him.

The Joker is the most popular villain in the DC universe and perhaps even the most popular comic-book villain worldwide, but not the most popular.

No comic book villain has the worldwide popularity of Moriarty (Joker is an incarnation of this character to Batman's Holmes actually), Hannibal Lector, Darth Vader, and Dracula. Those are household names in most non-english speaking countries.

[Venom75]

I wouldn't say Dracula per say,but the vampire is the most widely known monster of all time. If you want to go with comic book/movie villains these guys come to mind...The Universal monsters,Freddy Krueger,Darth Vader,Jason Voorhees,the Joker,Venom,Lex Luthor,Godzilla,Hannibal Lector and Michael Myers.

[tzarinna]

Vadar, everyone knows Vadar.

[Majik1387]

I refuse to believe that Vader is on par with the Universal Monsters

[Dr Strange]

I would have to say Darth Vadar. Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster would come close and now the Joker will be up there.

[kingman]

http://i38.tinypic.com/okzqs2.jpg

[OctaviousINC]

Vader is probably the most famous. Though I really don't consider Vader all that great a villain personally. To me being a true villain is being downright evil till your last breath. Vader killed the evil emperor and got all sentimental and made up with his 'lil son. IMO the emperor is more evil therefore making him a better villain. Vader just looked cool. But I've only seen the SW movies and read a few of the expanded universe books. So maybe there's more cold evil acts Vader has done.

Thanks to Heath and Nolan, The Joker is probably a better contender in the fight for villain popularity. Personally, knowing much more about Joker due to comics, movies, and television then any other villain in any medium, I think he's the most evil, scary, unpredictable force ever to walk the fictional world. The fact that there's so many sides/personalities to him pretty much covers him on any evil meter from a PG rated playful trickster to an X rated mass murdering psychopath.

Love that Joker.

[RootBeerMaster]

No, Darth Vador While one of the Most famous I would say doesn't hold weight to Dracula, Wolfman, the Boogieman and Satan. If I had to guess it would probably be Satan, followed by Dracula.

[CELTICPRED]

The most recognizable/ famous is Dracula/Vader hands down.

Joker is up there, in one of his many forms, whether it be Romero for the older generation, Nicholson for our parents, and Ledger/Hamill's for our generation.

[Majik1387]

No, Darth Vador While one of the Most famous I would say doesn't hold weight to Dracula, Wolfman, the Boogieman and Satan. If I had to guess it would probably be Satan, followed by Dracula.
Thank you. :o

[Doctor Doom]

What? I tell yeah, no regard, no regard at all...

[WillardNation]

I would have to say Dracula with Vader as a close second. And Satan's not fictional so he doesn't count.

[Addendum]

satan is just as fictional as thor, zeus, and quetzalcoatl

[Spider-Vader]

Vader is up there. When people think of Star Wars they think R2-D2, C-3PO, Yoda, Chewbacca & Darth Vader.

[Doctor Doom]

It depends on the time period, when the new Episodes were coming out for Star Wars, Vader was the more popular, as was he when the originals came out. The Joker was more popular when his particular 1989 movie was on, and with The Dark Knight's release The Joker has once again taken the spotlight.

Personally, I think Vader's look is one of the most iconic in history, but Joker's character, origin, story and personality is way better.

[The Shredder]

Being that Dracula has been featured in countless films (some successful, some not-so-successful) since the silent era, I'll go with him.

[Prison Mike]

Joker is in the top ten, but not THE MOST famous fictional bad guy.

[Asteroid-Man]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/darth-vader.jpg


:doom: :doom: :doom:
Pretty much.

[Sawyer]

Vader.

[Doctor Doom]

I think this will solve the argument. (http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=302368&highlight=Walrus)

[Doctor Doom]

Scary stuff alright.

[nocomics]

I was thinking today and cannot think of another fictional villian more famous and well known than the joker, sure superman has lex bend has Dr. No, goldfinger and oddjob and spider-man had the green goblin star wars has vader but none have of those are as iconic or as well known as the Joker (okay vader comes close, very close). Am i right?

Is the Joker the most famous fictional villian of them all?
Not even close really,not taking away from HL performance but far as famous fictional villain...

Darth Vader
Dracula
Those two I think everyone knows who they are,but I won't say most ppl nowadays don't know who the Joker is. Just by going 'of them all I'll say no,but hes up there..
* I just think ur gonna find it hard to surpass Vader,as he was part of one of the most influential cultral sci/fi movies of all times...
*Dracula what else is there to say,probably been in the most movies of any villain or hero..Hes the all time iconic villain.

[Majik1387]

Vader doesn't deserve to be considered in the same league as Dracula.

[Sentinel X]

Wow...ermm, why do people HAVE to mention Satan...its just going to start a pointless mini "My views on God is right and yours is wrong...haha!" debate for no reason whatsoever....I mean really, is Satan that popular of a villain in the movieverse? :huh:


Anyhow I say it really has to do with the time period but the biggest villains are: The Joker, Darth Vader, Dracula, Hannibal Lecter, and The Wicked Witch from the West (were witches even concidered green before then? heh)

Out of all of those I think that Darth Vader is probably the most famous...but then again I feel its Dracula because not only is he famous in the movies but he has books and folklore to back him up.

[Sawyer]

Vader doesn't deserve to be considered in the same league as Dracula.

Majik, with all due respect, will you get over it already?! Yes, Dracula is a great villain. So is Vader. Some of us just seem to have differing viewpoints on who is a better-known villain. It doesnt mean either of us are wrong. We just have different opinions, is all.

[Infinity9999x]

I think in terms of pure "well known-ness" you would have to give the title to Dracula, just for the sheer number of books, movies, comics...basically everything that he's been in or referenced. You'd be hard pressed to find a kid in the world who didn't know who Dracula was, and if not Dracula, then a Vampire...and as we know Dracula is the daddy of them.

Darth comes in second, just because I think you probably could find a third world country out there were maybe a few kids don't know who he is...maybe.

Joker I would say takes 3rd, because this latest movie has pretty much forever propelled him way up there in terms of knowness. I would have said Lex before, but he hasn't been used quite as much in the general pop culture as of late.

[Lunar_Wolf]

The classics such as Dracula, Wolfman etc Darth Vader, Michael Myers, Freddy Kruger, Jason and Chucky.

[The Ace of Knaves]

I think Joker is right up there, but not the most famous. But saying that, I reckon Joker is known from the major cities in the US to the slums of India to the mountains of Tibet.

I remember when I was younger, when I'd eat Spaghetti Bolognese or something messy, and I had all red sauce around my lips my dad would always say "You look like the Joker with all that round your mush!" And he never had a thing for comics or nothing. I wonder if anyone else says that to their messy kids?

[November Rain]

hahaha, let's not let the dark knight's sucess get to everyone's heads...

joker most famous?

*chuckles*

[Doctor Doom]

What about the most inspiring villain of all time?

Doctor Doom creates villains everyday, even Vader is known to be based on him. Not to mention a lot of Bond villains.

I think I'll make that thread right now actually.

[Yurka]

I dont think Lex holds a candle to the Joker's fame, I think the most famous fictional villains are Vader, Joker, Hannibal.

[CFE]

The most recognizable/ famous is Dracula/Vader hands down.

Joker is up there, in one of his many forms, whether it be Romero for the older generation, Nicholson for our parents, and Ledger/Hamill's for our generation.

How old are you!? :wow:

Wow...that statement made me feel old...:csad:

[Doctor Doom]

Well it was two decades ago, just be thankful it's not Romero...Tell me it's not Romero...

[Yurka]

I counted Nicholson as "our generation" until Ledger/Joker, he was the Joker I grew up watching.

[CFE]

I count both Nicholson and Ledger as "our generations" Joker...since both were made in contemporary times. I never felt the need to choose between them, I guess.

Maybe I'm just in denial of aging lol the 89 "BATMAN" still feels as fresh to me, personally, as it's always been, again to me...I just never thought of it that way...20 years...jesus...

I mean I'm ONLY 20 (going on 21 this year) but when he said Nicholson was for 'our parents' that threw me for a loop.

[Yurka]

I count both Nicholson and Ledger as "our generations" Joker...since both were made in contemporary times. I never felt the need to choose between them, I guess.

Maybe I'm just in denial of aging lol the 89 "BATMAN" still feels as fresh to me, personally, as it's always been, again to me...I just never thought of it that way...20 years...jesus...

I mean I'm ONLY 20 (going on 21 this year) but when he said Nicholson was for 'our parents' that threw me for a loop.

I agree, I remember watching B89' when I was a youngster 15 years ago. Growing up, Jack was my Joker as im sure he was for many, now it feels strange that Heath exceeded everyones expectations and is the #1 Joker.
I'm only a year older than you so it definitely makes me feel old. :o

[Savage]

Okay, going strictly by what the thread title suggests, and not any personal bias, The Joker is definitely in the top 10 if not top 5 most famous fictional villains. Keep in mind, AGE does not equal FAME. People are mentioning Moriarty and Darth Vader but a lot of people can't tell you who Sherlock Holmes nemesis was (if they even know the character had a nemesis) and half the people out there confuse Star Wars with Star Trek so while both Darth Vader and Moriarty are famous, they're not Dracula, Frankenstein, or even Joker famous.

Joker is a character so synonymous with Batman throughout the ages that anybody can recognize that purple suit, white face and green hair. Hell, I'd say more people know of him than they know of Robin or Alfred. Darth Vader is a great villain and famous in geek terms but most if I showed my mom a picture of him (she's 43) she'd probably just say "...The Star...Trek...guy?" while if I showed her a picture of the Joker she'd probably say who he is and even bust out a "Nana nana nana nana Batmaaan" to go with it.

Not sure why I focused so much on the Vader thing but as much as he is an American pop culture icon, I don't think he's as famous as the Joker. Even BEFORE The Dark Knight even went into production I would say the same. That's all. Want to test a character's fame? Ask your local jock, cheerleader, pizzaboy, or bus driver. Not the geeks who study this stuff. Just weird seeing names like Vader and Hannibal Lecter thrown around.

Dracula, Frankenstein, King Kong, Godzilla, THESE are truly famous fictional villains (using the term loosely since some people wouldn't consider these guys villains but hey, it's what they're known for).

[Majik1387]

Okay, going strictly by what the thread title suggests, and not any personal bias, The Joker is definitely in the top 10 if not top 5 most famous fictional villains. Keep in mind, AGE does not equal FAME. People are mentioning Moriarty and Darth Vader but a lot of people can't tell you who Sherlock Holmes nemesis was (if they even know the character had a nemesis) and half the people out there confuse Star Wars with Star Trek so while both Darth Vader and Moriarty are famous, they're not Dracula, Frankenstein, or even Joker famous.

Joker is a character so synonymous with Batman throughout the ages that anybody can recognize that purple suit, white face and green hair. Hell, I'd say more people know of him than they know of Robin or Alfred. Darth Vader is a great villain and famous in geek terms but most if I showed my mom a picture of him (she's 43) she'd probably just say "...The Star...Trek...guy?" while if I showed her a picture of the Joker she'd probably say who he is and even bust out a "Nana nana nana nana Batmaaan" to go with it.

Not sure why I focused so much on the Vader thing but as much as he is an American pop culture icon, I don't think he's as famous as the Joker. Even BEFORE The Dark Knight even went into production I would say the same. That's all. Want to test a character's fame? Ask your local jock, cheerleader, pizzaboy, or bus driver. Not the geeks who study this stuff. Just weird seeing names like Vader and Hannibal Lecter thrown around.

Dracula, Frankenstein, King Kong, Godzilla, THESE are truly famous fictional villains (using the term loosely since some people wouldn't consider these guys villains but hey, it's what they're known for).
Thank you.