Some love for Supporting Characters

[Elijya]

We all debate and argue about Batman versus Superman, or if Wolverine is overrated, and all that, but we don't give much love to the supporting characters in the Marvel and DC universes. You know, the regular joes who're just along for the ride. The adventures of all our favorite heroes wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting if we didn't have these oft overlooked and rarely discussed foils. So let's give em some respect.

Who're the best? My pics

#1. J. Jonah Jameson - the brilliant thing about this guy is he can show up ANYWHERE in the Marvel universe, and it works. His surly temperment and angry rants are legendary, and despite several efforts, Jonah will never change, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

#2. Alfred Pennyworth - The loyal butler, there by his master's side in everything he does, even if it means he wants to dress up like a rodent and swing from buildings. This guy is the epitomy of loyal (come on, how many butlers would REALLY stick around if their bosses did what Wayne does?). And though Batman is a deep, dark character, any reputation he has as a loner is bogus, because Alfred has always been there for him. And for us, the readers, that's perfect because without Alfred, Bruce might just be a little too depressing, and probably crazy or dead.

#3. Rick Jones - where HASN'T this guy been? While it's common place for our heroes to journey to far dimensions and get involved in intergalactic wars, Rick is just a regular guy like all of us experiencing it all. The career side-kick whose never really been a full fledged hero himself, he's taken it all in stride. He's not a rookie, he's a grizzled veteran, yet he's never really played the game. He's the fan whose been at every game the team knows him so well he sits in the dugout now.

[Flash Fearless]

JJ is definitely the best supporting character in comics.

I also really like Flash Thompson, and I'm glad Peter David brought him back even though I haven't read the issues yet.

[The Question]

My favorite supporting casts:


1) Superman's. In the midts of all the super heroics and crazy sci fi action, Superman's supporting cast is a very normal group of friends and relatives. Lois, Jimmy, and Perry are all the friends from the office. Bibbo's the owner of the bar you go to to unwind after a hard day's work. Ma and Pa are the parents you visit on the weekends off. Jack Ryder is the jerk in the next cubicle over who's constantly vying for you job. Amungst all the crazyness and drama and out of this world stuff, Superman's supporting cast are the kind of people you know. The kind of people you see every day. It really helps to show how human Clark is, amung all the weirdness.

2) The Question's. I know, I'm biased as **** here. But that's how I feel. All of his friends and allies serve as a foil for Vic in some way or another. Tot is at the conservative extreme. He's constantly telling Vic that the vigilante thing is crazy. He's the voice of reason, to an extent. Richard Dragon is the liberal extreme. Always with the zen philosophy and "there's a better way." Izzy is the eyes of a jaded cop. He's cynical and sullen. And Myra grounds Vic. Shows him how to be a human being in the midts of all the darkness.

[ShadowBoxing]

Originally Posted by Elijya

We all debate and argue about Batman versus Superman, or if Wolverine is overrated, and all that, but we don't give much love to the supporting characters in the Marvel and DC universes. You know, the regular joes who're just along for the ride. The adventures of all our favorite heroes wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting if we didn't have these oft overlooked and rarely discussed foils. So let's give em some respect.

Who're the best? My pics

#1. J. Jonah Jameson - the brilliant thing about this guy is he can show up ANYWHERE in the Marvel universe, and it works. His surly temperment and angry rants are legendary, and despite several efforts, Jonah will never change, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

#2. Alfred Pennyworth - The loyal butler, there by his master's side in everything he does, even if it means he wants to dress up like a rodent and swing from buildings. This guy is the epitomy of loyal (come on, how many butlers would REALLY stick around if their bosses did what Wayne does?). And though Batman is a deep, dark character, any reputation he has as a loner is bogus, because Alfred has always been there for him. And for us, the readers, that's perfect because without Alfred, Bruce might just be a little too depressing, and probably crazy or dead.

#3. Rick Jones - where HASN'T this guy been? While it's common place for our heroes to journey to far dimensions and get involved in intergalactic wars, Rick is just a regular guy like all of us experiencing it all. The career side-kick whose never really been a full fledged hero himself, he's taken it all in stride. He's not a rookie, he's a grizzled veteran, yet he's never really played the game. He's the fan whose been at every game the team knows him so well he sits in the dugout now.

I'll continue

#4. Karen Page - If I had to pick my favorite comic girlfriend of all time it would be her. Her character develops more than any other side character I can think of. She starts off as a young, shy yet attractive secretary who has won both the hearts of Nelson and Murdock, but like all Secretaries who lead mundain lives she dreams of stardom. Karen leaves only to return a heroin addict who sells DareDevil's identity and then ends up on a shame spiral downwards. However she pulls through, and out of her personal fall from grace we see a woman emerge who is strong. Who founds a free law clinic with Matt Murdock, who has innumerable compassion and REAL EMOTION, something rarely seen in comics today

#5. Lois Lane - She would have topped Karen Page if it were not for the incredible amount of foolish storylines she has been involved in Pre-Crisis. But she has evolved considerably. Some find her more attractive than Wonder Woman. She is a street tough somewhat sarcastic lady with an attitude. Furthermore she is a loyal and devout wife to Superman and really seems to be the only one capable of handling the Man of Steel. She is a true feminist icon and is a cutthroat reporter, pity she was not around for the Bush Administration.

#6. Iceman/Bobby Drake (I assume any character who is not the star of a book will do) - An X-Man who never really grew into the spotlight. While Archangel, Beast, Cyclops and Jean have all had major storylines devoted to them over the years and major character arcs Bobby has always repressed himself. He was the little brother of the original five, maybe even somewhat of a forgotten one. However writers have smartly spun this jokster into a character whose marginalization serves a purpose. The X-scribes finally got around to revealling all these years it was his bigotted father who held him back, he made him feel inadaquate. And while Cyclops (who has a not dissimilar fear of rejection) spun his insecurities into an uptight leadership exterior, Bobby became the pranker, the one no one expected much from. However after glimpsing his true potential in Uncanny X-Men 314, we realize there is more to him than meets the eye.

[Elijya]

no way, anyone with a superhero codename does not count

[Herr Logan]

I'm a little bit torn between Alfred Pennyworth and J. Jonah Jameson, but I think I'm gonna go with Alfred.
The guy is trained in armed and unarmed combat, emergency medical assistance, detection and surveillance, computer and communications technology, theatre acting and disguise, cleaning and social ettiquette. He's the coolest sidekick that doesn't have a costumed identity.

Jameson is also an awesome character who never should have been pushed out of Spidey comics. He's the most intolerant guy in the world, but only with regard to behavior, not status (with the exception of young people) and he's a big civil rights activist. My favorite moment for Jameson was in an X-Men title when he stood up to Bastion during that whole 'Operation: Zero Tolerance' story. Bastion came into the Bugle office at night and offered Jameson a disk containing everything there is to know about the X-Men on it. Jameson burned the disk, saying that he intends to expose the X-Men (because they're vigilantes, not because they're mutants), but he's going to get that info through journalistic investigations, not dealing with zealous murderers (Bastion killed a Bugle reporter and Jameson knew it, even if he couldn't prove it). Jameson told Bastion to get out of his office before he threw him out. Bad. Ass.

[Darthphere]

Dum Dum Dugan.

[Mrh7448]

I would have to go with Alfred Pennyworth on this one. He's integral to Bruce being able to do the Batman thing and keep his identity safe. Not too mention just keeping Bruce alive and kicking.

[Silver Sable]

I can't believe you like JJJ my dear.He's suck a ................you know

[The Ether]

^^^ The man was lonely.

[Silver Sable]

I can understand that but he still has a bad attitude

[Roughneck]

JJJ


Rick Jones should get his own book

How come nobody said Foggy Nelson

John Jameson in She Hulk

[The Question]

Originally Posted by Elijya

no way, anyone with a superhero codename does not count

I really don't think that's fair. Anyone who isn't the lead character is a supporting character. For a long time now, Ice Man has had supporting character status.

[Electro UK]

I'd say Jarvis... but I've gone off him ever since he started to bang Aunt May

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by Silver Sable

I can't believe you like JJJ my dear.He's suck a ................you know

Oh, let's not even get into "I can't believe you like..." arguments here.

Anyway, for Marvel's supporting cast-members (since this is the Marvel Forum after all)... my top ten are as follows...

10 - Flash Thompson: Initially the bully who hated Parker, Flash had the amusing characteristic of hating Parker but being Spider-Man's biggest fan. He was initially a geek's fantasy - the bully who, despite being popular, was continually flummoxed and even embarrassed by Parker, the geek. Eventually, Flash developed a friendship with Peter. The childish bully finally grew up.

9 - Jarvis: Arguably the most consistent member of the Avengers, Jarvis has been around since day one. He has proved to be most crucial, in both integrating Captain America to the modern world, introducing Hawkeye to the Avengers, and so-on and soforth. Jarvis exemplifies the dedication of the Avengers without being a superhero.

8 - Ben Urich: Few civilians are as neck-deep in the superheroic as Ben is. As a member of the Daily Bugle staff, he's technically a co-worker to Spider-Man, and I guess Jessica Jones too. But his most significant contribution is to Daredevil's universe. One of Matt Murdock's closest friends, Ben gave up the story of his career (revealing Daredevil's identity) to protect him. This has caused Ben alot of trouble over the years, particularly from Wilson Fisk, but he remains steadfast.

7 - Moira McTaggert: The only human to technically become an X-Man. That's saying alot. She was crucial over the years, whether as the mother to Proteus, the ex-lover of Charles Xavier, or the unwilling pawn of Magneto and his Acolytes. Yet still she remained, much like Ben Urich, steadfast and loyal despite the harships that would break anyone else. And when she died, she died a hero, which is something civilians don't get too often.

6 - Gwen Stacy: Now I never liked Gwen much myself, but one cannot underestimate her importance to Spider-Man's mythos. She was the one who should have been, the one who was cut short before happily ever after, the one who cemented the Green Goblin as Spider-Man's arch-nemesis.

5 - Lockheed: Arguably the most bizarre of all supporting characters, he is nonetheless a supporting character. A small purple dragon from outerspace with a penchant for cigarettes and cigars who hangs around arguably the sweetest and most innocent of the X-Men. He's like Disney-World's Figment mixed in with Bruce Willis for good measure.

4 - Willie Lumpkin: He's a mailman. Who delivers mail to the Fantastic Four. And that's enough in and of itself to get him a spot on this list. And to be the first named character from the Marvel Universe to be played on film by Stan Lee gets him up to spot number four.

3 - James Rhodes: Before he was War Machine, before he was Iron Man II, he was one hell of a supporting cast-member. Sure, he was Tony Stark's pilot, but one doesn't get to take over for the big man himself if he's not one tough son of a *****.

2 - Aunt May: At first, May was little more than a plot device. Oh no! May's sick! Go save her! Oh no! May might find out Spidey's identity! But still, she was distinctive. How many superheroes had to put up with a nagging older relative? Especially one as clueless as Aunt May was initially? Even in the beginning, she was one tough old lady, and has been perpetually an octagenarian for ages now. Even though her resurrection was a terrible crime committed to a great story, she's proven to be quite an interesting character lately. Especially when she was stories devoted to herself. Say what you want about J Michael Stracsynski, but he writes Aunt May with a flair that few ever have.

1 - J. Jonah Jameson: Yes, he's a mean old cuss who takes every opportunity possible to slam Spider-Man, and even though he has had his hand in creating a few supervillains, namely the Scorpion and the Spider-Slayers, he has also proven himself as a fairly noble individual with a strong sense of right and wrong. He worked feverishly to save Betty Brant from the Sinister Six, he single-handedly dispatched Alistaire Smythe with a baseball bat, amongst other acts of relative nobility for a guy like Jonah. But more importantly, Jonah never fails to be entertaining. And really, what more can you ask of a character like J. Jonah Jameson?

[Silver Sable]

Geez sorry!

[Electro UK]

Originally Posted by Cyclops

Oh, let's not even get into "I can't believe you like..." arguments here.

Anyway, for Marvel's supporting cast-members (since this is the Marvel Forum after all)... my top ten are as follows...

10 - Flash Thompson: Initially the bully who hated Parker, Flash had the amusing characteristic of hating Parker but being Spider-Man's biggest fan. He was initially a geek's fantasy - the bully who, despite being popular, was continually flummoxed and even embarrassed by Parker, the geek. Eventually, Flash developed a friendship with Peter. The childish bully finally grew up.

And then PAD went and took em back to square one a few months back

[Cyclops]

Shh. As far as I'm concerned, anything from The Other on out has never ever happened.

What Other? I don't know what you're talking about. Shh.

[Brainiac 8]

Originally Posted by Elijya

no way, anyone with a superhero codename does not count

I agree, bobby wouldn't count.

Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White are probably three of the best supporting characters in history.

Runners up: JJJ, Moose from SG, Jarvis, Aunt May, Alfred, Commisioner Gordon, and Professor Hamilton.

[Brainiac 8]

Originally Posted by Cyclops

Shh. As far as I'm concerned, anything from The Other on out has never ever happened.

What Other? I don't know what you're talking about. Shh.

Preach it!

[Flash Fearless]

Originally Posted by Electro UK

And then PAD went and took em back to square one a few months back

How did PAD explain Flash no longer being paralyzed?

[Elijya]

Originally Posted by Brainiac 8

Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White are probably three of the best supporting characters in history.

I've got to disagree, I've never really liked Superman's supoporting cast. Perry has always struck me as just a boss, and not really much more. Jimmy is a goddamn idiot most of the time, and Lois was always a rhymes-with-witch. None of them have ever really had any depth to me. Attempts have been made (I'll give props to the Superman:TAS Lois for being more fleshed out) but it's never enough, and they certainly don't come anywhere near matching most of the other people mentioned. IMO.

[Roughneck]

I also would like to know how PAD unparalised Flash

[The Question]

Originally Posted by Elijya

I've got to disagree, I've never really liked Superman's supoporting cast. Perry has always struck me as just a boss, and not really much more. Jimmy is a goddamn idiot most of the time, and Lois was always a rhymes-with-witch. None of them have ever really had any depth to me. Attempts have been made (I'll give props to the Superman:TAS Lois for being more fleshed out) but it's never enough, and they certainly don't come anywhere near matching most of the other people mentioned. IMO.

Well, as I said, the fact that Superman's supporting cast is basically the friends and co workers of any guy with a nine to five collared shirt and tie job is interesting, since Superman's adventures tend to be very sci fi and action oriented, so it kind of grounds his stories a bit. And really, they're pretty good characters and have been fleshed out plenty. They went through a whole deal a few years back were Perry was having severe heart problems and facing the possibility of dying. Plus, his whole history with Lex makes their rivalry almost as interesting as Lex and Superman's. And Jimmy is hardly an idiot. Socially inept, perhaps. But there have been more than a few stories to show he's very bright.

[ShadowBoxing]

Originally Posted by Elijya

no way, anyone with a superhero codename does not count

Okay so really its show some love for Civilian characters, as opposed to merely supporting cast. By the way anyone who leaves Karen Page out of their top ten has no taste in my book.