Captain America vs Wolverine vs Hulk, 2nd Most Iconic Marvel Character Is?

[Robin's Gambit]

I think it goes without saying that Spiderman is the most iconic Marvel character of all time. He's a household name around the world and he's dominated several mediums including comics, film, television, video games, toys, and even broadway that none of his contemporaries in the company have matched.

All three are iconic but who's the runner-up? In the 70s and early 80s a case could have been made for Banner until Wolverine got immense exposure in the 90s and early 00s due to the popularity of the animated X-Men show and the beginning of the X-Men film franchise. Chris Evan's portrayal of Steve Rogers in the MCU has similarly caused a massive spike in popularity and acclaim for Captain America.

Who is the second most iconic character in Marvel?

I

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

The character that kicked off the MCU, Tony Stark/Iron Man gets no love? Feels like an oversight.

 

[Robin's Gambit]

The character that kicked off the MCU, Tony Stark/Iron Man gets no love? Feels like an oversight.

Iron Man hasn't seen any success outside of the MCU. That's why he didn't get a mention. Never really sold any solo comics, doesn't have any acclaimed tv shows or video games, etc.

I really don't think people care that much about him unless RDJ is playing him.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Iron Man hasn't seen any success outside of the MCU. That's why he didn't get a mention. Never really sold any solo comics, doesn't have any acclaimed tv shows or video games, etc.

I really don't think people care that much about him unless RDJ is playing him.

That would all also apply to Cap equally. And yet you have him listed.

And both Cap and Iron Man have both sold solo comics, had acclaimed runs, yet neither have had acclaimed TV shows or video games of note, though both have had video games. Iron Man also has Cap beat by having three different animated programs which if I am remembering correctly all ran more than one season.

Look... I am actually a bigger fan of Cap than Iron Man but I think your reasoning for the list is skewed by whatever factors, but to leave out Iron Man doesn't pass the smell test given that the vast majority of the people saying they are "Marvel Fans" today probably see his character as the face of the MCU.

 

[Kuwolski]

Whoever was in the Avengers films. More people will have seen those films over the last 7 years then the amount of people who have read comics in DECADES..

Plus you can look at franchises as brand names as much as individual characters, so the Avengers and X-Men everyone knows, and both generate a ton of cross-platform sales today and in the past. Spider-Man is king, but the Avengers are #2 in that regard at the moment.The X-Men used to be monsters at generating $$, and will be again in 5 years. I know that wasn't in the poll question, but the poll would be better if it was imo.

And yeah, Stark needs to be on this list. OG of the biggest franchise in the world.

 

[Stormborn]

As much as I personally prefer Cap and Thor, Iron Man's definitely the most iconic MCU character and those films have reached a lot more people than the comics/animated shows ever did.

By now Iron Man's got to be the second most famous Marvel character behind Spidey.

 

[metaphysician]

Setting aside the Iron Man argument? Of the guys listed its Cap by a long shot. Wolverine's popularity has been on a general downward decline with the overuse and diminishing quality of the X-Men movies, while Steve Rogers has only gotten bigger and bigger thanks to the MCU.

 

[Iron_Stark]

What are we talking about, iconic as far as who? Among the fandom or with everyone?

among the fandom

Pre-MCU Wolverine
Post-MCU Cap.

Worldwide/General public

Pre- MCU, Hulk
Post-MCU Iron Man

 

[Batmannerism]

Following Endgame MCU I would say that iconic marvel characters ( in thebpublic consciousness) goes like this.

1. Iron Man
2. Captain America
3. Thor

4. Spider Man
5. Wolverine ( although plenty of people probably still have no idea he's actually a marvel character).
6. Ant Man.
7. Captain Marvel.

And everyone else.

 

[jolldan]

Would have to go with Hulk. This comes from someone who watched 90's Spider-Man, X-Men, Silver Surfer and Iron-Man

Hulk's anger/strength similar to The Flash's speed has sort of infused in pop culture so it has become more than just the character.

I remember when I was growing up my aunt would always say when my cousin had a tantrum "Oh he's turning green" she'd even make faces lol and for DC it was always Flash because whenever we would run out the house gyou would always get a "Slow down Flash!" from her.

 

[The_Manhunter]

Thor

 

[All-Father]

Hulk.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Definitely Iron Man. The MCU has shaped the the viewpoint of the general public towards these characters far more than any other source. Iron Man is one of the most iconic and popular protagonists in film history.

 

[Kuwolski]

Well said.

And true.

 

[psylockolussus]

The Wolverine.

Comics
Videogames
Cartoons
Movies
Toys

 

[BigThor]

Captain America babyyyyyyy.

 

[The Batman]

This thread is a waste without Iron Man being an option.

I get that Cap is popular, but if anyone should've been left out of this poll, it should be him, not Iron Man.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

This thread is a waste without Iron Man being an option.

I get that Cap is popular, but if anyone should've been left out of this poll, it should be him, not Iron Man.

I think Cap belongs here and I actually voted for him as I think he is the closest of the poll choices (I'd have him third). It is just that Iron Man is a giant omission.

In fact you could probably make a good case that after Spider-Man, the next three should be Iron Man, Cap, and Thor. Thor also not being on this poll. Wolverine and Hulk are not what they once were.

EDIT: Actually, I think "not what they once were" is probably the wrong wording. It is more that the others surpassed them. Back in the 90s, Wolverine was easily the second most popular Marvel character, but it was mostly limited to cartoons and comics. It was a certain audience that really liked him. He wasn't mainstream the way Iron Man and Cap are now. The X-Men movies were popular, but even at his peak of mainstream awareness I never saw casuals talking about him frequently (and even then it is usually in reference to Hugh Jackman specifically as opposed to the character) or wearing a bunch of Wolverine shirts in public the way you do with Captain America or Iron Man today. Hulk is known, but again seems to have been surpassed Hulk gets a little more recognition and has been known for much longer thanks to the 70s show, but still seems to be less than the Big Three these days (with Black Panther and Captain Marvel coming on strong too).

 

[Kuwolski]

I think Cap belongs here and I actually voted for him as I think he is the closest of the poll choices (I'd have him third). It is just that Iron Man is a giant omission.

In fact you could probably make a good case that after Spider-Man, the next three should be Iron Man, Cap, and Thor. Thor also not being on this poll. Wolverine and Hulk are not what they once were.

EDIT: Actually, I think "not what they once were" is probably the wrong wording. It is more that the others surpassed them. Back in the 90s, Wolverine was easily the second most popular Marvel character, but it was mostly limited to cartoons and comics. It was a certain audience that really liked him. He wasn't mainstream the way Iron Man and Cap are now. The X-Men movies were popular, but even at his peak of mainstream awareness I never saw casuals talking about him frequently (and even then it is usually in reference to Hugh Jackman specifically as opposed to the character) or wearing a bunch of Wolverine shirts in public the way you do with Captain America or Iron Man today. Hulk is known, but again seems to have been surpassed Hulk gets a little more recognition and has been known for much longer thanks to the 70s show, but still seems to be less than the Big Three these days (with Black Panther and Captain Marvel coming on strong too).

This is where the lines of iconic/popularity sometimes get confused. I think Hulk is universally known (iconic), but is he currently as popular as IM or Cap? In the west probably not, but I'm sure each country varies. Also, I wholeheartedly agree with you that these movies have obliterated any notions of iconography based on comics history or having a coffee mug with character, A,B or C in the 70's or 80's, etc. For that reason you could make a cogent argument that Deadpool should be an option as well. I see as many people rocking Deadpool merch today as Cap, which is significant for both. Not as iconic as Cap (from a historic perspective), but his popularity today, which is fed by his IP staying power since his creation, pretty much guarantees his icon status in the future, if people don't think he's there now.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Deadpool is up there, definitely

I do think there is a difference between popularity and being iconic, but for the most part they overlap. Probably the best example of a character being well-known, but not necessarily that popular (in comparison to some others) currently is Superman. I will never argue that he isn't among the most iconic (if not THE most) of all superheroes. But that's relatively rare and it almost always is the case of someone being superpopular at some point. Iron Man won't always be as popular as he is now either, but practically the whole world (or at least English speaking world) knows who he is now and that's unlikely to change.

 

[The Batman]

I'd say that Deadpool is arguably more popular than anyone else on this poll at the moment.

 

[Kuwolski]

Deadpool has transcended the genre into the pop culture zeitgeist in ways it took other characters decades to do, and in ways no other character is allowed to do (in and outside of the genre), based on the unique (awesome) qualities DP possesses.

 

[Mandon Knight]

For the GA ? Deadpool

For the Fandom and Gerd Community (Geek/Nerd) ? Iron Man

 

[TraditionalHero]

'Popular' and 'Iconic' are not one in the same.

The 2nd most iconic character from Marvel is Hulk, without a doubt. He transcends the superhero conversation. The character has almost become synonymous with rage itself.

Also keep in mind that Hulk hasn't starred in his own movie in 10 years, and none of them were good to begin with. Best believe if Marvel made a kick ass Hulk movie and marketed it right, it would probably do very well.

Iron Man is having his time in the sun now sure, but they can dust off Hulk and bring him back whenever they want and there will always be an audience. BECAUSE he's that iconic.

In terms of iconic status:

1. Spidey
2. Hulk
3. Cap

After that it becomes a debate between Iron Man, Wolverine and Thor. Hell maybe even Human Torch. You laugh but everyone in the world knows Human Torch. A legitimate dark horse in this conversation.

Can't believe I see people here mentioning Deadpool. Not even close to iconic.

 

[Zarex]

I would rate Marvel's current Top Ten to be the following:

Spider-Man
Iron Man
Captain America
Thor
Wolverine
Deadpool
Black Panther
Captain Marvel
Hulk
Ant Man

Spidey's on top, but #2 is on a rotation.