How famous are these characters in their own world?

[Thundercrack85]

Compared to people in real life, how famous would these characters be? This is sort of a general DC universe question, but I think it works well in film.

With some it seems fairly clear. Lex Luthor is usually an Elon Musk or Donald Trump type figure. Presumably, he is world famous, and has a sizable Wikipedia page.

But then you have Bruce Wayne, who everyone seems to know. But would they? He's inherited a huge company, but aside from wealth, why would he be famous? Does the average joe know the heir to a Fortune 500 company? Certainly in Gotham, but outside of it, not so much.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent's fame also seems to vary depending on the adaptation. Lois Lane is usually at least a successful reporter. But in Man of Steel Clark Kent's professional life was an afterthought, so he may be a total unknown.

What do you guys think?

 

[Bayne]

Bruce Wayne is more than just the heir to a big company. He's a tabloid figure, a male Paris Hilton - though presumably without the reality shows. Also, I tend to think that the specific details of his life would have come with quite a bit of attention as well. Super rich, practically saintly couple gunned down right before the eyes of their young child - that's news of the decade material. Then the part where he disappears for years (this isn't necessarily in every adaptation, admittedly) to the point that people think he's dead only to show up again just in time to take over his parents' company pretty much automatically turns him into a walking conspiracy theory.

Lois and Clark are definitely dependent on their professional success, so that just depends on how far down that road they've come. Once you get a pulitzer prize, you're going to be a pretty well known journalist. And Lois getting an endless series of Superman exclusives is probably even more of an attention getter than the pulitzer.

 

[AnneFan]

Bruce Wayne is a mix of JFK Jr and Bill Gates, perhaps.

 

[NiallC]

I think from the Justice League, depending on the story, then Aquaman would be the most famous. Their identities aren't really hidden in some stories so because of that and their origins as being from mythical locations then they'd certainly be the most famous.

But yeah Bruce is probably famous for his charitable nature and playboy nature around Gotham so people might not know him. I mean with Metropolis being on the otherside of the bay you'd presume they'd know him. Presumably everyone on the east coast at most, but he's probably not worldwide.

I mean even Vic Stone might be considered abut more famous. I'm from the UK so I'm not totally sure but even we hear about college football players sometimes if something big happens, so I wouldn't be surprised if a huge life altering incident to a rising star in football wouldn't make him well known in America.

 

[Osiris-Rex]

I would guess Cat Grant is very famous in National City, and maybe even the rest of the country depending on just how worldwide CatCo is.
Maxwell Lord is probably pretty well known too.