50 Most Influential Fictional Characters #45-41

From November 28th to December 25th 2013, we collected top ten lists from both members of the Facebook group and visitors to the site to compile the list of CBNAH Top 50 Most Influential Fictional Characters of All Time. Today we bring counting down from #45-41.

45. Ash Williams

Created By: Sam Raimi 

From: Evil Dead

First Appearance: Evil Dead

Ash might be an idiot and a little misogyny, but he's a hero and icon of horror cinema. The hero of the Evil Dead series has battle the army of the undead from the Book of the Dead in films, video games, comics and even a musical.     

44.  Conan 

Created By: Robert E. Howard

From: Conan

First Appearance: Weird Tales (1932) 

When it comes to the Fantasy without a doubt Conan is one of the key figures of this genre. The Conan books are still print, seventy-seven years after Robert E. Howard's death. The character has conquered all realms of pop culture from comics to films. 

43. Snow White

From: Mythology 

The innocent and beautiful of Snow White has influenced a lot of young women dreaming in becoming a princess and hopeful finding Prince Charming and a lot of storytellers to boot. But what made Snow White a special character is she's a character without any evil intentions and inspired all around her to be a better person. Snow White is widely consider to be one of the greatest fairy tales of all time. Snow White did get some votes for the incarnations of Disney animated feature and the Fables comic book series.

42. Hercules

From: Mythology 

The son of Zeus, Hercules is one of the most famous Greek Mythological characters of all time. Hercules possessed such great strength and went through twelve labors redeem himself from madness and atonement. Hercules has a made an everlasting impact on pop culture with films, television series, novels and comics based on him.

41. Solid Snake

Created By: Hideo Kojima

From: Metal Gear Series

First Appearance: Metal Gear (1987) 

From the mind of Hideo Kojima, Solid Snake is spy, special operations soldier, and mercenary. Snake has been consider to be one of the greatest action heroes in any medium and making the Metal Gear series into one of the biggest franchises in video games history.       

Renaldo's Reviews: Dancer #2, Conan #5, Mind the Gap #2, The Strain #5

Dancer #2 –

Well, first issue was good and here, the plot twists are obvious. I kind of did not want to actually deal with the obvious clone factor…yes…clone factor. We have a retired assassin on the lam…from his younger clone…who lures him out of hiding by kidnapping his girl. It’s a bit clichéd and mish-mashed but somehow, Nathan Edmondson does well enough on the story to have me attached for the next issue. Nic Klein also gives me that Francavilla feel that I love with his visuals but unless there’s a grand deus ex machina in issue 3…I’ll be dropping.

Renaldo's Reviews: Saga, Hardcore, Justice League, AvX, Avengers, X-Men, Dancer, Conan, Saucer Country and More!

Saga #3 –

Brian Vaughan continues with his contemporary twist on an intergalactic space mission whereby two renegade parents struggle on a desolate planet to survive with their newborn. Throw in a bounty hunter here and there…and a huge target on the parents’ heads…and being on the lam when drawn by Fiona Staples…is an extraterrestrial treat. Wood continues a flowing storyline and there’s drama and underlying suspicion built up. The tension is pent in when Izabel enters the fray with her ghostly attitude and the apparition proved a key element here.

Review: Conan #4

Anyone who's a fan of action/adventure and is not reading this comic is either ignorant of it's awesomeness or otherwise straight out insane. Brian Wood's retelling of the classic Robert E Howard novella 'Queen of the Black Coast' has been nothing but amazing. Conan and his new queen Belit set their mind on action, specifically looting and pillaging the port town of Messantia, Argos. Conan has earned the respect of his new crew, and the hatches a plan that requires complete faith in his lessers.

Review: Conan #3

Conan is drunk with passion until his depth of perception comes abound with classy yet deceptive premonitions at the final few pages. It’s elementary a tool by a writer but one that Brian Wood pulls off with genuine skill. Wood is such a boss here…it isn’t funny. Conan lost his old crew to Belit but as fast as he fell for her beauty, she fell for his might and bravery. It’s a perfect match and one filled with a wide range of lust, support and an anchor of duty. Conan seeks purpose and his loins tell him where he should find this. Sad but true.

Review: Conan #3

Conan is drunk with passion until his depth of perception comes abound with classy yet deceptive premonitions at the final few pages. It’s elementary a tool by a writer but one that Brian Wood pulls off with genuine skill. Wood is such a boss here…it isn’t funny. Conan lost his old crew to Belit but as fast as he fell for her beauty, she fell for his might and bravery. It’s a perfect match and one filled with a wide range of lust, support and an anchor of duty. Conan seeks purpose and his loins tell him where he should find this. Sad but true.

Renaldo's Reviews: Saga #1, Dark Matter #3, Exile from the Planet of the Apes #1, Strain #4, Conan #1-2

Saga # 1 –

BKV is at his literary best here and as a fan of his Runaways, it’s such a tasty offering. The casual, nonchalant yet profane vibe tossed into the intergalactic couple on the run makes for exciting pages. It’s all Romeo and Juliet…plus a baby…meets Star Wars. There’s enough mystery steeped into the Bonne and Clyde vibe as we see star-crossed lovers (literally) running from the law to protect their child. The child’s narrative adds a nice blend of guile and intrigue as you wonder how her journey went. It’s a girl I may add. There are a lot of sexual connotations involved but wondering how the narrator went from being a baby to actually documenting this title is journalistic gold.

Review: Conan #2

I really enjoyed the first issue of Conan it was captivating on both levels Brian Wood obviously knows how to write Conan and Becky Cloonan on the art just makes the story all the more enthralling!

The first scene is lovely and very creepy showing the bold pirate captain Belt confronting Conan as he takes her and her crew on. I loved the art and the series has continued with a bold style, the story is told very visually and that opening scene mentioned just played like an old

Review: Conan #1

Conan was suggested to me by a friend. I really enjoyed ‘The Immortal’ so I thought I’d give the first issue a go. I really quite enjoyed it and I think like ‘The Immortal’ we’re being set up for an epic comic experience. I’ve never read a Conan story before and as a new reader I think this issue was quite accessible.

The story is off to a good start and gives just the right amount of cues into just who Conan is as a character and into the world he lives in,

Review: King Conan: Road of Kings #12

This book tells the story of an aged Conan, serving as the King of Aquilona as he relays his past to a scribe in order for it to be archived and told to generations yet to come. The story by Tim Truman is engaging as we get acquainted with the many important players in this tale.  It is for the most part, setup.  But the premise is interesting enough to come back and get the rest of the issues.

The star of this show is Tomas Giorelo.  His art is a perfect fit for this book.  Its gritty and he conveys emotions rather perfectly. 

Review: Conan: Road of Kings #12

What couldn’t be more perfect than Conan being written by Roy Thomas?  And in this comic, he shows that he still got it...especially when it concerns everyone's favourite Cimmerian.  It follows Conan's captivity and trial in the city of Mesanita, The capital of Argos.  I can describe that the story is a little bit formulaic, and you can just about predict what is going to happen, but still, its very enjoyable none the less.

In fact, however odd it may seem, it actually reminded me a bit of the old Dragon Ball cartoon.

Groo Vs Conan! For Real This Time!

From Dark Horse - "What was rumored as an April Fools’ joke has turned into a full-blown miniseries sure to bring laughs and excitement. Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce Groo vs. Conan!
It had to happen: The most heroic warrior in history meets the stupidest, as Robert E. Howard’s immortal Conan the Barbarian crosses swords with Sergio Aragonés’s Groo the Wanderer in Groo vs. Conan #1! 
This four-issue miniseries was concocted by the Eisner Award–winning team of Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragonés, aided by master illustrator

Conan the Barbarian #1 preview

We have another preview for you. This time from Dark Horse's Conan the Barbarian.

In this sweeping adaptation of Robert E. Howard's fan-favorite "Queen of the Black Coast," Conan turns his back on the civilized world and takes to the high seas alongside the pirate queen Bêlit, setting the stage for an epic of romance, terror, and swashbuckling.

This is Conan as you've never seen him, with the combination of one of Robert E. Howard's greatest tales and the most dynamic creative team in comics!

* A perfect jumping-on point for new readers!

*A bold, fresh take on the Cimmerian.

* "Queen of the Black Coast" is the most-requested Conan adaptation!

and with a naked and puking Conan, more than a few of us CBNAH-ers should be able to relate. Look for it early February 2012 (the eighth to be exact)..!

CBR Interviews Brian Wood

CBR interviews Brian Wood about Conan, Wolverine: Alpha and Omega, his new creator owned book and the end of DMZ and Northlanders: