50 Most Influential Fictional Characters #40-36

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 #40-36

40. Ebenezer Scrooge

Created By: Charles Dickens
From: A Christmas Carol
First Appearance: A Christmas Carol (1843)

In the beginning of A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is a greedy and cranky business man who hates Christmas. But after his fateful meeting with the three Ghosts of Christmas, he turns a new leaf and learns how to live again. A tale that is both moving and inspirational.

39. Thor

From: Mythology

Whether in Norse Mythology or in the Marvel universe, Thor is a pop culture icon. From poems to comics, Thor has been a subject of many writers and artists doing various projects on him. Influencing many to study and learn about Norse Mythology.

38. Dracula

Created By: Bram Stoker
From: Dracula
First Appearance: Dracula (1897)

There were vampire stories before Bram Stoker's Dracula. But none of them has reached the impact that Dracula has left on the world of Fiction. Dracula is apart of the Universal Monsters family thanks to the 1931 film of the same name starring Bela Lugosi.

37. Ellen Ripley

Created By: Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett
From: Alien series
First Appearance: Alien

Considered to be one of the greatest female lead characters of all time, Ellen Ripley was the first female character in cinema to take matters in her own hands. She didn't act like the helpless female characters portrayal in countless sci-fi and horror films. A strong character that broke all of the rules and kicked a lot of ass in the process.

36. Mario

Created By: Shigeru Miyamoto

From: Mario series
First Appearance: Donkey Kong (1981)

Mario is Nintendo's mascot and helped built the company to be the world's largest video game company. Mario is one of the most famous video game characters of all time and influence many people to get into the world of gaming.

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.       

50 Most Influential Fictional Characters #50-46

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 #50-46.

50. Link

Created By: Shigeru Miyamoto

From: The Legend of Zelda

First Appearance: The Legend of Zelda (1986)

One of the most iconic and enduring heroes of video games. Multiple characters throughout the Zelda series have bare the name of Link. All of them have displayed heroic and courageous feats. A character that a lot of gamers can look up and relate to. Link is apart of the "three pillars" of Nintendo along with Mario from the Mario series and Samus Aran from the Metroid series.  

49. Zeus

From: Mythology

The son of Cronus, Zeus is one of the most powerful Gods in Greek mythology. He would later defeated his father to become the King of the gods. Zeus has appeared all over in pop culture from television to comics.

48. Daredevil

Created By: Stan Lee and Bill Everett

From: Daredevil

First Appearance: Daredevil #1 (1964)

Daredevil is one of the few superheroes with a disability. Matt Murdock is a blind lawyer with a heart of gold, who becomes Daredevil whenever the justice system fails. Frank Miller's run on the title (#158-191, #219, #226-233) reached new levels of popularity for the character, which has left a lasting impact on Daredevil to this date.

47. Don Draper

Created By: Matthew Weiner

From: Mad Men 

First Appearance: "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (2007)

With the premiere of Mad Men on AMC in 2007, saw the rebirth of cool. The show has lead to renewed interest in the fashion of the early 1960s, many television series paying homage to the show and turning the AMC channel into a juggernaut in cable television. Well done, Mr. Draper.

46. Homer Simpson 

Created By: Matt Groening

From: The Simpsons 

First Appearance: "Good Night" (1987) on The Tracey Ullman Show

Homer Simpson is a character that many people can either relate to or knows someone who might share the mannerism as Homer. A father trying to do the best for his family, but yet, can act a bit childish at times, which can lead into some great comedy material. One of the most important and iconic characters on television.

Console Slayer for 12/24/13

   Today we'll talk about our favorite games of 2013! 2013 was packed with a lot of releases and a bunch of really big releases. I don't play everything, nobody does. So today when I talk about my favorite game of the year obviously it's only of what I've played. Also, it's only my opinion.

   The game I looked forward to most in 2013 arrived early in the year. It was a game franchise I enjoyed very much growing up. I remember going to Blockbuster with my cousin to rent Nintendo 64s from time to time. I remember this particular day going to rent a Playstation 1 for the first time. I forget but it may have been my first interaction with a PS1. The game we rented to play with it was none of than Tomb Raider. It was a game and main character that changed the video game world.

   I always enjoyed platformers as a kid and still do, but this was a newer take on a platform game as it was in 3D. It wasn't the first to do 3D platforming and it wasn't only a platforming game, but it appealed to my tastes. The sense of exploration and adventure in this game were possibly the most I had ever gotten out of a video game until then.

   I stuck with the franchise, only wavering from it with Angel of Darkness because I didn't have a PS2 or a PC capable of running it at the time. Luckily, according to most I dodged a bullet with this game. 

   I have since played through and beaten all of the console TR titles except AoD and some of the portable titles as well.

   Imagine my surprise when a reboot was announced. I immediately pre-ordered it. It was supposed to be a new experience for Lara and the player. It would be vulnerable, gritty and a matter of survival.
When this game was released I bought it on PS3 on launch day. I played through and beat it on every difficulty. I loved this game. While not perfect, Crystal Dynamics did an amazing job with the game. The gameplay was solid, the atmosphere was immersive & interesting and the game had replayability for a fan such as myself. It was a fun experience.

   I have since bought the game on PC along with all of the DLC and plan to play through it again this time with my high end PC.

   So what was your favorite game of the year and why? I'd like to hear.

   For today’s tune I present one of my favorite video game tracks from the 90's, in honor of my favorite game of the year, the “Main Title” theme from the original Tomb Raider by composer Nathan McCree:

TSVG 098: Tomb Raider - Main Theme

Nikki Kayama Volume 2 by Jonathan Provencal