Who Do You Like? - by Kainja on 13:28 04 Nov 2003
I'm interested in finding out from folks their favorite fantasy character(s). Do people like the big strong heroes like Conan or Kane? Or the youth who grows to be a hero like Luke Skywalker, or the physically weak character who must win through brains and will like Frodo?
Or do people like villains? What about Darth Vader? Thulsa Doom?
Or what about the tragic characters like Gollum?
And do you ever wonder what your choice of favorite characters says about YOU?
Charles
I'm interested in finding out from folks their favorite fantasy character(s). Do people like the big strong heroes like Conan or Kane? Or the youth who grows to be a hero like Luke Skywalker, or the physically weak character who must win through brains and will like Frodo?
Or do people like villains? What about Darth Vader? Thulsa Doom?
Or what about the tragic characters like Gollum?
And do you ever wonder what your choice of favorite characters says about YOU?
Charles
Who Do You Like? - by EvilLuke on 14:17 04 Nov 2003
The first character that leapt to mind when asking about favorite characters was Druss the Legend from Legend by David Gemmell. I haven't read any of the other Druss books, but something about the faded warrior just sticks with you, really cool character.
Other faves:
Samuel Vimes from the Discworld novels
FitzChivalry Farseer from the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Hari Michelson/Caine from Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Woodring Stover
Villains:
Darth Vader, of course
The Ten Who Were Taken and The Lady's Taken from the Black Company series by Glen Cook
Good old, Dr. Doom. He may not be fantasy, but he's great
EvilLuke
The first character that leapt to mind when asking about favorite characters was Druss the Legend from Legend by David Gemmell. I haven't read any of the other Druss books, but something about the faded warrior just sticks with you, really cool character.
Other faves:
Samuel Vimes from the Discworld novels
FitzChivalry Farseer from the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Hari Michelson/Caine from Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Woodring Stover
Villains:
Darth Vader, of course
The Ten Who Were Taken and The Lady's Taken from the Black Company series by Glen Cook
Good old, Dr. Doom. He may not be fantasy, but he's great
EvilLuke
Who Do You Like? - by Arislyn on 14:28 04 Nov 2003
Oh, wow....that's a tough question for me. I don't have one or two characters that I just love. I generally have three or four from each book/series that I read that I end up adoring for various reasons.
Generally speaking, though, I tend to really like those characters that are weaker and flawed in some way (not necessarily tragically so, but just...not perfect). I enjoy watching them struggle and grow. To me, these characters have far more depth than a big, strong character who can bash/intimidate his way through the story.
I guess I like more a Frodo-esque characters than anything else.
Now, villians. Ahhhh...ah likes me a good villian, ah guarantee. I think the ones I like the most are those who aren't clear cut bad guys. They are actually striving for something bigger than themselves but are tackling it from the wrong angle. For instance, the antagonist in "Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within" wanted to protect his world. He wanted everyone to be safe and, to do this, he felt that the spirits had to be destroyed...and he simply didn't believe in this whole "earth has a soul" mumbo-jumbo. So, he actively worked against the protagonists, who were trying to accomplish the same goal through different means, because he felt they were foolish and would fail.
He wasn't really a bad guy. He just made some bad decisions.
I like those kinds of villians. I enjoy being able to sympathize with them on some level, even if I don't agree with what they are doing.
I'm going to give it some more thought and see if I can come up with some specific names for you. For some reason, my mind is tabla raza right now. (Work will do that to you....)
Oh, wow....that's a tough question for me. I don't have one or two characters that I just love. I generally have three or four from each book/series that I read that I end up adoring for various reasons.
Generally speaking, though, I tend to really like those characters that are weaker and flawed in some way (not necessarily tragically so, but just...not perfect). I enjoy watching them struggle and grow. To me, these characters have far more depth than a big, strong character who can bash/intimidate his way through the story.
I guess I like more a Frodo-esque characters than anything else.
Now, villians. Ahhhh...ah likes me a good villian, ah guarantee. I think the ones I like the most are those who aren't clear cut bad guys. They are actually striving for something bigger than themselves but are tackling it from the wrong angle. For instance, the antagonist in "Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within" wanted to protect his world. He wanted everyone to be safe and, to do this, he felt that the spirits had to be destroyed...and he simply didn't believe in this whole "earth has a soul" mumbo-jumbo. So, he actively worked against the protagonists, who were trying to accomplish the same goal through different means, because he felt they were foolish and would fail.
He wasn't really a bad guy. He just made some bad decisions.
I like those kinds of villians. I enjoy being able to sympathize with them on some level, even if I don't agree with what they are doing.
I'm going to give it some more thought and see if I can come up with some specific names for you.
For some reason, my mind is tabla raza right now. (Work will do that to you....)Who Do You Like? - by Brad on 15:34 04 Nov 2003
Heros:
I liked the Han Solo character better than Luke.
Others I like:
Croaker from the Black Company books by Glen Cook.
Lord Morham (I know that is spelled wrong) from Thomas Covenant
Aragorn LOTR
Faramir (the book version in LOTR)
Gandalf
Paksinarion from The Deed of Paksinarion by Elizabeth Moon
Villains:
Darth Vader *breath*
Ten Who Where Taken, Glen Cook (I have to agree with Evil Luke on this one)
Mr. Dark in the movie Something Wicked this Way Comes
Ring Wraiths
Heros:
I liked the Han Solo character better than Luke.
Others I like:
Croaker from the Black Company books by Glen Cook.
Lord Morham (I know that is spelled wrong) from Thomas Covenant
Aragorn LOTR
Faramir (the book version in LOTR)
Gandalf
Paksinarion from The Deed of Paksinarion by Elizabeth Moon
Villains:
Darth Vader *breath*
Ten Who Where Taken, Glen Cook (I have to agree with Evil Luke on this one)
Mr. Dark in the movie Something Wicked this Way Comes
Ring Wraiths
Who Do You Like? - by Kainja on 21:36 04 Nov 2003
My own favorite heroes are more the big strong types. I guess the more traditional heroes. I like Druss a lot, and I like characters such as John Carter and Dray Prescot. I don't mind heroic characters with some weaknesses but I don't really like extremely weak characters. For example, even though I enjoyed the Thomas Covenant books I couldn't stand Covenant himself and was constantly hoping he would get killed. I don't much like Elric because of his weaknesses.
I tend to like strong anti-heroes quite a lot, such as Karl Wagner's Kane and Robert Howard's Bran Mak Morn. Such men are heroes but are also tainted and corrupted in some way, which makes them interesting. That's where Glen Cook excelled. Even his heroes have that taint, even Croaker.
My favorite villains are probably those who rather enjoy and revel in their evilness. I liked the Ring Wraiths a lot, and the Ten who Were Taken. The "Lady" was an absolutely wonderful villain, but I didn't mind when she was rehabilitated a bit. I quite possibly would have liked Xena better if she'd stayed a villain. I liked Callisto quite a lot.
My own favorite heroes are more the big strong types. I guess the more traditional heroes. I like Druss a lot, and I like characters such as John Carter and Dray Prescot. I don't mind heroic characters with some weaknesses but I don't really like extremely weak characters. For example, even though I enjoyed the Thomas Covenant books I couldn't stand Covenant himself and was constantly hoping he would get killed. I don't much like Elric because of his weaknesses.
I tend to like strong anti-heroes quite a lot, such as Karl Wagner's Kane and Robert Howard's Bran Mak Morn. Such men are heroes but are also tainted and corrupted in some way, which makes them interesting. That's where Glen Cook excelled. Even his heroes have that taint, even Croaker.
My favorite villains are probably those who rather enjoy and revel in their evilness. I liked the Ring Wraiths a lot, and the Ten who Were Taken. The "Lady" was an absolutely wonderful villain, but I didn't mind when she was rehabilitated a bit. I quite possibly would have liked Xena better if she'd stayed a villain. I liked Callisto quite a lot.
Who Do You Like? - by Brad on 06:43 05 Nov 2003
Cook is real good at working in the grey zone between right and wrong. I really like Cooks writing.
I like the traditional heros like John Carter, and Morecock's Dorian Hawkmoon character (my favorite of the aspects of the Eternal Champions). I have to agree, Covenant and Elric were not likable heros. I never got very far when trying to read and Elric books. With Covenant, it was the world and all the characters around Covenant that made the story.
Cook is real good at working in the grey zone between right and wrong. I really like Cooks writing.
I like the traditional heros like John Carter, and Morecock's Dorian Hawkmoon character (my favorite of the aspects of the Eternal Champions). I have to agree, Covenant and Elric were not likable heros. I never got very far when trying to read and Elric books. With Covenant, it was the world and all the characters around Covenant that made the story.
Who Do You Like? - by Haruchai on 10:46 05 Nov 2003
You know, now that I think about it, I like characters who are emotionally driven. This usually indicates that they are more "human" than many would think, I suppose.
I have to agree with Brad and Kainja in that Thomas Covenant was not a good hero. But the Land and its inhabitants made the story, and after a time Covenant did grow on me.
I guess I look at my own characters that I play in games to see what I like. After all, what better indications of what types of characters you like than what you yourself play.
Palskane: driven by love and loyalty to his deity and to his mortal beloved. Physically strong and steadfast, and yet open enough to accept nearly anyone on the merits of what they do instead of who they appear to be.
Jaxx: driven by grief and eventually rage after the brutal murder of his family. Turned to the deity of the dead and changed himself, with the help of his god, into a very powerful character.
Vaevictus: the last of his species, he is driven by loneliness and the desire to be accepted. He has taken earth as his second home, and will defend it unto death.
Other characters (and I do tend to prefer strong ones) include:
The HULK: rage, pain, fear, and loneliness give this character more depth than many people give him credit for.
Dr. Doom: agree with EL on this one. The desire for revenge has made him the sworn enemy of many "good" supers. His intelligence elevates him far above most mortal men, and he knows it.
The Punisher: a "good" guy who is more than willing to kill and steal, thus placing him into that wonderful gray area between good guy and bad guy. But still, in the grand scheme of things, very mortal.
I'll list more as I think of them.
You know, now that I think about it, I like characters who are emotionally driven. This usually indicates that they are more "human" than many would think, I suppose.
I have to agree with Brad and Kainja in that Thomas Covenant was not a good hero. But the Land and its inhabitants made the story, and after a time Covenant did grow on me.
I guess I look at my own characters that I play in games to see what I like. After all, what better indications of what types of characters you like than what you yourself play.
Palskane: driven by love and loyalty to his deity and to his mortal beloved. Physically strong and steadfast, and yet open enough to accept nearly anyone on the merits of what they do instead of who they appear to be.
Jaxx: driven by grief and eventually rage after the brutal murder of his family. Turned to the deity of the dead and changed himself, with the help of his god, into a very powerful character.
Vaevictus: the last of his species, he is driven by loneliness and the desire to be accepted. He has taken earth as his second home, and will defend it unto death.
Other characters (and I do tend to prefer strong ones) include:
The HULK: rage, pain, fear, and loneliness give this character more depth than many people give him credit for.
Dr. Doom: agree with EL on this one. The desire for revenge has made him the sworn enemy of many "good" supers. His intelligence elevates him far above most mortal men, and he knows it.
The Punisher: a "good" guy who is more than willing to kill and steal, thus placing him into that wonderful gray area between good guy and bad guy. But still, in the grand scheme of things, very mortal.
I'll list more as I think of them.
Who Do You Like? - by kevinbreaux on 20:23 12 Dec 2003
I like Han Solo Better. I also like Ash, from Army of Darkness. Umm.....I like the characters in the Brotherhood of the Wolf movie alot. Still waiting for a very cool King Arthur.
Kevin James Breaux
Author of Breaking the Circle
www.breakingthecircle.com
I like Han Solo Better. I also like Ash, from Army of Darkness. Umm.....I like the characters in the Brotherhood of the Wolf movie alot. Still waiting for a very cool King Arthur.
Kevin James Breaux
Author of Breaking the Circle
www.breakingthecircle.com
Who Do You Like? - by holsfisher on 14:25 14 Dec 2003
One of my favourite characters is Avienda, from The Wheel of Time, because she is feminine, but strong, she fights when she has to, but knows when she's wrong, and is totally loyal to her friends.......
One of my favourite characters is Avienda, from The Wheel of Time, because she is feminine, but strong, she fights when she has to, but knows when she's wrong, and is totally loyal to her friends.......
Who Do You Like? - by NoonChild on 10:30 15 Jan 2004
I love the young Lex in Smallville - he's the only one in it I dont want to punch out!
I love the young Lex in Smallville - he's the only one in it I dont want to punch out!
Who Do You Like? - by HammerOfGod on 12:18 28 Jan 2004
I have to pick Mat Cauthin.... He is my favorite Fantasy character of all time... Authors tend to draw themselves into a corner when they do characters in a fantasy series...The Savior Hero is usually so bent on there destiny and there duty... They are not easy to be around and in some cases they can be dangerous...
Jordan has done something completely new, he gave us three female and three male heros...
Mat is the rogue,the womanizer,the gambler... Who also has the memories of great generals in his head.
The thing that really makes me like him is that he is so human, but yet so fascinating... I remember when he was down in the belly of the Stone and had gone through the Doorway... Moiraine made a ball of light to see her way out of the darkened room, Rand made a blow torch and poor Mat had to use a lantern...
I have to pick Mat Cauthin.... He is my favorite Fantasy character of all time... Authors tend to draw themselves into a corner when they do characters in a fantasy series...The Savior Hero is usually so bent on there destiny and there duty... They are not easy to be around and in some cases they can be dangerous...
Jordan has done something completely new, he gave us three female and three male heros...
Mat is the rogue,the womanizer,the gambler... Who also has the memories of great generals in his head.
The thing that really makes me like him is that he is so human, but yet so fascinating... I remember when he was down in the belly of the Stone and had gone through the Doorway... Moiraine made a ball of light to see her way out of the darkened room, Rand made a blow torch and poor Mat had to use a lantern...
Who Do You Like? - by Brad on 07:28 29 Jan 2004
Hi HammerofGod, welcome to Unified Forums.
Is Mat Cauthin out of the Shannara series? I do like interesting characters in fantasy. Otherwise it is like cardboard cutouts and not very satisfying.
Hi HammerofGod, welcome to Unified Forums.
Is Mat Cauthin out of the Shannara series? I do like interesting characters in fantasy. Otherwise it is like cardboard cutouts and not very satisfying.
Who Do You Like? - by Kainja on 18:53 10 Feb 2004
Welcome HammerofGod,
I often tend to read more older fantasy than new and by the time I got around to thinking about starting on Jordan's Wheel of Time series he already was up to five or six books with no signs of stopping. I think it's the sheer page count that has kept me from beginning it. Though part of it might be that I didn't really like the Conan pastiches he did earlier in his career.
Did you know that Jordan apparently got his start writing romance novels? Not under his own name. I can't remember the name he wrote under at the moment. Regan something, I believe.
Welcome HammerofGod,
I often tend to read more older fantasy than new and by the time I got around to thinking about starting on Jordan's Wheel of Time series he already was up to five or six books with no signs of stopping. I think it's the sheer page count that has kept me from beginning it. Though part of it might be that I didn't really like the Conan pastiches he did earlier in his career.
Did you know that Jordan apparently got his start writing romance novels? Not under his own name. I can't remember the name he wrote under at the moment. Regan something, I believe.