Pop Culture

Pop Icons

By Rev. O.J. FloW
July 29, 2003 - 13:25

Has anyone here watched the VH1 special running this week, "The Top 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons"??? It's pretty cool, in that Superman ended up ranking No. 2, and Wonder Woman (#176) and Batman (#158) made the list. Marvel Comics was also represented by Spider-Man (#151). And Todd McFarlane must be crushed that nowhere on the list was his landmark creation, Spawn. Better luck next time, Todd.

Unfortunately it was an otherwise atrocious compilation as evidenced by Jennifer "Don't quit your day job" Lopez, who ranked No. 15 in front of countless others who actually have musical and acting talent. Another great example of this flawed list was Dr. Phil making the list, whereas Dr. Ruth didn't. Dr. Phil enjoys only recent success, due in large part to his affiliation with Oprah Winfrey (Number 1!!!), while Dr. Ruth opened dialogue about sex that reverberates for everyone years and years after the fact.

It was great to see DC Comics so well-represented, but the writers and editors at VH1 need a big ol' boot to the a$$.

I addressed this at the Justice League of America message boards, the idea of "Pop Culture Icons" as opposed to DC Comics icons. The characters that deserve universal iconic status have to be Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Robin. They are virtually recognizable in every corner of the globe. Without exaggeration, they are as familiar to Americans (and unfortunately to all too many dumba$$es, MORE SO) as the faces on Mt. Rushmore.

Strictly within the realm of DC Comics icons, the heroes already mentioned of course qualify, and the others that come to mind are as follows:

The Flash

Green Lantern

Hawkman

The Atom

Plastic Man

With these characters, you have a history for each that dates back as far as Superman and Co. In one form or another, these characters have endured since the 1940s. To a slightly lesser extent, the next characters follow:

Aquaman

Green Arrow

Martian Manhunter

Black Canary

Batgirl

Supergirl

With Aquaman, you have a character that in a way could be in the original list with Supes and Co., but kind of detrimentally with people always making fun of him as a sea-borne hero that's useless on land. Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter have decades of history that eventually got them on TV (GA on Super Friends, and MM on the new Justice League). Black Canary has been around since WWII, and she's practically the No. 2 heroine behind Wonder Woman. Just recently did the BC character finally transcend genres with the ill-fated Birds of Prey on the WB. Black Canary, despite being the preeminent female hero, especially in the ranks of the JLA over the years, never got the attention that Batgirl and Supergirl garnered over the last four decades. I believe you have to chalk that up to the fact that they are female versions of the World's Finest: Batman and Superman.

So who is iconic to you??

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12