When it comes to the world of comic books, there are a number of heroes who are considered iconic and popular. From Marvel’s Captain America and Thor to DC Comics Batman and Supergirl, there are a number of heroes who are considered popular to many comic book fans. Yet, there is a difference between popularity and celebrity.
Many heroes have either intentionally or unintentionally become celebrities to the people of their worlds. From gossip magazines and celebrity careers to public meetings with powerful government officials and business magnates, here are the most powerful heroes who became celebrities in the world of comic books.
10 Wonder Man
The first hero worth mentioning has to be Wonder Man, aka Simon Williams. A longtime member of the Avengers with the power to use energy blasts, as well as many other powers, Simon had a long career that saw him die and get resurrected several times over the years.
One part of Simon's long career included him getting a desire to become an actor. After taking a few minor roles, Simon moved out to Los Angeles, where fellow hero Hercules used his contacts to establish Simon as an actor. He also became a popular stuntman, earning him his celebrity status.
9 Booster Gold
One hero who set out to become a celebrity and succeeded, albeit for a time, was none other than DC Comics' very own Booster Gold. Otherwise known as Michael Jon Carter, Booster hailed from the 25th century, where he was a renowned athlete in Gotham City until he was caught being forced to throw games intentionally for his gambler father.
Wanting to become famous, Carter used his knowledge of history, future technology, and his AI companion Skeets to travel to the modern-day DC Universe, where he saved the President of the United States life from an assassin. This established himself as a hero and celebrity, building his brand and own company from there.
8 Dazzler
A well-known celebrity within the mutant community of Marvel Comics is Dazzler. Otherwise known as Alison Blaire, she takes the stage name Dazzler as her mutant powers allow her to generate special light abilities, which people mistake for special effects during her performances.
It is during her career as a popular musician that Dazzler meets the X-Men, along with other heroes of the Marvel Universe. Often taking hits to her celebrity status in order to help stop criminals, Dazzler uses her powers for both heroics and her career, making her one of Marvel’s most established celebrity heroes.
7 Human Torch
The next hero to dip into the celebrity spotlight is one of the most photogenic and popular heroes in the Marvel Universe, Johnny Storm. Otherwise known by his hero name The Human Torch, the brother of Sue Storm and member of the Fantastic Four has a long history of breaking into the spotlight and gaining celebrity status.
Known early in his career for being sort of directionless, at one point, Johnny attempted to break out into the world of acting, and his celebrity status grew to the point where his romantic dates were splashed across tabloids in New York City and beyond.
6 Beast Boy
Another hero who took their abilities into the world of acting was DC Comics' very own Garfield Logan, aka Beast Boy. A prominent member of the Teen Titans and long ago Doom Patrol, Beast Boy has the ability to shapeshift into any animal or creature he could think of.
After losing his parents, fighting his evil caregiver and being temporarily adopted by members of Doom Patrol, Garfield used his shapeshifting abilities to make himself look like an alien for a sci-fi television series. While the show didn’t last, he is usually shown to be acting in one form or another throughout his comic book career.
5 The Wasp
While there are some members of Marvel’s Avengers who instantly conjure up images of celebrity status, some of the original members who founded the group have genuinely come to be celebrities in the Marvel Universe. One example of this is Janet van Dyne, aka The Wasp.
Aside from being wealthy and a superhero, Janet made a celebrity name for herself as a world-renowned fashion designer, amassing a small fortune and using her status as both a hero and fashion designer to launch her own company and career. This made Janet one of the few Avengers to achieve celebrity status.
4 The Flash
While many heroes often fight evil to combat the darkness both in the streets of their cities and within themselves, there are other characters who revel in the light and fun of being a superhero. One great example of this in DC Comics is Central City’s The Flash.
While Barry Allen’s history has been rewritten to be formed out of the tragic passing of his mother at the hands of the Reverse-Flash, Barry has embraced his heroism to inspire the people of his city. This has led to his celebrity status, with his very own museum and the people of Central City embracing him as one of their own.
3 Iron Man
There may be no other hero in the Marvel Universe more popular and worthy of celebrity status than Tony Stark, otherwise known to the larger Marvel Universe as Iron Man. Aside from his iconic journey in the MCU, Tony has enjoyed a long history in Marvel Comics as a celebrity.
Known as a genius and playboy, Tony is not one to shy away from the limelight. The founding member of the Avengers is one of the most well-known heroes of the entire Marvel Universe. He is incredibly wealthy, powerful, and has helped save the multiverse, leading to widespread celebrity status.
2 Wonder Woman
The second most popular hero to gain celebrity status in DC Comics is Wonder Woman. What makes her celebrity journey so unique is that she neither aspired nor recognizes her own celebrity and icon status. A Princess and warrior of the Amazons, Diana Prince traveled to man’s world to help save it from the threats the world was facing.
Since her appearance in the world, Wonder Woman has become an icon to many. With her heroics inspiring many and her status as an ambassador of Themyscira, Diana became a major celebrity, with people clamoring for everything from her fashion sense to photographs of the superhero in social gatherings.
1 Superman
The most famous celebrity hero has to be none other than the Man of Steel, Superman. Whether they know his superhero name, his birth name of Kal-El, or his adoptive name of Clark Kent, the world has recognized him as the greatest hero of the multiverse.
Inspiring kids to wear his symbol on their clothing and having professional and public meetings with both political and celebrity leaders of the world, Superman has become quite the superstar himself. His pursuit of what’s right makes his celebrity status shine the brightest, as does his never-ending effort to serve as a symbol of hope.