Even The Biggest Comic Book Nerds Can't Name These Characters Based On Just One Hint
- by Ben Sherlock
- – on
- in The Geek Corner
A lot more people have gotten to know the iconic characters of comic book lore over the past few years as a bunch of shared cinematic universes have appeared, bringing the interconnected lives of a handful of superheroes and their enemies to the big screen and thus to a more mainstream audience. These movies have been among the most popular and successful in recent memory, but only true fans will be able to ace this quiz.
The great thing about comic book characters is that they are characterized by their special abilities and by their visual motifs and by their costumes, so they are easily recognizable. Comic books are a visual medium, and so there are certain symbols and images that can be used to identify the characters immediately.
Only the dedicated fans who have read the comic books, studied their mythologies and followed the long-running storylines will know a character so well enough that they are able to name them from just a single hint. It will be tough for simple passive fans who only know these characters from the movies or, worse yet, only know some of them from movie posters. So, comic book devotees, give it a try!
Who is otherwise known as the Caped Crusader?
This character has been known by a series of nicknames, whether it is the Caped Crusader or the Dark Knight or the World's Greatest Detective. His alter ego is Bruce Wayne and he has a butler named Alfred. The local police commissioner, James Gordon, shines a signal in the sky whenever there is danger and he needs this character to come and help to catch the bad guys. Who is otherwise known as the Caped Crusader or the Dark Knight?
Which Marvel hero carries an iconic shield?
This character is touted as "the first Avenger," because he was technically the first hero who would join that team to show himself to be a superhuman. He took part in an experiment involving "super soldier serum" in World War II and ended up getting frozen in ice while saving a ton of lives. And he was not only the first Avenger, but he would also go on to become the leader of the Avengers. Which Marvel hero carries an iconic shield?
Which character gets his abilities from a Power Ring?
This character is one of the main members of the Justice League, although he was not featured in last year's Justice League movie, because he has not yet been introduced in the DC Extended Universe. He was played by Ryan Reynolds in a movie back in 2011, but there was never a sequel and Reynolds is playing a new superhero now. He uses a Power Ring to create things out of nothing. Which character gets his abilities from a Power Ring?
Who has adamantium claws?
This character is special in that one of his solo movies was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay this year. It was rated R and got an Oscar nomination, neither of which are typical for a comic book movie about superheroes. The movie was actor Hugh Jackman's last appearance in the role. He has long been one of the most iconic X-Men characters, beloved for his rogue attitude, and 'take nothing from anyone' lifestyle. Who has adamantium claws?
Who needs this Arc Reactor in lieu of a heart?
Tony Stark is one of the coolest characters in the whole of Marvel Comics mythology. He is also one of the most popular among the fans of both the comic books and the movies. There is probably some kind of correlation between being cool and being popular. He is played by Robert Downey, Jr. in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and he needs this Arc Reactor to act as a fake heart since his no longer works properly. Who needs this artificial heart?
Who has the Lasso of Truth?
This character had not been featured in a theatrical movie until 2016 when she appeared in a small supporting role in the third act of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. A year later, she got her own solo movie and it was highly acclaimed by critics and a huge hit at the box office. But for decades before that, she had been one of the most beloved superhero characters in all of comic books. Who has the Lasso of Truth?
Which King of the Seven Seas wields this trident?
This character comes from the lost city of Atlantis, under the sea, and until a couple of years ago, he was considered to be sort of a laughing-stock. Comic book fans made fun of his lack of powers and his orange costume. But a couple of years ago, Jason Momoa took on the role and made him a compelling, cool character. His first solo movie will be released later this year. Which King of the Seven Seas wields this cool trident?
Which large Avenger has anger problems?
Do not make this guy angry. This character played a large role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe until he disappeared at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron and would not appear again for two years until Thor found him out in the middle of space in Thor: Ragnarok. That movie loosely adapted the hugely popular "Planet ___" storyline from the comic books, which fans had been waiting to see on the silver screen for years. Which large Avenger has anger problems?
Who is the Fastest Man Alive?
This character is rare in that he is currently really popular in two different forms. He is popular in the CW show that was named after him and stars Grant Gustin in the role and he is popular in the DC Extended Universe movies where he is played by Ezra Miller from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. And that is before even considering that he is one of the most popular characters in comic book history. Who is the Fastest Man Alive?
Who wields the mythical hammer, Mjolnir?
The name of this character should be familiar to anyone who knows anything about Norse mythology, because he is an important part of it, and a lot of that mythology was reappropriated by the Marvel Comics team in order to build a world around him and give him weapons and family members and enemies. With Chris Hemsworth in the role, this guy has become one of the most popular and best remembered Marvel Comics characters. Who wields the mythical hammer of Mjolnir?
Who is known as the "Merc with a Mouth" and loves chimichangas?
This character is known for his love of chimichangas, although he revealed in one of the comic books of recent years that he actually does not care for chimichangas, which is exactly the sort of self-aware thing he would do: become known for being obsessed with a certain food, make it one of his defining hallmarks, and then reveal that he was actually kidding the whole time. Who is known as the "Merc with a Mouth" and loves (though, in actuality, he does not) chimichangas?
Who comes from the planet Krypton?
This character is widely accepted as being the first modern superhero. Ever since his first appearance in Action Comics, a bunch of superheroes with interesting backstories that gave them powers and abilities would follow. But this character, often referred to as the Man of Steel, was the first one of the lot. Every superhero since this one has taken some inspiration from him in one way or another. Who comes from the planet Krypton and sometimes goes by the name Man of Steel?
Who was bitten by a radioactive spider?
This character has appeared in multiple forms. All of the versions of him from the different alternate realities of the Marvel Comics universe will coincide later this year in an animated movie that will form a part of Sony's cinematic universe built around this character. He is best known as the alter ego of high school student Peter Parker. He was bitten by a radioactive spider and then gained the abilities of a spider. Who was bitten by a radioactive spider?
Who moves his wheelchair with his mind?
This genius is the proprietor of the school for mutants that all of the X-Men superheroes attend when they are kids. He uses the Cerebro to locate things and people, no matter where they are in the world, and he can move things with his mind. He even moves his wheelchair around with his mind. Patrick Stewart from Star Trek: The Next Generation has played him in a bunch of different movies in the franchise. Who is this character who can control things with his mind?
Who wears this Sling Ring?
The Sling Ring is a two finger ring that can open up a portal into another dimension. It is worn and used by the magical superhero who is known as the Sorcerer Supreme. The character is played by Benedict Cumberbatch from Sherlock and Four Lions in the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has had his own solo movie and he also appeared in both Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War. Which magical superhero character wears this Sling Ring?
Which Marvel vigilante's symbol is this?
This character got his own Netflix series last year as a spin-off from his small role in the second season of Daredevil. He had previously been played by Thomas Jane on the big screen. In the comic books, he has been the star of even darker storylines than Batman, so attempts to translate them to the screen in a way that is both faithful and palatable to a wide audience have been difficult. Which Marvel vigilante's symbol is this?
Which superhero wears this necklace?
This character was not one of the best-known superheroes in comic book lore before a couple of years ago when he made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the movie Captain America: Civil War. Earlier this year, he was featured in his first solo movie, which was a huge hit and already has Oscar buzz surrounding it. He lives in the fictional Africa nation of Wakanda and he is the king. Which superhero from Africa wears this necklace?
Who wields the Infinity Gauntlet?
The guy who has the Infinity Gauntlet finally managed to get all of the Infinity Stones in its knuckles after spending the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe quietly trying to acquire them all. Once he had it, he could finally take center stage as the villain of Avengers: Infinity War, in which the chaos that he created left the movie on an epic cliff-hanger ending that will be resolved next year. This character is otherwise known as "the Mad Titan." Who wields the Infinity Gauntlet?
Who is the Clown Prince of Crime?
This character is the arch-nemesis of Batman, and the two have enjoyed a long rivalry over the control of Gotham City. What makes him the perfect adversary for the Dark Knight is that is the polar opposite of him. Batman is very precise and meticulous in his planning, while this bad guy, often referred to as the Clown Prince of Crime, is an agent of chaos who does not play by a set of rules. Who is the Clown Prince of Crime?
Which anti hero is made of symbiotes?
This character finally got his own movie recently starring Tom Hardy. He had previously appeared as one of the villains in Spider-Man 3, where he was played by Topher Grace, but in the comic books, he is more than just a Spider-Man villain. He has his own storylines and his own moral dilemmas. He's not a bad guy; he is more of an anti-hero. So, Sony finally decided that he deserved to have his own movie to tell his story. Who is he?
Who flies around on this chrome surfboard?
This character made his big screen debut in the Fantastic Four sequel Rise of the ____ ____ in which he made a deep, emotional connection with Jessica Alba's Sue Storm (better known as the Invisible Woman). But he has yet to be featured in a movie of his own. He hasn't appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to rights issues. In the comic books, he is the guy who does Galactus' bidding for him. Who flies around on this chrome surfboard?
What SHIELD agent has an eyepatch?
This character is famous for his eyepatch, but he will be appearing in Captain Marvel, the next movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, without the eyepatch. We might even get to find out how he ended up losing the eye that made him don the eyepatch in the first place. Actor Samuel L. Jackson began playing the character in movies after he gave the comic book artists permission to use his likeness for the character. What SHIELD agent has an eyepatch?
Which "R" character's costume bears this symbol?
This character has taken on a number of different alter-egos and identities over the years, but the name that begins with an R is the best-known one. He is Batman's close and trusted sidekick. While Batman's costume bears a symbol representing a bat on it, his sidekick has a much simpler design on his costume. Since the sidekick's name begins with an "R", the symbol on his costume is an "R." Which "R" character's costume bears this symbol?
Who is the Joker's girlfriend?
This DC Comics character is best known in the comic book world for being the Joker's girlfriend. The Joker is not the kind of guy who would typically get involved in a romantic relationship, but this girl just swept him off his feet. It was his influence that turned her from a well-to-do psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum into a villain equally-crazy as the Joker himself. Who is the Joker's girlfriend who wears this iconic jester's hat?
Whose entire body is made up of orange rocks?
This character is the biggest member of the Fantastic Four. His name was Ben Grimm before he went into the same cosmic storm that turned his friends into Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, and the Human Torch. It turned him into a beast entirely made up of orange rocks, so he was arguably changed the most by the cosmic storm that turned a group of scientist friends into the Fantastic Four. Whose entire body is made up of orange rocks?
Who is Superman's more powerful female cousin?
This character got her own TV show on the CW network a couple of years ago that has continued to become more popular in the years since it premiered. The first season of the show actually premiered on CBS, but CBS execs were unhappy with the ratings and so they gave it to the CW, where the show has enjoyed more success alongside the likes of Arrow and The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. Who is Superman's more powerful female cousin?
Who uses these Pym Particle Disks to shrink himself?
This character and his ability to shrink or grow his size at will using technology that was pioneered by Hank Pym got his second solo movie this year. He was teamed up alongside Hope Van Dyne, aka the Wasp, for one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. Paul Rudd, formerly a comedy movie actor, has been playing the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2015. Who uses these Pym Particle Disks to shrink his body down to small sizes?
Which Guardian of the Galaxy uses this mask?
When Chris Pratt was given this role in the 2014 Sci-Fi superhero blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy, it seemed like a strange idea. It was not a particularly well-known comic book property, and Pratt was only known as a comedy actor from the TV show Parks and Recreation. But the movie came out and it was such a big success that it turned Pratt into an action movie hero and star. Which Guardian of the Galaxy uses this mask to hide his identity?
Which demon's horns have been filed off?
Two movies directed by Guillermo del Toro were made featuring this character as the lead with Ron Perlman and a new one is on the way with David Harbour. Harbour is, of course, best known for playing the role of Chief Jim Hopper in the Netflix series Stranger Things, and that show had to introduce a new storyline for him to accommodate his training that he was required to do to play this comic book role. Which demon's horns have been filed off?
Which member of the Justice League is part machine?
This character will be getting his own solo movie in the next couple of years as part of the DC Extended Universe. In the meantime, he has made a brief cameo appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and had a larger role in Justice League as a part of the ensemble. The character is one of the lesser known DC Comics superheroes, but he is part machine and that's exciting. Which member of the Justice League is part machine?
Who uses these pumpkin devices?
Batman is the comic book character with the biggest rogues gallery. He has more iconic villains that any other superhero. But the character with the second most iconic villains in his rogues gallery is Spider-Man. A lot of bad dudes are out to get Peter Parker. The most iconic of them all is arguably this guy, who is the Joker to Spider-Man's Batman. He was played by Willem Dafoe in Sam Raimi's first Spidey movie. Who uses these pumpkin devices?
Which Avenger uses this bow?
This character is often made fun of and called one of the most useless Avengers, because he doesn't have any powers and he can't fly and he doesn't have any of his own movies. He's basically just a guy with a special bow and arrow. But he is still out there on the front lines of all the alien battles, fighting the bad guys alongside the heroes that can fly, so he deserves props for that. Which member of the Avengers uses this bow and arrow?
Which member of the Fantastic Four can light himself on fire?
The Fantastic Four have yet to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie franchise, but there have been some discussions over the rights to the characters that will be used to hopefully get them involved. They have yet to be portrayed on the big screen in a way that satisfies long-time fans of the characters from the comic books, but it could be right around the corner. One of those characters can light himself on fire. Which member of the Fantastic Four can light himself on fire?
Which X-Men villain wears this helmet?
In the X-Men prequel movies like First Class and Days of Future Past, Michael Fassbender's younger version of this character does not wear this red and purple helmet, because it is too cartoonish for the gritty and realistic tone that those movies are going for. But in the comic books, this is a hallmark of the character. Ian McKellen wore the helmet in the original series of movies in which he played this character. What is this X-Men villain's name?
Who rides this flaming motorcycle?
Nicolas Cage played this character in two movies, the second of which had the subtitle Spirit of Vengeance, named after the villain of the story. The character was recently adapted for the screen again recently as he made his debut on the TV series Agents of SHIELD, so he can technically show up in any given Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, because he has joined the fictional world of the MCU now. He's one of Marvel Comics' darker characters. Who rides this flaming motorcycle?