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There is no single official ranking of the 100 most popular DC and Marvel characters. In VAINKEURZ’s community head-to-head ranking, updated 2 October 2026, Deadpool ranks first, followed by Joker and Batman. That result reflects matchups on that platform—not a representative poll of all comic readers.
Current community ranking: the top three
VAINKEURZ presents 100 contenders in a community ranking built from head-to-head duels. Its 2 October 2026 update reports 120,210 duels and places these characters at the top:
- Deadpool
- Joker
- Batman
The platform says it adapts which matchups it presents, favoring less predictable comparisons. It also says a global ranking is published only after more than 30 games are completed. The result is a snapshot of participants and the platform’s method, not a definitive measurement of worldwide readership. See VAINKEURZ’s ranking and methodology.
Why this is not a universal “top 100”
“Top” can mean different things: a ballot-based editorial list, a series of head-to-head preferences, or an editor’s selection. Each method answers a different question, so rank positions should be read alongside the list’s date, participants, and rules.
#1 Best Overall
- THE AVENGERS: United to battle the foes no single hero could withstand, The Avengers is the most powerful Super Hero team in the world.
- THE WORLD'S GREATEST HEROES: Marvel's Avengers Ultimate Protectors pack includes 8 super hero figures: The Hulk, Iron Man, Ant-Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Spider-Man, Marvel's War Machine, and Marvel's Falcon
- POSE AND PLAY: These Marvel toys feature articulated limbs for easy poseability during action-packed playtime, or posing for display
- INCLUDES ACCESSORIES: Set includes 2 character-inspired accessories so kids can imagine even more hero vs. villain battles
- FIND MORE MARVEL ACTION FIGURES: Look for more Marvel action figure sets and feature figures to add to any super hero toy collection. Figures make a great gift for kids and adult fans alike. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)
VAINKEURZ reports platform activity, while CBR’s 2019 list used ballots. Neither source establishes a representative survey of all comic readers. Their totals cannot be treated as directly comparable measures of popularity.
A historical comparison: CBR’s 2019 ballot list
A Comic Vine forum post reproduces and attributes a CBR article by Brian Cronin dated 24 November 2019. It says nearly 1,100 ballots went into the “Top 100 DC and Marvel Characters of All-Time” master list and presents separate DC and Marvel rankings with point totals. That makes it a useful historical snapshot, but not a continuation of VAINKEURZ’s combined head-to-head table. Read the reproduced 2019 list and its ballot totals.
Rank #2
- 6-INCH MARVEL TOYS: Imagine facing off against the maniacal Doctor Doom with this 6-inch (15.2 cm) action figure 8-pack
- POSEABLE PLAY: These Marvel figures each feature various points of articulation for poseable play and display
- CLASSIC DESIGN: Features classic design inspired by the appearances of the Super Heroes in the Marvel comics
- ICONIC MARVEL CHARACTERS: Toy set includes Black Widow, Miles Morales, Thor, Doctor Doom, Spider-Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Wolverine figures
- MORE TO COLLECT: Look for more cool toys from Marvel, including action figures, toy sets, vehicles, and role play toys for kids, to build an awesome collection
How to judge a character ranking
- Date: Check when the list was published or updated; preferences and participant pools can change.
- Participants: Identify who could vote or play. A platform’s users are not automatically representative of all readers.
- Method: Ballots, point totals, and head-to-head matchups produce different kinds of rankings.
- Scope: Check whether the list includes heroes and villains, and whether it combines both publishers in one ranking or separates them.
- Naming: Look for how the list handles variants, aliases, and characters who share a mantle.
- Stability: VAINKEURZ cautions that contenders with few comparisons can have approximate scores and that lower positions move more than the top of its table.
Publisher catalogs verify identity, not popularity
Official catalogs are useful for checking character names and publisher affiliation, but they are not popularity lists. DC’s catalog shows 251 characters in its browse section and groups Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg under a Justice League heading. The count describes the catalog, not a ranking. Browse DC’s official character catalog.
Marvel also maintains an official character list covering heroes and villains. Its catalog can help verify identities, but the page itself does not establish a cross-publisher popularity order. Visit Marvel’s character list.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- INCLUDES WEAPON ACCESSORY: Obviously Deadpool can't be without his trusty sword accessory
- POSE DEADPOOL YOUR WAY: This large 12-inch Deadpool action figure features articulation in the head, shoulders, and hips for some serious, or sarcastic, crime-fighting action
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- BRANDED OPEN WINDOW PACKAGE: With an ego like Deadpool, of course he wants to be shown off! Figure is packaged in an exclusive, Marvel-branded box and makes a perfect display addition to any Marvel Super Hero toy collection
- A MARVEL GIFT THAT BRINGS BOTH ACTION AND HUMOR: Deadpool fans can always be reminded that fighting crime doesn't always have to be serious business!
Rank #4
- Imagine leaping into adventure with Avengers figures, vehicles, and roleplay items inspired by the Marvel Universe
- Includes Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther and Iron Spider
- Connect the Titan Hero Power FX Pack (not included) to operate the figures
Rank #3
- Iconic Marvel Characters: Boys And Girls Can Create Their Own Exciting, Superpowered Adventures With These Fun 5-Inch Action Figures, Inspired By The Marvel Entertainment
- Five Fan Favorite Characters: This Marvel Super Hero Figure 5-Pack Comes With A Fun Assortment Of Fan Favorite Characters Including Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Hulk, And Iron Spider
- Poseable Action Figure: Each 5-Inch Marvel Super Hero Adventures Toy Features 4 Points Of Articulation -- Head, Arms, Wrists, And Legs -- So Kids Can Pose Their Figures. With Accessories To Add To The Exciting Adventure
- Big Hero Fun For Marvel Fans: Sized Right For Younger Heroes, We’Ve Managed To Pack The Power Of The Marvel Universe Into These 5-Inch Marvel Super Hero Adventures Toys For Kids Ages 3 And Up
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