Greatest 12 Characters of the 1930's

Who is on this list, what this list is about and how they got on the list!

Synopsis 
This is one of a set of lists I made showing a progression of the greatest characters in a heroic style throughout time. Focusing for the most part on one decade at a time. The heroes that we know and love today were inspired by heroes before them. Some are even real people who moved into folklore. Before comics there were pulp magazines. Before that there was dime novels and before that was the penny dreadfuls. There were many others as well like Gothic novels, story papers and yes even a real novel. 
The List 
These are the top dozen heroes that had their first appearance between 1930-1939.     These would be characters who will go on to be the biggest influences in comics either directly or indirectly.  In other words these will become great inspirations to future comic characters and stories.  Right now they are in order of year.
 
New Stuff 
The 1930's saw the beginning of the superhero comics as we know them now.  Characters like Superman and Batman became legends.  Many of the first heroes were nothing more than detectives with masks.  After Superman however their powers grew and all new worlds were created.

Here is the past list
Greatest 12 Heroes of the 1920's 
 
Here is the next list
Greatest 12 Heroes of the 1940's  

List items

• 

  1. The Shadow

  The Shadow got his start in 1930 as a part of a radio drama, nine years before Superman. He inspired characters like the Spirit, The Green Hornet, Ragman, Greyshirt, Question, Rorschach Blue Beetle, and many many more.

• 

  2. Dick Tracy

  Making his first appearance in a comic strip in 1931 Dick Tracy has been the influence of many heroes that came after him. He tends to bridge the gap between the pulp magazines and the comic books.

• 

  3. Conan

  In 1932 Conan got his first appearance in Weird Tales Magazine. It would be decades before he would appear in comics but he has been a fan favorite ever since and brought about other fantasy characters like Red Sonja, Warlord, Claw and others.

• 

  4. Lone Ranger

  The Lone Ranger has been in comics, novels, and newspapers since the 1930's but he got his start on WXYZ radio in Detroit of all places in 1933. Who knew? I guess I did, and now so do you. =]

• 

  5. Flash Gordon

  Flash Gordon first appeared in a 1934 comic strip. He would become even bigger in the 1950's during the space race. Going on to inspire other universes like Star Trek and Star Wars.

• 

  6. The Phantom

  In 1936 the Phantom made his first appearance in comic strips. He has been in comics ever-since. Many considered the Phantom the first Superhero. His costume and briefs look did set the standard for the heroic look.

• 

  7. The Green Hornet

  In 1936 before Batman and Superman the Green Hornet already had his own radio show.

• 

  8. Superman

  1939 Superman made his first appearance in Action Comics #1. He is undoubtedly the archetype for the standard hero. Every hero who came after him is compared to him. He is the standard that all other superheroes are measured.

• 

  9. Namor

  Another in a long line of 1940's comic characters Namor made his first appearance in 1939 in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1. One month before Batamn. Take that Hitler.

• 

  10. Batman

  Batman made his first appearance in 1939 in Detective Comics #27 Just like Superman he is the archetype for all heroes that came after him. He is the archetype for the anti-heroes who came later like wolverine and Punisher. When Batman first appeared he was vengeance and revenge and would kill to achieve his goals.

• 

  11. Dan Garret

  Not known by many know but the Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett is as old as Batman and Superman. The impact of the Blue Beetle legacy cannot be denied. He got his first appearance in Mystery Men Comics #1 in 1939.

• 

  12. Jim Hammond

  You can't do much better than having the first appearance in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. He is also the inspiration of the Human Torch from the Fantastic 4 and Fire.