Greatest 12 Characters of the 1950'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 greatest Characters to come out between the years of 1950 and 1959.    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 1950's was an odd time for comic books.  They were suffering from after the boom of the 1940's.  They tried many things to keep their companies afloat.  DC drastically changed the look of some of their superhero characters.  They also broadened their base of books.  They added many more western, space, military and horror comics for example.

Here is the past list  
Greatest 12 Characters of the 1940's
Here is the next list
Greatest 12 Characters of the 1960's

List items

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  1. Phantom Stranger

  Phantom Stranger first appeared in the first issue of his own book in 1952. He blended the worlds of pulp hero, superhero, and occult hero.

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  2. James Bond

  James bond made his first appearance in the novel Casino Royale in 1953. Bad guys and beautiful woman were never the same after that.

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  3. Ringo Kid

  Another, great character of the 1950's western boom. Ringo Kid made his first appearance in Wild Western #26 in 1953.

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  4. Turok

  Westerns became very popular in the 1950's and what could be better than mixing westerns with prehistoric dinosaurs. Later, even future tech aliens and character were added giving Turok an ultimate environment. He made his first appearance in Four Color #596 in 1954.

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  5. Marvelman

  Marvelman also know as Miracle Man was created as a United Kingdom vertion of Captain Marvel. He first appeared in 1954

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  6. Rawhide Kid

  In the 1950's westerns exploded in popularity and few were as big as the Rawhide kid who got his first appearance in Rawhide kid #1 in 1955.

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  7. Barry Allen

  Barry Allen made his first appearance in 1956 in the fourth issue of Showcase Comics. He and Wally are widely considered two of the greatest heroes in comics still today.

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  8. Cheyenne Kid

  1957 the Cheyenne Kid made his first appearance in Wild Frontier #7. He is another product of the Western Boom of the 1950's.

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  9. Adam Strange

  By 1958 space exploration became a big concern for the united states after Sputnik was launched a year earlier. This started the spawn of Space aged Heroes. Adam Strange first appeared in Showcase #16 in 1958.

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  10. Hal Jordan

  Although, I am not a fan of Hal Jordan I cannot argue that he is one of the biggest charters in comics. Getting his start in 1959 in Showcase 22 Hal was a repaved Green Lantern for a new generation. The space aspect of his character is also a result of Sputnik being launched two years earlier.

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  11. Sgt. Rock

  In 1959 the Rock of Easy Company got his first appearance in Our Amy At War #81. He has been fighting for his country ever since.

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  12. Supergirl

  Supergirl started in Action Comics 252 in 1959. This was the first Supergirl also known as Kara.