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Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

#31
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4/26/08 at 11:21am
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
Also, I do not believe that mass market appeal or popularity is any measurement of a characters level of iconic status.
It is when you're talking about two characters that are geared for mass market appeal. Bonds presence has been through novels and movies and he has made an undeniable mark in the minds of people all around the world. However, Batman has more popularity than Bond. Largely, because of his marketability. Now, you may believe popularity and iconic status are not the same thing and that's your right. When I look at a character that has been on the mass market for more than 45-50 years, with his image on all kinds of stuff, even in his slow periods, to me that's recognition. Someone must feel he generates more interest than Bond or it wouldn't be the case. I feel that makes him an icon more so than Bond.

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#32
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4/26/08 at 1:20pm
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
The same goes for Batman and James Bond. Whose name comes immediately to mind when specific questions are asked?
Bond is the most iconic spy but that's not the question being asked. Bond is the most iconic spy in history but that doesn't automatically make him more iconic than Batman just because Superman is more iconic than Batman.
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#33
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4/26/08 at 3:13pm
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

Well, I've explained twice why I think Bond is more iconic. Any other argument I put forward would just become circular. I think an indelible link between character and subject matter is more important than mass popularity and merchandise. A lot of you think otherwise. To continue to argue would just result in a Blu-ray/HD DVD seesaw.

I was thrown for a loop a bit when the matter of Hitchcock's silhouette was raised, but I look at his case the same way I would if the 007 or Batman symbol was the only measure of icon. Using only symbology, all three are equally iconic.

007 is automatically associated with James Bond
Bat symbol is automatically associated with Batman
Hitchcock silhouette is self explanatory.

BTW, name a super sleuth.

When you have to shoot...shoot. Don't talk!

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#34
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4/26/08 at 5:03pm
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
BTW, name a super sleuth.

C. Auguste Dupin.

The bottom line is that both Batman and Bond are icons, so it's nothing to go HD Format Wars on. There are valid reasons to argue for either.

If Holmes is the iconic super sleuth, who is the iconic private dick? Marlowe? Spade? Hammer? That's a little more difficult.
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#35
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4/26/08 at 7:05pm
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

From Wikipedia: Cultural impact

Batman has become a pop culture icon, recognized around the world. The character's presence has extended beyond his comic book origins; events such as the release of the 1989 Batman film and its accompanying merchandising "brought the Batman to the forefront of public consciousness."[49] In an article commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the character, The Guardian wrote, "Batman is a figure blurred by the endless reinvention that is modern mass culture. He is at once an icon and a commodity: the perfect cultural artefact for the 21st century."[104] In addition, media outlets have often used the character in trivial and comprehensive surveys- Forbes Magazine estimated Bruce Wayne to be the 7th-richest fictional character with his $6.8 billion fortune[105] while BusinessWeek listed the character as one of the ten most intelligent superheroes appearing in American comics.[106]
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#36
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4/27/08 at 6:07am
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg_S_H
If Holmes is the iconic super sleuth, who is the iconic private dick? Marlowe? Spade? Hammer? That's a little more difficult.

John Holmes?

2QAYL
My Filmmaker\'s Blog

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#37
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4/27/08 at 7:31am
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

I'd vote for Bond easily. It'd be more of a battle if it were Bond vs. Superman, but Batman? Bond, James Bond.

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#38
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4/27/08 at 8:26am
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Re: Batman or James Bond - Who is more iconic?

Quote:
Two questions have to be asked in order to determine iconic status.

1) Name a fictional Super Spy.

2) Name a fictional Superhero.

I would guess that at least 7 out of 10 people would answer "James Bond" and "Superman" if you asked average people those two questions. Therefore, I believe that James Bond is actually more iconic than Batman.

I don't buy that argument.

1) Name a brand of toilet paper.

2) Name a fictional Super Hero.

Most people would probably say "Charmin" and "Superman".

Therefore Charmin toilet paper is more iconic than Batman.
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