Top 10 Most Complex Fictional Characters
In fiction, some characters are very simple and can be described in a few words. Others however have layers upon layers of intricate backstories, character development and traits which make them complex characters, not to mention that many characters can change so much that at the end of their story, they are not the same character they were at the beginning. Let's see which are the best and most complex characters across fiction.
Two-Face/Harvey Dent is a fictional villain from DC Comics. Harvey Dent was one of Gotham's most trusted citizens until he had acid poured on his face making him go insane and become a criminal by the name Two-Face. In film, he has been portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in Batman, Tommy Lee Jones in Batman... read more
Zarbon is Frieza's right hand man and highest ranking Commander and General in an army of millions. He is always beside his master and emperor, Lord Frieza, following his orders and carrying out his dirty work alongside his comrade, Dodoria. Zarbon is responsible for advising Frieza on numerous matters,... read more
Carnage (Cletus Kassidy) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an enemy of Spider-Man. He appeared for the first time in The Amazing Spider-Man #361.
Michael Corleone is the main character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and the three films based upon it, all directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Michael Corleone is cold-blooded, ruthless, smart, and determined. His ability to think clearly under fire, to be decisive, and to command respect makes him an excellent Godfather. He wasn't always this way, however, and that's what makes him a complex character with great character development.
He was an optimistic and loving man, but once the love of his life and their child died, he became a completely different person.
The Joker is a fictional super villain created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson who first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book Batman (April 25, 1940) published by DC Comics. Credit for the Joker's creation is disputed; Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for the Joker's design,... read more There are perhaps no other characters more complex than The Joker. For years, fans never even knew what the character's true identity was or how The Joker came to be. His actions and motives are never easy to understand either. One thing is for sure, though: he is obsessed with Batman.
Hardly any other character can compete with The Joker. The guy is unpredictable and insane.
Spider-Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics existing in its shared universe. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) in the... read more Spider Man, real name Peter Parker, is easily one of the most recognizable comic heroes of all time, a layered and complex character with a rich history from both movies and comic books. Peter displays a great deal of internal conflict.
He is always torn between his duties as Spider Man and his wants and needs as Peter Parker, who is just a normal, feeling individual.
Reptile is a video game character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise created for Midway Games by Ed Boon and John Tobias. He debuted in Mortal Kombat as a hidden opponent and appeared in subsequent titles as a playable character, also appearing in the merchandise and other media related... read more
Darth Maul is a fictional character in the science fiction franchise Star Wars. Trained as Darth Sidious's first apprentice, he serves as a Sith Lord and a master of wielding a double-bladed lightsaber. Darth Maul debuted in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and has made subsequent appearances... read more
Darth Vader is a Star Wars character and the main antagonist of the first three original Star Wars films and the main protagonist of the Star Wars prequel trilogy under his original name Anakin Skywalker. He had been trained as a Jedi but defected to the Sith lord and Galactic Chancellor Palpatine... read more Darth Vader is considered by many to be the greatest character in science fiction. This character had the chance to develop through movies, TV shows, and comic books. The movies gave him a mysterious and menacing aura, while the comics go more in-depth with his backstory and his inner conflicts.
The Newcomers
Ahsoka Tano is a character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas and Dave Filoni. Introduced as the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, she is a central protagonist of both the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the subsequent TV series. Ahsoka Tano was voiced by Ashley Eckstein... read more
Batman aka Bruce Wayne is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and first appeared in Detective Comics #27. In film, he has been portrayed by Lewis Wilson, Robert Lowery, Adam West, Michael... read more
I wonder if anyone on TheTopTens can justify his inclusion on this list besides me.
(Not because he's my profile picture. He went from being a runaway Unwind to running the airplane graveyard sanctuary for Unwinds at age 17. He became a larger-than-life icon known as the Akron AWOL. He can switch from being a clever tactician to someone who calls a sweat lodge an "igloo thing." And he's the only Unwind who got rewound.)
Norman Osborn is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Norman has a split personality. When he's Norman, he's calm and rational. However, once the Green Goblin side of him comes out, he becomes dangerously psychotic, vengeful, and violent... read more
Walter "Walt" Hartwell White Sr. is a fictional character and the main protagonist of "Breaking Bad," portrayed by Bryan Cranston. He is a high school chemistry teacher going through a mid-life crisis who recently discovered he had lung cancer... read more When thinking of complex characters, more specifically TV characters, Walter White often comes to mind for many people, and for good reason. This character has layers upon layers of character development.
He changes so much that from season to season in Breaking Bad, he is never really the same man.
John Marston is a central character and the main protagonist of Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare. He is portrayed by Rob Wiethoff. John Marston has so far been able to develop as a character in both games of the Red Dead series made by Rockstar. In the first game, he is a character with purpose and strong will, determined to do everything for the well-being of his family.
But in RDR2, which takes place before the first game, he wasn't very bright, wasn't sure he wanted the responsibilities of being a father, and seemed very lost.
In the video game world, definitely one of the best and most complex characters.
Marceline the Vampire Queen is a fictional character in the American animated Cartoon Network television series Adventure Time, created by Pendleton Ward.
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that borders on the fantastic, which he employs... read more
Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a character in a series of suspense novels by Thomas Harris. Lecter was introduced in the 1981 thriller novel Red Dragon as a forensic psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. Hannibal Lecter is a cannibalistic serial killer and the quintessential villain turned anti-hero turned monster. He is highly intelligent and cultured, with refined tastes and impeccable manners. He is deeply offended by rudeness and often kills people who exhibit bad manners.
Ragnar was a complicated character. He was a natural leader, clever, courageous, and family-oriented. Although he is a bloodthirsty warrior, Ragnar is also completely dedicated to his family members, even to those who might not deserve it, like his brother Rollo.
Ragnar is also loyal to his friends and values his warriors greatly. As the show progressed, the higher status he enjoyed and the more success he reaped, the deeper he sank into depression and despair.