Great Character Names? (nod to effang)

[pennywisdom]

Which comic book character names do you think are really cool and genuinely inspired? Why?

I like character names that seem enigmatic at first, but are really telling you something about the character. For example, Cable. He's a link from the future to the past... it makes sense, although it doesn't until you get the character. Also, I think it's cool when characters have names that are designed to instantly convey a sense of badass-ness. You don't want to screw with guys named Wolverine or The Punisher. I think if Bruce Wayne really wanted to strike fear into the heart of superstitious and cowardly criminals, he should have come up with a better moniker than "Batman".

Of course, I'm aware the the coolness (or lack thereof) of the name has very little to do with the character. This thread is just about names.

Any favorites?

[Pól Rua]

See, I'm totally opposite here.
I think Cable is one of those nonsensical names. You know, how every badass cop in a direct to video movie is called Joe Bishop or Frank Hammer or John Bricktotheface. In a sense, I can guess what the creators of characters are trying to do... to the current generation, characters who sound like military callsigns Rogue, Gambit, Hazard, Carnage, Bishop, Maverick, Goose... but I can't stand 'em meself.
It sounds like these guys are 'in the closet' about being superheroes. They don't mind it, but they're still leery about the silly name, the brightly coloured costumes, the improbable origins, the wacky powers and the themed villains. These are the black kevlar brigade, with their spikes and their cyborg limbs and their ubiquitous thigh-pouches.

Personally, I think 'The Bat-Man' is a great name. It's classic, archetypical and tells you what you're getting.

Frankly, I'm with The Tick. If you're gonna go out there, go WAAAAAAAAY out there!

[Michael P]

Doctor Bong.

[thehod]

The Flash!!

Its not just a superhero name, its also a hobby.

[pennywisdom]

In a sense, I can guess what the creators of characters are trying to do... to the current generation, characters who sound like military callsigns Rogue, Gambit, Hazard, Carnage, Bishop, Maverick, Goose... but I can't stand 'em meself.
It sounds like these guys are 'in the closet' about being superheroes. They don't mind it, but they're still leery about the silly name, the brightly coloured costumes, the improbable origins, the wacky powers and the themed villains. These are the black kevlar brigade, with their spikes and their cyborg limbs and their ubiquitous thigh-pouches.
True, those characters appeared in some supremely crappy comics, but as far as character designs/names go, I think they're kind of cool. I can at least take them more seriously as effective ass-kickers than I can characters named Giggle Lad and the Zany Patrol.

Speaking of names evocative of danger, how badass are you if your name is Grendel? He was the bad guy who begat all bad guys. How about the main villain from the new Hunter-Killer series? His name is Morningstar. If you want to be named after Lucifer, you have to EARN it.

Personally, I think 'The Bat-Man' is a great name. It's classic, archetypical and tells you what you're getting.
I think "The Bat-Man" is cooler than "Batman" because it makes it look like a bizarre, vaguely supernatural pulp noir character. Sort of like a character you might hear on a radio serial or see at a matinee, but that's exactly what The Bat-Man was. I think he was better for it. I like the 40's incarnation of the character more than most others, name and all.

[MKTerra]

Eldrad Ulthran (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldrad_Ulthran) sounds good.

[Sanagi]

Lex Luthor. He doesn't need a supervillain name, he's just Lex Luthor.

[Huh?]

Jonah Hex is probably one of my favorite names.

Jimmy Olsen is the perfect name for that character.

Splinter from TMNT. There is just something about that name that is cool and totally appropriate.

[Forefinger]

Lobo. "He who devours your entreals and throughly enjoys it"