Although there's no exact date to mark its beginning, many critics and fans consider the 1973 Spider-Man storyline, "The Night Gwen Stacy Died," as the starting point of the Bronze Age of comics books. It marked a return to darker themes and socially conscious storylines, with a prevalent air of dread across many of the most popular superhero titles.
Like the two eras that preceded it, the Bronze Age introduced multiple characters into comic book continuity, many of which became superstars in their own right. From heroes to villains and even antiheroes, these characters debuted in the Bronze Age and remain influential and acclaimed today.
Howard The Duck
To some, Howard the Duck is a joke, one of those is-that-a-real-thing characters that can only exist in a children's comic book. To others, he is an unsung hero, a provocative and original character and the protagonist of a 1986 cult classic Marvel movie far darker than originally d.
Alas, the truth lies somewhere in between. Howard is a joke in and of itself, albeit one without a clear punchline. His storylines often deal with satire, giving "meta" a whole new meaning. Howard exists in a privileged place, one where he runs free and wildly, deprived of the self-seriousness with which so many other characters take themselves.
Luke Cage
Hero for Hire came out precisely a year before "The Night Gwen Stacy Died;" however, Luke Cage is a Bronze Age hero, if there ever was one. Cage rose to prominence at a time when blaxploitation was the norm; indeed, Cage might be Marvel's answer to Shaft.
Once blaxploitation fell out of favor with audiences, Cage paired up with Iron Fist, creating one of the best friendships in Marvel Comics. Cage was the first Black superhero to receive a solo series, coming with a unique perspective on crime-fighting; that would be enough to distinguish him among all the other heroes in NYC. However, Cage has evolved with the times, becoming a dedicated family man and an exemplary leader to the Thunderbolts.
Starfire
It could be easy to discount Starfire as the Teen Titans' eye candy; indeed, several of her early storylines treat her as such, and her costumes remain oversexualized. However, Starfire is perhaps the greatest of the Titans; she is the hero, a comionate, kind, and joyful alien princess from the planet Tamaran whose the ultimate fish out of water.
Starfire is also a hothead with an overly ionate personality that often leads her to trouble. However, that's arguably the best part of her characterization. Unlike Raven, Starfire is no sense, all sensibility, and fans wouldn't have it any other way.
John Stewart
The Green Lantern title is an institution in DC Comics, carried over by legends like Alan Scott and Hal Jordan. John Stewart is a proud heir to the legacy. The comic books quickly established him as a capable Lantern, inheriting the title after Hal Jordan's resignation.
However, John's time in the spotlight came with the acclaimed Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series, which provided him with a leading role among DC's titular team. Still, John Stewart has multiple iconic storylines in the comic books that cement his place as one of the universe's best Lanterns and a leading figure in the DC mythos.
Blade
Vampires in the Marvel Universe? Yes, they exist. Luckily, there's also a gifted and fearsome vampire hunter, the mighty Blade. The de-facto protagonist of Marvel's supernatural corner, Blade was retroactively turned into a dhampir, and thank God for that.
Unlike other characters, Blade struggled to find a place in the larger Marvel Universe, but there's no shame in itting that. The character eventually came into his own, thanks largely to Wesley Snipes iconic take on the role in the action-packed Blade trilogy. Nowadays, Blade ranks as one of Marvel's darkest heroes, a night-dweller who can strike fear into the heart of even the bravest man.
Cyborg
Although he began as a staple of the Teen Titans, Cyborg has the privilege of having graduated into the Justice League, something his fellow have either failed to achieve or actively refused. Half man and half robot, Cyborg's story is one of perseverance in the face of tragedy.
Cyborg hasn't been shy about his difficulties adjusting to his new situation throughout his superhero career. However, the character remains an inspiration, a role model even; unlike other characters in the medium, Cyborg didn't let his anger get the best of him and instead found a way to thrive, becoming one of the most powerful of the Teen Titans, and eventually the Justice League.
Storm
Ororo Munroe is one of the most famous characters in Marvel, a vital member of the X-Men -arguably its best leader - and one of the most inspiring figures in comics. Debuting in Giant-Size X-Men #1, Ororo descends from a long line of African priestesses; at one point, she was worshipped like a deity in the continent.
Storm is at the center of many unforgettable storylines from the comics. She is regal, a goddess on Earth in the Marvel Universe. Her romance with T'Challa ranks as one of the most influential in the medium, and her reputation among the X-Men rivals those of Cyclops and Professor X.
Punisher
Out of the many antiheroes that appeared during the Bronze Age, Punisher might be the most complex. The character debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 as a ruthless vigilante willing to cross any line in his fight against crime.
Unlike other Marvel antiheroes, Punisher is brutal, at times merciless, and undeterred, standing out among all other characters for his violent ways. He is a decry of the system, the embodiment of the failure of the institutions meant to protect and serve. And despite Punisher representing a sucker punch to the justice system that failed so many like him, this is a point that some readers seem to often miss.
Raven
A Cambion empath with massive destructive power, Raven arrived in the 1980s and redefined the Teen Titans. At times a hero and at times a confused villain, Raven travels a fine line between dark and light, constantly managing and outright hiding her emotions.
Raven has a troubled family history, with her father, Trigon, acting as one of the Teen Titans' most powerful and enduring villains. The character's core is duality, a constant struggle to control her demonic side, an undesirable curse she must nonetheless co-exist with and understand. Raven is one of the most powerful characters in DC, and she's slowly finding her way to the spotlight she should've always had.
Wolverine
It might be an overstatement to declare Wolverine as the most influential character in modern comics, but he is certainly a contender. Debuting in The Incredible Hulk #180, Wolverine would later play a major role in the X-Men storyline of the 1980s and 90s, eventually becoming the franchise's face before Hugh Jackman's now-iconic portrayal in the live-action movies further elevated the character's status.
Comic book fans know Wolverine has a tragic backstory, making him one of the most layered characters in Marvel history. He is the prototypical antihero, aggressive, guarded, and brooding, perpetually chasing an atonement that will elude him forever. Wolverine is magnetic, electric, an overwhelming presence that catches the reader's attention and never lets it go.