Coolest:
The Batman is a favorite. But the Man without a Name, Conan (a la the original Howard), Han Solo, and Picard are pretty freakin' cool. The Bride (aka Beatrix Kiddo) has her moments, but Eowyn is the coolest girl on the block, I think. And she has more staying power. I can't imagine people will still be talking about Beatrix in 50 years.
I also find philosophical warriors to be pretty cool, though I acknowledge that this is a personal idiosyncrasy. Therefore, I dig Li Mu Bai from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and Qui-gon Jinn more perhaps than is typical.
Most Heroic:
I'm in favor of Obi-Wan for this title, personally. Though I'm a sucker for anyone who goes into something knowing (for certain) that he or she is going to die. That said...
Krieg said:
Most Heroic - Sydney Carton
Really? I remain unconvinced that he didn't WANT to die. He was a hero, certainly, but his sacrifice will always be mitigated somewhat to me by his feeling that he wasn't giving up all that much. Same reason that Eowyn doesn't make the cut above Obi-Wan.
Of course, Cyberzombie makes a good point...
Cyberzombie said:
Most Heroic: That really depends on what your definition of heroism is. Han Solo would fit for me. He does *not* have to help the rebels. He could survive and thrive even if the Empire wins absolutely. His helping the rebels was truly out of the goodness of his heart -- well, and wanting Princess Leia, but you can't get a more human motivation than that.
I had not considered that angle.
Han and Obi-wan can fight it out for "Best intersection of coolness and heroics" then.
Stupidest:
Hmmmmm... Got to go with Rand from Jordan's Wheel of Time. Not going to bother elaborating, it will get me off on my Wheel of Time rant, and no one needs that.
As for this...
Cyberzombie said:
Dumbest: Any "hero" who lets the bad guys get away to murder and destroy another day. That includes most superheros, but #1 on the list is Batman. The fact that he has not killed the Joker shows he is a moron. You may pity a rabid dog when you put it down, but you put it down. Dark Knight? Pfui. Dork Knight is more like it!
I move that this remark be stricken from the record on account of aggregious nerd-baiting.
Besides, I'm in the camp that thinks one of the only things that keeps Batsy in the hero camp is that he DOES have lines that he won't cross. The man is barking mad, after all.