Top 5 Favorite Adventure Characters
I recently wrote about why I enjoy writing clean adventure fiction. Choosing a favorite adventure character isn’t easy, but when I look back on the stories that have stuck with me, a handful of characters rise to the top. They’ve shaped how I think about bravery, curiosity, and even faith. Here are my top five—and why they continue to inspire me.
Bilbo Baggins
I often feel like Bilbo as I navigate the challenges of adulthood. He was perfectly comfortable in his neat, underground hobbit hole until Gandalf knocked on his door and sent him on an unexpected adventure. His life was never the same—and much for the better.
For most of The Hobbit, Bilbo is a reluctant hero, and as an introvert and homebody, I probably identify with him a little too much. Praise the Lord that He, like Gandalf, sometimes pulls me out of my comfort zone and into new adventures—shaping me into a better person than I’d ever become on my own. That’s why Bilbo is one of my favorite adventure characters of all time.
Erik (The Phantom)
Yes, Erik is technically a villain, but he’s also one of literature’s most fascinating characters. There’s a subtle shift near the end of The Phantom of the Opera where you can’t help but feel a little sympathy for him.
I don’t identify with Erik personally, but I love reading about characters who are far smarter than I am. And if your only exposure to Erik is through the musical, you owe it to yourself to read the book. It’s a completely different experience—and one that shows how he became the Phantom in the first place. For me, Erik stands out as an unforgettable adventure character because of his complexity and cleverness.
Tom Sawyer
I finally read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer a couple of years ago and immediately saw so much of my sons in Tom. His logic and theology are often hilariously flawed, and those missteps lead him (and Huck) straight into one wild situation after another.
Tom doesn’t plan his adventures as much as he reacts to the chaos caused by his previous choices. That unpredictable energy makes him endlessly fun to read. I can only imagine Mark Twain had an absolute blast writing Tom’s escapades. Among my favorite adventure characters, Tom earns his place for pure mischief and charm.
Sam Spade
I’ve always admired how calm and calculating Sam Spade is under pressure in The Maltese Falcon. His streetwise instincts and sharp thinking make him stand out as one of the coolest detectives in fiction.
In fact, Sam’s character even inspired me to rethink Evan Gold in my own book, Shell Game. There’s something about watching a clever, composed character work through layers of deception that makes Sam one of my favorite adventure characters—especially when the stakes are high.
Tintin
Tintin’s endless curiosity is what makes him such a great adventure character. His pursuit of truth always leads him straight into the heart of danger, unraveling villainous plans in the process.
I’ll admit, most of my exposure to Tintin has come through the movie, which is one of the best examples of adventure storytelling setups and payoffs that I’ve seen. It’s clever, fun, and full of surprises. One lingering question, though: where are Tintin’s parents?
Those are my top five favorite adventure characters, but now I want to hear from you!
Who are the characters that shaped your love of adventure? Drop a comment below or reply to my newsletter, and I might include your picks in an upcoming newsletter.