My 10 Favorite Stephen King Protagonists Of All Time

[@jwcarlson]

I see King, I click.

[@nsartin23]

Facts! What got me on Mikes page and what I’m always hoping for

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Hearing you talk about these characters makes me very excited to read more Stephen King once I finish The Dark Tower. King understands people -- he understands us to our core -- and he is unafraid of putting that understanding on the page. That's why his characters speak to us. Thank you, Mike!

[@bloodynine9017]

Mike I am 16 years old from England your channel inspired me to try Stephen King and since then have read The dark tower series, IT, The stand, The shining, Pet Semetary and others. Your channel also inspired me to read The first law series and ASOIAF and The faithful and the fallen series. If you are reading this just know your channel has had a magnanimous impact on my life and helped me in dark times👊🏻

[@mikesbookreviews]

These are things I love to hear. Thanks so much!

[@finalverdict2957]

Great list, I loved Mike Hanlon especially in the interlude chapters where he documents Derry’s history

[@SpencerDragonMonster]

Good list. This might sound weird to count among "protagonists", but Jack Torrance. He's a flawed but likable, relatable dude, like many of King's more heroic leads, but sadly, in the end, he succumbs to his own inner demons. A tragic hero in the Shakespearean sense, one might say. Except not quite, because in the end, he *does* reclaim himself and sacrifices himself to save his son.

[@mayzo51184]

That's so true and I agree with you. You're absolutely right. he does sacrifice himself to protect Danny and that's what made this so sad because I routed for the whole family to make it out of there and for Jack to be able to overcome his fight with his demons.

[@gailspooner1540]

So happy you mentioned Alan Pangborn, he's such a relatable character, I too battle depression and anxiety and think King absolutely nailed the helplessness, guilt and grief of the situation he finds himself in. Fantastic character, I too wish wr had seen more of him. I woild love a sequel to Needful Things, there's unfinished business with the main antagonist in it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I love Sheriff Pangborn. Wish he has popped up more.

[@marianemes72]

Dolores Claiborne is a literary masterpiece.

[@mayzo51184]

yes it is and you really feel for her and can see why she is the way she is and you're just cheering her on! Love that she's not portrayed as a poor helpless victim; she takes matters in her own hands no matter the consequences.

[@marianemes72]

@@mayzo51184 Amazing how the relationship between those two seemingly very different women is described. And yes, Dolores is the Ripley of the Stephen King Metaverse. Love her. It is one of the rare books of his where practically there is no supernatural element.

[@QuirkyQuillify]

I love your King content. It's an instant click for me. Before watching your entire video, here is my personal list (curious to see how many overlaps there are): 1. Richy Tozier 2. Ben Hanscom 3. Eddie Dean 4. Larry Underwood 5.Andy Dufresne 6. Bill Hodges 7. Nick Andros 8. Holly Gibney 9. Abra Stone 10. Jake Epping

[@briteskin]

'Scarecrow Joe' from 'Under The Dome' was just such a resourceful kid. The adults were all caught up in politics and creating order while Joseph was able to concentrate on the causes of the catastrophe.

[@JaimeEnFuego]

"A Sacrifice That's Never Known" was a chorus hook I wrote for my first band thinking about what Johnny does in THE DEAD ZONE. Him and Larry are the two who will always sit with me. Loved your insights as always Sai Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll always appreciate that you can dig our man, Larry.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I can pick my top 10 Stephen King novels, or villains, but I honestly don't know if I could do this one! Just picking my favorite from IT or The Stand would be too hard. Thanks for the video!

[@calista3371]

I love your list. I know your feelings for Larry in the Stand, but I have to go with Nick. Great video. Thanks.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nick and Tom are amazing, too!

[@neilskywalker783]

One of my favourites from a book I’m re reading for the third time, but for the first time in 5 years or so, is jake Epping (or should I say George amberson) from 11-22-63. . A fantastic character who you really get in the head of and root for the whole way, despite all his ups and downs, I found myself thinking I would mostly do the same as him. Love it

[@VenusEscapesToRead]

I love hearing you talk about characters from Stephen King books, makes me want to revisit books I haven't read in many years!!

[@momrobare]

I loved the Uncle in Cycle of the Werewolf! What a great Uncle to have. He builds his nephew a motorized wheelchair and while he didn't at first believe in the werewolf, he at least listened, and then...he BELIEVES!!! :)

[@atom0191]

Thanks for the video, Mike!

[@Theonlykirby]

This is way harder than I thought it would be 😂 I can do a top 3. 3. Danny Torrance 2. The losers club as a whole. If I had to choose one, then I’d have to choose Bev. 1. Roland!

[@mmurphy3608]

Always love to see a new King video:)

[@TheSaltySeaman]

Yeah, glad you picked Larry! My favorite character in the Stand except maybe Flagg (and I love them all dearly), and severly overlooked when talking the series I think.

[@farhad_s]

IT is not just a great Stephen King book, or a great horror novel. It's one of the greatest books ever written. Could've picked any of those kids, honestly. Same goes for The Stand, can't pick just one. Alan Pangborn makes my list too, easily. Just me trying to sneak Needful Things into every list, if nothing else. I had to go with Father Callaghan too, ignoring your restrictions. Picking Roland as well.

[@mayzo51184]

Oh my god tell me about it. It is amazing and I feel like either through knowing friends of mine, or in my own experiences, I could relate to all of the children in IT in some way. Love me some losers club

[@mayzo51184]

I think IT is one of the best thing's I've read in my entire life!

[@whutzat]

Here's mine: Dolores Claiborne, Johnny Smith (The Dead Zone), Bill Denbrough (IT), Danny Torrance (The Shining), Ben Mears (Salem's Lot), Stu Redmond (The Stand), Paul Edgecombe (The Green Mile), Charlie McGee (Firestarter), Mike Anderson (Storm of the Century), Andy Dufresne (Shawshank)

[@pattic6077]

Keep talking about King! I love the King content on your channel!

[@brianmelendy1194]

Nice video. I liked it a lot. Thanks.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you liked it!

[@brianmelendy1194]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah, This was a fun one.

[@GoranCK]

Great Chanel,keep up the good work.Croatia SK fan🤗

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Great list!!

[@toddJM1015]

Since you've kept it spoiler free I will too, but Eddie's big moment at the beginning of Wizard and Glass is not only one of the best Eddie moments but best moments in the series. And the fact that King builds to that moment all through Waste Lands and is one of the best pay-offs to a mini character arc.

[@brentasmith]

Ben is one of my absolute favorites

[@JuanMartinez-ib7mz]

"The son that Roland never had"... you sure? 😂

[@vivianworden]

Great show

[@steventhayer2736]

I agree about 'Salems Lot being scary. I just read Jerusalem's Lot from Night Shift, read it at night, getting towards the end I heard a noise in my room and got startled a bit 😂

[@dinocollins720]

great video!!! I have to read more S.K.

[@kylegriffin5552]

Love me some, Jim 'Gard' Gardner. (The Tommyknockers). Probably my favourite protagonist of all time. King has done so many great characters.

[@cpwalton813]

From the handful of King I’ve read thus far, I’d have to say either Ben Mears or Andy Dufresne would be my choice protagonists. Honorable mention to Jud Crandall. Despite being a supporting character, I’ve always appreciated his friendship with Louis Creed and he was always well-intentioned. ….despite ultimately being the root cause of the happenings of Pet Sematary.

[@bloodynine9017]

Ka is a wheel…

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

Great list! I agree with most of your picks but I definitely would have included Holly Gibney.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I can see that.

[@ChristiansEntertainmentEcke]

Just realised Jamie Morton from Revival und James "Jamie"Conklin vom Later share the same Name xD Keep up the great videos, Mike!

[@tannersturgeon2448]

Finished Revival yesterday. Spot on with Jamie Morton. Very unsettling end. Something. Happened.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So good!

[@sjkrum320]

Great list! I haven't read some of these, but I like all the ones I do know. I think my favorite Stand character is Stew or Nick (I think that's the deaf guys name it's been a while) but I like Mr Underwood too 😀 So you sing? We need to see this!!!!!!

[@Davidfromsaskatoon]

I’d love to see a list of your favourite quick read stand alone books! I have so many big series but would love to through in some shorter one offs

[@Lizewski213]

What is your thoughts on clay Riddell from cell

[@JAKandtheBookStack]

False: men CAN speak to feminism 😁 I’ve never heard of her described as a feminist character but you bumped this up my TBR for that reason!

[@StElna]

There wasn't a Loser's Club in my school. Instead, we had The Sweat Squad.

[@eli68w]

I love reading the character of Holly Gibney

[@CliffsDarkGems]

Excellent video, will now check out your King villains. I love Larry Underwood... Baby can you dig your man, he's a righteous man! However, I still think Stu is the glue that keeps them together. I would also mention Rosie from Rose Madder and Tim Jamieson from The Institute as very strong protagonists.

[@johngalt6838]

Stu has no arc......whatsoever. Larry is written so well.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Some of the ones you mentioned would also be on my list. But going beyond your favorites - Ray Garraty, Roland Deschain, Paul Edgecombe, Edgar Freemantle, and Holly Gibney. Wow Mike . . . no love for Bag of Bones . . . LOL . . . I read it a couple of years ago for the first time. I really liked that book.

[@The_Living_Shadow]

Anytime you want to jump back into doing Into The Multiverse, don't ask for permission, just do it. Lol that's what got me into reading King.

[@Vojtechsroub]

Beverly Marsh, Sadie Dunhill and Johny Smith for me...good list though...)

[@andreevvalle3761]

Best Villains: Man in Black IT Mordred Tick tock Man Dandelo

[@danielw8620]

This is random because I haven't read much on stephen king so I can't follow along with the video (I will catch up no worries, I am going to start with the stand) but could you read and review some of the sherlock holmes books sometimes? I feel those are some of the most influential books out there with all the spun off detective books/series/movies/shows all because of these books. Would love to see your take on them.

[@stephanieyoung9289]

If y'all don't mind me asking, does anyone know where Mike got his Loser's Club mug? He may have said it in the past. I'm not sure.

[@Swampratatta]

At some point you could do top 10 overpowered Michael Crichton characters! I love some of his protagonists that are geniuses and badass

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's my favorite protagonist Dolores Claiborne Rose Daniel's rose madder Billy summers Roland Deshain Jack the talisman and black house Sheriff alan pangborn

[@candiceblack285]

Eddie Dean was the first character I cried over

[@candiceblack285]

I feel like Larry is Eddies twin

[@KendraClark-p1n]

Is Night shift good. ,,????

[@MilesWilliams88]

Absolutely.

[@scatsandwich38]

Sadie, what a great book.

[@Ulmo90]

Still a noob with King, but I liked Jamie in Later

[@mathieuleader8601]

I would be jokey like Dean too if I was flung into a completely different universe with fear of the unknown ramped to 111

[@madisongoodyear5040]

Great list! Pour one out for my homie, Jerome Wireman!

[@ahojahojish]

Hey Mike, just wanted to ask who you feel about Malazan? Are your batteries recharged yet? :) Do you have any updates on that? Thanks.

[@thebookbro3805]

I’m still afraid to read Rita Hayworth and Shawshank redemption cus idk if it’ll live up to the movie lol

[@grumpypants8113]

You won’t be disappointed.

[@scottferris2686]

Imho - the best “written” of all of Stephen kings works. The movie is amazing and the written word is just as good.

[@teksnotdead902]

Abra Stone I thought was great in Doctor Sleep. Really stuck out as a strong character.

[@mariposa9506]

How is she a protagonist though?

[@teksnotdead902]

@@mariposa9506 What else would she be?

[@li32150]

Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came...

[@jzerfass04]

Wish it was ranked :(

[@douglasbunch3313]

Oy > Eddie > Al the rest.

[@Madanth0ny]

Do you feel that you read so many great books that’s why it’s hard to write your own stories ?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nope. I’m just a consumer and not a creator when it comes to storytelling.

[@neondemon5137]

No respect for Oy? Damn.

[@pillarmusic1641]

Heil to the king

[@Geovanny88]

I believe you spoiled quite a bit 😜