History Main / InterpretativeCharacter

* Franchise/SpiderMan has been interpreted very differently across the three recent film adaptations. While all of them are young working-class stiffs who generally act heroic and are effective and skilled superheroes, their personalities are quite disparate. Creator/TobeyMaguire portrays him as meek, serious and a bit of an ExtremeDoormat, with a strict ThouShaltNotKill code and unending honor towards even his enemies. Creator/AndrewGarfield's take is more of a snarky loner who starts off as much more of an AntiHero, actively mocking and bullying some of his enemies and being willing to let some die. Creator/TomHolland plays up his youth and inexperience, coming across as awkward and a MotorMouth, even in combat situations, and is far less effective than the other two with his blundering often making things worse. Due to various liberties taken with all three versions, the Spider-Man fanbase is [[BrokenBase split]] on who is the best.

** It is one of the longest-running franchises in anime history, and as such, there's been plenty of different takes on the title character; is he a JerkWithAHeartOfGold? A ruthless, conniving VillainProtagonist? A [[NiceGuy kind]], heroic GentlemanThief whose more of a clear-cut good guy? Is he suave, or is he goofy? Does he have boyish good looks or [[KavorkaMan does he resemble a monkey]]? Is he a ladies man, or an out and out ''rapist''? He's a LovableSexManiac, but is he a ChivalrousPervert, a HandsomeLech, a ChickMagnet or a CasanovaWannabe?

On the other hand, Jack Sparrow from ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' isn't as interpretative. You can't just take any drunk pirate and call him "Jack Sparrow". Anyone who tries to emulate or parody him would need to keep Johnny Depp's mold intact. This character's specific personal appearance, clothes, mannerisms, and manner of speech would need to be kept the same (or exaggerated in case of parody). [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_On_Stranger_Tides#cite_note-Depp-14 Disney even admitted that without Johnny Depp the franchise would be "dead and buried".]] His characterization may change slightly DependingOnTheWriter, but there isn't really much room for variation.

Contrast CaptainErsatz, where a variation of an Interpretative Character is introduced as a new character, and {{Expy}}, where a new character is designed around the defining tropes of another non - Interpretative Character.

* Franchise/LupinIII:

** ComicBook/TheKingpin's been interpreted three different ways; there's his traditional portrayal as [[FauxAffablyEvil the polite and charismatic monster who speaks with an urbane affectation seen in the comics and other media]], the socially awkward, PsychopathicManChild seen in the [[Series/Daredevil2015 Daredevil TV series]] and the [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse MCU]], and the hulking thug with a New York accent and more prominent mafioso vibes seen in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse''. What remains consistent about him across all media is that he's intelligent, manipulative, wealthy, WickedCultured, and just plain wicked, with [[VillainWithGoodPublicity good publicity]] and lots of people in high places under his payroll.
* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': He's [[FlyingBrick Powerful]] and The Good Guy (tm). But how powerful is he? Is he a patriotic character, or does he transcend nationalism? Is he mostly alien, or mostly human?
** ComicBook/{{Superboy}}. He's a young version of Superman, but has been Superman in his youth, a son of Superman, or a ''clone'' of Superman. In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' Superman was [[ThatThingIsNotMyChild very disturbed]] by his existence. But in the ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' version Superman accepted him with open arms even after he became evil.

* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': The titular characters as a group tend to have different characterizations depending on adaptation and medium; they're vengeful ninja warriors in the original [[ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage Eastman and Laird comics]], goofy, wisecracking, catchphrase-spouting do-gooders in the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 1980s cartoon]], and an amalgamation of both in most other adaptations. Leonardo and Raphael tend to change the most, with Leonardo written as either a straitlaced, dorky everyman or a calm and stoic fighter who takes his duties as a leader and a ninja very seriously, and Raphael as a DeadpanSnarker with a laid back personality, a hotheaded grump, a BoisterousBruiser, or a violent, brooding AntiHero. Michelangelo and Donatello generally stay the same, Mikey being the outgoing "party dude" and Donatello being the nerdy inventor, though there are still differences between each adaptation; Michelangelo's depiction as a party dude generally depends on what's considered cool and hip at the time. Mikey from the 80s and [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 2003 cartoons]] is a surfer dude, and Mikey from the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012 2012 cartoon]] and [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 2014 film]] generally acts like a millennial. Donatello ranges from being a high-strung, stereotypical geek to being the most mellow and mild-mannered of the four.

* ''Film/JamesBond''. At heart, he's TheCharmer super spy in service of the British crown who drops a good BondOneLiner, beats up bad guys, loves Martini cocktails and has a Walther handgun. Anything else is up for interpretation.
** It also doesn't help that he's been played by so many different actors, each with their own distinct portrayal of him; he's been played as smug, with a [[LovableRogue roguish charm]]. Warm, sensitive, and caring (at least towards some of his love interests). [[TheStoic Stoic]] and traumatized from a life filled with loss and bloodshed. Light and campy. And outright callous. It all depends on the era and actor. And while he's certainly an anti-hero, what ''[[Analysis/AntiHero kind]]'' of anti-hero depends, again, on the era and actor.

* Franchise/SpiderMan has been interpreted very differently across the three recent film adaptations. While all of them are young working-class stiffs who generally act heroic and are effective and skilled superheroes, their personalities are quite disparate. Creator/TobeyMaguire portrays him as meek, serious and a bit of an ExtremeDoormat, with a strict ThouShaltNotKill code and unending honor towards even his enemies. Creator/AndrewGarfield's take is more of a snarky loner who starts off as much more of an AntiHero, actively mocking and bullying some of his enemies and being willing to let some die. Creator/TomHolland plays up his youth and inexperience, coming across as awkward and a MotorMouth, even in combat situations, and is far less effective than the other two with his blundering often making things worse. Due to various liberties taken with all three versions, the Spider-Man fanbase is [[BrokenBase split]] on who is the best.

* ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'':
** At her core, she is the OnlySaneWoman; an EveryGirl in a CloudCuckooLand. But is she an innocent yet somewhat typical little girl among fuzzies, [[VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice a mad girl exploring the dark recesses of her own psyche]], [[Film/AliceInWonderland2010 or an unconventional woman who's actually stumbled into another plane]]?
** The Cheshire cat has also fallen to different interpretations in both design and characterization, three of which are pictured above.

* ''Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' has Willy Wonka: At his core, he is a brilliant, reclusive, lively MadScientist of candymaking who has highly SkewedPriorities when it comes to the fates of those who enter his world and don't heed his warnings, owing to [[TheWonka his unique way of thinking]], and a TricksterMentor seeking a successor. Adaptations and their actors have built on this in a variety of ways: [[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory Gene Wilder]] plays up TheWonka aspect to the hilt, even deliberately scaring the Golden Ticket tour group for fun. [[Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory Johnny Depp]] plays him as a ManChild whose years of isolation from the rest of the world result in him having trouble just speaking to, much less interacting with, his visitors in ways they would regard as "normal". In the 2002 audiobook version, Eric Idle plays up the character's boundless energy, which makes him something of a mad optimist even in the darkest moments. In [[Theatre/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory the 2013 stage musical]], Creator/DouglasHodge plays him as a MadArtist / MadScientist hybrid with a SugarAndIcePersonality: He's usually frosty towards the tour group, focusing on the business at hand rather than getting to know them, and to the bad seeds he shows stealthy contempt and, when they meet potentially deadly fates, truly blithe indifference. Yet he's sensitive to creativity and beauty, capable of showing great kindness and warmth to those who can appreciate and understand his way of thinking.
* ''Literature/TheAdventuresOfPinocchio'': The titular character is, at his core, a childish puppet [[PinocchioNose whose nose grows when he lies]] and who wants to BecomeARealBoy. But is his mischievousness out of genuine selfishness, or because he doesn't know any better? Does he have a healthy father-son bond with Geppetto, and if not, are they able to work things out? And does he actually manage to earn his wish? Many adaptations have answered these questions in their own way.
* Parodied in the Creator/KimNewman short story "Coastal City", which pokes fun at superhero comic tropes. TheCommissionerGordon is uncomfortably aware that he can vary between being [[PoliceAreUseless useless]], a trusted ally, or a J. Jonah Jameson-esque InspectorJavert depending on which hero he's dealing with at the time. He's also notes that the woman working in his office looks like [[ComicBookFantasyCasting Sharon Stone]] and is on the force, but he swears she used to look like Ginger Rogers and just be his secretary.

** The Doctor [[SexShifter themself.]] At their core they are an eccentric but heroic immortal figure with a time machine. However, [[TheNthDoctor every Doctor]] will be different from their other incarnations. Creator/TomBaker, who played the Fourth Doctor, often says that the premise is so open to interpretation that no-one has ever "failed" as the Doctor and no-one ever ''can''.
** {{Lampshaded}} by the Tenth Doctor in [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion his first full episode]]:
---> '''Sycorax Leader''': Who exactly are you?\\
'''10th Doctor''': Well, that's the question.\\
'''Sycorax Leader''': I demand to know who you are!\\
'''10th Doctor''': (''mock-imitation of Sycorax Leader's voice'') I DON'T KNOOOW !! (''back to regular voice'') See, that's the thing. I'm the Doctor, but beyond that, I.. I just don't know. I literally do not know who I am. It's all untested. Am I funny? Am I sarcastic? Sexy? [winks at Rose, who looks away, embarrassed but smiling] Right old misery? Life and soul? Right-handed? Left-handed? A gambler? A fighter? A coward? A traitor or a liar? A nervous wreck? I mean, judging by the evidence, I've certainly got a gob.

* Many figures from Myth/ArthurianLegend--even going back to the medieval sources, characters can vary wildly. Much Arthuriana is created to make a political and/or moral point, which means that it will change with the times and authorial viewpoint.
** Arthur himself. He's the king, but while the earliest stories make him [[RankScalesWithAsskicking a badass]] adventuring with his knights, by the Vulgate he's sidelined at Camelot while the others went on quests. Some writers gave him illegitimate offspring, while others make him [[SingleTargetSexuality scrupulously faithful]] to Guinevere (odd for a medieval king) to emphasize her own adultery. Usually Camelot's fall is the result of his own sins, but ''Literature/IdyllsOfTheKing'' goes in the other direction, making him the quintessential [[TheGoodKing Good King]] doomed by the faults of others.

* The various reincarnations of Link and Zelda in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series. Though this has an [[LegacyCharacter in-universe justification for the various interpretations]].
* Franchise/CarmenSandiego. She's the red-coated nemesis of the ACME Detective Agency and the ringleader of V.I.L.E. Since the early '90s, her BackStory always involves her being a [[FaceHeelTurn former ACME detective]]. Within those parameters, pretty much anything can be changed, including how much (if any) goodness is left in her.

* The Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog franchise has run for almost three decades as of this writing, and has had TONS of revisions, and retools to the series setting, lore, and design sensibilities. In the 90's alone, it had no less than ''seven'' different continuities running concurrently, all of them with their own specific incarnations of Sonic and his supporting cast.
* [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]. Given the sheer longevity of the series and the amount of creative teams in charge of each game, his personality and traits are subject to change depending on whatever circumstances he finds himself in. Luigi, on the other hand, developed a more solid, definite personality as the series went on.
* Every one of the standard ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' recurring characters - mascots like Chocobos and Moogles, summoned monsters like Shiva, Ifrit and Bahamut, and monsters like Mandragora and Cactuar get reinterpreted along the aesthetic of every entry they appear in. This does lead to some weird effects, sometimes - ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' contains both a 'serious' interpretation of Ultros (''Anime/KingsglaiveFinalFantasyXV'') and a goofy version in line with his usual interpretation (''VideoGame/AKingsTaleFinalFantasyXV'').
* Many [[CanonForeigner original characters]] created for the ''Franchise/DragonBall'' video games like Mira, Towa, the Supreme Kai of time and Fu have different interpretations in every video game they appear in.

* Website/{{Newgrounds}}' Iconic SeriesMascot, VideoGame/{{Pico}}, first appeared in five flashes by Tom Fulp, and ever since then has been kept alive by the flashes of several Newgrounders who took him in almost any direction under the sun. At his base, he is a badass FieryRedhead [[TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior juvenile]] [[TheGunslinger weapons expert]] [[RedheadInGreen in a green long-sleeved shirt]]. Everything beyond that is up for grabs from [[VagueAge how old he is]] to [[TokenTrio his relationship with Nene and Darnell]].
** Nene and Darnell tend to variate with Pico as well. Nene at base is an Asian girl in an overall dress with a long-sleeve shirt with matching shoes and [[SignatureHeadgear a headband]], all of which are [[PinkMeansFeminine pink]]. From that point, she could either be a caring love-interest/girlfriend to Pico or ready and willing to coldly slit his throat when the situation calls for it. Her SubvertedInnocence, namely her [[ReallyGetsAround sexual]] and [[DrivenToSuicide suicidal]] tendencies, are usually mainstays, but they also tend to fluctuate. Her VagueAge and TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior tend to be the same as Pico. Darnell is more stably characterized, being black with a slicked 'do, wearing a purple-and-yellow long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans, and being a {{pyromaniac}} who plays the LittlestCancerPatient card (usually a lie) to bolster his chances for class president. Likewise, he also carries Pico's VagueAge and TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior.

* [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos The Slender Man]] is tall, slender, wears a dark business suit, and is generally used for the purpose of horror. Anything else is fair game. Even his most identifying feature ([[TheBlank his facelessness]]) varies between "doesn't exist" and "just doesn't show up on camera."

* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' has a habit of defining its characters very loosely, with any characters who share a name and some major traits being considered the same one regardless of any obvious differences beyond those. And ''then,'' you have to differentiate between "new version of character X" and "new character with a name we've heard before slapped on it." ThePowersThatBe aren't too particular about how less prominent names are used, with there being so many characters that it's entirely possible that a writer may create a new character without realizing that their name had already been used somewhere else. Major characters are more consistent, but still not very, as seen with ones such as these:
** Megatron. For any kind of villain you've ever seen, there's a Megatron for that. He's been [[Film/TransformersFilmSeries a brute]], a [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars brilliant manipulator]] [[WesternAnimation/BeastMachines and chessmaster]], [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated a one-bot army and far-thinking master planner]], an [[Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise energy vampire]], [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye a fallen hero struggling his way through a redemption arc]], and [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers an extremely '80s cartoon villain]] with a high-pitched voice and schemes like "I know how we can get more energy! Let's build this giant cannon to knock the Moon out of orbit, build a device to control the tides in the Moon's absence, and ''then'' use all that power to flood a canyon that contains a hydroelectric generator that we built." He's also tried OmnicidalManiac on for size once (in [[spoiler:''Anime/TransformersCybertron'']], his true plan proves to be to use [[spoiler: the black hole]] to eradicate the whole universe, then [[InTheirOwnImage rebuild it in his image]]). He ''is'' always TheDeterminator, though.

** On the good guys' side, Optimus. He'll always be TheHero, always the leader, always serious but with the occasional sign of a sense of humor and AFatherToHisMen. The exact flavor depends on the tone of the series, though. In the film series he's TheBerserker in battle, and in ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'' and ''Animated'', he's the leader of the team but ''not'' the Autobots altogether. (A big brother to his men?) In a darker series, he won't hesitate to kill; in a lighter one, he's always willing to forgive. Sometimes he's willing to say IDidWhatIHadToDo, and sometimes it's "[[HonorBeforeReason showing mercy]] ''[[HonorBeforeReason even]]'' [[HonorBeforeReason if it's probably gonna bite us down the road is what makes us better than the 'cons.]]"
** Ironhide's been [[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 an old and Southern minivan]], [[Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise a stealthy and Southern truck]], [[Anime/TransformersEnergon a young and not Southern truck]], [[Film/TransformersFilmSeries a truck who really loves his guns]] (fitting an American Deep South stereotype despite not having the accent), and most recently [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated young, Southern, and... a vehicle that's trying really hard not to look like a repaint of Ratchet's pre-Earth alien-ified ambulance mode]] [[WhatCouldHaveBeen who probably would have traded that alt-mode in for a truck]].
** For a minor-name case that may not be intended as a new version of an existing character, there's Blackout. We've got Demolishor's ground-vehicle RobotBuddy in ''Anime/TransformersArmada,'' the toy name of an unnamed Bruticus Maximus component in ''Anime/TransformersEnergon,'' a bird Terrorcon drone in the show proper, and a helicopter-bot who all but wiped out a whole military base in the first live movie. ''Animated'' Blackout is basically movie Blackout in the show's animation style, though. Movie Blackout ''may'' be a reference to fellow helicopter Bruticus component Blackout, but that's a stretch - ''Energon'' combiners are single characters who split, not teams who combine. ''Energon'' Bruticus' leg having a name is obscure trivia.
** Rampage: big cat, Hannibal Lecter in the form of a giant crab, or a construction vehicle? Like Blackout, being a 'con is all the uses of the name have in common.
** Scorponok is borderline. As a Decepticon scorpion, he ''feels'' more like a recurring character than an oft-reused name. However, the name "Scorponok" pretty much ''has'' to be used for a scorpion, and a scorpion pretty much has to be bad. Beyond this, ''nothing'' is the same twice - he's been a non-sentient, ''crazy'' enormous base-turned-robot used by an alien warlord, a ''leader'' of the Decepticons in Megatron's absence, an unremarkable button-man, a MadScientist and a conflicted AntiVillain.
** Wheeljack has his share of changes per continuity. In G1 he's a GadgeteerGenius whose inventions have a varying degree of success. In ''Anime/TransformersArmada,'' he is an Autobot turncoat who sides with the Decepticons. In ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' he's a member of the Wreckers, a badass [[OneManArmy One Bot Army]] who can take on multiple 'cons all at once.

** Sentinel Prime is far more vague, not even having a concrete basic visual design unlike most of the above, but somehow relates to being Optimus Prime's superior somehow. In G1 he doesn't have much of a characterization beyond dying and passing the Autobot Matrix of Leadership to Optimus, but was brought back for ''Animated'' as a complete and utter {{Jerkass}} who keeps rubbing it in Optimus' face that he is in the Elite Guard whereas Optimus is just a maintenance bot despite the fact that Optimus sacrificed his chances for the Elite Guard for him. [[note]]Originally Rodimus was meant to be in this role, [[ExecutiveMeddling but that name being associated with such a jerk didn't sit well with Hasbro]].[[/note]] In ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'' however, he is Optimus' highly respected predecessor and mentor whom he brought BackFromTheDead in hopes of ending the war [[spoiler: only to find out that he is a WellIntentionedExtremist with AGodAmI tendencies who [[BigBadDuumvirate allied with Megatron]] long ago in a plan to send [[DoomedHometown Cybertron]] to Earth and restore it using Earth's resources and PunyEarthlings]]. Notably, the two recent depictions of Sentinel Prime tend to play ActorAllusion[=/=]InkSuitActor. ''Animated'' Sentinel was voiced by Creator/TownsendColeman and is basically Franchise/TheTick in Transformer form, whereas ''DOTM'' Sentinel is modeled after his voice actor Creator/LeonardNimoy, and even shares a line with [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries Spock]]. ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' splits the difference between the other incarnations: he was a previous holder of the Matrix, or more accurately a phony Matrix, who was a raging asshole employed by the corrupt Senate, and subsequently turned out to be a pawn of a villainous force... although one that predated the Decepticons by quite some time.
* The Franchise/ScoobyDoo gang to varying degrees. As the [[FlatCharacter straight men]] of the group in the original incarnation, Daphne and Fred have been subject to the most revision, with Fred rocketing between reliable leader and blustering goofball and Daphne as [[DamselInDistress danger-prone damsel]], quick-witted ActionGirl and kooky CloudCuckoolander. As more specific characters, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby have experienced far less variation; Velma remained a cheerful, easygoing [[TheSmartGuy genius]] until ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'' turned her into a Daria-esque snarker with a sweet spot for Shaggy.
* ''Franchise/GIJoe'', being by the same company as ''Transformers'' and often sharing its creative staff, handle characters the same way. Some characters have nothing in common beside sharing a name for the sake of trademark retention (so Rampage, the rough vehicle driver from ''G.I. Joe A Real American Hero'' has nothing to do with Rampage, the unhinged arm dealer from ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeExtreme''), some characters had more or less consistent portrayals among the various continuities (every incarnation of Destro is a mask-wearing Scottish arm dealer, every incarnation of Roadblock is a ScaryBlackMan) and others are in-between, having the basic of their design and role nailed down but wildly different backgrounds and portrayals.
** The biggest example of the later is Cobra Commander. Over the years, Cobra Commander has been portrayed as [[ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHeroMarvel a used car salesman who went insane after losing everything]], [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeARealAmericanHero a shrill goofball eventually revealed to be a spy sent by an ancient underground civilization]], [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeSigma6 a ruthless cyborg warlord]], [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeResolute a bloodthirsty maniac playing dumb]], and more.
* Out of all the Franchise/LooneyTunes characters, WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck falls into this the most because his personality depended heavily on [[DependingOnTheWriter the director of the short]] [[EraSpecificPersonality and the decade of the classic era]], ranging from [[Creator/TexAvery an utterly]] [[Creator/BobClampett insane screwball]] to [[Creator/ChuckJones a greedy, selfish]] [[Creator/FrizFreleng and unlucky narcissist]] to [[Creator/RobertMcKimson something]] [[Creator/ArtDavis in-between]].

[[quoteright:225:[[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_cheshires_946.jpg]] ]]

* ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'': At her core, she is the OnlySaneWoman; an EveryGirl in a CloudCuckooLand. But is she an innocent yet somewhat typical little girl among fuzzies, [[VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice a mad girl exploring the dark recesses of her own psyche]], [[Film/AliceInWonderland2010 or an unconventional woman who's actually stumbled into another plane]]?

* WebOriginal/JennyEverywhere, a character who was made for the sole purpose of being inserted into any continuity through any interpretation.

** Megatron. For any kind of villain you've ever seen, there's a Megatron for that. He's been [[Film/{{Transformers}} a brute]], a [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars brilliant manipulator]] [[WesternAnimation/BeastMachines and chessmaster]], [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated a one-bot army and far-thinking master planner]], an [[Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise energy vampire]], [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye a fallen hero struggling his way through a redemption arc]], and [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers an extremely 80s cartoon villain]] with a high-pitched voice and schemes like "I know how we can get more energy! Let's build this giant cannon to knock the Moon out of orbit, build a device to control the tides in the Moon's absence, and ''then'' use all that power to flood a canyon that contains a hydroelectric generator that we built." He's also tried OmnicidalManiac on for size once (in [[spoiler:''Anime/TransformersCybertron'']], his true plan proves to be to use [[spoiler: the black hole]] to eradicate the whole universe, then [[InTheirOwnImage rebuild it in his image]]). He ''is'' always TheDeterminator, though.

* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': The aforementioned titular character. His interpretations range from the cartoony (''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'') to the farcical ([[Series/Batman1966 the 1960s series]]) to the dark and artistic ([[Film/Batman1989 the 1989 movie]]) to the gritty (''Film/TheDarkKnight'').

** [[ComicBook/TheKingpin The Kingpin's]] been interpreted three different ways; there's his traditional portrayal as [[FauxAffablyEvil the polite and charismatic monster who speaks with an urbane affectation seen in the comics and other media]], the socially awkward, PsychopathicManChild seen in the [[Series/Daredevil2015 Daredevil TV series]] and the [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse MCU]], and the hulking thug with a New York accent and more prominent mafioso vibes seen in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse''. What remains consistent about him across all media is that he's intelligent, manipulative, wealthy, WickedCultured, and just plain wicked, with [[VillainWithGoodPublicity good publicity]] and lots of people in high places under his payroll.

** The Shredder. He's been portrayed as a [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 bumbling cartoon villain]], a [[ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage brutal]] [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles ninja]] [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012 warlord]], [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 an armor-clad alien monster]], [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 a man wearing full-blown]] PoweredArmor, and even [[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles a set of]] AnimatedArmor [[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles himself]].

* The aforementioned Batman. His interpretations range from the cartoony (''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'') to the farcical ([[Series/Batman1966 the 1960s series]]) to the dark and artistic ([[Film/Batman1989 the 1989 movie]]) to the gritty (''Film/TheDarkKnight'').

* Franchise/{{Superman}}: He's [[FlyingBrick Powerful]] and The Good Guy (tm). But how powerful is he? Is he a patriotic character, or does he transcend nationalism? Is he mostly alien, or mostly human?
** ComicBook/{{Superboy}}. He's a young version of Superman, but has been Superman in his youth, a son of Superman, or a ''clone'' of Superman. In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' Superman was [[ThatThingIsNotMyChild very disturbed]] by his existence. But in the ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' version Superman accepted him with open arms even after he became evil.
** In an interesting parallel to Batman, classic Superman stories depict meek, bumbling reporter Clark Kent as a disguise for the strong, courageous hero Superman, while modern stories depict the kind, humble, down-to-earth farm boy Clark Kent as his true self and Superman as an alias through which he does good.
* Franchise/WonderWoman has had many interpretations, ranging from a patriotic freedom fighter ([[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]]), a very lawful but less assertive hero who defers to her male teammates ([[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]]), a LadyOfWar on par with [[Series/XenaWarriorPrincess Xena]], AmbiguouslyBi, a BadassNormal super spy, a StrawFeminist, and a calm and mature authority figure (most modern incarnations tend to be a mix of this and LadyOfWar). It's been pointed out by one writer that one of the reasons Diana has so many interpretations is that every writer and artist has their own idea of the perfect woman.
* On the villainous side, ComicBook/TheJoker. He's an enemy of Batman, but is he a common thug, a vandal who fancies himself an artist, a nihilistic anarchist out to prove everyone's as bad as him inside, a depraved SerialKiller who targets Batman's friends or what-have-you? He kills his victims with a smile, but does he use a fatal injection that tightens their face muscles, curable laughing gas, or does he just slit their faces into a GlasgowGrin? Does he want to kill Batman, drive him as crazy as he is, goad Batman into killing him to prove a point, or does he refuse to kill Batman because he's "too much fun"? Most of this would probably be straightened out by a good, hard look at his backstory, but [[MultipleChoicePast just what is his backstory]] anyway?
* It's generally accepted that there are three phases of ComicBook/LexLuthor: 1) a world-reviled [[DiabolicalMastermind criminal mastermind and war profiteer]]; 2) a MadScientist; 3) an absurdly rich CorruptCorporateExecutive with a certain level of [[VillainWithGoodPublicity good publicity]]. The latter has arguably been the most popular portrayal for the last three or four decades, but as long as you make him smart, bald (even if only [[Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice in the last five minutes]]) and Superman's enemy, he's likely to fall into one of those three categories.

* [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]] as a group tend to have different characterizations depending on adaptation and medium; they're vengeful ninja warriors in the original [[ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage Eastman and Laird comics]], goofy, wisecracking, catchphrase-spouting do-gooders in the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 1980s cartoon]], and an amalgamation of both in most other adaptations. Leonardo and Raphael tend to change the most, with Leonardo written as either a straitlaced, dorky everyman or a calm and stoic fighter who takes his duties as a leader and a ninja very seriously, and Raphael as a DeadpanSnarker with a laid back personality, a hotheaded grump, a BoisterousBruiser, or a violent, brooding AntiHero. Michelangelo and Donatello generally stay the same, Mikey being the outgoing "party dude" and Donatello being the nerdy inventor, though there are still differences between each adaptation; Michelangelo's depiction as a party dude generally depends on what's considered cool and hip at the time. Mikey from the 80s and [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 2003 cartoons]] is a surfer dude, and Mikey from the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012 2012 cartoon]] and [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 2014 film]] generally acts like a millennial. Donatello ranges from being a high-strung, stereotypical geek to being the most mellow and mild-mannered of the four.

* [[ComicBook/TheKingpin The Kingpin's]] been interpreted three different ways; there's his traditional portrayal as [[FauxAffablyEvil the polite and charismatic monster who speaks with an urbane affectation seen in the comics and other media]], the socially awkward, PsychopathicManChild seen in the [[Series/Daredevil2015 Daredevil TV series]] and the [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse MCU]], and the hulking thug with a New York accent and more prominent mafioso vibes seen in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse''. What remains consistent about him across all media is that he's intelligent, manipulative, wealthy, WickedCultured, and just plain wicked, with [[VillainWithGoodPublicity good publicity]] and lots of people in high places under his payroll.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Aunt May's been depicted a few different ways, ranging from a frail old lady with senile tendencies, a strong-willed MamaBear capable of holding her own in tough situations, and a former hippy, and her exact age depends on the continuity, with some depicting her as an elderly woman in her advanced years, or as young as her early 50s. Whether she's like a grandmother or a mother-figure to Peter also depends.
* ComicBook/NormanOsborn: Just how evil is he? Is the Green Goblin a split personality threatening to [[SplitPersonalityTakeOver completely take over]] the helpless Norman Osborn in a JekyllAndHyde type fashion, or just a mask he uses to commit crimes? Is Norman Osborn a ruthless, cunning sociopath who cares about no one but himself, or a terribly flawed but well-meaning man suffering from stress and mental health issues who truly does care for his son? Does the Goblin transformation drive him insane, or was he already mad to begin with, and if that's the case, is the Green Goblin simply a reflection of his true self? Does Norman wear a costume and mask and throw pumpkin bombs as the Green Goblin, or does he transform into a hulking, pyrokinetic monster who throws fireballs? And is the Green Goblin a LaughingMad type villain, or a raging beast?

** The biggest example of the later is Cobra Commander. Over the years, Cobra Commander has been portrayed as [[ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHeroMarvel a used car salesman who went insane after losing everything]], [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeARealAmericanHero a shrill goofball eventually revealed to be a spy sent by an ancient underground civilization]], [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeSigmaSix a ruthless cyborg warlord]], [[WesternAnimation/GIJoeResolute a bloodthirsty maniac playing dumb]], and more.

** Arthur himself. He's the king, but while the earliest stories make him [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority a badass]] adventuring with his knights, by the Vulgate he's sidelined at Camelot while the others went on quests. Some writers gave him illegitimate offspring, while others make him [[SingleTargetSexuality scrupulously faithful]] to Guinevere (odd for a medieval king) to emphasize her own adultery. Usually Camelot's fall is the result of his own sins, but ''Literature/IdyllsOfTheKing'' goes in the other direction, making him the quintessential [[TheGoodKing Good King]] doomed by the faults of others.

* ''Franchise/HannibalLecter'': The titular character is, at his core in the original novels, an [[WickedCultured eloquent]] SerialKiller with a tendency to [[ImAHumanitarian devour his victims]]. From there, things differ as his actors have all treated their roles as the character with their own quirks -- with Creator/BrianCox adding emphasis to [[SmugSnake his arrogance]], Creator/AnthonyHopkins highlighting his [[AffablyEvil superficial charm]], Creator/GaspardUlliel portraying him as a KnightTemplarBigBrother and SociopathicHero, and Creator/MadsMikkelsen approaching him as if he was a supernaturally competent demon in human guise.

* In Myth/ClassicalMythology: Pick any major god, and you'll find them smiting someone for a petty reason in one story and acting benevolent in another. Zeus is the patron of things like justice and SacredHospitality, but by modern standards, [[DoubleStandardRapeDivineOnMortal he's also a serial rapist]]. Part of the reason that EverybodyLovesZeus is a trope is because he's so often terrible, but was ''also'' TheGoodThing as far as his worshipers were concerned.

* The Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog franchise has run for almost three decades as of this writing, and has had TONS revisions, and retools to the series setting, lore, and design sensibilities. In the 90's alone, it had no less than ''seven'' different continuities running concurrently, all of them with their own specific incarnations of Sonic and his supporting cast.

** Arthur himself. He's the king, but while the earliest stories make him [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority a badass]] adventuring with his knights, by the Vulgate he's sidelined at Camelot while the others went on quests. Some writers gave him illegitimate offspring affairs, while others make him scrupulously faithful to Guinevere (odd for a medieval king) to emphasize her own adultery. Usually Camelot's fall is the result of his own sins, but ''Literature/IdyllsOfTheKing'' goes in the other direction, making him the quintessential [[TheGoodKing Good King]] doomed by the faults of others.
** Guinevere is largely defined by her romance with Arthur and/or Lancelot. Some stories ignore the affair, in which case she's probably TheHighQueen. If she is sleeping with Lancelot, then is she [[SympatheticAdulterer otherwise moral and guilt-ridden]]? In contrast, stories like ''Literature/{{Lanval}}'' make her shameless and petty. Lancelot gets this for the same reason: he's Arthur's greatest knight, but is he [[KnightInShiningArmor really like that]], despite betraying his vows to Arthur? Who, if anyone, is the "bad guy" in this LoveTriangle?

** Mordred is the FinalBoss who rebels against Arthur. Usually he's Arthur's son, conceived by SurpriseIncest, but even that angle is NewerThanTheyThink. Is he just InbredAndEvil? A good guy [[GoMadFromTheRevelation until he learned the truth of his origin]]? Being manipulated by his evil mother, and if so, is that Morgause or Morgan? Is he TheBrute, a schemer, a CompleteMonster or a TragicVillain?