However, note that names appear multiple times on the following lists since creators know that they would be that much cooler if they followed a more that one naming convention.  Even Superman fits into a couple of categories.

Unless otherwise specified, all names refer to individual characters, be they heroes or villains.  Where groups are referenced, the name will be followed with an asterisk.

Some characters are similarly marked as "(DC)" to denote that a name is duplicated between the two companies.  This undoubtedly occurred more than is designated in the following lists, but I didn't go out of my way to double check.  Sorry.

Given the sci-fi nature of the majority of comic books, it isn't surprising that their creators would draw heavily from these fields.

Biology.  You get the impression that some comic book writers just flipped through a copy of Gray's Anatomy or a medical text for their inspiration.

The Periodic Table.  Elementary, of course!

Minerals.  Not recommended by the FDA.

Silly putty.  Every substance left over.

Power Plants.  Okay, not that powerful.

Forces of Nature.  This is what happens when writers watch the Weather Channel while running behind on their deadlines.

The Atomic Age.  Physics, astronomy, and more.

Astronomy.  It's what's in the stars.

For some reason, comic book creators have drawn a tremendous amount of inspiration from animals.  A survey of the characters on these lists yielded >150 names.  This is even after elminating the characters that were --strictly speaking-- actual animals like Rex the Wonder Dog and the like and "Bat-Mite" who would otherwise have counted twice.  I did leave the talking animals though.  Howard the Duck deserves some respect for taking on villians like "Doctor Bong."

Creppy Crawly Things.  Get out your copy of Peterson's Field Guide.

The Aquarium.  If it swims, it's fair game.

For the Birds.  A flock of fowl friends.

Primates.  No one's going to make a monkey out of them.

Mammals.  Boring.  Okay, some of them.

All that slithers.  Hissss, hissss.

Scales glore.  After you've exhausted all the cool snake names...

Build a better mousetrap.  Meet the rodents.

Going Batty.  He's a franchise.  'Nuff said.

Here Kitty, Kitty.  Hey, you don't have to be catty about it.

It's a dog's life.  What?  No Poodle-man?!

Foxy Lady!  It's just too easy.

Generic.  Who says generality is the enemy of art?

Ignoring the characters who are based directly on their mythological namesakes (e.g., Thor, Herculeas, etc.), here are the leftovers.

Creatures of the Night.  Ghosts, gobins, and assorted ghouls seem to populate the pages of even the most spandex-based super hero comics.

Here be Dragons.  Even St. George had a comic book at one point.

Practioners of Magic.  Wizards and Witches and more,

Zodiac.  Say, what's your sign?

Greek Mythology.  It's Greek to me.

Bible Study.  Fire and brimstone, anyone?

Angels and Demons.  Halos and horns.

Literary References.  How cultured are you?

Assorted mythology.  Everything else.

Need an adjective for your character?  Colors and numbers come with minimal baggage, so they get used a lot.  A whole lot.

Color Me Beautiful.  These guys just have a complete hang-up on names with colors, especially if you're an ethnic character.

By the Numbers.  You can count on them.

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On to Part II