You might want to keep an eye on a new blog at National Public Radio: "The 'In Character' Blog."

Headed, "Great characters: What makes them? What does it take to create them? Why do they matter?" the site features essays on icons -- which must, sooner or later, include some of icons of our own. (And the site is open to nominations, so start thinking.) To date (including reader nominations):

Lassie (mentioned earlier in my blog)
Mr. Spock
Blackie DuQuesne
Dorothy Gale
Buffy Summers
Carrie Bradshaw
Laura Ingalls
Mary Richards

Come on, folks! Which characters would you nominate?