With comics I would have to say "Deadpool", he didn't give a damn about ANYBODY.
In books I am a HUGE Micheal Moorcock fan, Elric leading the way.
I also like Robert Howard's Conan the Barbarian.
Cogline from the Shannara series, because he took on hideous magical monsters with only his knowledge of science and some home-made explosives!
I have a lot of respect for Ghandi. Getting your country's freedom while at the same time rejecting violence is something that'll be remembered for a Very long time.