I was introduced to super heroes through TV - the Super Friends, Spider-Man, FF - and for me, my favorites were Flash and Green Lantern.
When I started reading comics in the early 80s, I tended toward newer series (those high issue numbers scared me off), but the one comic I got regardless of the issue numbers was
The Flash.

Those Infantino/Janson covers were pure brilliance.
Today, the one character that still pulls at my heartstrings, is Barry Allen (though I do love Wally West as a character, too, especially the evolution of his character in that first post-Crisis series), and with Blackest Night, Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis put Barry back where he belongs. I am really looking forward to the "Flash Point" event and to getting the new series in trade, and this is coming from an indy-centric reader now.
And my 1A character would definitely be Morpheus/Sandman by Neil Gaiman. I've double and triple dipped with this series, and Mr. Umak can attest to my slight fanaticism with the character. My statues, most of which are Sandman-related, can be found .
chris