This might be a strange question, but when you read a book, comic, or graphic novel, do the characters have distinct voices in your head, or do they all more or less sound the same?

I've noticed that when I read, most characters end up with their own voice, accent, or way of speaking, and I honestly have no idea where those voices come from. Sometimes they're completely different from how the character is portrayed in a movie or TV adaptation.

How does it work for you?

Here's an example. I'm reading Lord of the Rings right now, and most of the characters sound exactly like they do in the movies. I can hear Aragorn, Gandalf, and Gimli perfectly.

For some reason, though, Boromir sounds completely different in my head. He has a much deeper, rougher voice than he does in the films, and I have no idea where my brain came up with it. He literally talks like a diesel engine...

That's what made me start wondering how everyone else experiences characters when they read.

Yes. Though there has been the very rare time when my head is just silent while reading which sounds really confusing since you usually hear the narration of the words even in your own voice, but once in awhile, nothing.