Top 10 DC Superheroes

Kicking off our list is the Martian Manhunter, an alien named J'onn J'onzz who first appeared in 1955’s Detective Comics #225. Teleported from Mars to Earth, this green skinned alien policeman became a founding member of the Justice League, using his super strength, speed, telekinesis, telepathy and shape shifting abilities to help protect the people of earth. As a core member of the Justice League, he keeps the team united through thick and thin.

This superhero is the female counterpart and cousin to the man of steel. She first appeared in 1959’s Action Comics #252. Hailing from Argo City, which survived the destruction of Kryton, she came to Earth when her home finally became unable to support life. Though she started out as a supporting character, she eventually got her own adventures and gave the DC line up some much needed girl power in the process.

Although this superhero has been mocked for years for his campy powers and origin story, he has recently become recognized as a strong character with solid stories and a deep mythological backstory as the son of Atlantis. Aquaman first appeared way back in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73. His deal is that he’s the King of the Sea with powers that allow him to communicate with every aquatic creature, and frequently finds himself fighting those who would pollute or harm his habitat.

The Green Arrow, aka Oliver Queen, took a page from the book of Bruce Wayne. Namely, he’s a multi-millionaire playboy and owner of a corporation by day and a crime fighter by night. The major difference is that he has a Robin Hood complex and uses trick arrows as his gadgets. Debuting in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73, Queen became the Green Arrow after he was betrayed and stranded on a desert island.

Like many of the other superheroes on the DC Roster, there have been several characters to inhabit the role of the Scarlet Speedster. A hero known for his super speed, he first appeared in 1940’s Flash Comics #1, and like the other iterations to follow, gained his powers after an accident in a science lab. The Flash is usually a more comedic character and the best friend of The Green Lantern.

If there’s one sidekick who can match his partner’s recognition, it’s Robin. Best known as the Boy Wonder, he first appeared alongside Batman in 1940’s Detective Comics #38. Though many characters have inherited position of the pants-less acrobat, it was the original, Dick Greyson who ultimately became the independent crime-fighting persona, Nightwing.

This feminist icon has been fighting evil since her debut in 1941’s All-Star Comics #8. Also known as Diana, Princess of the Amazons, she possesses super strength, invincible bracelets, a magic lasso, a boomerang tiara, and an invisible jet. Clad in the American flag’s design in order to pay respect to the nation she sought to aid, she has exceptional combat skills and is also one of core members of the Justice League.

A superhero with a lifetime JLA membership, the Lantern is yet another DC superhero to be inhabited by several characters, the most popular of which is that of Hal Jordan. Handed an alien power ring and the lantern to power it, he is one of many intergalactic guardians that fight with pure willpower manifested into physical form. While the first Green Lantern, Alan Scott, made his appearance way back in 1940’s All-American Comics #16, Hal arrived on the scene in 1959.

Making the short list is the iconic superhero who protects peace, justice and the American way of life. The co-creation of an American writer and Canadian artist, Superman did not appear in comic form until 1938’s Action Comics #1. The surviving son of Krypton, this alien became mankind’s greatest protector due to the superpowers imbued to him by earth’s yellow Sun. Equally famous is his alter ego Clark Kent, the mild mannered reporter for Daily Planet.

It was a tough decision, but taking the top spot is the dark knight, the crusader who arrived on the scene in 1939’s Detective Comics #27. The secret identity of Bruce Wayne, an orphaned multi-billionaire, he masked defender of Gotham City, sometimes working with the assistance of his sidekick Robin. Though he is best recognized for his solo adventures, he has sometimes teamed up with Superman and the other DC heroes that form the Justice League. A dark, compelling and complex superhero, despite the fact that he has no superhuman powers, Batman takes the top spot for being the most consistently popular and timeless of all the golden age superheroes. And, best of all, he gets all the cool villains.

Agree with our list? Who is your favorite DC superhero? For more entertaining top 10s, and the origins of your favorite comic book characters, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.