Underrated DC Heroes Deserving a Comeback

From the DCEU—rollercoaster of ups and downs—to iconic characters and forgotten potential, a new era for the DC Universe finally begins with James Gunn and Peter Safran at its helm. Still, before taking a step into this sun-kissed, shiny future, let’s underline those underrated, underused heroes who deserve another look.

The Man Who Could Have Been Batman: Nightwing

Dick Grayson, the original Robin, was a real favorite with the fans. From his acrobatic skills to his leadership qualities, Nightwing is a character who has never been short on potential. His existence was teased within the DCEU in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but unfortunately, a solo adventure never came into being. A Nightwing film might tell about the trajectory from Robin to independent hero and bring to the fore a complex relationship with Batman, his sense of justice, and how different it was from that of his mentor.

The Enchantress: Villain to Anti-Heroine

Enchantress, played by Cara Delevingne in Suicide Squad, was a pretty complex character whose potential was not really fleshed out. Though this iteration of the character was polarizing, her magical powers and tragic origin hold within them a rich tapestry to delve into. To such ends, the reinvention of Enchantress as an anti-hero or reluctant ally would present an interesting dynamic for the DCU.

The Atom: Small Hero, Big Potential

First in the Arrowverse and then becoming known as the Atom, Ray Palmer briefly showed up in the DCEU’s Justice League. With this ability to shrink down to nanoscopic scale, it really opens up infinite opportunities for well differing storylines that would be full of action scenes. An Atom film, independent of larger storylines, could delve deep into the issues a hero might be exposed to at smaller scale while, at the same time, showing his potential as a character within a bigger DC Universe.

Martian Manhunter: DCU’s Green Lantern

J’onn J’zz, the Martian Manhunter, is just another stalwart and powerful telepathic and shapeshifting hero worthy of his deep history. Despite appearances in both Supergirl and the Snyder Cut of Justice League, he remained underutilized. Now, a solo film or a central role in a team-up movie could at last pay dividends on his unique abilities and tragic backstory to cement the fanbase once more.

Cyborg: More Than Just a Gadget

Of the many characters with massive potential, Victor Stone has to rank highly, alias Cyborg. While touching on his tragic backstory and his struggle to adjust to a cybernetic body in the DCEU, so much more can be done with this hero. A solo for Cyborg would reveal more of the emotional journey he took in becoming a hero and finding humanity within his cybernetic shell.

Hawkman and Hawkgirl: A Legendary Duo

The winged warriors Hawkman and Hawkgirl have a storied history in DC comics, but within the DCEU itself, their appearances have been somewhat minimal and lackluster. A movie or show would enable writers to effectively explore a reincarnation cycle, their connection to ancient Egypt, and how they work as a heroic duo.

Booster Gold and Blue Beetle: The Time-Traveling Duo

Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are more idiosyncratic than most—and endearing—heroes with the promise of a funny and emotionally resonant adventure. Their time-traveling exploits, coupled with fish-out-of-water situations, might offer the breath of fresh air in comedy the DCU needs.

Shazam!: More Than the Boy Inside

The first Shazam! movie was a breath of fresh air, capturing the magic and wonder of childhood. A sequel could therefore tell a story that concerns Billy Batson’s coming of age into adulthood while discovering the world of the Wizard Shazam and the Council of Eternity.

The Suicide Squad: A Rogues Gallery of Possibilities

It introduced audiences to a colorful cast of anti-heroes, each with powers that were unique and dark pasts. A sequel or spin-off series could deal with the individual stories of these characters, increasing the DCU and giving other insights into heroism and villainy.

The Flash: A Multiverse of Possibilities

The polarizing Flash film opened up the DCU’s multiverse, holding endless possibilities for traversing through alternate realities, introducing new characters, and refreshing classic storylines. In that respect, a sequel would have much more to delve into regarding the powers of the Flash, making him able to be the ultimate time-traveling superhero.

The DCU can be something special right now. By bringing back these forgotten heroes, James Gunn and Peter Safran will be in a position to explore the unrealized potential and create a universe full of both familiarity and excitement for all fans, regardless of age.

Thus, let us hope that someday it can swoop back onto our screens and be prepared to break through like a storm in the DCU!