Summary
DC Comics is one of the most prominent comic book companies in the world, being responsible for one of the richest comic book universes of all time. With over seventy-five years of original content,DC Comicshas curated one of the largest comic book universes that continues to provide fantastical fiction to the entire world. The heroes that make up the DC Comics Book universe are pillars of the genre as a whole; their influences can not be devalued, as they paved the way for what comics are today.
Within the DC universe, the heroes created by the great minds in DC Comics are just as important. They are responsible for the safety of their world and the universe around them. While not all heroes are created equal, all of them share responsibility and retain their own significance. Here is a tier list of some of the best heroes in DC Comics, ranked by level of importance.
S-Tier: Pivotal To The Universe’s Survival
Superman
Superman’s position in the DC Universe is set in stone. He is the shield that keeps the universe safe and also the pillar by which its existence continues.Supermanbecame the world’s greatest hero by never giving up and always finding a way to save the day.
Through his countless battles across time and space, Superman has defeated and disrupted some of the most sinister villains and plots in fiction. From defeating omnipotent celestial beings to restructuring the multiverse, Superman is paramount in maintaining the status quo.
The Flash
Barry Allen is a clinch pin in the DC Universe. Ever since he was struck by lightning and granted a connection to the speed force, he has used his power for good and the protection of those he loves. Barry can move at the speed of light, be in a thousand places at once, and even travel back through time.
The phenomenal gifts make Barry a powerful force that the universe needs when balance must be restored. More than just a speedster, The Flash has the power to rewrite realities with changes to the past, undoing disastrous timelines and resetting the universe to prevent cataclysm.
A-Tier: Essential To Saving The Day
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a respected member of the DC Trinity and one ofthe strongest superheroesin DC Comics. As a child of the gods, Wonder Woman is a powerful individual who was trained since birth to be an unstoppable warrior on the island of Themyscira.
As she matured, she decided to explore the outside world and stepped into her role as a hero, joining the Justice League. Wonder Woman’s importance in the DC Universe stems from her self-confidence and understanding of what needs to be done. In the vital moment, when Superman is overcomplicating a task and Batman is too enthralled in his plans, Wonder Woman does what needs to be done when it needs to be done.
Batman
If Superman is the Shield, and Wonder Woman is the brain of the DC Universe, then Batman is undoubtedly the mind. Scarred by trauma at an early age from the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne transformed himself into something that could save his city. His early years as a vigilante of Gotham City would lead him into a life of a hero who saved the world.
Unlike his peers, Batman is a normal man with no special powers, but continues to put his life on the line to combat some of the most monstrous villains in DC Comics. Batman is a necessity in DC Comics as he champions justice and the indomitable human spirit.
Green Lantern - Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan may be one of the most legendary superheroes ever to live and die fighting the good fight. Hal Jordan was a hotshot pilot who encountered an alien Green Lantern who crash-landed on Earth and bestowed the Green Lantern ring on his deathbed. Upon inheriting the ring, Hal was ushered into a universe he couldn’t hope to imagine and had the safety of an entire galaxy placed on his shoulder.
Hal Jordan has the most extraordinary willpower in all of DC Comics, able to overcome insurmountable odds when faced with adversity. As one of thestrongest Green Lanternsof all time, Hal Jordan is indispensable in the DC universe, and he can always be depended on when the chips are down.
B-Tier: Planetary Protectors
Shazam
Shazam is also a force of nature in DC Comics, being a culmination of the mystical origins of Wonder Woman as well as the strength and power of Superman. Billy Batson was dubbed pure of heart by the powerful wizard Shazam, who bestowed upon him traits from the most powerful gods in the DC universe to become the world’s protector, Shazam.
Shazam’s historyhas placed him at the forefront of multiple battlefields against magical demons, ancient magical beings, and even Superman himself. Shazam currently focuses on the mystical side of the DC Universe, protecting alternate realms from forgotten evils. While Shazam was a pivotal figure during the golden age of DC Comics, he has been overtaken by the DC Trinity.
Aquaman
Aquaman is another staple hero in the DC universe and a founding member of the Justice League. With a long and complex history through the many events of DC Comics, Aquaman has always been an underrated character.
However, Aquaman’s merits have never been in quesiton as he has always been king of Atlantis, serving as the protector of both the sea and land worlds. Aquaman’s power may not stretch toward the stars, but he is more than capable of securing the world he lives in. Aquaman is to the waters of the world what Swamp Thing is to nature, and without him, the seas would turn into chaos and the DC universe would suffer greatly.
C-Tier: The Standard Of The DC Universe
Hawkgirl
Hawk Girl is a character that has garnered a strong cult following thanks to her character being portrayed in the Justice League animated series during the early 2000s. In DC Comics, Hawkgirl has had many incarnations and been a prominent figure across multiple teams.
She has been a trusted ally, and an ally that has tipped the scales in the heroes' favor on more than one occasion. Hawkgirl remains a fixture within the DC universe, willing to devote herself to the righteous cause of heroism and, while not as strong as Princess Dina, can more than make an impact.
Captain Atom
Captain Atom is an incredibly strong character in DC Comics whose history began in the Iron Age and has carried itself admirably over the years. Captain Atom started as DC Comics' first super soldier, but his character has undergone a long list of changes and retcons.
Currently, Captain Atom is a hero powered by the Quantum Field, granting him energy manipulation abilities. Captain Atom embodies the conviction of a soldier, always willing to give it his all. While he is not prominent among his peers currently, his story is constantly expanding.
