DC is one of the best-known American comic brands being the home of the iconic Batman and Superman. Though often not as dark and realistic as the rival heroes from Marvel Comics, nevertheless the DC stable has many characters that have won the hearts of comic fans around the world.
Big screen adaptations of Batman, Superman and, more recently, Green Lantern have helped promote these clean cut characters, and the TV series Smallville has been the home to many of them in guest appearances.
But which of the heroes is the best? Here is a list of some of the better known in alphabetical order but feel free to add your favorites in the comments box at the bottom.
Atom
The problem when talking about Atom is knowing which one, as five separate characters have had that name. Al Pratt was the original in 1940 and at first had no super powers but gained some later. He was a founder of the Justice Society of America. The second Atom was Ray Palmer in 1961 who could shrink down to subatomic size. Next came Paul Hoben, who takes over Palmer’s shrinking belt, but never actually adopted the name Atom. The belt was stolen by Atom number four, Adam Cray, who made his debut in 1990. The final Atom was Ryan Choi.
Batman
Batman, also know as the Dark Knight, is one of the two best-known figures from the DC universe (the other, of course, being Superman). Batman’s first appearance was in 1939 in issue 27 of Detective Comics. The character was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and his secret identity is millionaire Bruce Wayne. Though he has no super powers, he is still regarded as a superhero. There have been various film, television and even newspaper strip adaptations.
Black Canary
Black Canary made her debut in Flash Comics in 1947. Created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, she has martial arts skills and, later, a sonic scream that can stop villains in their tracks and shatter objects. Even later, the name was given both to Dinah Drake and her daughter Dinah Laurel Lance. The character has appeared in TV shows Legends of the Superheroes, Birds of Prey and Smallville.
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is not a DC original, having first appeared in Whizz Comics (owned by Fawcett Comics) in 1940. DC licensed the character in 1972 under the title Shazam! due to various litigation battles over the name. He even at one point reappeared under the name Marvelman. When DC bought the rights to all Fawcett characters in 1991, Captain Marvel was given a revamp. The character’s secret identity is Billy Batson. When he says the word “shazam” he gains various powers – wisdom, strength, stamina, power, courage and speed.
Flash
The Scarlet Speedster Flash first appeared in Flash Comics in 1940 and was created by Gardener Fox and Harry Lampert. His secret identity was Jay Garrick and his power was super speed. He was revived by DC in 1956, now with the identity Barry Allen. It was later said that the two versions of the Flash both existed in parallel worlds. To add to the mix, Wally West became the third Flash, but was originally Kid Flash in 1959 and was one of the Teen Titans. Flash had his own 1990 TV series and has made appearances in Smallville.
Green Arrow
Created by George Papp and Mort Weisinger, Green Arrow made his debut in More Fun Comics in 1941. His secret identity is billionaire Oliver Queen and his powers revolve around trick arrows that explode or do other clever things. He has made appearances in the TV series Smallville. A film is meant to be in production hell based on a script written on 2008.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the latest superhero to be given the big screen treatment with a feature film released in June 2011 starring Ryan Reynolds in the title role. The comic version dates back to a 1940 appearance in All-American Comics and was created by Bill Finger and Martin Nodell. There are not one but several Green Lanterns, each getting their powers from a ring and a lantern. The original was Alan Scott but test pilot Hal Jordan is the best known, and it is his version that was made into a film.
Superman
Along with Batman, Superman is the other iconic hero from the DC stable. His first appearance was in the debut issue of Action Comics in 1938 and he was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. He is an alien from the planet Krypton and his real name is Kal-El. His secret identity on Earth is mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent. As well as in comics, he has appeared on radio, film and TV, including the current Smallville TV series. His super powers include strength, invulnerability, flight, x-ray vision, heat vision and super cold breath. He can, however, be hurt in different ways by various forms of kryptonite, rock from his home planet.
Wonder Woman
The best-known female DC superhero, Wonder Woman dates back to a 1941 appearance in All Star Comics. She was created by Wiliam Moulton Marston and is an Amazon princess whose real name is Diana of Themyscira. She has the normal range of strength, flight and speed powers as well as a lasso that forces people to tell the truth. There have been varies TV incarnation but the best known is the Wonder Woman series that ran from 1975 to 1979. There was going to be a feature film penned by Joss Whedon, but sadly this project was shelved.
Best DC Superhero of All Time
There will always be arguments about who is best and who is worst. Maybe if Joss Whedon had been allowed to give Wonder Woman the Buffy treatment, she would now be streets ahead of the others, but it has to fall down to a straight fight between Batman and Superman. Superman has all those powers yet Batman has to survive by human skills and intelligence, so he gets the thumbs up. Please feel free to disagree in the comments box below.
See also: The Best Marvel Superheroes of All Time.
Source:
Dates and other information are as provided on the covers and inside of the comics in question.
Steve Rogerson - Steve Rogerson is a UK-based writer specialising in television, technology, sports and beer.
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