some of the best DC Comics Characters may be a bit older than they look, and some fans may be surprised to learn that some of their favorite characters have been on this planet longer than they have. There are many iconic DC Comics characters with over 70 years of history, and while Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman hold the title of oldest heroes, these characters are quickly catching up.
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All Live-Action Batman Suits, Ranked
Batman has quite a few outfits, and over the years his style has adapted to help him fight crime in Gotham as a watchful guardian.
Whether they're heroes or villains, DC is still going strong with some of the best characters in pop culture, and throughout their careers in comics, games, movies, and TV, these characters have really excelled at evolving and gaining new fans. Over time, it transforms into the most refined version.
6 deadshot
Date written: June 1950
- Debut Issue: Batman #59
- Creators: David Vern Reed, Bob Kane, Lew Sayre Schwartz
Deadshot may be a classic villain by today's standards, but his original 1950s appearance has probably been long forgotten. Deadshot may have originally started out as a tuxedo-wearing assassin, but his redesign and revamp by Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers, and Terry Austin in 1979's Detective Comics made him the wrist-wearing, gun-wielding assassin that audiences know and love today.
Deadshot will celebrate his 74th anniversary in 2024, and it's amazing how his original concept compares to now. Deadshot has been the primary antagonist in the Batman comics, but he also maintains a strong presence as one of the central characters in DC's Suicide Squad.
5 martian hunter
Date written: November 1955
- Debut Issue: Detective Comics #225
- Creators: Joseph Samachson, Joe Certa
The Martian Manhunter has a long history and fits well with the 50s paranoia surrounding gray men from Mars. Originating as J'onn J'onzz, the Martian would go on to become one of the founding members of the Justice League, and his shapeshifting abilities would make him one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe. It's related – and this green Martian is toast.
J'onn J'onzz's history as the Martian Manhunter is appreciated, and his origins as an alien show a deeper understanding of life outside of Earth. J'onn's reputation has expanded into past comics and hit animated DC shows, and several solo miniseries have blessed the Martian Manhunter, showing him to be relaxed and calm as long as the Chocos don't stand out.
4 Crypto
Date written: March 1955
- Debut Issue: Adventure Comics #210
- Produced by: Otto Binder, Kurt Swan
Man's best friend appears to extend to Kryptonians as well, with Krypto being the family pet of Jor-El and Kal-El. Krypto has an interesting origin in that he was sent from Krypton in a rocket by Jor-El as Kal-El's pet dog, and later reemerged on Earth still loyal to his master. With Earth's yellow sun, Krypto miraculously developed powers equal to Superman's and even became a capable and loyal superhero (or super dog).
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James Gunn's Superman looks very promising for the start of the DCU, but Superman needs a few things to succeed in terms of comic accuracy.
Krypto has been a loyal dog and good boy by Superman's side for decades. It would be great to see him debut in James Gunn's work. superman movie. Krypto's cute Superman-themed dog collar and cape, and superdog-like intelligence make him a wild character from the '50s, but he's also a character who can have fun in the modern era of comics.
3 phantom stranger
Date written: August 1952
- Debut Issue: Phantom Stranger #1
- Produced by: John Broome, Carmine Infantino
The Phantom Stranger is another legendary DC Comics character originally created in the Vertigo library. With supernatural origins, the Phantom Stranger is a rare entity in today's comic book world, but one of great importance in the fight against occult occultism that could threaten reality as we know it.
The Phantom Stranger has been leading his own story for decades, and the mystery of his powers and the bonds that have walked the Earth for centuries make him a compelling read. The Phantom Stranger's past hints at an origin that has yet to be written down, but his connection to Christianity and Jesus as the Apostle Judas makes for a much more interesting read, even if his character rarely appears in recent years.
2 Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Date written: October 1959
- Debut Issue: Showcase #22
- Creators: John Broome, Gil Kane
One of the best characters to debut in the 1950s, but who won't turn 70 until five years later, is Hal Jordan. Hal Jordan is a key figure in the Silver Age and is responsible for bringing the name Green Lantern back to the light along with the new knowledge and attributes needed to create him. Hal Jordan did away with Alan Scott's stories from the '40s and gave DC Comics a new, science-fiction inspired story.
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The best DC characters from over 50 years of existence
Some of the best DC Comics heroes and villains are celebrating their 50th anniversary in the 2020s, and here are a few of them.
The former pilot, who will join Hal Jordan in the intergalactic police force of the Green Lantern Corps, now has a lens to explore the stars alongside the growing number of new members of the Justice League. Green Lanterns abound in the modern era, but for many, Hal Jordan will always be the original.
1 Flash (Barry Allen)
Date written: October 1956
- Debut Issue: Showcase #4
- Produced by: Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino
There's less than two years left until Barry Allen hits the big 70, but it's impossible not to mention the Scarlet Speedster. Barry Allen is the second Flash to hold the title, after Jay Garrick, and is certainly the most well-known. With Barry Allen, the concepts surrounding the Multiverse, time travel, and the Speed Force became more mainstream, and Barry proved rather quickly (pun intended) that he was the fastest man alive.
Barry Allen is a prominent and distinct member of the Justice League and a costumed icon who excels in every decade. Barry's Flash costume is iconic, and his speedster powers make him a fun guy to follow around. Barry is an essential character to the Silver Age of DC Comics, and it's always fun to see his modern version mixing up timelines and multiverses.
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Batman's 10 best quotes from movies
The legendary Batman has been played by many amazing actors in live action, but equally iconic are the lines of dialogue he utters.