10 Criminally Forgotten DC Characters Who Deserve a Comeback

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For almost 90 years, DC Comics has been a leading force in the world of superheroes. They essentially defined the modern superhero, pioneered the idea of superhero teams, and popularized the sidekick. DC also introduced the concept of the multiverse to comics and wasn’t afraid to tackle more complex, mature storylines. Over the decades, fans have met countless heroes and villains, with the most famous characters being just a small part of the vast DC Multiverse.

DC Comics has a strong tradition of great storytelling, and a lot of that comes from characters who’ve been overlooked. These characters were once popular and important, but have been largely forgotten in recent years. It’s time to bring these ten characters back, as they have the potential to deliver fantastic new stories for readers.

10) The Engineer

While the Engineer recently appeared in James Gunn’s *Superman* movie, DC Comics hasn’t really prioritized the character. First introduced in *StormWatch* and later a member of the Authority, she hasn’t been featured in DC comics for a long time, and wasn’t even included in the recent Authority relaunch. With her unique nanotech body and striking design, the Engineer is a powerful and visually interesting character. Since DC hasn’t fully integrated many characters from the Wildstorm universe, now would be an ideal time to bring her back.

9) Val-Zod

Val-Zod first appeared as the Superman of Earth-2 in the New 52 comics. On this alternate Earth, the original Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman were believed to be dead. Darkseid attempted to replace Superman by cloning him and creating Brutaal, but Earth-2 was saved by Val-Zod, a Kryptonian who escaped Krypton’s destruction and became its new hero. Val-Zod continued to appear even after the New 52 ended, making a brief appearance in *The Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent*. While fans were thrilled to see him, his role was limited to a couple of issues. With Superman comics currently very popular, a return for Val-Zod could be impactful, and might even revive plans for a Val-Zod movie starring Michael B. Jordan.

8) Hourman I

The Justice Society of America was DC’s very first superhero team, and it’s home to many memorable characters. One of my favorites is Rex Tyler, the original Hourman. He developed a special pill that gave him an hour of superhuman strength and resilience, allowing him to fight crime as a hero and join the Justice Society. He struggled with an addiction to the pill but eventually overcame it. Sadly, he was killed during the ‘Zero Hour’ event, though he was later brought back to life in the ‘JSA’ series. He helped his son, Rick, and fought with the team for a while, but hasn’t been seen recently. Hourman is a complex and compelling character, and I’m surprised DC hasn’t explored his battle with addiction in a dedicated story – I even have an idea for one, should any DC editors be interested!

7) Anthro

Anthro is a DC character who never really got the spotlight. He debuted in *Showcase* #74 as the first human, but his own comic series didn’t last long, and he largely disappeared afterward. While he’s made brief appearances during various *Crisis* events, he hasn’t been a major player. Anthro has a lot of untapped potential – stories could explore his rivalry with Vandal Savage, perhaps with an assist from Resurrection Man (who was retconned to be the immortal Immortal Man, gaining his powers alongside Savage). Bringing Anthro back into the modern DC Universe could be a challenge, but that’s what makes the DC Multiverse great – it allows for all kinds of stories.

6) Arion

As a huge comic book fan, I’ve always been a little puzzled by how underused Arion is. He was *the* sorcerer of Atlantis before it disappeared, and he actually had his own comic way back in the Bronze Age! He’s popped up in other comics over the years, but he doesn’t get the attention he deserves, especially considering DC’s focus on magic-based characters lately. It’s wild to think he lived through the sinking of Atlantis and has been around for thousands of years, even teaming up with various heroes. Given how well DC’s been doing with titles like Justice League Dark and Zatanna, it feels like the perfect time to bring Arion back and introduce him to a new audience. He’s a genuinely cool character, and I think a lot of people would really dig him if given the chance.

5) OMAC

Jack Kirby, a hugely inventive artist for Marvel and DC Comics, created a wealth of memorable characters, and one of his best is OMAC, short for One-Man Army Corps. Originally appearing in the future world of Kamandi, Buddy Blank was turned into a super-powered hero by a satellite called Brother Eye. DC Comics has revisited the OMAC concept several times in the 21st century, sometimes as hero-hunting creations of Brother Eye (originally designed by Batman), and other times as a new hero following the events of *Dark Knights: Metal* and the “New Age of Heroes” initiative. Unfortunately, that line of comics didn’t last, leaving OMAC’s future uncertain. Now would be an ideal time to revive the character – either the original version or a reimagining – and pit him against either heroes or villains.

4) Kamandi

DC Comics occasionally revives the character Kamandi, but hasn’t yet found a way to make him a lasting hit. Created by Jack Kirby, Kamandi lives in a post-apocalyptic world where animals have become intelligent and rule the planet after a catastrophic event known as the Great Disaster. He spends his time battling villainous creatures and befriending the benevolent ones, embarking on exciting adventures. DC has repeatedly hinted at the Great Disaster in its storylines, with several major events presented as potential catalysts, though they’ve always been averted. However, the disaster seems destined to happen eventually, which means Kamandi always reappears. A new, significant reboot of the Kamandi series is due, and it’s a chance to show fans what makes this Kirby creation so special.

3) Commander/Citizen Steel

Commander Steel and Citizen Steel are both heroes I’d welcome back. The original, Hank Heywood, was a WWII Marine who was rebuilt with cybernetics after a severe injury, making him incredibly durable. His grandchildren, known as Commander and Sarge Steel, followed in his footsteps – they were also injured and received similar cybernetic enhancements.

Nathan Heywood became the hero Citizen Steel after an attack by Vandal Savage’s forces, the Fourth Reich, on his family. During the attack, he was infused with the liquid metal of the villain Reichsmark. The Justice Society of America rescued him, granting him incredible strength and invulnerability, but also causing him to lose all sensation in his body. He chose to honor his grandfather by taking the name “Citizen,” as he had no military background. Because of his immense power, he needed a special metallic suit applied before each battle to prevent him from accidentally harming others. Now that the JSA has their own comic series again, it would be fantastic to see Citizen Steel return.

2) Knockout

Knockout first appeared in the mid-1990s in a Superboy comic. She was a tough fighter who Superboy had a crush on, creating a love triangle with a reporter named Tana. They spent some time together, and it was later revealed she was once a member of the Female Furies from Apokolips, having escaped to Earth. After their relationship ended, she often appeared in the background of other comics, and later had a relationship with Scandal Savage. She hasn’t been featured prominently in recent stories, but she’s a great character who would fit well in the current DC Universe.

1) Animal Man

The original *Animal Man* series was a significant achievement, elevating the character far beyond his simple beginnings. Buddy Baker received animal-like abilities through alien intervention, later understood as a link to the Red – a shared life force connecting all creatures. While Animal Man remains important in DC Comics history and is often discussed for his role in developing more complex superheroes, he hasn’t been featured prominently in recent stories, with his last appearance in *Justice League Dark* (Vol. 2). His daughter, Maxine, has appeared in *The Flash*, developing friendships with Irey and a potential romance with Jai. As a DC icon, Animal Man deserves a return to the spotlight.

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2025-09-23 02:41