10 DC Characters Who Deserve Their Live-Action Debut In James Gunn’s DCU

The DC Universe (DCU) is rapidly gaining popularity as the top superhero brand, even with only two projects available so far: “Creature Commandos” and an upcoming “Superman” film. The novelty of DCU, following the significant setbacks of the DCEU, has superhero enthusiasts eager to see DC Comics brought to life on screen, much like how Marvel’s comics were adapted in the MCU. Additionally, the waning popularity of the MCU after nearly two decades of established formula and diminishing returns has created a demand for something new and exciting. The DCU, under the guidance of contemporary superhero auteur James Gunn, is brimming with potential and generating much discussion about its future direction.

As a die-hard fan of comics, I’ve always been captivated by the groundbreaking superhero concepts that DC Comics introduced in the 30s and 40s. With nearly a century under their belt, they’ve amassed a rich tapestry of heroes, villains, and their entwined stories, waiting to be brought to life on the silver screen. While the anticipation for Batman and Wonder Woman is palpable, there are numerous other extraordinary characters ripe for their live-action debut in the DC Universe (DCU). These ten (and a few more) DC characters hold immense potential and could propel the DCU into an unparalleled realm of cinematic greatness.

Brainiac

In the DC Universe, it appears that Superman plays a significant role. The storyline commences with Lex Luthor as the principal antagonist, but there’s another villain who requires an early introduction – Brainiac. Among the limited number of foes that can truly intimidate Superman, Brainiac stands out as the most formidable. This Coluan genius has been traversing the cosmos for centuries, gathering knowledge at any cost. He achieves this by swipping entire cities, reducing them to miniature size, and ultimately annihilating the neighboring solar system with a supernova, leaving his compacted cities as the last vestiges of extinct planets.

For many years, Brainiac has been Superman’s most formidable adversary and plays a significant part in both Superman and Supergirl’s lives. This character works particularly well against antagonists like Lex Luthor, with their complex friendship-rivalry relationship proving to be profitable. Additionally, Brainiac is associated with the Legion of Doom/Injustice League, making him an enemy of the Justice League as well. The inclusion of Brainiac offers the DCU numerous possibilities, as he can serve as a villain that multiple film series could revolve around.

Darkseid

In essence, although Darkseid first appeared on-screen as a live character within the Snyder Cut of “Justice League,” it remains crucial for the DC Universe to develop its own interpretation of this iconic villain. Known as the personification of evil, Darkseid is an unparalleled menace across the entire DC Multiverse, making him one of the most formidable threats imaginable. He serves as the central antagonistic force within the fabric of existence itself, representing the malevolence that lurks within all sentient beings.

Darkseid stands as the foremost DC antagonist, boasting power beyond measure to challenge even the mightiest of heroes. He provides an ideal adversary for any hero, from mentally outwitting Batman to physically overpowering the entire Justice League. Moreover, the inclusion of Darkseid introduces two distinct realms teeming with heroes and villains – New Genesis and Apokolips. This also opens up opportunities to adapt captivating tales such as “Cosmic Odyssey”, the epic superhero narrative that is “Final Crisis”, and Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Saga. In essence, Darkseid IS… a force to be reckoned with.

Power Girl

For the second time, Supergirl is gearing up for her moment in the spotlight on the big screen, a role she truly deserves. While Kara Zor-El is undeniably cool, some DC comics enthusiasts lean towards Kara Zor-L, also known as Power Girl, the alternate Earth-Two incarnation of Supergirl.

Power Girl is an engaging character with a unique twist compared to Supergirl, stemming from her search for identity after Earth-Two was erased but she miraculously survived. This intriguing backstory sets Power Girl apart. Introducing Power Girl in the DC Universe (DCU) could pave the way for the introduction of Earth-Two as well. With its rich multiverse, the DCU is renowned for offering a captivating comic universe. By featuring Power Girl, who’s on a quest to find her home, we can guide heroes towards discovering Earth-Two.

The Monitor

The Marvel Cinematic Universe laid the foundation for its initial three phases by drawing inspiration from stories such as “The Thanos Quest” and “Infinity Gauntlet,” while DC boasts a tale that surpasses both – “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” This twelve-issue maxiseries brought together heroes from the DC Multiverse to combat the Anti-Monitor, a formidable foe intent on annihilating the multiverse with antimatter and claiming dominion over the void. It’s an epic story that stands as the pinnacle in superhero comic history, featuring countless heroes and villains engaged in a battle for the fate of creation. In order to construct this narrative effectively, the DC Universe requires one character more than others – the Monitor.

Beginning in the years preceding 1985’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” The Monitor began to manifest, occasionally aiding villains and consistently monitoring the events of Earth-One and Earth-Two from his satellite. Despite variations in his origin throughout the years due to changes in the DC Multiverse, it is crucial to understand that he is working tirelessly to preserve the multiverse in whatever manner possible.

Ultra-Humanite

In contrast to well-known adversaries such as Lex Luthor or Brainiac, Superman’s initial supervillain was none other than the malevolent genius called the Ultra-Humanite. Known for his mad scientist antics, the Ultra-Humanite posed a significant threat to both Golden Age Superman and the Justice Society. He developed a method to transfer his consciousness into various bodies, starting with Delores Winters’ body before acquiring an albino gorilla body enhanced with superhuman abilities. Originally a villain in Earth-Two, the Ultra-Humanite often found himself overshadowed by other evil geniuses like Luthor and Doctor Sivana of Shazam fame. Nevertheless, the DCU has potential to reintroduce him as a formidable antagonist, particularly given his potential rivalry with Lex Luthor.

Earth-Two Superman

In simpler terms, Earth-Two is the initial DC Universe where all classic DC characters resided from 1938 to 1986. These were the original superheroes, featuring early versions of DC’s Trinity (Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman) who formed a significant portion of the heroic community that included one of the earliest superteams – the Justice Society of America. The characters from Earth-Two, such as Wonder Woman and Batman, are cool adaptations of popular heroes, but none compare to the unique nature of Earth-Two’s Superman, who protected the multiverse against the threat posed by the Anti-Monitor.

As a fan, I can’t help but feel excited about the possibility of the DCU introducing the multiverse. There’s just something special about Earth-Two Superman being there – knowing that he fought the Ultra-Humanite, the original Lex Luthor, and other adversaries during times like the Great Depression and Nazis, gives a sense of history and continuity. Moreover, his role as Power Girl’s father figure could serve as a powerful conclusion to her storyline and set the stage for ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths.’

Seeing two Supermen together on screen, one seasoned and the other new, is what multiverse movies are all about. It’s one of many reasons why I think it’s crucial that the original superhero makes an appearance in the DCU.

Hourman

In another iteration of Earth-Two, Hourman is a superhero and part of the Justice Society of America. This extraordinary character, named Rex Tyler, was a chemist who invented Miraclo, a remarkable pill that granted him extraordinary strength, speed, and resilience for only an hour. However, his dependence on the chemical, both for combat with the Justice Society and for embracing the superhero lifestyle, grew. Even after the JSA disbanded, Hourman continued to fight crime due to his addiction. Over time, he developed a non-addictive variant of the chemical and reconnected with the Justice Society when they reunited. His heroic lineage was carried on by his son, who also pursued a career as a superhero.

As a dedicated DC fan, I’ve always admired Hourman, even though he may not be as renowned as some of the Golden Age greats. However, his significance in the grand scheme of the DC Multiverse is undeniable. What sets Hourman apart is his unique narrative – addiction. His struggles have added depth and complexity to the genre of superheroes, making for captivating tales that resonate with a more mature audience, much like James Gunn’s vision for the DCU. I believe Hourman deserves more recognition and the DCU has the power to give him the spotlight he truly deserves.

The Legion of Superheroes

In simpler terms, the Legion of Superheroes was among the earliest teen superhero groups, initially appearing in stories about Superboy during the 1950s. Hailing from the 30th century, these young heroes drew inspiration from the heroes of yesteryear, dedicating themselves to safeguarding the future. Both Superboy and Supergirl were part-time time travelers within this team. The soap opera-like nature of their stories made them a favorite among DC Comics fans. However, due to their complex history, they are considered one of the trickier DC teams for newer fans who didn’t follow their peak popularity.

The Legion comprises characters such as Lightning Lass, Spaceboy, Giant Boy, Superboy, Saturn Woman, Ghost Girl, and others. These vintage superheroes have a unique appeal due to their youthful powers, offering numerous creative possibilities. The Legion is undeniably deserving of recognition as one of the most influential superhero teams in comic book history. Launching a dedicated series for them within the DC Universe seems fitting for a grand reintroduction into the contemporary scene.

Wally West

Since 2008, DC has heavily invested in the character of Barry Allen as the central Flash figure across comics, television shows, and movies within the DCEU. However, there’s a more suitable Flash for the DC Universe – Wally West. While Barry Allen is admirable, it’s Wally who deserves to be highlighted as the superior Flash.

Wally West initially donned the Kid Flash suit, mastering lightning-fast speeds under the guidance of multiple speedsters such as Barry Allen, Jay Garrick, and Johnny Quick. He was the unique sidekick who ascended to the role of his mentor, revitalizing the popularity of the Flash character. Regarded as one of the greatest superheroes ever, Wally is known for his incredible speed, strength, and deep comprehension of the Speed Force. Many of Barry Allen’s personality attributes portrayed across various media were derived from him. It’s argued that Wally West should be the primary Flash in the DC Universe, given that Barry has lost some of his prestige in recent years.

Nightwing

One fantastic aspect of the DC Universe (DCU) is that DC Studios is showing faith in fans by not resetting everything from scratch. The DCU depicted in series like “Creature Commandos” and trailers for the 2025 “Superman” movie represents a superhero world that has been active for some time. This allows many of DC’s long-standing legacy heroes, such as Dick Grayson, to debut with the identities they’ve held for years rather than their original comic book personas. Out of all characters, Dick Grayson could benefit from this treatment more than others.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the historic significance of Dick Grayson, often referred to as “The Original Robin.” He was the first sidekick in comic book history and later became one of the founding members of the Teen Titans, propelling them to become the most iconic DC team during the ’80s.

Transitioning from his role as Batman’s sidekick, Dick Grayson earned his own identity, adopting the name Nightwing, a tribute to Superman’s Kryptonian roots. Over time, Nightwing has grown into one of DC’s most influential heroes, serving as a junior member of the Trinity in many aspects. He’s the charismatic leader that fans adore and look up to, always there when we need him.

Dick Grayson is an essential part of the DC Universe, but I believe his introduction should be in his ultimate form – as Nightwing. This way, we can appreciate his growth from Robin to a hero who stands on his own, embodying the spirit and values that make the DCU so captivating.

Superman has a release date of July 11th.

2025-02-26 04:12