Starting in the 1990s, Image Comics rapidly emerged as the dominant independent comic book publisher within the industry. While it doesn’t have a shared universe like DC or Marvel, Image Comics has nonetheless produced many adored and iconic superheroes, including Spawn and Invincible. However, not every Image superhero endured over time. For three decades, Image Comics created numerous superheroes, but most were relegated to gathering dust on the shelf. Many of these heroes had an opportunity to shine in Season 3, Episode 7 of Invincible, as they were part of the “Invincible War” storyline that episode was based on. Unfortunately, the majority couldn’t be utilized due to legal constraints. Others failed commercially or were abandoned when their creators switched projects.
These less renowned superheroes from Image Comics – ranging from gritty anti-hero types to humorous crime fighters – played significant roles in shaping the company’s identity and are worthy of recognition.
1) Cyberforce
In 1992, a cyberpunk spin-off of the X-Men emerged, known as Cyberforce. This group consisted of mutants who had been subjected to grueling cybernetic enhancements at the hands of the malevolent corporation, Cyberdata. Escaping from their oppressors, these enhanced mutants united to form a superhero team. Key members included Ripclaw, Cyblade, Heatwave, Velocity, and others. Although efforts were made to revive the franchise following the 90s, they were short-lived, leaving the team of cyborg mutants largely forgotten.
2) Firebreather
Duncan, known as Firebreather, is a unique creature, half human and half dragon. His giant dragon father rules as the king of monsters – a title Duncan tries to avoid. This hybrid being has orange skin, claws, and small wings that allow him to fly. Due to his mixed lineage, he’s shunned by both human and monster communities. However, he selflessly protects the innocent as a hero. In 2010, Cartoon Network produced a movie about this character, but unfortunately, he hasn’t been featured since then.
3) Glory
Glory, born to a goddess from the Amazon realm and the ruler of the Underworld, is a unique character with attributes of both Amazons and demons. She possesses extraordinary strength, mastery over various weapons, and has the ability to transform into a more fearsome form for added power. Throughout her adventures, she fought countless monsters and formed alliances with other Image Comics heroes like Supreme and Youngblood. However, after an extremely successful reboot in 2012, Glory has been absent from comic books for over a decade now.
4) Shadowhawk
During the ’90s, Shadowhawk – a grittier, darker version of Batman – gained immense popularity due to his stylish outfit and propensity for violence. The Shadowhawk identity symbolizes a spirit of justice that seeks suitable bearers. Throughout history, there have been numerous Shadowhawks tracing back to ancient Egypt, each one battling crime under the cloak of darkness. Regrettably, the Shadowhawk legacy diminished when the character was temporarily retired from active duty.
5) Dynamo 5
Regrettably, the Dynamo 5, whose narrative revolves around upholding their family legacy as superheroes, have largely slipped into obscurity within Image Comics. Originating from the five illegitimate offspring of the late Captain Dynamo, each member was endowed with one of his five powers: flight, shape-shifting, super-strength, telepathy, and other extraordinary abilities. Assembled as the Dynamo 5, these young heroes sought to carry on their father’s heroic deeds. The team consisted of Supervision, Smasher, Ramjet, Wraith, and Menagerie. Unfortunately, they have not been seen or heard from since 2009, with no signs suggesting a comeback in the future.
6) Fortress
From the get-go, Fortress seemed destined for failure as a character, given his introduction within the Image Comics shared universe that disintegrated after just three issues. In the premiere issue of Image United #1, Fortress donned a suit granting him super strength and energy beam emission. He was haunted by nightmarish visions of a world devastated by a corrupted Spawn, with only he and a handful of other heroes able to prevent this grim future. Despite the character and plot holding great promise, the comic series concluded prematurely without a conclusive ending, leaving no indication that it will be revisited in the future.
7) Jack Staff
A less serious superhero named Jack Staff, also known as John Smith, was considered Britain’s top superhero. The specific details about his origin are unclear, but it is known that he has been alive since Victorian times and took on the role of a masked hero during World War II to battle the Nazis. Today, in contemporary society, Jack Staff remains active in combating crime with the aid of his trusty cane. Unlike other heroes listed here, Jack Staff wasn’t the most successful at crime-fighting, but he consistently endeavored to safeguard the citizens of Castletown. Unfortunately, due to low sales, Britain’s greatest hero was ultimately discarded and has not been utilized since 2010.
8) Pitt
Pitt is essentially the outcome when you combine the Hulk with pure terror-inducing elements. Standing towering and fierce, Pitt is an anti-hero who is part human, part alien, created through extraterrestrial experiments. Escaping their control, he transformed into Earth’s protector against alien threats. Equipped with extraordinary strength, lethal claws, and the ability to establish mental connections with his adversaries, even if they fled, he could still locate them and wreak havoc upon them. For approximately a dozen years, Pitt graced the pages of comic books before gradually disappearing from public awareness.
9) Supreme
Initially, Supreme, much like Superman, exhibited a more aggressive and egotistical demeanor. After encountering a radioactive substance known as Superium, Ethan Crane transformed into one of the globe’s strongest superheroes. He inherited all of Superman’s abilities but had no reservations about taking down villains. His original creators painted him as an unethical guardian with a self-important attitude, but comic book icon Alan Moore later revamped the character to pay homage to the Silver Age Superman. Moore’s tenure was highly acclaimed, however, Supreme has been absent from the scene for quite some time now.
10) Youngblood
In 1992, the comic book publisher Image Comics entered the scene with the release of Youngblood #1. This comic introduced a diverse group of characters such as Shaft, Die-Hard, Vogue, and Badrock, who formed a government-backed superhero team that became iconic during the 1990s. The characters contributed to the popularization of several anti-hero traits typical of the ’90s, like ominous names, exaggerated physiques, and morally ambiguous protagonists. Initially, it was a massive success, but over time these clichés lost their appeal. Despite various attempts to revive the franchise, Image ultimately decided to abandon the team that had kick-started their company.
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2025-07-08 22:14