5 ‘90s DC Legends Who Deserve a Comeback (Like Kyle Rayner)

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Many comic book fans don’t have fond memories of the 1990s, particularly when it comes to Marvel and Image Comics. However, DC Comics is often viewed differently. While other publishers focused on flashy artwork and attention-grabbing covers, DC prioritized strong storytelling and created many iconic characters during that decade. Now, one of those characters, Kyle Rayner, is getting a spotlight again as he returns as a central figure in the Green Lantern series following the DC K.O. event. Kyle was a standout character then, and he’s just one example of the many legends DC introduced in the ’90s.

DC Comics excelled at creating fresh heroes while honoring its iconic characters. In the 1990s, they revitalized classic roles with new faces, giving their comics a unique vibrancy that set them apart. Now that Kyle Rayner is back, it’s a great time to bring back other popular characters from that era and give them a chance to shine again. Here are five we’d like to see return.

5) Artemis

Wonder Woman is a legendary DC character, but like Superman and Batman, she was temporarily replaced in the early 1990s. Another Amazon, Artemis, took her place, originating from the city of Bana-Mighdall. Although Artemis wasn’t successful as Wonder Woman and ultimately died, she’s since been resurrected and has become a well-developed character in her own right. She’s even moved beyond the Wonder Woman comics, appearing with Red Hood and Bizarro in Red Hood and the Outlaws. A few years ago, Artemis starred in a highly-regarded solo story within the Batman: The Brave and the Bold anthology, and fans would love to see her take on a leading role again.

4) Chronos II

Chronos was a minor enemy of the Atom, appearing in various DC Comics stories. In the mid-1990s, DC tried a new take on the character with Chronos II, introduced in the comic book Chronos. Unlike the original, Walker Gabriel wasn’t a typical villain—he was more of a time-traveling thief who ultimately did the right thing. While the comic series didn’t last long, Chronos II was a compelling character with potential for appearances in many modern stories. He’s a rogue who reluctantly does what’s right, and that kind of character is always welcome.

3) The Eradicator

The “Death of Superman” storyline was a huge hit in the 1990s, followed by “Reign of the Supermen,” where four different characters claimed to be the resurrected hero. One of these was the Eradicator. Originally introduced as a villain in the post-Crisis Superman comics, the Eradicator is a complex character – essentially a clone of Superman with a complicated Kryptonian origin. He’s fought both Superman and his foes. While often portrayed as a villain today, it would be interesting to see a story exploring his more aggressive, powerful side, beyond just his attempts to recreate Krypton or harm humanity. Characters like Steel, Superboy, and Cyborg Superman have received compelling storylines, and it’s time the Eradicator got the same treatment.

2) Damage

Damage is the son of the Golden Age hero the Atom. He was introduced in the 1990s with his own comic book, but he never became a popular character. During the Infinite Crisis storyline, Zoom severely injured him, leading Damage to join the Justice Society of America. There, he worked to control his anger and self-hatred while learning to be a true hero, honoring his father’s legacy. Sadly, he was killed during the Blackest Night event and hasn’t appeared much since. Though Damage was revamped into a more compelling character in the mid-2000s, he never fully reached his potential, and it’s time for a proper return.

1) Hourman III

Hourman’s story spans generations. It began with the original Hourman, followed by his son, Hourman II, who joined the Justice Society. Centuries later, his descendants created Hourman III – a futuristic robot powered by nanobots and capable of time travel. Hourman III even had his own comic book series, and frequently travels through time. While Hourman II is still active, his original brother, Matthew Tyler, hasn’t been seen much lately. Many fans would love to see Matthew return, as he has a surprisingly large following.

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2025-12-30 03:43