5 Best Metropolis-Based Heroes Not in the Superman-Family

by

Metropolis, DC’s futuristic city, is best known as the home of Superman. The city fully embraces its identity as a hub for innovation and progress in the DC Universe, acting as a center for human achievement. This drive is fueled by its many ambitious residents, including iconic figures like Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Steel, and Perry White. Metropolis strives to be the world’s greatest city, but maintaining that standard requires constant effort from everyone who lives there.

Superman can’t be everywhere at once, and Metropolis needs more than one hero to keep it safe. Many other superheroes have stepped up to call the city home and help protect it. Today, we’re highlighting five of these often-overlooked heroes who have lived and worked in Metropolis, even if they’ve since moved on. Let’s take a look at these amazing protectors of the City of Tomorrow!

5) Gangbuster

As a movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the character of Gangbuster. The first one was this teacher, Jose Delgado, who basically built himself armor and started taking down the gangs terrorizing a really rough part of town. It’s cool because the mantle’s been passed around – a shapeshifting villain even wore the suit once, and believe it or not, Superman briefly became Gangbuster during a crisis! Most recently, it’s been Jose’s niece, Rebekah. What I like is that unlike Superman, Gangbuster is a down-to-earth, street-level hero. No superpowers, just raw fighting skill and normal weapons. They’re a lot more rough around the edges too, often acting like vigilantes rather than traditional heroes. Think of them as a more gritty, budget-friendly Batman – they really stand out when you compare them to Superman’s whole ‘boy scout’ vibe.

4) Guardian

Guardian was one of the earliest superheroes, acting as a street-level protector of Metropolis during the Golden Age of comics. Created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, he was very similar to Captain America – a heroic figure in a blue suit who fought using a shield. Like Gangbuster, Guardian primarily worked in the dangerous Suicide Slums, initially as a police officer. However, realizing the residents didn’t trust the police, he became a costumed hero to both protect himself and fight against the corruption controlling the area. Interestingly, Guardian is the uncle (later great-uncle) of Roy Harper, a famous hero known as part of the Arrow Family, and his genetic material was used in some of the earliest cloning experiments by Cadmus.

3) Marilyn Moonlight

Marilyn Moonlight is a unique hero with a fascinating backstory. She first protected Metropolis when it was a small Wild West town, and was later brought back to life by Lex Luthor as a ghost with powers tied to moonlight. Initially, she could only appear at night, but she eventually overcame that limitation. Marilyn represents a largely unexplored part of DC’s history, and the idea of a ghostly cowgirl who controls moonlight is incredibly creative and fun. As the newest hero on this list, there’s a lot of potential to really delve into her character and motivations.

2) Booster Gold

Booster Gold is a hero from the 25th century with a surprisingly complex past. Once a promising football player, he risked everything – even throwing games – to afford his mother’s medical care. After being exposed, he found work at a superhero museum and decided to use time travel to become a hero himself. He settled in Metropolis, hoping to achieve fame and fortune, but never quite succeeded for long. However, Booster transformed from a self-serving opportunist into a truly respected and vital hero, playing a crucial role in protecting the entire multiverse. Today, he’s known as one of the most level-headed and dependable heroes around.

1) Legion of Super-Heroes

Metropolis lives up to its name as the City of Tomorrow, and its future heroes certainly agree. The Legion, DC’s premier superhero team of the 31st century, was founded on the inspiring deeds of Superboy and Supergirl. Though its members come from across the universe, the team calls Metropolis home, honoring the heroes who came before them. The Legion perfectly represents DC’s ideals of heroism: a diverse group united by a desire for peace and safety. They prove that even small acts of courage can have a lasting impact, becoming legendary over time, and stand as a beacon of hope for a brighter future. Without a doubt, the Legion is one of DC’s greatest teams.

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/all-of-supermans-sidekicks-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2026-03-18 19:11