5 DC Characters Who Should Have Gotten Earth One Comics

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As a die-hard fan of DC comics, I can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment that not all my favorite heroes got a fresh start in the Earth One graphic novel line. This unique imprint offered a breath of fresh air by reimagining well-known characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Teen Titans with innovative origin stories. Each character’s backstory was completely revamped, providing an intriguing new take on the DC Universe.

The Earth One line debuted in October 2010 with Superman: Earth One Vol. 1, and it quickly gained favor among readers for its potential to create a brand-new DC universe. However, despite the initial excitement, the inconsistent publishing schedule appears to have hampered the growth of this ambitious project. Sadly, it seems that the Earth One line came to an end with the release of Batman: Earth One Vol. 3 in June 2021.

1. Green Arrow
2. The Flash (Wally West)
3. Aquaman
4. Martian Manhunter
5. Hawkman

1) The Flash

Reflecting on DC Earth One, The Flash stands out as a fascinating figure with an intriguing backstory. Originally planned to star in his own Earth One book, The Flash’s graphic novel never materialized due to the halt in the graphic novel line. This unrealized graphic novel is one of the biggest regrets from DC Earth One, especially considering The Flash’s ability to traverse the multiverse, which could have made his story one of the most exciting in the series. The depiction of The Flash in Absolute DC mirrors the potential that The Flash in an Earth One setting might have offered. Both Barry Allen and Wally West were capable of carrying an Earth One book with equal intensity. In essence, it appears that Absolute Flash is the closest representation we’ll get to the original but unfulfilled vision for The Flash: Earth One.

2) Aquaman

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but lament over the missed opportunity of Aquaman gracing the comic book world in his Earth One title. Just like The Flash, who redefined speed with the Scarlet Speedster persona, Aquaman was poised to establish his own Earth One identity, alas, Aquaman: Earth One never saw the light of day on the shelves.

Over the years, Aquaman has undergone more transformations than any other DC hero, a testament to his adaptability and enduring appeal. The era of the Super Friends left him as a target for fishy jokes, but Arthur Curry’s character evolved, eventually emerging as a hardened, no-nonsense hero during Peter David’s ’90s Aquaman run. Jason Momoa’s big-screen interpretation beautifully captured Arthur’s contemporary image while maintaining his signature wit.

The qualities embodied by Arthur in the ’90s and his iconic harpoon hand were elements that Aquaman: Earth One could have reimagined, breathing fresh life into the King of Atlantis. Alas, DC’s Earth One series never gave Aquaman the chance to rise from the depths, leaving us fans to wonder what might have been.

3) Martian Manhunter

In simpler terms, the less recognized superhero from DC Comics, Martian Manhunter, has seen a rise in popularity during the 21st century. The collection “Absolute Martian Manhunter” stands out as one of the most intellectually stimulating comic books in recent memory. Sadly, despite his growing appeal and unique abilities, Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz) never received a solo graphic novel within the DC Earth One series. This could be due to his relatively low profile and infrequent standalone comic book titles. However, “Absolute Martian Manhunter” demonstrates that this decision was perhaps misguided, as it showcases how suitable Martian Manhunter would have been for such a graphic novel. Unfortunately, this opportunity remains unrealized, joining a list of other missed chances for Martian Manhunter to shine in his own Earth One graphic novel.

4) Green Arrow

The iconic DC character Green Arrow, also known as the Emerald Archer, initially started off as a character somewhat similar to Batman who uses a bow and arrow, and while he has been associated with the Justice League, his storyline has often felt peripheral. However, the tale of Oliver Queen transforming from a billionaire into a socially conscious superhero would have made an engaging origin story for the DC Earth One series. This series also re-imagined Green Lantern as Hal Jordan, a space miner. Green Arrow’s origin story could have been altered in two ways: either by having Oliver emerge from poverty instead of wealth, or by delving deeper into his high society background. Regrettably, neither variation on Green Arrow’s origin nor any other re-imagining of Oliver Queen under the Earth One banner came to fruition, as the book Green Arrow: Earth One was never published.

5) Shazam

The unique ability of Billy Batson to utter “Shazam!” and morph into a powerful adult hero sets Shazam apart in DC’s pantheon, making fans yearn for more. Regrettably, Shazam was not included in any Earth One series, which is another missed opportunity. It’s possible that the creators at DC Comics considered Shazam as secondary character less suited to spearhead an Elseworlds book like an Earth One graphic novel, similar to Martian Manhunter. However, during the New 52 reboot, Billy Batson’s origin story was subtly explored through the Justice League book. In a parallel scenario, DC Earth One could have introduced Billy in Superman or Wonder Woman’s series before launching his solo title. Alas, like many other DC superheroes, we can only imagine how Shazam might have graced an Earth One graphic novel and lament that it never came to pass.

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2025-08-07 18:22