5 DC Superhero Teams Everyone Has Forgotten About

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DC Comics features many superhero teams, but the Justice League and Teen Titans are usually the most remembered. While those are DC’s most popular groups, several others have found success and gained recognition over the years. The Legion of Super-Heroes remains beloved by fans of futuristic DC comics, and the Justice League International is a long-time favorite for those who enjoy quirky, unconventional teams – it’s still considered one of the best groups of misfits ever assembled.

Many DC teams have faded into obscurity, and some comic book fans may not even be aware they ever existed. Here are five of the most overlooked, yet great, teams from DC’s history.

5) The Conglomerate

The Justice Society International was a very successful team for DC Comics, but another team, The Conglomerate, tried to gain similar popularity. Claire Montgomery created The Conglomerate to compete with JLI, which was then managed by Maxwell Lord – Claire’s former husband.

The Conglomerate was a superhero team featuring established heroes like Booster Gold, Echo, and Gypsy, alongside lesser-known characters such as Maxi-Man, Praxis, Reverb, and Vapor. Booster Gold had recently left the Justice League International, feeling undervalued, and hoped the Conglomerate would boost his public image. Claire assembled the team, drawing from a mix of second- and third-tier heroes. Ultimately, the Conglomerate lasted only 17 issues and never had its own dedicated comic book series.

4) The Outsiders

For comic book fans in the 1980s, The Outsiders were a memorable team. It all started in The Brave and the Bold #200, where Batman created the group because the Justice League wouldn’t assist in rescuing Lucius Fox. This first version, known as Batman and the Outsiders, featured heroes like Black Lightning, Katana, Halo, Metamorpho, and Geo-Force.

I’ve always loved the idea of this team – they weren’t about saving the world from giant threats, but helping everyday people, a real street-level group. It felt like the perfect fit for Batman to lead, and they’ve always had a dedicated following. They did make a comeback in the New 52, but honestly, even though longtime DC fans adore these underdogs, they just haven’t gotten the same level of attention as the bigger heroes. It’s a shame, especially considering their latest run only lasted 17 issues before wrapping up in 2020.

3) Defiance

Project Defiance, formerly known as the Dark Titans, debuted in Deathstroke’s 2017 comic series. Deathstroke, aiming to create a team of heroes superior to the Teen Titans, assembled this group. The team consisted of his children, Jericho and Rose, the young Terra (previously featured in Judas Contract), Tanya Spears as the third Power Girl, and Kid Flash (Wallace West).

Deathstroke attempted to show he’d changed by leading the team on missions authorized by the government. However, his own actions led to the team falling apart, as Kid Flash and Power Girl didn’t trust him. Existing family issues and strained relationships with his children further contributed to the problems. The team, called Defiance, lasted only 11 issues and was cancelled within a year.

2) The Terrifics

The Terrifics deserve a comeback! With Mister Terrific being so popular in the DC Universe, there’s hope we might see the team return. They have a great roster, and it’s a shame they haven’t been around much for over five years, except for a brief appearance in a 2023 Flash story.

The team, originally assembled by Mister Terrific and named in his honor, was created to prevent a gateway from opening to the Dark Multiverse. He recruited Metamorpho, Plastic-Man, and Phantom Girl as its core members. Though the series lasted 30 issues before concluding in 2020, fans are hopeful James Gunn will include them in the new DC Universe.

1) Shadowpact

While most comic fans know the Justice League Dark, a lesser-known group of DC’s supernatural heroes is called the Shadowpact. They first appeared in 2005’s Day of Vengeance #1, during the Infinite Crisis storyline, with the goal of stopping the powerful, but unstable, Spectre. The original Shadowpact team consisted of Blue Devil, Detective Chimp, Enchantress, Nightmaster, Nightshade, and Ragman.

As a huge DC fan, I’ve always been fascinated by lesser-known teams, and Shadowpact is definitely one of those. Apparently, the wizard Shazam believes any mystic group calling themselves Shadowpact is doomed to fight hopeless battles and ultimately fail – a pretty grim outlook! They did have a 25-issue run back in 2008, but honestly, they’re still largely forgotten within the DC Universe. It’s a shame, because I found their concept really interesting.

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2026-01-09 21:15