6 DC Characters Who Have Become Unlikely Fan Favorites

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As a passionate fan, I’ve often pondered how some characters from the DC comics world didn’t instantly become as renowned as icons like Superman or Wonder Woman. Instead, many were initially created for story purposes rather than long-term character development. Some were even overshadowed by more popular counterparts. It’s a fascinating journey to see how these characters spent years in the shadows of obscurity before finally being recognized for their hidden potential by those who could bring them to the limelight. Typically, this recognition leads to their integration into mainstream comics, which then ignites the love fans have for them, leading us to crave more of these wonderful characters.

Here are six formerly disliked (or at least significantly less popular) DC characters who eventually won over fans’ hearts.

6) Booster Gold

Initially conceived as an unpopular character designed to be disliked, Booster Gold in the DC Universe was initially modeled on the “Greed is Good” ideology prevalent during his creation in 1986. This made him a less altruistic hero driven more by commercialism than justice. Over time, however, his stories developed Booster Gold into a more balanced character, with fewer parodic overtones of cold commercialism and more of a warm-hearted superhero who may stumble but has good intentions.

5) The Riddler

Over the long run of Batman comics, the Riddler – one of Batman’s oldest foes – has experienced several transformations in his character, which can be attributed partly to the changing tides in his popularity throughout the years. At times, his high-level intellect was overshadowed by a eccentric and almost comical persona that felt more fitting for a character like Creeper instead of Riddler, leading him to lose some favor among fans. However, in recent years, particularly following his portrayal by actor Paul Dano in the 2022 film, “The Batman”, the Riddler has seen a resurgence in popularity. Furthermore, stories like “The War of Jokes and Riddles” have played a crucial role in reinventing the character as the Moriarty to Batman’s Sherlock Holmes. Here’s hoping for more cleverness than costumes this time around.

4) Guy Gardner

Currently, Guy Gardner is a prominent and humorous member of the Green Lantern Corps, hailing from Sector 2814. His fame has skyrocketed lately, largely due to his cameo in the latest Superman film. However, this wasn’t always the case. When he first appeared in 1968, Gardner was yet to become a Green Lantern. Instead, he served as a backup for Hal Jordan, ready to assist if needed. Over time, even this role would be called into question for Gardner. In 1971, John Stewart emerged as another Earth-born Lantern, pushing Gardner into relative obscurity. It wasn’t until the 1980s that things began to shift for Gardner. His quick-witted and rebellious nature came to light, fueling his growing popularity. Today, he is not just one of the most recognized Green Lanterns from Sector 2814, but also one of the most renowned Green Lanterns across the DC Universe as a whole.

3) The Question

Similar to Booster Gold, the Question underwent a resurgence in popularity in 2004 when Justice League Unlimited featured him prominently in several notable stories, earning him a place among beloved characters such as Rorschach from Watchmen. First appearing in 1967, the Question had been largely overlooked even within the comic book world for many years. It wasn’t until the 1980s that he began to establish a unique persona (a contrast given his disguise), a trait that grew even stronger following his appearances in the DC Animated Universe. Recently, there’s been talk about possibly including him due to Renee Montoya’s appearance in the latest Harley Quinn film. With James Gunn now leading DC’s live-action universe, we’ll have to wait and see if the Question will also join the cast.

2) Hawkgirl

In the world of comic book Hawks, it was primarily Hawkman who held significant roles until the narrative started changing for several characters, including him, due to the influence of the DCAU (DC Animated Universe). In this altered realm, the spotlight shifted towards Hawkgirl, specifically Shayera Hol. She emerged as a prominent Thanagarian character in animated series such as “Justice League” and “Justice League: Unlimited”.

Shayera’s presence was particularly noticeable during her active participation in the initial series, especially when she played a pivotal role in the concluding episodes of “Justice League”, significantly impacting the series’ overall narrative. However, the continuity of the character became complex as DC introduced multiple versions of Hawkgirl, each with varying roles within the universe. Despite this complexity, Shayera remains popular among fans due to her early exposure through the DCAU.

1) Lobo

Lastly, wrapping up this list, we have none other than Lobo – The One and Only. Known as The Main Man, he’s the real deal. Despite his popularity among fans today, it wasn’t always that way for “the one who feasts on your innards with great delight.” Initially, Lobo was designed as a satirical character, sharing a resemblance to Deadpool, who was initially created as a humorous take on DC’s Deathstroke. However, much like Deadpool, Lobo found his footing in the early 90s and gained mainstream recognition through DCAU productions such as “Superman: The Animated Series.” From then on, Lobo transitioned from being a character for satire or parody to one with genuine potential, even making it to the big screen. He’s quite entertaining in comics too.

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2025-08-22 17:21