7 DC Villains Who Deserve to Become Heroes

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Supervillains are the opposite of superheroes, embodying all the wickedness and harm they fight against. These villains pursue their own selfish desires, disregarding the consequences for others. While some are purely evil and unchanging, others aren’t beyond redemption. Witnessing consistent selflessness and bravery can soften even the most hardened hearts. Some villains actively seek to become heroes, while others simply need a little encouragement to change their ways.

Let’s explore seven DC villains who could make great heroes, even if just temporarily. We’ll focus on characters who’ve shown a desire to do good, despite taking the wrong approach, and those who would be fascinating if they chose a more heroic path. Some villains, like Catwoman and Black Adam, truly shine when they’re on the side of good. Let’s dive into what their heroic journeys might look like.

7) Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a compelling character because her motivations – feminism and protecting the environment – often appeal to people. However, she’s usually taken things too far, prioritizing her own desires over what’s truly just. Recently, she’s begun a shift towards being an anti-hero, trying to help the world, though her methods are still far from heroic. No other DC character connects these important issues quite like she does, which makes the possibility of her becoming a genuine hero really exciting. Imagine her using her passion to create positive, heroic change instead of pursuing harmful goals.

6) Blackfire

Blackfire, Starfire’s older sister, has always been a deeply flawed and often cruel character. She did terrible things to gain the throne of Tamaran, yet secretly wished to rebuild her relationship with Starfire, whom she’d repeatedly hurt in her ambition. Starfire’s example could finally inspire Blackfire to self-reflection and positive change. Blackfire’s biggest obstacle has been her inability to forgive herself and believe she’s capable of redemption, but if she could overcome that, she has the potential to become a hero and fight alongside her sister.

5) Captain Cold

Leonard Snark, also known as Captain Cold, isn’t just a criminal – he operates by a strict personal code, as do all the Rogues. This code earns them a level of respect, even from the heroes they fight. Captain Cold has been hurt by the villainous life repeatedly, and despite his ongoing conflict with the Flash, he has the potential to become a true hero. In fact, if someone were to offer him the right motivation, Captain Cold and the Flash could team up to protect their city, which would be an exciting development.

4) Reverse-Flash

Eobard Thawne, another one of the Flash’s enemies, is arguably the most spiteful character in comics. His intense focus on Barry Allen has pushed him to the brink of madness multiple times. While he’d never be considered a hero normally, circumstances have created a chance for him to change. A recent storyline, “Finish Line” in The Flash (2016), reset his history, meaning he never became a villain – though he still admires the Flash. This happier version of Eobard could follow in the original’s footsteps and recreate the experiment that gave Barry his powers, but use them for good, as his hero would have hoped. He has the potential to become this century’s Flash, if he chooses to.

3) Cheetah

Cheetah is a deeply sympathetic character, forever haunted by her past. Barbara Minerva views Wonder Woman as both a friend and a rival, and believes Wonder Woman is responsible for her transformation. This self-pity fuels her villainous actions, even though she secretly desires redemption. Given Wonder Woman’s mission to rehabilitate villains, allowing Cheetah to become a true hero would be the perfect realization of that goal. It would be Wonder Woman’s greatest achievement, proving that her approach to peace can succeed, even in the harsh realities of the world.

2) Ultraman

Ultraman is a twisted version of Superman from an alternate universe. Unlike the hero we know, Ultraman is completely immoral and is considered one of the worst of the evil Supermen. He’s committed terrible acts and doesn’t seem deserving of forgiveness, which makes the idea of him changing his ways so compelling. Deep down, Ultraman is a miserable and isolated person – he sees himself as a god, yet feels incredibly lonely. It would be fascinating to see Superman reach the humanity hidden within this villain, and explore the true meaning of power. Though Ultraman is a monstrous and seemingly irredeemable character, he represents a chance for hope, showing that even in the darkest situations, things can improve.

1) Joker

The Joker is usually seen as the ultimate villain in DC Comics, but a recent Batman storyline offered a surprising twist. Through an experimental treatment, his sanity and moral compass were temporarily restored, raising the possibility of him being genuinely good, even if only for a short time. Readers are growing weary of the Joker’s typical large-scale attacks on Gotham and mass violence, so turning him into a hero could be a refreshing change. It would allow for a completely new take on the character, and if he eventually reverted to his villainous ways, it would be even more heartbreaking. While the Joker will likely always be a villain at heart, even a brief period as a hero would make his eventual return to evil feel more impactful.

If you could pick one DC villain to become a hero, who would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-17 02:16