7 Great DC Heroes Who Have Never Joined the Justice League

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The Justice League is DC Comics’ main team of superheroes, always ready to defend the universe from any danger. They’ve fought everyone from common criminals to powerful villains aiming to rule the cosmos. While a core group of seven members are the most well-known and frequently appear, the team’s roster often changes. The Justice League regularly adds new heroes as needed, and recently, with the DC All-In Special, they’ve expanded into the Justice League Unlimited, opening membership to almost every hero in existence.

Despite the Justice League having a huge roster over the years, some amazing DC heroes have never been members. We’re looking at seven of them today. It became more challenging when so many characters joined the Justice League Unlimited, so we’re focusing on heroes from the main DC timeline – not alternate versions. These are characters who would have been fantastic additions to the team. Let’s explore who could have been Justice League recruits!

7) Aquagirl (Lorena Marquez)

Aquaman has had several partners fight alongside him in the Justice League, but his second Aquagirl often gets left out of the conversation. Created when a section of San Diego fell into the ocean and became ‘Sub Diego,’ she gained powers from Aquaman’s DNA and has consistently protected her underwater city. She’s even been a member of the Teen Titans on occasion. Despite her dedication, she hasn’t achieved the same level of recognition as Aquaman’s other sidekicks and is largely forgotten. Now might be her chance to prove she deserves a permanent spot among the League’s heroes.

6) Sandman

Wesley Dodds was a key member of the Justice Society of America during its early years. Known as the Sandman, he used a potent sleeping gas and relied on his precognitive dreams to fight crime and unravel mysteries. Unlike many of his JSA teammates who later joined the Justice League Unlimited, Wesley passed away before that opportunity arose. However, in the DC Universe, death isn’t always final, leaving the possibility for his return and a chance to join the League that followed his original team.

5) Icon

Okay, let me tell you about Icon. He’s a huge deal in the ‘Dakotaverse,’ but you might recognize him popping up in main DC comics too. This character has a truly wild backstory – an alien who landed on Earth way back in 1839 and, get this, keeps reincarnating as his own son every few decades! He was even inspired to become a hero by Rocket, and quickly became a major figure protecting Dakota. Honestly, Icon deserves a spotlight – his origin is fascinating, deeply connected to Black history, and he has one of the most compelling character arcs I’ve ever seen in a comic. He’s absolutely Justice League material, and I’m hoping we get to see a lot more of him soon.

4) Rip Hunter

Everyone talks about Booster Gold, but Rip Hunter is the time travel guy at DC, in my opinion. It’s wild to think Booster is actually Rip’s son from the future – talk about a family legacy of protecting the timeline! Rip’s been at the center of pretty much every major time-bending story the League has done, and he’s always been the go-to expert. He’s a bit of a curmudgeon, honestly, and doesn’t always get along with heroes who act without thinking. He’s often the voice of reason, trying to keep everyone focused on the larger consequences, which is a great balance to all the heroes who are just trying to save the day right now.

3) Static

Static, a popular hero from the Dakotaverse, has easily transitioned into DC’s main universe. He’s been a Teen Titan and frequently appears as a solo hero, recently returning after a long absence in DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight. Virgil Hawkins, known as Static, developed the ability to control electricity when a massive chemical explosion in Dakota City created the “Bang Babies”—people transformed by the mutagenic fallout. Static was Dakota’s top superhero and still has a dedicated fanbase. With his recent return to action, now is the perfect time to invite him to join the League.

2) Supergirl (Linda Danvers)

Although Kara is the best-known Supergirl, Linda Danvers held that title before her. Linda was a regular person who was drawn into a dangerous cult and, after being sacrificed, gained superpowers when a being called Matrix merged with her. What makes her story unique is that she chose to retire – she sent Kara back in time to face a deadly crisis, knowing it meant Kara would die. While she’s occasionally donned the Supergirl costume since then, now is the ideal moment for her return. With Superman gone and a new generation of Superboys taking center stage, the world could really benefit from another Supergirl.

1) Superboy-Prime

Let’s talk about Superboy-Prime, a major player in the “Reign of the Superboys” storyline. While he used to be a villain, he’s completely changed and is now a genuine hero. He’s currently filling in for Superman, even headlining his own Superman comic book. It seems he’s staying on this Earth for a while, so adding him to the Justice League feels right. He’s shown he’s as heroic as anyone else, and he always had the potential to become a truly great hero. Superboy-Prime deserves to be recognized, and the Justice League could be the perfect place for him to shine.

If you could add any hero to the Justice League, who would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-22 01:42