7 Must-See Obscure DC Characters in ‘The New History of the DC Universe’

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2025 marks a record-breaking year for DC Comics, and they’re looking to capitalize on this success by attracting as many new readers as possible. With ‘Superman (2025)’ and the Absolute Universe thriving, DC aims to unveil the expansiveness of the DC Multiverse to potential hordes of fans. To achieve this, they are introducing a fresh series titled ‘The New Chronicles of the DC Universe‘. This new series is designed to outline, you could say, the latest chronology of the DC Universe. DC veteran Mark Waid will be spearheading this project, ensuring it will be one of the most thoroughly researched comic book ventures ever undertaken. With his extensive knowledge and deep affection for DC’s 87-year superhero legacy, Waid promises to strike all the right chords, offering readers their favorite characters in iconic DC events. Characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Justice Society, and many others will feature prominently, but it’s crucial that lesser-known characters also make an appearance.

As a dedicated fan of the DC universe, I firmly believe that no other comic book industry can rival DC’s exceptional lower tier of superheroes. What truly captivates us DC enthusiasts is the intriguing array of peculiar, esoteric characters that populate the depths of the DC Multiverse. It’s high time that The New History of the DC Universe acknowledges and weaves these elements into its narrative, offering readers a comprehensive view of the DC Universe at its finest. Here are seven obscure DC characters I believe should grace the pages of The New History of the DC Universe, igniting excitement among fans like myself.

Hourman I

I’m particularly fond of Earth-Two and the superheroes from DC’s Golden Age, with Hourman I being one of my top picks. Rex Tyler, a chemist, invented Miraclo, a substance that granted him extraordinary strength and invincibility for an hour at a time. As Hourman I, he was a valuable member of the Justice Society, often serving as their strongman. However, it was disclosed that Hourman I struggled with addiction to Miraclo and his superhero role, which added depth to the character and made him one of the most complex heroes from the Golden Age. He had a son named Rick who followed in his footsteps as Hourman, and he faced death and potential resurrection, possibly again. Despite his straightforward appearance, Hourman I played a crucial role in both the Golden and Silver Ages. Hourman I is a DC legend, and since Waid plans to delve into both eras, it’s essential that he includes Hourman I in his work.

Giovanni Zatara

Originally known as Giovanni Zatara, this character was initially introduced in Action Comics #1, earning a significant role in one of the most influential superhero comics ever. Often recognized simply as Zatara, he stands out among DC’s array of Golden Age magic users due to his remarkable legacy. His daughter, Zatanna, and even Batman were among his students; Zatara taught Batman the skill of escapism. Although Zatara possessed genuine magical abilities, he also excelled as a skilled stage musician, which was their primary source of income. Throughout the Silver and Bronze Age, Zatara made appearances across the DC Universe. However, he met his end in the classic Swamp Thing story “American Gothic,” collaborating with a group of magic users to thwart the Great Darkness. Beyond his role in training two Justice Leaguers, Zatara holds immense importance due to his contributions to portraying the magical aspect of the DC Universe. Magic plays a significant part in the history of the DC Universe, and Zatara serves as an ideal character for illustrating this unique side of DC.

Doctor Occult

In the era referred to as the Platinum Age of Comics (a term I recently discovered), Doctor Occult made his debut in 1935’s issue #6 of New Fun Comics. This occult detective, who dealt with cases involving monsters and magic, appeared four years before Superman entered the scene and the DC Universe truly took off. Created by the same team behind Superman, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult’s powerful magical abilities and Mystic Symbol of the Seven make him a significant figure in any series exploring the history of DC. Spanning every era of DC, this unique character is a fascinating addition to the DC Universe pantheon. Beyond his historical significance, Doctor Occult and his partner Rose work together to combat evil forces, eventually merging into one being, each taking control at different times. A lesser-known character in the DC Universe, it would be a missed opportunity for Mark Waid not to include Doctor Occult in his works.

Kamandi

Jack Kirby, an influential figure, holds the title as one of the most creative minds in the comic book industry’s history. He played a significant role in the inception of the Marvel Universe but eventually parted ways with the publisher due to certain disagreements and treatment, which ultimately led him to DC Comics. At DC, Kirby introduced some groundbreaking ideas, one of which was the Great Catastrophe, a disaster so devastating it would wipe out Earth and humanity. In its wake, the world became populated by intelligent animals fighting over the remnants of human civilization and technology. This post-apocalyptic landscape was home to Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth. Battling to survive in this bleak future, Kamandi’s stories are some of Kirby’s finest works at DC Comics. Mark Waid, a writer who values classic stories and their creators, will undoubtedly include many Kirby characters. The Great Catastrophe has been depicted in various alternate DC timelines — it even had its own Earth in the New 52 DC Multiverse — so featuring it and Kamandi in The New History of the DC Universe is essential.

Anthro

In a broader scope than just the 20th and 21st centuries, “The New Account of the DC Universe” encompasses the history of DC Comics that dates back to prehistoric times. The character Anthro debuted in 1968’s “Showcase” #74, depicting the first human being born to Neanderthal parents who lived during the Stone Age. After a brief stint in “Showcase,” Anthro received his own series, but it only lasted for six issues. In the following years, Anthro made sporadic appearances until he reappeared in significant roles during the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” (second issue) and later in the 2000s, with attempts to revive the character in “Tales of the Unexpected” and “Final Crisis.” Anthro has a rich history, having fought against Vanda Savage in prehistoric times and even encountering Batman. Given this extensive backstory, it’s no surprise that Waid intends to feature Anthro in “The New History of the DC Universe.

Animal Man

Grant Morrison is one of DC Comics’ most renowned creators who has collaborated extensively with Mark Waid throughout their careers. As such, it is expected that Morrison’s work will be prominently featured in “The New History of the DC Universe“. Since 1989, Morrison has played a pivotal role in shaping the DC Universe, with his groundbreaking run on the series “Animal Man“. This comic book centered around Buddy Baker, a superhero with animal powers, and his family: his wife Ellen, son Cliff, and daughter Maxine. The story drew readers into the Baker family’s life while redefining Animal Man’s character and introducing the concept of the Red, an energy source for all living creatures that was then known as the morphogenetic grid. “Animal Man” explored the relationship between humans and fiction, and Morrison’s influential run concluded with Animal Man encountering the fictional world, discussing comics, and reflecting on the character’s evolution. Although not the most obscure DC character, Animal Man is still less well-known than he once was. It would be exciting to see this significant DC character represented in “The New History of the DC Universe“.

Captain Comet

Captain Comet, an intriguing figure in DC’s comic book lore, made his debut in Strange Adventures #9, dated 1951. This period in DC’s timeline was peculiar, as it marked the twilight of the Golden Age, which had officially ended with Action Comics #1, by most accounts. The Justice Society had disbanded, and the publisher’s superhero titles primarily featured Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. This era was characterized by a fascination with atomic energy and space travel, hence the emergence of characters like Captain Comet.

Born in 1931, Adam Blake possessed the future evolutionary potential of a human being from a century-thousand ahead. This endowed him with extraordinary powers such as superhuman strength, invulnerability, flight, telekinesis, telepathy, super speed, teleportation, super senses and intellect, concussive energy blasts, and more. Captain Comet battled extraterrestrials and ventured into space, eventually becoming a key cosmic hero for DC, teaming up with Earth’s heroes as well as those from beyond our planet.

Captain Comet is a crucial figure in DC’s history, paving the way for numerous science fiction characters such as Space Cabbie and Tommy Tommorrow. It is strongly suggested that he merits more attention in The New History of the DC Universe than most other characters.

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2025-04-20 00:10