5 DC Characters From The ’80s Who Are Totally Cringe Now

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As a huge comic book fan, I remember the early 80s weren’t kind to DC. They were really struggling after a big shake-up in the late 70s, and sales were way down. But then, in 1980, New Teen Titans came along – seriously, that book was a game changer! It basically rescued the company. The rest of the decade was incredible for DC, and they really pushed the boundaries of what comics could be. When I think back to DC in the 80s, titles like Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Crisis on Infinite Earths immediately come to mind – truly some of the greatest comics ever made. They created so many fantastic characters and told unforgettable stories during that time.

I loved DC Comics growing up in the ’80s, but let’s be real – they didn’t get everything right. Every decade has those characters that really define the time, and looking back, some of them are just… awkward. There are a few I still adore, but that doesn’t change how cringey they were! Here are five ’80s DC characters that, even as a fan, I have to admit are pretty embarrassing.

5) Snowflame

Snowflame is often mocked by fans, who ironically enjoy the villain, but that doesn’t make the character any less awkward. Created during the 1980s, when cocaine and the war on drugs were prominent, the idea of a supervillain gaining powers from the drug likely seemed clever at the time. However, Snowflame quickly became a stereotypical portrayal of a cocaine user – a chaotic, erratic, and volatile man constantly on the verge of an outburst. While amusing, Snowflame is very much a product of his era and feels dated and cringeworthy as a result.

4) Vigilante

The show Peacemaker has brought a lot of attention to the character Vigilante, and Freddie Stroma’s performance as Adrian Chase is fantastic. However, the show’s version is quite different from the original comic book character. The comic’s Vigilante was a typical dark and brooding anti-hero, similar to the Punisher, who used extreme force as a district attorney to fight crime. He embodied the over-the-top anti-hero trend of the 1980s, a man desperately trying to clean up a corrupt city, ultimately leading to a tragic end. The character was often overly serious and can be difficult to read, though a two-part story written by Alan Moore is considered a standout.

3) Vibe

The Justice League has seen its share of less-than-stellar members, heroes who just didn’t quite fit. The team’s lineup from the ‘Detroit’ era is often considered the weakest, and the character Vibe is a prime example of why. Vibe was conceived during the 1980s breakdancing craze, but the character felt inauthentic – created by people outside the culture, he never managed to capture the coolness of the trend. Despite having interesting powers, Vibe ultimately made breakdancing seem…uncool.

2) TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids

The TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids comics were essentially ads for Tandy home computers disguised as a comic book. Featuring characters Shanna and Alec, these comics were distributed through Radio Shack and often showed them promoting Tandy computers, sometimes even alongside DC superheroes like Superman. While amusingly bad, the comics were largely focused on how amazing Tandy computers were and how they could solve any problem, often with superheroes watching in amazement. They’re famously awkward, but also strangely entertaining.

1) Starfire

Starfire is a fantastic Teen Titan, but looking back, her original portrayal is a bit awkward. She was clearly designed to be attractive, and often came across as naive and oblivious to social norms – though it was played for charm. She was beautiful, kind, and didn’t worry much about being modest, making her a classic teenage fantasy. While she’s a much-loved character with a strong legacy, it’s hard to deny that her earlier depiction feels dated and a little cringeworthy. Anyone who doesn’t see that should revisit those old New Teen Titans comics.

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2025-11-10 18:13